Early 19th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Mutual Insurance Co. fire marker without the 1784. Used primarily for advertising purposes, fire marks were used from 1752 to circa 1900. Going back to th...

An early 19th century French Thuya wood thermometer, with brass plate inscribed with 'Thermometre par Mouyer Nancy’. The thermometer tube is sat behind a br...

An early 19th century well-figured and faded mahogany miniature bowfront Chest of 2 short and 3 long graduated drawers. The Chest retaining original brass handles, with crosshatched ...

Salesman size with rectangular top over two over three drawers, splayed bracket feet.

Figurative brass Butcher’s weighbridge. Weighs up to 44 pounds. Complete of main “ Romano” principal weight and additionals “Romanos” for detailed weight. Pedimont and Sardinia King...

A very smart large paper edition of Daniel Defoe's important travelogue novel, a nice copy illustrated throughout by Thomas Stothard. The second Stockdale edition, a smart large pape...

Early 19th century sterling silver vinaigrette made in Birmingham England circa 1813. Sterling silver vinaigrettes were used during the Victorian er...

So-called Bankes obelisk made of black marble ("Ashford Black"), after the obelisk of Philae, which William John Bankes acquired shortly afterwards after...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1810-1820 Burr & Burl Walnut with oversized brass fittings Cigar H...

Rare pair of antique freezes with grapes in gilded wood: very beautiful. Probably they were part of some large mirror that broke, who knows where, when and how. They can be laid over...

Pair of antique stills in blown glass from a pharmacy laboratory, mounted on a coeval wooden base in the shape of a parallelepiped. Italy around 1800.

This superbly crafted wheel barometer and thermometer has a mahogany case surrounded by twisted brass stringing and central panels of foliate tendrils above Russell’s signature thistle motif in black and gilt verre églomisé. It is surmounted by a brass Prince of Wales feather finial. The long, rectangular thermometer plate is inscribed ‘Thermometers: Beaumar, Fahrenheit, Royal Society of London’, the latter being an early attempt to standardise temperature measurement. The circular dial is inscribed ‘Changeable, Fair, Settled Fair, Much Rain’ and ‘Rain’ and signed across the centre ‘J Russell, Falkirk, Invt et Fecit, Watch Maker to his R.H the Prince Regent’. The reverse has a paper label ‘Russell, Iden Collection Inventory 1896’. Scottish, circa 1815. Provenance: Mr Walter Iden. Published: Percy G. Dawson, The Iden Clock Collection, Woodbridge, 1987. No.125, p.280. These ‘royal barometers’ were so named because John Russell of Falkirk...

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare very large Georgian Irish flamed mahogany wine cooler with Lion head handles circa 1810 owned by Sir Charles Alexander Anderson...

An exquisite early 19th-century marble relief medallion, finely crafted to depict the Roman Emperor Claudius in profile. The relief captures Claudius adorned with a laurel wreath, sy...

Handmade silver Kiddush goblet, Poland, circa 1820. Large upper portion engraved with curtain decoration, set on a knobbed stem with skirt decoration on a round stylized base. Clearl...

Snuffbox, Musky Agate and 18 K gold. Miniaute watercoulor on ivory depicting a white dressed woman. Tortoise shell gold piquet framed. France, circa 1810. ...

The enamel and gold Nelson memorial ring made for his aunt, Mrs Thomasine Goulty (1733-1821), commemorating the death of Admiral Viscount Nelson at the...

Antique Dutch hand engraved 833 fine silver round snuff box Please note hand engraved design top and bottom. Tax, assay and date marks on edge of lip and inside base. Date mark for ...

This small box for personal possessions (perhaps papers or letters), is covered in black leather and decorated with borders of brass tacks, including the letters A.T. on its lid, and...

Turkish ottoman inlaid turquoise beads semi precious stones betel nut cutter. Circa 1820, very rare.

A French sulphide portrait cut-glass pendant plaque of Napoleon in the uniform of Colonel of the Guard, after the medal by Andrieu.

This large two-piece antique female statue on base was crafted in Normandy, France, circa 1820. Made of pine wood, the tall figure depicts a religious figure woman in adoration stand...

Victorian sterling silver bracelet with rose gold flowers and leaves, circa 1880's. Stamped inside with English hallmarks, and the maker's mark for Jackson Brothers. Inscription on t...

