West Sea Co. GENERAL ANTIQUES Catalog Page 16

West Sea Company

GENERAL ANTIQUES

Catalog Page 16

When no price is shown, use

button to request the price.

Click on photos for larger images.

Click for ordering details.

16.17 NUT CRACKER. Charming late 19th C. hand-carved German nutcracker of Black Forest origin. This cleverly contrived and beautifully executed device is in the form of a realistic bear with inset "bean" eyes. The bear's mouth effectively cracks smaller nuts whereas a carved recess at the rear, under the lever, accommodates larger nuts such as walnuts. This intricate, two piece carving is made from a dense dark hardwood, probably walnut. Detailing is very realistic. Excellent original condition with no chips or cracks and a lovely age patina. 7 inches long. 250


DETAIL	FRONT	PERSPECTIVE

16.58 EARLY GLOBE. High quality early 19th century terrestrial globe made by the famous globe maker Charles Dien as signed in the maker’s cartouche, “GLOBE Clasique Publié par Ch. Dien 1831 a Paris.” It is additionally inscribed “chez CH. DIEN Auteur des Globes Celestes, Drefses sous l’ Inspection de Mr. Bouvard, Rue Hautefeuille, No. 13.” This self-described “classic” globe is made in the traditional manner using a plaster sphere overlaid by gores of finely engraved paper. It was subsequently hand-tinted in subtle shades of green and yellow for a very pleasing effect. The quality of the engraving is such that minute geographic details are depicted, including countries, prominent cities, rivers, lakes mountain ranges, known islands, etc. Interestingly no West Coast American cities are depicted -- because there were none! Of course the globe is prominently marked with the names of the continents and oceans in fancy lettering. The tropics of Capricorn and Cancer are denoted, as are the equator and prime meridian. These are both marked in single degrees of latitude and longitude. The geography of both polar regions, yet to be discovered, are left blank. However the 15 degree intervals later used as a basis for time zones, are identified in Roman numerals I –XXIV. The globe is encircled by a brass meridian ring finely engraved with single degrees of Latitude. This rests within the pewter equatorial ring which is divided in single degrees of longitude marked in 10’s, signs of the Zodiac, months of the year, and the cardinal compass points. The ring is supported on iron struts mounted to a brass support atop the turned wooden base. The globe itself measures 9 inches in diameter and stands 21 inches high by 12 inches wide overall. Excellent condition.

Charles Dien, Jr. was the son of Charles Senior a noted engraver and an associate of Charles-Francois Delamarche (1740-1817), the very famous Paris geographer, publisher and globe maker. Charles Jr. (1809-1870) was a noted astronomer who authored several celestial globes. It is very significant that this rare Dien terrestrial example was made when he was only 22 years old, at a time when he was intent on making a name for himself, and likely was the first if not the only of this type that he ever produced! (Elly Dekker & Peter van der Krogt, “Globes From the Western World,” 1993, Philip Wilson Publishers, London.)


CARTOUCHE	DETAIL	GLOBE	POLAR DETAIL

16.56 EARLY LIVERPOOL JUG. Genuine late 18th century creamware "Herculaneum" pitcher. This lovely old example bears 3 distinctive transfers. The obverse is decorated with the delightfully endearing scene of a pub owner offering a mug to a willing recipient restrained by his wife. The comedic caption reads, "Come come my old buck here's the liquor of LIFE. Which drives away sorrow and reconciles strife. It cures scolding women. Your wrong reply'd Nell. Your wife as a drunken scold does most excel." The reverse shows a surprisingly detailed map of the earth surrounded by classical figures including Lady Britannia and a sunburst. It is entitled "The World in Planisphere." Under the spout is the poem, "Succefs To the Plough. The Fleece and the Pail. May the Landlord Ever Flourish. And the Tenant Never fail." It is surrounded by vignettes depicting farm implements. This wonderful example of early English pottery measures 10 inches high and 9 3/4 inches across from spout to handle. The graceful handle is noteworthy in that it is particularly stout and has contoured edges. There is a tiny professional repair to the very tip of the spout and as expected there are a couple of minor hairlines in the bottom. Overall this jug must be rated as being in outstanding original condition. Circa 1790.

Telling of the age of this jug, the spelling of the word "Succefs" is with the early form f as an "s." Further, the world map of North America shows a blank Pacific Northwest, indicating it was yet unexplored.


