News and New Additions

Following are new additions to the website (not necessarily new to the collection, but newly added to the website), with newest items listed first. Click photos for larger views and additional information.

Newly added to website, July 11, 2025:

Allegorical Miniature Depicting a Young Lady
in a Dark Forest Surrounded by Various Animals Symbolically
Representing the 'Tug of War' between Good and Evil

Believed to be of French origins
circa 1790-1795
Artist unknown

2 3/8 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround
that was originally set within an ebonized wood frame

Newly added to website, July 10, 2025:

Allegorical Miniature Depicting an Interpretation
of the Birth of Venus, Flanked by Two Cherubs, One
Holding a Flaming Torch and the Other a Five-Pointed Star

French
circa 1830-1840
by A. Clunot (not a known, listed miniature painter)
(signed obverse, lower right, "A. Clunot" -- might alternatively read "A. Clunet")

3 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor en grisaille on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal
surround that was likely originally set within the lid of a
decorative box (i.e., jewelry box, snuff box, or patch box)

Newly added to website, July 10, 2025:

Jacksonian Era Gentleman and Lady,
Presumed to be Husband and Wife

American
circa 1840
by Clarissa Peters Russell
(1809-1854; Mrs. Moses B. Russell)

each measures 2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass and embossed
brass mats in a gutta-percha (thermoplastic) union case

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 07, 2025:

Young Italian Noblewoman, Likely of Piedmont-Sardinia
(a rare, signed miniature by Angelo Vacca the younger,
miniature painter to the court of King Victor Emmanuel I)

Italian
circa 1815-1820
by Angelo Vacca (the younger, 1783-1823)
(signed obverse, lower left edge, "Ange. Vacca")

2 3/8 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround that
was likely originally set within an ebonized wood frame or the cover of a decorative box

formerly a holding of the Frederick Cochran Collection
(Boston securities broker Frederick Boardman Cochran -- 1860-1916)

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 07, 2025:

Young Italian Gentleman

Italian
circa 1815-1820
Artist Unknown

2 1/2 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround that
was likely originally set within an ebonized wood frame or the cover of a decorative box

formerly a holding of the Frederick Cochran Collection
(Boston securities broker Frederick Boardman Cochran -- 1860-1916)

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 07, 2025:

Georgian Era Scottish Gentleman

Scottish
dated 1800
by David Gibson (fl. 1788-1804)
(signed obverse, lower left, "Gibson / 1800")

2 1/4 x 3 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a heavy, gilt metal surround with an ormolu mat

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 06, 2025:

Late Georgian Era University Scholar, Wearing
a Black Cloak and Mortarboard, Identified by
the Monogrammed Initial 'F' (in Seed Pearls to the Reverse)

English
circa 1820
Artist unknown

2 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt copper pendant
frame with cobalt glass and a seed pearl monogram to the reverse

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 06, 2025:

Late Georgian Era Lady of Worcester,
Wearing a Blue Dress with a Lace Shawl and Bonnet,
and Depicted with a Sunset Sky Background

English
dated 1826
by Isaac Wane Slater (1785-1836)
(signed, obverse, lower right corner, "I. W. Slater / 1826")

2 3/4 x 3 3/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a later (not original to the portrait) gilt metal frame

Newly added to website, July 04, 2025:

Late Nineteenth Century Infant
with Red Hair

American
circa 1880
Artist Unknown

2 x 2 3/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a case made of rolled gold

Formerly a holding in the collection of Sheila Schermerhorn Scott (1931-2023)

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 01, 2025:

Early Nineteenth Century American Lady

American
circa 1805
by Philippe R. Vallée (fl. 1803-1812)
(signed obverse, lower right edge, "Vallée pxt")

2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilded copper surround
that is set within a gutta-percha frame with a floral pattern in relief

Newly added to website, July 01, 2025:

Georgian Era Boy, Wearing an Oversized Cap
and Standing at the Gravesite of What is Presumed to
Be either His Deceased Older Brother or Late Father

English
circa 1800
Artist Unknown

2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight); full frame measures 5 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a later,
lemon-gilt wooden frame

Newly added to website, July 01, 2025:

Georgian Era Child
Wearing a Black Mourning Dress

English
circa 1810
attributed to William Patten, Jr. (1792-1843)

2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a 14k gold
pendant frame with plaited hair to the reverse

Newly added to website, June 28, 2025:

Napoleonic Era Gentleman, Seated on a Chair
and Affectionately Holding His Son on His Lap

Believed to be of Alsatian origins
circa 1810
Artist Unknown

2 1/8 x 2 3/16 inches (sight); frame measures 2 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt wooden frame

Newly added to website, June 28, 2025:

Early Nineteenth Century Girl Wearing a
Dark Green Dress and Holding a Doll

American
circa 1820
Artist Unknown

2 x 2 5/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal
case with a cast foliate border and bail

Newly added to website, June 28, 2025:

Early Nineteenth Century, Red-Haired Girl Seated
in a Chair and Holding a Black Kitten in Her Lap

Believed to be of English origins
circa 1840
Artist unknown

2 1/4 x 3 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a
later (circa 1910) gilt metal pendant frame

Newly added to website, June 28, 2025:

Early Nineteenth Century German Girl
Holding Her Pet Kitten

German
circa 1820
by Georg Emanuel Ortiz (1775-1841)
(signed obverse, lower right, "Opiz")

1 1/2 x 2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt copper surround that was
likely originally set within an ebonized wood frame or the cover of a decorative box

Newly added to website, June 28, 2025:

Early Nineteenth Century Boy, Dressed in Blue
and Depicted with His Beloved Toy Pony

Believed to be of German origins
circa 1830
Artist unknown

2 1/2 x 3 1/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt copper surround
that was likely originally set within an ebonized wood frame

Newly added to website, June 27, 2025:

Kind-Looking Jacksonian Era Lady
Wearing a Lace Cap and Fichu

American
circa 1840
by Henry Colton Shumway (1807-1884)

2 1/8 x 2 3/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a hinged, leather-bound
case (missing front cover) with a stamped brass mat and later-added bail

Newly added to website, June 27, 2025:

Jacksonian Era Gentleman

American
circa 1845
by Moses B. Russell (1809-1884)

2 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a hinged, leather-bound case
(missing front cover) , made by Smith's of No. 2 Milk St., Boston, with an ormolu mat

Newly added to website, June 25, 2025:

Young, Post-World War I English Lady with an Open Smile

English
circa 1920
by Anton Reng (1876-1949)
(signed obverse, lower left, "A. Reng")

2 3/8 x 3 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal frame

Newly added to website, June 25, 2025:

"The Father of the Novices", an Early Twentieth
Century Franciscan Novice Master

English
dated 1907
by Alyn Mattieu Williams (1865-1941)
(signed obverse, lower left "Alyn Williams, PRMS / 1907")

4 x 6 inches

watercolor on ivory; currently unframed

Newly added to website, June 21, 2025:

Miss Rachel Estelle Berridge (1871-1952),
Who Later Became Countess of Clonmell

English
dated 1898
by Alyn Mattieu Williams (1865-1941)
(signed obverse, lower right edge "Alyn Williams / 1898")

2 1/4 x 2 7/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gold case with a pierced spiral crested bail

Updated with higher resolution photos, June 15, 2025:

Elegantly Dressed Parisian Lady
of the Late Nineteenth Century

French
dated 1893
by Joseph-Emmanuel Van Driesten (1853-1923)
[signed, lower right, "Jh. V. Driesten / 1893"]

3 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in an ornate ormolu (gilt bronze) frame

Newly added to website, May 01, 2025:

Young, Napoleonic Era Boy, Seated in a Wooded
Landscape and Holding the Portrait of a Young Girl,
Presumably His Deceased Sister

French
circa 1800
by Marie-Hélène Dubuc de Cacrel (died 1816, Paris, France)

3 3/4 x 4 7/8 inches (sight); frame measures 5 5/8 x 6 3/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt wooden frame

Newly added to website, April 28, 2025:

Bejeweled, Early-American Lady Seated in a Chair
Made of Tiger Maple and Holding a Pair of Spectacles

American
circa 1825
Artist Unknown

3 x 3 3/4 inches (sight); full frame measures 8 x 8 3/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilded
wood frame with carved wood and gesso ornamentation

Newly added to website, April 28, 2025:

Unknown Jacksonian Era American Gentleman

American
circa 1830
Artist Unknown

2 1/8 x 2 1/2 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case

Newly added to website, April 25, 2025:

Early American Lady in a Blue Dress
and Wearing a Black Bow and Pearls in Her Hair

American
circa 1775-1780
Attributed to Benjamin Blyth (1746-1787)

1 5/16 x 1 5/8 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
originally fitted to a bracelet and later converted to a brooch

Updated with additional photos and new information, March 9, 2025:

Sickly-Looking, Mid-Nineteenth Century Boy,
Depicted Lying in What is Likely His Deathbed

Believed to be French
circa 1840
Artist unknown
2 1/2 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround

Newly added to website, February 21, 2025:

Biographical Article on the Life and Times of
George W. Newcombe (1799-1845)

Newly added to website, February 21, 2025:

Jacksonian Era Gentleman
Painted in New York City

American
dated 1838
by George W. Newcombe (1799-circa 1845)
(signed obverse, left edge, "Newcombe";
additionally signed on backing paper to the reverse,
"G. W. Newcombe / 297 1/2 B'way / New York / 1838")

1 7/8 x 2 3/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt
copper case with a cast foliate border and bail

Newly added to website, November 17, 2024:

Ambrose Dickinson (1783-1806), Brother of the Artist,
Painted Two and a Half Months before His Twentieth Birthday

American
circa 1803
by Anson Dickinson (1779-1852)

2 x 2 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a later (circa 1835)
leather-bound traveling case with a mat of embossed sheet brass

Newly added to website, November 09, 2024:

Elisabeth ("Babeth") Monboucher (1798-1851),
Wife of New Jersey Banker and Steamship Company
Director Miles Cromptom Smith (1789-1861),
Depicted with a Cloudy Sky Background

American
circa 1825
by Nathaniel Rogers (1787-1844)

2 1/8 x 2 7/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed in a gilt metal surround (glass lens missing)

Newly added to website, November 03, 2024:

Early Nineteenth Century Depiction of
Peter Almadura (ca. 1400-1482), Bishop of Bergamo, Italy,
Noted Dominican Theologian and Lexicographer, Wearing a
Bishop's Biretta with a Red Pom and a Jeweled Pectoral Cross

Italian
circa 1805
Artist unknown

3 1/2 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround
that was originally set within an ebonized wood frame

Newly added to website, October 27, 2024:

Early Nineteenth Century Depiction of Twelfth Century
French Philosopher Pierre Abélard (ca. 1079-1142) in a Loving
Embrace with His Young Student, Héloïse d’Argenteuil (1100-1863)

French
circa 1800-1810
Artist unknown

2 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround
(which was likely originally set within the lid of a decorative container)

Updated with higher resolution photos, October 22, 2024:

Madame de La Roque (née Marie Thérèsa de Cairon; 1763-1846)
and Her Daughter, Élisabeth (1788-1857; Who Later Became
Madame Morin de Banneville), Depicted in Front of a Curtain
and Stone Balustrade at Dusk

(identified by handwritten notes afffixed to the reverse of the portrait)

French
circa 1795
Artist unknown

2 9/16 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround
and affixed within in an ebonized wood frame (frame not shown here)

Updated with higher resolution photos, October 20, 2024:

Roman Catholic Cardinal in Profile View,
Depicted with a Storm Cloud Background

English
dated 1904
by Ethel Mary Willis, ARMS (1874-1972)
(signed obverse, lower left edge, "E. M. Willis, Paris, 04")

4 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt copper surround

Newly added to website, October 19, 2024:

Scottish Novelist Jane Porter (1775-1850),
Depicted as the Abbess of Burnham Abbey,
a Character in One of Her Books

English
dated 1836
by Peter Kennedy (unlisted artist)
(inscribed to the reverse, "Lady Jane Porter /
as a Lady Abbess / on marble / Peter Kennedy / 1836")

3 1/2 x 4 3/8 inches (sight); full frame measures 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches

watercolor on marble; housed under glass in a gilt wood and gesso frame

Updated with higher resolution photos, October 9, 2024:

Madame Hélyot (1645-1682), French,
Roman Catholic Mystic of the Seventeenth Century

French
circa 1800
Artist unknown -- painted after a seventeenth century portrait (current whereabouts unknown)
by Jacques Galliot (ca. 1640–1687), and further reproduced in a
copperplate engraving by Gérard Edelinck (1640-1707)

3 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt wood and gesso frame

Updated with higher resolution photos, October 8, 2024:

Napoleonic Era German Lady, Seated on a Chair
with a Calico Cat on Her Lap and Knitting Materials
on a Table to Her Side

German
dated May 1, 1812
by Josef Bernhard Einsle (1774-1829)
(signed obverse, right edge, "Einsle pinx: d: 1 Mai 1812")

2 9/16 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround that
was likely originally set within an ebonized wood frame

Newly added to website, September 27, 2024:

Early Twentieth Century Viennese Lady,
Believed to Be a Member of the Deutsch Family,
Seated on a Park Bench and Depicted in a Landscape
Setting with an Image of the Pyramids of Giza Appearing Behind

Austrian
circa 1922-1925
by Rudolph Sternad (1880-1944)
(unsigned)

3 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches (sight); full frame measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in an gilt brass frame

Newly added to website, September 24, 2024:

Young American Girl, Believed to Be
Marion Louise Rodie* (1927-2014),
Wearing a Yellow Sundress and
Depicted in a Seaside Landscape

Austrian (painted in America by an Austrian artist)
dated 1931
by Rudolph Sternad (1880-1944)
(signed obverse, lower right edge, Rud. Sternad / 1931)