The snuffbox is in terracotta. Made in the early 19th century, it depicts a discreetly crouching woman "going about her business". In the back there is a hole where the snuff comes o...

A late Georgian mahogany wheel barometer with satinwood marquetry inlay by Bates of Kettering. The mahogany case has satinwood stringing and marquetry shell...

Pair of apothecary glass funnels. Italy 1800 ca.

19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Lathe work, remnants of paint or dark stain. Original pestle included. Period: First half of the 19th century Origin: Eastern, US Size: 5" ...

ST/520 - Old rare Italian map of England, dated 1826-1827 - by Girolamo Tasso, editor in Venise, for the atlas of M.r Le-Sage.

Extremely rare copy of the Venezuelan Declaration of Independance 'Declaracion de Independencia de las Siete Provincias Unidas de Venezuela en Congreso de 5 de Julio de 1811' By Lorenzo Lüthy (c. 1811-1877), printed in Philadelphia, Peter S. Duval, 1841. Lithograph on laid paper, mounted in passepartout, H. 84 x W. 64.5 cm (with mount H. 96,5 x W. 77 cm.) Large and extremely rare lithographed broadside Declaration of Independence of Venezuela by American immigrant...

These vintage ear clips by Ole Lynggaard are exquisite pieces of jewelry crafted from 14-carat gold and featuring high-quality cultured pearls. The renowned Dani...

William Cary, London Circular Protractor. C.1810 The protractor with geared knob turn for full diameter bar, double hinged scribe arms with shaped frame. Main wheel with four spokes and glass sight cross centre, full circumference inscribed divider to 360 degrees signed Cary, London to the bar. Adjustment screws to the arms and housed in it’s original mahogany case with hinged lid. William Cary is listed as working in Strand, London from 1801 to 1825. William Cary was an important scientific instrument maker, he trained under Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) he produced numerous scientific instruments including mechanical calculators...

This fascinating George III silver tray is a work of skillful English artistry, intricately chased and engraved it represents a prestigious commemorative gift for service. The tray rests on 4 bracket feet with oval handles and a delightful gadrooned border. The tray is distinguished by a spectacular engraved inscription of unmatched quality that bears a presentation inscription. The inscription is surrounded by a laurel wreath border with arms, two coat of arms and flags, two of which bear the monograms for King George III and George Spencer...

Set of three ancient simple wooden capitals to use as You wish: in a wall structure, as a base for sculptures, on columns even in the GARDEN because they are made of teak. Look to ...

A small Regency mahogany table top apprentice or collectors chest. The top drawer is an arrangement of four smaller ones, with further drawers below and brass knobs. The top has a re...

“Kaart van het eiland Curaçao.”, “Algemeene kaart der Caraïbische eilanden”, “Plan van het fort Amsterdam op Curaçao” from the atlas “Atlas der overzeesche bezittingen van Zijne Maje...

This English fabric map of Cornwall, rendered in pen-and-ink, showcases exquisite hand-drawn details and charming faded sepia tones. Encased in a classic frame, this piece elegantly ...

India, early 19th century

A pair of desk globes by J. Cary “Cary’s New Terrestrial Globe delineated from the best Authorities extant; exhibiting the late discoveries toward the North Pole and every improve...

C & J GREENWOOD MAP OF THE COUNTY OF DEVON, FROM AN ORIGINAL SURVEY, PUBLISHED 1827, WITH ENGRAVING OF EXETER CATHEDRAL AND MAP OF LUNDY INSET, 6ft 2 ...

Coleccion de libros del 1833, de "L'Histoire Universelle, Ancienne et moderne; A L'usage de la Jeunesse; Par M. Le Compte de Segur, Histoire de France"

A naïve coconut shell “bugbear” powder flask carved as a fish with an open mouth surrounded by scales above a man hunting with a rifle and dogs, the underside plain, circa 1805. “Bugbear” coconut...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Atlas page map of Cheshire printed in 1645 Amsterdam Staffordiensis Comitatvs Vulgo I have thre...

This amazing footbath was created for Napoleon Bonaparte. It was part of the toilet service to be used during his exile on St. Helena. Just before shipm...

19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Remnants of oxblood red and silver blue banded paint. Original pestle included. Origin: Eastern, United States Period: First half of the 19...

