Pair of Portraits, probably of William and Mary, attr. to J. Cooper, Boston, c. 1714-21.

A striking pair of companion portraits, probably of William and Mary, done by the Anglo-American artist John Cooper (1695-1754) working in Boston 1714-21.  John Cooper, or J. Cooper as he occasionally signed his works, was the English son of London art dealer and print publisher Edward Cooper, whose prints no doubt were the source of some of his son’s paintings. 
17 3/4” x 21 1/4” framed (in appropriate reproduction frames), 13 1/2” x 17” (sight). 
Paintings are in very good condition with only very minor inpainting, laid on board.

For more information about J. Cooper’s sojourn in Boston, cf. Robert A. Leath, “Jean Berger’s Design Book: Huguenot Tradesmen and the Dissemination of French Baroque Style,” Chipstone 1994.

SOLD.

"DS 1709"

 

A rare and exceptional two drawer studded leather trunk, made for David Stoddard of Boston in 1709. David Stoddard(1685-1723), the son of Mary and Simeon Stoddard, was a London and Boston merchant. Descended in the original family till quite recently, the trunk is accompanied by extensive family history, including the line of descent.The history includes not only much genealogical information, but also pictures of the piece in situ in the Loring-Greenough in Jamaica Plain where it had descended through the female line. With magnificent intact studded brass decoration and hardware, as well as the unusual addition of two drawers, this unusually well-documented piece gives us a glimpse into the material culture of Boston in the first decade of the 18th c.
Probably made in Holland or London, 1709.
In very fine condition with minor damage to the original leather on the two sides.
38 1/2” w. x 19 3/4” h. x 20” d.

SOLD.

Diminutive Trumpet Candlesticks

L: A very rare brass trumpet-shaped taperstick in superb condition. England, c. 1650-60; 3 1/4” h. SOLD.

R: A very fine brass trumpet stick in an unusual small size; in excellent condition. England, c. 1650-60; 5” h. SOLD.

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.

SOLD.

A Rare Pair

 

A very fine pair of ribbed brass trumpet sticks in excellent condition.
England, c. 1660.
7 1/4” h., base diameter 5 1/2”.
No repairs or restoration.

SOLD.

A "True" Sampler

A remarkable compendium of mid-18th c. decorative needlework patterns surrounding a “pastoral” tablet,  under a small panel dated “1752”.
Probably Swedish, 1752.
In an unusually large format; in excellent color and condition.
34” x 24 1/4” (framed).
An old note on the back indicates this piece is Swedish and was purchased in Stockholm in 1886.

SOLD.

Vibrant Delft Plaque

A charming 18th c. Dutch Delft plaque depicting a milkmaid milking a “hobbled” cow. “Hobbling” refers to the practice of tying together the back lower legs of the cow when milking to minimize potential mishaps. The central panel, drawn completely in blue, is juxtaposed against a vibrant polychrome border, creating an unusually artful object.
Netherlands, c. 1760.
8 3/4” square.
In excellent condition with minor glazing fritting on edges.

SOLD.

Extremely Rare Diminutive Signed Skillet

A very small and very rare mid 17th c. English bronze skillet signed on the handle “John Reeve." As Roderick Butler and Christopher Green note in their book English Bronze Cooking Vessels and Their Founders 1350-1830, p. 90, where they picture an almost identical piece, little is known about John Reeve and only one other skillet is known by him, which is undoubtedly this one. Judging from various stylistic elements, legs and hooved feet, open brace under handle, this was undoubtedly made in southeast England—Kent or Sussex and most likely c. 1640-70. 7 5/8” l (to tip of handle) x 3” h. x 3 1/2” bowl diameter.
Provenance: Longridge Collection; Christopher Bangs Collection

SOLD.

Oak Footwarmer

A deeply carved early 18th c. foot warmer with chip-carved corners, in original red wash; with original handle, and hardware.
Probably American, possibly English or Dutch.
7 1/4” sq. (body).
In very fine condition with small chip to edge of one corner of top molding.

SOLD.

Charming Watercolor Schoolgirl Box

For those who love New England architecture—a charming watercolor schoolgirl box of unusual form and design. Said to have come from a house in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, this box is on original turned feet, and has a compartmentalized interior.
Vermont, c. 1820-30.
In excellent condition.
9” l. x 4 1/4” h. x 6 3/4” d.

SOLD.

A Rare Form!

A late 18thc. -early 19h c. American brass punchbowl ladle signed “R. Lee."
Richard Lee ( 1775-1858) worked in Springfield, VT 1795-1815, and in Beverly, MA 1816-20. He was the son of itinerant pewterer Richard Lee Sr. who worked in NH, MA, and Springfield, VT 1773-1823.
In excellent condition.
9 3/4” l. 

SOLD.

"Bee Constant"

A rare motto skillet by Thomas Sturton I the founder of the Sturton Foundry in South Petherton, Somerset  (fl. 1630-58), or possibly by his son Thomas II. A skillet with the same mark is dated 1648. These somewhat predate the more common motto skillets from the Fathers Foundry, also in Somerset. This example has the quatrefoil scratch mark of the Sturton Foundry.
8” diam. 
For more information, cf. Butler and Green, English Bronze Cooking Vessels 1350-1830.

SOLD.