DETAIL	SPOUT	REVERSE	BOTTOM

16.29 MAP OF AMERICA. Original very early 19th century (War of 1812 era) map entitled "AMERICA." This extremely detailed engraving depicts the North and South American continents with portions of Europe and Africa shown as well. Despite its grand scale, great pains were taken by the engraver to identify towns, geographical and topographical features. Interestingly, much of the northern territories, which had yet to be explored, were left blank. The map was carefully hand colored providing a decorative as well as informative presentation. Of particular note in dating this map is the Florida Territory which is shown as a separate country from the United States (under Spanish control) identified as "W. Florida" and "E. Florida." The Louisiana Territory is simply identified as "Louisiana." And the area west of the "Stony Mountains" (Rockies) is referred to as "New Albion!" This early map measures 19 3/4 inches wide by 17 3/4 inches sight and is signed lower right, "J & G Menzies, Sculpt." It is mounted under glass in a carved antique wooden frame with gilded highlights measuring 26 1/2 by 24 1/2 inches overall. It is in excellent overall condition, with expected minor flaws and some toning to the paper. A scarce and quite important decorative piece of Americana from the Federal period, at least 185 years old! Ideal for office or den. 895

1803 - The United States purchased from Napoleon the territory of Louisiana for $15,000,000. Upon concluding the purchase Robert Livingston, America's Minister to France, said of the transfer, "We have lived long, but this is the noblest work of our whole lives ... From this day the United States will take their place among the powers of the first rank..."

1819 - American Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Spanish Minister Luis de Onis reach an agreement finally ratified by both nations in 1821, by which Spain gives the United States title to East and West Florida. The United States relinquishes its claims to Texas, and Spain assigns its rights in the Pacific Northwest to the U.S., leaving ownership of the Oregon Territory to be settled among the United States, Russia, and Great Britain.


NORTH AMERICA	DETAIL

16.25 FLOOR GLOBE. Good, early 20th century American floor standing terrestrial globe signed "Weber Costello, Chicago Heights, Illinois, Political Reality Globe." This large size world globe is constructed in the traditional manner with paper gores overlaying a plaster sphere with wooden reinforcements at the poles. The lithographed surfaces show good detail with political boundaries, all major cities (over 100,000 population), mountain peaks, rivers, canals, railways, steamship routes and more, accurately depicted as of circa 1935. The 16 inch globe is in excellent overall condition with no scuffs or abrasions and shows just enough surface toning to give it a great antique appearance! The graceful solid walnut stand is done in the Duncan Phyfe style with lion paw feet and carved "urn" support pillar. The 18 1/2 inch diameter equatorial ring is overlaid by paper printed with degrees, statute miles, and time zones from Greenwich. Together with its quadrupedal stand this globe measures 33 inches high and 23 1/2 inches across at the base. A handsome, high quality floor standing globe for library or study at a very reasonable price. 995


DETAIL	STAND	MAKER

16.54 EARLY CARVED AMERICAN EAGLE. Authentic, second half of the 19th century spread-winged American eagle plaque. This handsome, period example of the carver's art is hewn from walnut, dark oak or a similar indigenous hardwood. It depicts the National Symbol in a charmingly naïve way, perched on a limb in a classic pose. The wood is laminated in three layers to give it depth and the surface retains its original dark "ebonized" finish. Although not the work of John Haley Bellamy, it is most certainly contemporary to that famous carver's work and exhibits the bold, sure strokes of a professional carver. The back of this solid, hardwood carving shows hand-cut saw marks and a wonderfully oxidized dark wood patina. 20 1/2 inches wide by 9 inches high and 3 1/4 inches thick. Perfect original old condition having dry, unmodified surfaces, just the way collectors like them! 895

With Bellamy eagles currently selling well into the 5 and 6 figure range, this contemporarily-carved 19th century American eagle is truly bargain by any standard!


DETAIL	BACK

16.4 EARLY FRENCH BAROMETER. Extremely rare, 18th century country French wall barometer and thermometer with a decoratively painted backboard. This very early mercury wall barometer is on its original gessoed wooden backboard which was colorfully hand painted with floral motifs and bears the painted inscriptions "Barometre" and "Thermometer de Reamur." The scale on the barometer tube reads from 5 to 30 inches and is painted with weather notations in French and is signed "Paris." The amazing red alcohol thermometer, 18 inches in length, is graduated from -30 to +50 degrees Reamur and is still in tact, but does contain an air bubble at the top. This lovely instrument is in original condition and retains virtually all of its old painted surfaces. The backboard measures 37 inches tall by inches wide. In today's folk art market, the painted decoration alone is worth the price! This instrument provides the perfect answer to decorating an otherwise difficult vertical display space with a decorative and functional barometer. 495


TOP	CISTERN

16.17 NUT CRACKER. Charming late 19th C. hand-carved German nutcracker of Black Forest origin. This cleverly contrived and beautifully executed device is in the form of a realistic bear with inset "bean" eyes. The bear's mouth effectively cracks smaller nuts whereas a carved recess at the rear, under the lever, accommodates walnuts and such. This two piece carving is made from a dense dark hardwood, probably walnut. Detail is very realistic. Excellent original condition with no chips or cracks. Good age patina and measures 7 inches long. 250

DETAIL