American Antiques & Art

American primitive paintings, furniture, textiles, folk art,
and related accessories of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.


“A Token of Love”
An Extraordinary Painted and Carved Mirror

American, pine, last quarter of the 19th century. Adorned with symbols of love—hearts, flowers and lovebirds—this unusual piece was most likley made as a marriage gift. It is intricately carved and beautifully painted in reds, greens, blues and silver. A sophisticated example of folk art at its finest. Height 16½" x Width 17".

Illustrated: A Legacy in Tramp Art by Clifford A. Wallach, p. 98.


An Exceptional Painted and Decorated New Hampshire Tall-Case Clock

Attributed to Elisha Smith Jr. (1795-1847), Sanbornton, New Hampshire, maple, circa 1825. A beautifully painted and stenciled case with a brass eight-day weight-driven movement with strike and calendar and a rocking ship and moon phase in lunette. Distinctive to these clocks is the shape of the hood with its stylistic freestanding columns. 93½” high, 18½” wide, 12½” deep

Literature: See New Hampshire Clocks and Clockmakers by Charles S. Parsons, p. 113, for a similar example.


An Exceptional Carved Cane
with a Man’s Head Atop a “Whimsy” Staff

Signed and carved on all four sides of the staff: “Abram Cook, Maker, 1906, Canisteo New York.” Wood in untouched original surface. The carved, small objects move freely within the staff. This cane is an example of form and function that transcends into a strong expression of folk art in wood. Height 36".


An Exceptional Paint Decorated Tilt-top Candlestand

Pennsylvania; pine, circa 1840-50. Wonderfully shaped top decorated with an elaborate feather and circle design which tilts above a ring turned shaft ending in scrolled legs and all in reds, greens, and black on mustard yellow.

Inscribed “Leonard M. Bennetch 1907. Penja Dutch Tilt-top candle stand Old Bennetch Family Heirloom inherited by Emma Mary Bennetch b 1871 d 1968 from her ancestors.” Height 41 5/8", top 18¾" square.


A Dynamic Raised-Work Table Cover of Exceptional Intricacy and Sophistication

American, found in Maine; Third quarter of the 19th century.
A wool-on-wool embroidered and appliqued raised and stuffed work table cover depicting bold and colorful baskets and bouquets of flowers. The artist has created a “painting on fabric” with imaginative techniques, designs, and choice of colors. 54 inches square.


An Exceptional Carved and Painted Folk Art Doll

This doll has a commanding presence evidenced in her carved facial features, her elongated neck, her intricately carved hair and her grand size. She is American, circa 1840-50. Her head and torso are carved maple; her body is kid, with minor abrasions and paint loss consistent with age and playful use. She is truly a powerful statement of American folk sculpture 24 in. tall. Provenance: The Strong Doll Museum, Rochester, NY.


A Monumental Painted Gathering Basket

American, found in Connecticut, circa 1880. Wood splint with original green paint and an enormous carved bail handle. Wood strips running along the bottom support and balance this heavy gauge basket. Scale, proportion and surface combine to make this one of New England’s great splint baskets. 31 in. width. 30½ in. height. 15 in. deep.


Large Father Christmas Candy Container

Germany, circa 1890-1910. The Santa has a hand-painted composition face, hands, and boots, and is holding a feather tree sprig and a basket with wrapped packages, ribbons, and bells. He stands on a mica-covered base, dressed in a pumpkin colored robe and stuffed hat. Missing is the fur on his beard and some of the woolly trim on his robe, but overall is in very good condition. Ht. 22 in.


A Unique Pair of Exceptionally Tall Queen Anne Side Chairs in Original Red Paint

Connecticut, probably New London County or Stratford. Maple and ash, circa 1790-1800. The chairs in their untouched original paint and condition are pure sculpture with their remarkably tall and elongated shaped splats and posts. Their exceptional form shows the hand of a craftsman taking a standard form and elevating it to a superior quality.

Height 46" | Seat Height 18¼" | Width 20"


A Charming Portrait of a Lovely Young Girl

Probable attribution to Thomas Ware (1803-1826) of Pomfret, Vermont. Oil on canvas, circa 1820-25. A paper label affixed to the back of the canvas identifies Harriet Newell Keyes (1816-1832) of Vershire, Vermont, as the sitter whose brother, Henry Wilder Keyes, was Governor and U.S. Senator of New Hampshire. Descended in the family of the sitter. 26¾" x 24¾" framed.