Rectangular micromosaic plate featuring a shepherd, seated and resting with his dog at his feet. The shepherd is wearing a woolen cloak over his colorful clothes. He is holding a hat in his left hand and his staff in his right. A wicker basket at his feet is filled with a bouquet of flowers and a bunch of grapes. This pastoral theme is characteristic of the micromosaic production of Gioacchino...

We are delighted to this lovely antique Atlas page map of Northamptonshire printed in 1645 Amsterdam Staffordiensis Comitatvs Vulgo I have three of th...

A white vitreous paste cameo of Emma, Lady Hamilton, attributed to William Tassie after Filipo Rega, of oval form depicting Emma facing right with her hair in a Grecian style, Englis...

A late Georgian brass bound mahogany oyster bucket, of oval form with three brass bands, wooden volute handles and the original brass liner. English, 1810.

First half of the 19th century painted portrait, depicting Newark Hudson. Signed by Chester Dennery, England. Bronze gilded frame.

Painted miniature of a girl, depicting Nicolette six. Dated 1818.

EXTRAORDINARILY EARLY (1806) PRINTED LINEN KERCHIEF GLORIFYING GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRINT WORKS, GERMANTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA Printed in blue ink on coarse, white linen, this patriotic kerchief shows a standing portrait of George Washington, above which is a swag valance and the words “The Effect of Principle, Behold the Man”. The portrait is based on a mezzotint after Gilbert Stuart’s very famous painting of Washington in his later years, most often referred to as the Landsdowne portrait. Stuart painted three versions of it in oil on canvas, one of which was completed in 1796 for a wealthy merchant by the name of William Constable, who commissioned the work for Alexander Hamilton. The kerchief is interesting because it is both American-made and documented. This is exceptionally unusual for any printed textile of the 19th century or prior and the earlier the time period the more unlikely an object is to be identified. This kerchief and a companion piece entitled “The Love of Truth Mark the Boy” (also glorifying Washington, through the fabled story of the cherry tree), were made circa 1806 by Germantown Print Works in Germantown, Pennsylvania. To the left of Washington's image is a portion of his infamous farewell address to his troops at the end of the Revolutionary War. To the right is a short excerpt from his eulogy. Below these are three images. In the center is a square-rigged tall ship with “Commercial Union” above it, flanked by the American eagle on the left and the British lion on the right. It is reasonable to assume that the textile may have been produced in demonstration of the maker's desire, and/or that of others, to advance trade with England. Commercial printers were very influential in early America, as they possessed the means by which to disseminate information. This kerchief and its companion piece are documented in Threads of History, Americana Recorded on Cloth, 1775 - the Present, by Herbert Ridgeway Collins (1979, Smithsonian Press), p. 63, items 38 & 39.* The two pieces pictured are in the collection of Cornell University, but the Collins text also cites an uncut pair to be present in the collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH. The name "Germantown Print Works" is printed on the Western Reserve examples. Another example of the textile in question is documented in "Running for President, The Candidates and Their Images, 1789-1896" by Schlesinger, Israel, and Frendt, (1994, Simon & Schuster), p. 15. I have seen three different color variations of this textile, including sepia, mulberry red, and blue. This particular example has a hand-sewn binding along the top, lower, and left edges. Mounting: The textile was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by expert staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples. The gilded molding has a rippled profile and dates to the period between 1825 and 1850.The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The glazing is U.V. protective plexiglass. Feel free to contact us for more details. Condition: There is an all-over golden oxidation of the white fabric and there is very minor staining. There are tiny tack holes in each corner and there are minor nicks around the perimeter. * Collins relates that Germantown Printworks was operated by the Hewsons. In doing so he cites one of Worthington Chauncey Ford's books on George Washington, but it isn't clear which one (there are many) and no page numbers are given. John Hewson was an Englishman who came to America and opened his printing business on the advice of Benjamin Franklin. He was one of the first “calico printers” and is the earliest documented to have advertised printed kerchiefs. His ads for bandanas appear as early as June 20th, 1774. He is suspected of having produced the very first American kerchief that pictured an American president, which is documented in Collins as item 1 on page 48. Linda Eaton, curator at Winterthur, in 2012, is currently doing in depth research on the three printers of fabrics that were operating in Germantown in early America. She discovered that the owner and/or operator of Germantown Print Works, while not currently known, was not John Hewson. This information is not yet published. She also noted that Winterthur possessed examples of the two George Washington textiles...