A Fine Large Irish Portrait Miniature of a British Officer, Signed & Dated by Horace Hone 1789. The large oval miniature depicts a British officer dressed in a red  More »

A Fine Large Irish Portrait Miniature of a British Officer, Signed & Dated by Horace Hone 1789. The large oval miniature depicts a British officer dressed in a red jacket with gold buttons, gilt epaulets with gold fringe, a white lace cravat and a black high collar with a white or silver button showing below the ear. ;Above the cravat is a black neck band. The officer is facing right and his head is turned towards the viewer with an alert expression, his eyebrows slight raised. ;He wears long sideburns extending slightly onto his face and his hair is worn closely cropped. The miniature is mounted in a brass case with a blue glass back with a central oval filled with woven hair and large gilt letters "JR". Dimensions: Height: 3 7/16 inches x 2 1/8 inches wide. ;Loop on top addition 1/2 inch in height. Signature: To the lower right.are the initials: HH for Horace Hone and below 1789. Reference: The Miniature in Europe, Vol I, Leo R. Schidlof, ;page 371, writes," Horace Hone painted on ivory and enamel and also worked as an engraver. ;He usually signed: H.H, followed by the date." "Horace Hone is one of the best English miniaturists of the 18th century and some of his works equal or surpass those of Plimer and Engleheart. ;His miniatures are excellently drawn and very expressive. ;He paints partly in very distinct parallel brush strokes, using the scrapper for the wexecution of the hair. ;The light in the eyes is always placed very high and often touches the upper eyelid." Examples of his work can be found in the V & A, The National Gallery, Dublin and The David-Weill Collection, Louvres, Paris amongst others. From http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/biographies-of-irish-artists/horace-hone.htm Horace Hone (1756-1825) A member of the famous Dublin Hone family of artists, originally from Holland, Horace Hone was born in London and there received his early training in fine art from his father Nathaniel Hone the Elder (1718-84). This instruction encompassed miniature painting in watercolour on various media including enamel and even ivory. At the age of 14, he studied drawing and painting at the Royal Academy Schools, and began exhibiting his works at the Academy in 1772: a practice he continued for the next 50 years. In 1779, he was elected an Associate Member of the Academy, and three years later - at the invitation of Lady Temple, one of Hone''s patrons whose husband was the colonial ruler of Ireland - settled in Dublin. Lady Temple was herself an important member of the Anglo Irish aristocracy with widespread social connections among the ruling classes, and was instrumental in ensuring that Hone received a constant stream of portrait commissions, for which he was eminently equipped. Indeed, his portrait painting became so popular that in 1795 he was appointed to the post of Miniature Painter to the Prince of Wales. Unfortunately, the Act of Union caused many of Hone''s customers to quit Ireland and move to London in the early 1800s. Hone himself followed in 1803, and managed to re-establish himself as a miniaturist. Sadly, he had suffered for many years from mental illness, and declined rapidly in his later years. He died in London at the age of 69.   « Less

n a wall. The upper right hand corner of the frame is a little worn, and there is general crackling to the material. Commensurate with the age. The painting itself is round.  More »

n a wall. The upper right hand corner of the frame is a little worn, and there is general crackling to the material. Commensurate with the age. The painting itself is round. Site measurement is 3 1/2 inches in diameter. A gentleman, dressed entirely in black except for two tiny stripes of white on his collar, sits beneath a window, next to a table. He wears a black skullcap of sorts on his black, curly hair. His righ arm is extended on the table, holding up a book, bound in red. One page reads: ''CONSTITUCION. POLITICA DE LA MORIET ..? JA ESP UL.A''. The latter part is not quite clear, but the beginning is (see ''photos) and hints at a politically important person. Next to the book are 3 inkwells and sand jars, with 3 feather quills for writing on a green tablecloth. Next to them is a page with handwritten: '' ADM GILLER..MORENO MALAGA '' in black and above that, in red, ''N CADIZ''. Both Malaga and Cadiz were important Spanish naval towns. Behind the gentleman is a fanastic view of ships out at sea, including a tiny row-boat, as well as buildings and many Cyprus trees. The details of the painting are quite fabulous: from the patterns on both curtains to that on the tablecloth and the fringes that fall down on the side of the table. Hair and facial features are finely painted. The painting is signed, what looks like MESAS PINXIT and dated 1821. (see ''photos). Condition is all original and very good. This is certainly a historic and important person and a depiction of an age long gone by. Status: For Sale Reference#: 4294 Condition: good Year: 1821 Title: ANTIQUE MINIATURE PORTRAIT ADMIRAL NAVY SHIPS GOVERNOR   « Less