3 inches diameter (sight); full frame measures 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in an ormolu (gilt bronze) frame

Newly added to website, September 24, 2024:

Late Nineteenth Century Boy
Depicted with a Sky Background

Anglo-American
dated 1896
by Hugh Nicholson (1865-1932)
(signed obverse, lower edge, "H. Nicholson '96")

2 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case

Updated with higher resolution photos, September 24, 2024:

Young, Georgian Era Girl
with Long, Brown Hair

English
circa 1790
by A. Charles (fl. 1784-1807)

1 1/2 x 2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal pendant frame

Updated with higher resolution photos, September 24, 2024:

Late Eighteenth Century German Lady,
Depicted as "The Penitent Mary Magdalene"

German
circa 1790
Artist unknown

2 9/16 inches diameter (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal surround that
was likely originally affixed within an ebonized wood frame or a snuff box

Updated with higher resolution photos, August 15, 2024:

Early Twentieth Century American Lady
Wearing a Diamond Necklace

Anglo-American
circa 1920
by Harry Valentine Shellard (1877-1958)
(signed obverse, left edge, "Shellard")

2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a decorative scroll motif border

Updated with higher resolution photos, August 05, 2024:

World War I Era American Lady
Depicted in a Demure, Coy Pose

American
dated 1918
by Claude E. Quivey (1871-1943)
(Signed lower right edge, 'Quivey 1918')

3 5/8 x 4 1/2 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal pendant frame

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 29, 2024:

Early Twentieth Century American Lady with Red Hair

American
circa 1920
by Claude E. Quivey (1871-1943)
(Signed obverse, bottom left edge, 'Quivey')

3 7/8 x 4 7/8 inches (sight)

watercolor on ivory; housed under in a gilt metal case

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 29, 2024:

Elizabeth "Bess" Efferson Carpenter (1890-1973)

of New York, Depicted with a Sky Background

American
circa 1925
by P. Phillips
(signed obverse, lower right edge, 'P. Phillips')

3 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a distinctive floral and foliate motif border

Newly added to website, July 21, 2024:

Peter Arms Bunce (1915-1946),
Son of Natalie Bunce and Carleton Bayley Bunce
and Brother of of Bayley Bunce, Depicted
in an Outdoor Landscape (Painted circa 1922
from a Photograph Taken circa 1921)

by Marion Caroline Hoffman Hartman (1892-1971)
(signed obverse, lower right edge, "M. Hartman")
circa 1922

2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a distinctive floral and foliate motif border

Newly added to website, July 21, 2024:

Bayley Bunce (1914-1996),
Son of Natalie Bunce and Carleton Bayley Bunce
and Brother of of Peter Arms Bunce, Depicted
in an Outdoor Landscape (Painted circa 1922
from a Photograph Taken circa 1921)

by Marion Caroline Hoffman Hartman (1892-1971)
(signed obverse, lower right edge, "M. Hartman")
circa 1922

2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a distinctive floral and foliate motif border

Newly added to website, July 21, 2024:

Natalie Arms Bunce (1877-1966),
Daughter of Alice Avery Arms and Col. Charles Jessup Arms
and Sister of Audubon Arms

by Marion Caroline Hoffman Hartman (1892-1971)
(signed obverse, lower edge, "M. H.")
circa 1922

2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a distinctive floral and foliate motif border

Newly added to website, July 21, 2024:

Audubon Arms (1876-1902),
Son of Alice Avery Arms and Col. Charles Jessup Arms,
(Named after His Great-Great-Uncle John James Audubon)
Depicted in an Outdoor Landscape
(Painted circa 1921 from a Photograph
Taken circa 1898-1899)

by Marion Caroline Hoffman Hartman (1892-1971)
circa 1921

2 5/8 x 3 1/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt
metal case with engraved scroll border

Newly added to website, July 21, 2024:

Alice Avery Arms (1851-1922), Wife of
Col. Charles Jessup Arms, Depicted in an Outdoor
Landscape (Painted circa 1922 from a
Photograph Taken circa 1915)

by Marion Caroline Hoffman Hartman (1892-1971)
(signed obverse, right edge, "M. Hartman")
circa 1922

2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a distinctive floral and foliate motif border

Updated with higher resolution photos, July 21, 2024:

Early Twentieth Century American Lady
Wearing a Mink Stole and Depicted
in an Outdoor Landscape

by Marion Caroline Hoffman Hartman (1892-1971)
(signed obverse, lower right, "M. Hartman")
circa 1925

2 7/8 x 3 3/4 inches

watercolor on ivory; housed under glass in a gilt metal case
with a distinctive floral and foliate motif border