Portraits of Mr. C.C. Clark and Mr. H.R. Coffer’s Prize Bulls and Cows

Signed and initialed: “From Life by J.F. Stephens, 1912, Savannah, Missouri.” Oil on academy board in original untouched condition and frames. Described in a scroll on the paintings are the names, weights, and owners of each animal. 22¼ x 28 inches the largest.


An Unusual Pair of Paint-Decorated and Stenciled Stools

American, probably Connecticut; cherry, circa 1825-40. Most unusual size and form with very stylish rolled edges to the tops and splay to the legs. 14¼" high, 14¼" wide, 11" deep.


A Hooked Rug Depicting a New England House Flanked by Stylized Trees

Found in Wilmot, New Hampshire, circa 1900. Most likely the rug maker was painting a portrait of their house using wool on burlap and hooked an imaginative border possibly imitating a picture frame. Height 34", width 80¾"


A Dynamic Painted and Decorated Boot and Shoemaker’s Trade Sign

Salem, Massachusetts: pine, circa 1880. Signed: “Manderbach.”

This boldly and imaginatively painted sign in its dry original untouched condition depicts the nature of Mr. F.J. Arnold’s business and the goods he offered for sale. The U.S. 1880’s census lists Frank J. Arnold (b. 1861) as “working in a shoe shop in Salem, Essex Massachusetts.”

WD 54½", HT 19", DP 2".


A Group of Three Miniature Watercolor Portraits

New England, probably New Hampshire, circa 1840. Watercolor, ink and pencil on paper. Inscribed on verso, “Asa Brown, Aunt Amanda wife of Asa Brown and Aunt Betsy.” In addition to the delicately drawn faces, the artist took delight in painting costumes, hair, and details, as seen in the colorful and patterned neck scarf and hair bow and the jewelry and tortoiseshell hair combs. Originally found in a family album, now in a period gilt frame.

3½" x 2½" each; 10¾" x 9½" framed.


A Large Molded and Sheet Copper Rooster Weathervane

Found on a home in Manchester, New Hampshire. Sheet copper and cast zinc, circa 1880-1900. The beauty of the rooster’s sculptural form is enhanced by its untouched original weathered verdigris surface. Retains three bullet holes and one “farmer’s repair” at the top of its head.
Height 30", width 24".


A Unique Painted Fan-Back Windsor Arm Chair

New York, circa 1770-1800. Mixed woods; oak, hickory, maple and poplar with 19th century black paint with yellow striping and decoration over original green. This rare and important braced-back armchair is a unique example of form displaying elements of chair-making found both in Philadelphia and New York. OH 43½ in., SH 17¼ in. Illustrated: “The Windsor Style in America, Vol. II” by Charles Santore, pg. 70, fig. 40


An Appliqué Rug with a “Star-Studded Menagerie” of Animal Silhouettes

American, Shippensburg, Pa., circa 1880. Black wool cutout shapes embroidered and outlined in white stitches and all on a bright red wool background. Descended in the original family and said to have been made by Minnie Culbertson (1868-1953) of Shippensburg, Pa. This rug comes with a letter from the family and photos of Minnie Culbertson documenting her as the rug maker. 29" x 46" mounted. For a similar example see: American Hooked and Sewn Rugs: Folk Art Underfoot by Joel and Kate Kopp, p. 130, fig. 229. Exhibited: The Great Cover-up: American Rugs on Beds, Tables, and Floors, American Folk Art Museum, June 5-September 9, 2007.


A Monumental Slat Goose

Attributed to Joseph Whiting Lincoln (1859-1938), Accord (Hingham), Ma., circa 1910. Lincoln’s slat geese or “loomers” were used to attract the attention of high-flying flocks. While the horizontal slats formed a crude body, the head was skillfully carved, giving this decoy an almost majestic quality. Provenance: originally purchased from Joe Lincoln by Colburn C. Wood Jr., Plymouth, Ma. Length 36¼", height 21", depth 15".