Wonderful little gem frame, dore bronze, very well wrought. The tops of each frame are decorated with garlands bound by bows. The frames are joined by a fleur di lis. It has  More »

Wonderful little gem frame, dore bronze, very well wrought. The tops of each frame are decorated with garlands bound by bows. The frames are joined by a fleur di lis. It has both an easel back and hanging loops. Condition is excellent for the frames. There are original gilt metal backs; although they need tabs to keep them in place. There is no glass cover for the pictures, either. Dimensions:nearly 4" across, 2 3/4" tall, the length of the easel back is 2".   « Less

Very nice double easel back picture frames; these are very ornate and small! Intricately worked decoration include floral, foliate, beading and fleur-de-lis elements. This  More »

Very nice double easel back picture frames; these are very ornate and small! Intricately worked decoration include floral, foliate, beading and fleur-de-lis elements. This little frame is gilt bronze, or dore. It is in excellent condition save for one of the glass covers missing. Dimensions: nearly 3" across, 2 1/8" high and the easel back is over 2" long. You can adjust the tilt to your own specifications.   « Less

Vigee LeBrun portrait of MARIE ANTOINETTE AND HER CHILDREN, a rare and early portrait of the Queen of France, Wife of LOUIS XVI. The paining is housed in an early wooden  More »

Vigee LeBrun portrait of MARIE ANTOINETTE AND HER CHILDREN, a rare and early portrait of the Queen of France, Wife of LOUIS XVI. The paining is housed in an early wooden frame. 6 Inches Exceptional artistry,signed   « Less

Origin: India Collection: I vory Miniatures Style: Miniature Paintings on Ivory

Origin: India Collection: I vory Miniatures Style: Miniature Paintings on Ivory   « Less

Walter Cole Brigham (born 1870 died 1941) miniaturist paintings on board by noted Shelter Island miniaturist painter, signed and dated, lower right; original framing, c.  More »

Walter Cole Brigham (born 1870 died 1941) miniaturist paintings on board by noted Shelter Island miniaturist painter, signed and dated, lower right; original framing, c. 1940, titled verso: "Osprey Nest," 5 5/8 in. W x 4 5/8" H and "Blue Sail," 4 5/8 in. W x 5 5/8 in. H.   « Less

For sale we have a miniature watercolor on ivory in original period frame. Total measurements are 6" x 4 1/2". There is an old paper remnant on the back likely dating the  More »

For sale we have a miniature watercolor on ivory in original period frame. Total measurements are 6" x 4 1/2". There is an old paper remnant on the back likely dating the painting to the 1840's. The condition is quite good. The colors are strong and the work has nice details and character. Notice the watch chain he has on his chest. No signature visible.   « Less

For sale is this miniature watercolor in ivory frame. Very nice details in the painting with period dress and flowers in her hair and on her dress. Not signed. There is an  More »

For sale is this miniature watercolor in ivory frame. Very nice details in the painting with period dress and flowers in her hair and on her dress. Not signed. There is an old paper attached to the back. The painting is 3 1/4"x 2 3/4" and the frame is 4 1/2"x 5 1/2". The oval metal has one small area of oxidation on the bottom. An excellent work by an unknown artist. An early piece.   « Less

For sale is this miniature watercolor in ivory frame. Exquisite details in the painting with period dress and jewelry. Not signed. The frame has some loss and there is an old  More »

For sale is this miniature watercolor in ivory frame. Exquisite details in the painting with period dress and jewelry. Not signed. The frame has some loss and there is an old paper attached to the back. The painting is 3 1/4"x 2 3/4" and the frame is 4 1/2"x 5 1/2". An excellent work by an unknown artis   « Less