Young girl with tiny gold blond ringlets framing her classic peaches and cream complexion. Golden coloured eyes and a gentle smile. She wears a white dress,

with a small floral corsage in her belt. A string of bright coral beads around her neck.

Good condition.

We understand from the old note stuck on the back of the frame that there is another miniature painting on the back of this one. We have not opened it to

check. See 'photos for note.

Gesso (gilt wood) frame is very pretty with a frilly edge and beaded center.

Painting acquired legally and painted on an ivory disc well over 100 years old.

BERNARD FRANCK (1848-1924)

Bernard Franck was born in Paris in 1848. He was a veteran of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, during which he was awarded the Medaille Militaire. He was an

industrialist, specializing in the manufacturing of military equipment. His success in business enabled him to become an inveterate collector.

He amassed his vast collection over 45 years from 1875 to 1920. The collection consisted of 18th Century and early 19th Century objects – miniature portraits

(many emphasizing military subjects), medals and decorations, armory, uniforms, paintings, engravings, a variety of bibelots.

Besides the miniature portraits, especially noteworthy was Franck’s collection of Carnets de Bal (dance cards). He sold this collection to J.P.Morgan around

1910. Before doing so, he had the collection reproduced in an album entitled "Collection de 124 carnets de bal du XVIIIe siecle/formee par M.Bernard Franck a

Paris de l’annee 1875 au 23 avril 1902". Only 20 albums were produced, of which one is in the Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum and one in the Morgan

Library, autographed by Franck to Morgan. Franck died in 1924. The collection that follows has been held within the family since that time.

Outstanding quality, fairly large miniature portrait. The woman is shown wearing a black silk dress with a yellow and blue scarf. Her hair is done in a fancy

style of the day and she wears a pair of chandelier pearl and diamond earrings. Great mastery of brushwork, shown throughout, but especially fine in the

facial detail with the elegant, gentle and intelligent expression.

Painting is signed on the left J Couturieux.

Good Condition.

Back of the painting has a note from the Bernard Franck collection, stating who the sitter and artist were.

BERNARD FRANCK (1848-1924)

Bernard Franck was born in Paris in 1848. He was a veteran of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, during which he was awarded the Medaille Militaire. He was an

industrialist, specializing in the manufacturing of military equipment. His success in business enabled him to become an inveterate collector.

He amassed his vast collection over 45 years from 1875 to 1920. The collection consisted of 18th Century and early 19th Century objects – miniature portraits

(many emphasizing military subjects), medals and decorations, armory, uniforms, paintings, engravings, a variety of bibelots.

Besides the miniature portraits, especially noteworthy was Franck’s collection of Carnets de Bal (dance cards). He sold this collection to J.P.Morgan around

1910. Before doing so, he had the collection reproduced in an album entitled "Collection de 124 carnets de bal du XVIIIe siecle/formee par M.Bernard Franck a

Paris de l’annee 1875 au 23 avril 1902". Only 20 albums were produced, of which one is in the Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum and one in the Morgan

Library, autographed by Franck to Morgan. Franck died in 1924. The collection that follows has been held within the family since that time.

Round portrait 2 3/4inches sight (64mm).

A little girl sits on a chair, holding a doll on her lap. Long, reddish brown hair hiding her gold earrings, under a bonnet with red flowers and a frilly

rim. Serious expression on her pretty face. While clearly young, she looks very directly at the viewer adding to the mystery of who she is and why she was

painted, especially during this very dangerous time for wealthy Frenchmen.

We have not opened the back, so don't know if more information is written there. Back of frame has original Bernard Franck lables with minimal information

about the sitter.

Painting acquired legally and painted on an ivory disc well over 100 years old.

BERNARD FRANCK (1848-1924)

Bernard Franck was born in Paris in 1848. He was a veteran of the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, during which he was awarded the Medaille Militaire. He was an

industrialist, specializing in the manufacturing of military equipment. His success in business enabled him to become an inveterate collector.

He amassed his vast collection over 45 years from 1875 to 1920. The collection consisted of 18th Century and early 19th Century objects – miniature portraits

(many emphasizing military subjects), medals and decorations, armory, uniforms, paintings, engravings, a variety of bibelots.

Besides the miniature portraits, especially noteworthy was Franck’s collection of Carnets de Bal (dance cards). He sold this collection to J.P.Morgan around

1910. Before doing so, he had the collection reproduced in an album entitled "Collection de 124 carnets de bal du XVIIIe siecle/formee par M.Bernard Franck a

Paris de l’annee 1875 au 23 avril 1902". Only 20 albums were produced, of which one is in the Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum and one in the Morgan

Library, autographed by Franck to Morgan. Franck died in 1924. The collection that follows has been held within the family since that time.

Measures slightly under 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Weighs 14 grams.