A Portrait of a Lady in a Green Dress Wearing an Elaborate Bonnet

Oil on canvas, circa 1835. A beautiful portrait in wonderful, original untouched condition.
29½ in. x 24 in. sight size. 34¾ in. x 30 in. framed.


A Charming Pair of Portrait Miniatures of Ella and Elliott Baker, Springfield, Mass.

Attributed to James Sanford Ellsworth (1802-1873). Watercolor on embossed valentine envelopes, circa 1853. These wonderful portraits are superior examples of Ellsworth’s work and illustrate his use of vivid colors seen in the children’s dresses with yellow and black polka dots, the fanicful blue-green and yellow chairs, and the cloverleaf clouds that frame the sitters’ faces. Rarely seen are the children’s names stamped in blue ink under each portrait. 3-3/16" x 2" sight size each, 5¼" x 6¼" framed.
Exhibited: The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Oct. 13–Dec. 1, 1974.
Illustrated: James S. Ellsworth, Portrait Painter by Lucy B. Mitchell, p. 53, figs. A5 and A6;
Art in America
, October 1954


A Warm and Charming Handmade Cloth Doll

American, probably New England, third quarter of the 19th century. LuLu’s painted bright blue eyes, big rosy cheeks, and expressive eyebrows bring a smile to your face. She has a slightly molded head and a plaque of brown velvet on the back of her head, simulating hair. Her costume and construction are all original. Height, 21 inches.
Provenance: Patsy Orlofsky and Gretchen Sharp.


CLASSICAL IN MINIATURE
An Exceptional Miniature Carved Classical Sofa

American, possibly Philadelphia, circa 1825-30. This graceful and delicate “little gem” is exquisitely carved in mahogany with pine as the secondary wood and retains its original fabric and tacks. Said to have descended in the family of Thomas Madden Adams (1836-1912) and retains an old label that reads “Parks M. Adams 1211 Stevenson Lane, Baltimore 4, Md.” Width 15¾" Height 7½" Depth 5¼"


“The Volunteer Firemen”

An exceptional pasteboard band box, New York, circa 1835.
Its papers, “The Volunteer Fireman” and “The Castles in Spain,” depict the engine received in 1830 by the Eagle Engine Company #13 of New York and are in shades of browns, whites, and tans on a vibrant blue background. Pasted inside the cover is a trade card that reads: “Joseph L. Freeman at The Old Hat Stand of Joseph S. Tillinghast, Union Street, New Bedford.” 17¼" wide, 11¼" high, 131/8" deep.



An Extraordinary Pair of Full-length Miniature Portraits

Attributed to Justus Da Lee (1793-1878). Watercolor and pencil on paper, circa 1840. Inscribed on the reverse: “Lucia Caroline aged 2 years 6 months and Charles Augustus aged 4 years 4 months, 1840 Feb Albany.” Da Lee took great pride in painting details and in his use of color as seen in Lucia's red dress and black apron. Their delicately drawn faces, hair, and objects they hold are characteristic of his refined stylized work. Sight size 4½" x 2 7/8", 14" x 12" framed.

Illustrated: The Magazine Antiques, July/August 2011, “Side Portrait Painters Differentiating the
Da Lee Family Artists” by Joan R. Brownstein and Elle Shushan, p. 155, fig. 3.


An Exceptional Painted and Decorated Maine Box

Attributed to Salmon Brewster, Curtis Corner, Leeds, Maine, circa 1830.
This very graphic box simulates in painted decoration a paneled trunk with nine panels on each face outlined in black and red on a yellow ground, complete with a faux painted bail handle on the lid. 24" wide, 9¼" high, 11½" deep. Maine at its very best in untouched original condition.



American Antiques & Art

American primitive paintings, furniture, textiles, folk art, and related accessories of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.


Member: Antique Dealers’ Association of America

1214 Green Bay Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035

By Appt. 847-433-2213
Cell: 847-922-5141

Box 344
Sunapee, New Hampshire 03782

603.763.2403
Cell: 847.922.5141

I will be in Sunapee, New Hampshire, until late August where I will have a representative selection of my inventory available. Please call me at 603-763-2403

Exhibiting at
New Hampshire Antiques Show
Aug. 6-8, 2015, Manchester, NH

www.antiquesandfineart.com/bpollack
E-mail: [email protected]