Charming Delft Plate

A very rare, and amazingly charming delft plate, depicting a domestic scene of children happily greeting their father as mother sets the table for noontime lunch. Inscribed and dated on the reverse with the following explanation: “When the clock strikes 12, then the children are happy when father comes home. 1809.”
Dutch, probably northern Holland, 1809.
In excellent condition.
8 7/8” diam.

Exceptional Bannisterback Armchair

 

A very special provincial bannisterback armchair with the best “ram’s horn” arms, four robustly turned stretchers, and original seat; in what appears to be original rosewood graining, with later muted yellow pinstriping.
Probably coastal MA, c. 1720.
In excellent condition with no restoration.
45” h.

Provenance: Katharine Prentis Murphy Collection; John Walton.

“17AJ73"

An elaborately carved 18th c. box with lovebirds, flowers, and vines, and an inscription on the top bearing the date 1773, with a heart surrounded by the initials of the loved one. While no doubt made by a maker of footwarmers, this appears to have its original velvet lining and shows no sign of a conversion or prior use. It was probably intended as a box to hold jewelry or a love token. 
Netherlands, 1773.
9” square, 8 3/4” h.

Rare Boston William & Mary Daybed

A very fine early 18th c. maple William and Mary Boston daybed with period, though not original, 18th c. crewel flame stitch upholstery. The crest mirrors the best of the related leatherback arm and side chairs found in Boston in the early 18th c. This rare example is in excellent condition.
Boston, MA, c. 1725; 37 3/4” l. x  21” w. x 70” l. 
Provenance: New York Historical Society, Mrs. J. Insley Blair

For related Boston daybeds; cf. Nutting, Furniture Treasury, pl. 1603; Lockwood, Colonial Furniture in America,  p.145, fig. 641.

"BY THE NAME OF SYLVESTER"

This heraldic watercolor illustrates, by means of sylvan imagery, the family name of “Sylvester.” More complex and artful than most of these family crests attributed to the Massachusetts heraldic painter John Coles (1749-1809), the crest is surmounted by a fifteen star American flag. The fifteenth star was added to our flag on Jan. 13, 1794, and we assume that to be the approximate date of the watercolor.
Massachusetts, c. 1794.
In excellent condition; 12” x 16” framed.

Very Rare Delft Plate

 

An extremely rare. 18th c. English delft plate depicting a pottery kiln bellowing smoke. A similar plate is in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg and is pictured in Austin, British Delft at Williamsburg, p. 151, and another is in the collection of the Fitzwilliam museum.
Bristol, c. 1750;  7 7/8” diam.
In excellent condition with minor fritting on rim.

The Original “Mouseketeer”

A charming and wonderfully graphic 17th c. allegorical delftware deep dish depicting the sense of taste, with a colorfully dressed lady holding an apple.
Friesland, Netherlands; 2nd half 17th c.
In very fine condition with no repairs or restoration; minor glaze fritting.
12” diam.

For related dishes, cf. Christie’s Amsterdam, European Ceramics, Dutch Delftware and Glass, 27 June 2000, lots 297, 298 and Christie’s Amsterdam, European Ceramics, Dutch Delftware and Glass, 30 October 2001, lot 140

Folk Art Mirror

A charming paint-decorated mirror depicting three generations of “fashionable menfolk" surrounded by familiar everyday sights. Painted on leather, the silvery/white painted ground may have been intended to simulate the white silk needlework that is on occasion seen as a background on 18th embroidery.
A rare and charming piece.
Probably English, 2nd half 18th c.
18” x 25”

 

"M.H. 1790"

Extremely rare signed and dated 18th c. quillwork mirror.
American or English, 1790.
11 1/2” x 12 1/4”.
Stamped on the reverse “John S. Walton Inc.”

For similarly dated and initialled (“LH 1737”), though much more elaborate, work by Lydia Hutchinson, cf. Women’s Work, Embroidery in Colonial Boston, p. 16, fig. 7. The simplicity of the border and the late 18th c. date may suggest further research into a possible American origin.