Round brooch. The outer border with tightly set ring of diamonds. A raised ridge border of gold encloses a handpainted miniature of a beautiful young woman wearing a cute hat, adorned with pretty flowers and blue ribbons. A matching blue ibbon around her neck suspends a long drop pendant jewel. Hair piled up in 18th century style. Salmon pink dress with lacy highlights. The features of her face are quite beautiful and sensitively depicted.

Face is very beautiful and finely painted.
The back of the brooch is entirely enclosed in gold with original pin in good condition.

There are two tiny hallmarks on the pin, which are not quite legible, but appear to be French.

Very good condition.

Frame measures 4 7/8 X almost 6 inches and length of miniature is approx 3 1/4inches (sight).

Well painted by accomplished European artist. The beautiful woman is clearly a lady of means as shown in her beautiful outfit as well as the fact that she was having her portrait painted at the height of World War II in Europe.

Good condition.


The artist's name appears periodically on good Dutch painting, but we are still looking for further identification.

Measurement: including frame, but not hanging loop:4 1/2 inches height; 3 5/8 inches wide. Frame a little under 1/4 inch wide.

Rectangular with rounded corners. Comes in beautiful gilt frame with moulded delicate fine flowers. Can be hung by an attached ring.

Portrait features a gentleman, looks very French and important with beautiful blue eyes and shiny hair, slightly curled. Wears a black coat and a fantastically painted white cravat. White collar sticks out from under the cravat. The ability to depict white on white so convincingly is exceptional. Treatment of face also shows tremendous mastery with beautiful skin tone and wry expression.

Painting is signed on the lower right. An old label on the back partially reads:Portrait d'un artiste, portant un habit fonce et une cravate blanche... (see 'photos).

Painting has not been removed from the frame, so the pictures show dust under the glass. Besides the murkiness caused by the dust on the lower right, we cannot see any sign of damage.

Isbert exhibited in the Paris Salons and was a member of the Society of French artists from 1887.

Measures 4 3/8 inches accross and 5 1/2 inches high.

Old Indian miniature painting in the Classic tradition that originated in Persia centuries before. Done using a very fine, possibly single hair brush and natural colours taken from stones and other products of nature

.
A beautiful woman kneels on a divan/pillowed seat, smelling a large flower that looks like a water-lily. Two buds at her feet as well as a deep blue tame peacock. The woman is scantilly dressed in diaphenous robes, but her hands are henna-ed red and she is profusely covered in jewellery - from bellybutton to nose rings as well as bracelets, earrings, necklaces and headpieces. Long, curling black hair very finely depicted as are the dreamy eyes. She is probably a goddess as she has a halo of sorts around her and very delicately painted symbolic clouds. The woman depicted is Bani Thani, seen frequently in Indian art.

The painting is very delicate. The colours are superb - subtle use of bright shades. Minute detail. FLowing garments and round cushions add to the voluptious effect of this highly attractive painting.

Comes in very attractive red and gold mount, but can be removed and properly framed.

Good condition.

Painted in India circa 1880 - 1920.

Measures 3 1/4 inches wide by 2 1/8 inch high.

Watercolour on cardboard with real gold embossed Coat of Arms. Mounted and ready to be framed.

The painting depicts a British horseman on a prancing horse. A raised stick in one hand. He wears a European style hat on his head. A sage and two women walk behind him. Behind the bushes he is riding through is a hill, with a wall curving up it's slopes, a fairly common sight near forts or temples in India. Below are more Indian style buildings. Minute detail - from the smiling face of the rider to the beautifully depicted horse with flying mane.

Most unusual and interesting is the embossed coat of arms, done in gold above the hill. It is the Royal Coat of Arms under a Crown, as used by the British Government.

The painting is in good condition.

Watercolour on paper. The total measurement of the paper is 4 7/8 X3 inches, but the painting is in a rectangle 3 1/2 X 1 7/8 inches.

The painting depicts a game of polo, played on horseback between the British officers of the Raj and a group of Mughals / Indians. One team wearing European style clothes and hats, the other wearing turbans, Asian attire and sporting bristling moustaches. Galloping, prancing horses outstandingly depicted - the power and movement of these fine animals was clearly appreciated by the artist, who took pains to show them in marvellous detail.

The background, painted in lighter tones is no less interesting. On the left in a garden bower is a group of relaxing dignitaries. A cluster of Georgian style buildings can be seen in the center of the background, up on a hill, making it clear who the rulers were. On the right is a charming vignette of a large tree behind a wall and in the tree are perched the local population, who presumably were not invited to the game, but watch with no less interest.

The painting is exceptional, not only because of the detail and sensitivity of the artistry, but because it depicts an age and world gone by.

Generally very good condition but the delicate paper is worn on the edges and the painting needs to be framed and protected.