How Much Did That Artifact Bring?

By Miralee Ferrell

As a lover of many things historical, I tend to gravitate toward TV shows that portray old objects being unearthed, restored, or sold as found. Whether it be Pawn Stars, American Pickers, sunken treasure recovery shows, or something like Antiques Roadshow, I enjoy them all--even some of the Barrett Jackson auto auctions that often feature cars and trucks older than I am. Yep, they do exist. 

I've like episodes of Fixer Upper (home restoration) as I love seeing a person or couple choose a hundred-year-old house to purchase and have restored. There are many treasures hiding across America waiting to be found in someone's barn, attic, basement, or field, that often they don't even realize they possess. I thought it would be fun to share a few finds over the years that made news or gained attention on one of those shows.

In July 2011, on Antiques Roadshow a man from Oklahoma broke the Antiques Roadshow record with his collection of Chinese cups carved from rhinoceros horns. His collection dates back to the 18th century, and was appraised by Lark Mason for $1-$1.5 million at auction.
The episode aired in January 2012. Watch the appraisal here.
(my disclaimer--I do NOT approve of collecting or purchasing any form of ivory or rhino horns--I almost didn't share this due to that, but I was so shocked by the price, I decided to do so)

Napoleon’s Sword – $6.4 million

This sword is embellished with gold and saw action in battle in early 1880s.

After the battle, the sword reached Napoleon’s brother hands, as a wedding gift.
It was declared a French national treasure (1978). Also, it was auctioned in France for $6.4 million. It stands as a symbol of victory, power and strategy!

Jim Younger's "Fiddle" Played by Him at the Famous 1898 Christmas Party at Stillwater Prison. Of all the significant relics in the Wilbur Zink collection, this violin is perhaps the most evocative. Cora McNeil, who served as the Younger brothers' unofficial secretary while they were incarcerated, was present at the December 25, 1898, party for the inmates held at the home of Warden Wolfer. The tree was decorated with ornaments made by the inmates, and Cole Younger himself was dressed as Santa.

Cora was accompanied to the party by her nine year old daughter Edwynne. It is widely believed that Cora was at one time Jim Younger's mistress, and quite possibly Jim was Edwynne's father. In any case, "Uncle Jim," as she called him, obviously held her in special regard. His violin was under the tree as a present for little Edwynne.
     In 1968 Edwynne Neill Deane, still alive, penned a handwritten account of the event, and that account, along with a typed and notarized version, accompanies this lot. The violin is expected to bring at least $10,000. 
This rare cabinet photo of Jesse James originates from an ambrotype taken on July 10, 1864, at Platte City, Missouri. It shows James, aged 19, dressed as a

Quantrill Guerilla, a paramilitary force that waged war against the Union army during the final days of the US Civil War. James was fiercely pro-Slavery, and his later criminal exploits were hailed as heroic by former Confederates in the South.

Sold at Heritage Auctions in 2013 for $7,170.

What's the most interesting historical artifact or 'treasure' you've discovered? 

Outlaw Angel

by Miralee Ferrell

On the run from a dangerous outlaw, Angel works her way across several states disguised as a boy and working as a varmint tracker and horse wrangler. After taking a job on a Wyoming ranch owned by a bachelor and his widowed sister, she finally reveals her true identity and must fight to prove her worth as a ranch hand while somehow discovering her role as woman.
Hiring a woman doesn’t sit well with Travis Morgan, and the dark-haired beauty is causing a ruckus among his cowboys. Just as Angel decides she’ll never be able to please her boss, an unexpected surprise arrives from across the ocean and makes trouble on the ranch. Will Angel leave with the person who’s come so far to claim her?Miralee Ferrell is a best-selling and award-winning author with 19 books to her

credit and another releasing this year. She lives in Washington state with her husband, two dogs, 2 cats, and 14 chickens, and loves traveling to various places for historical research. You can connect with Miralee, learn more about her books, and sign up for her newsletter at her website, or join her author group on Facebook.

An Afternoon of Art II: Georgian and Regency

Linore Rose Burkard

Last month, I invited you to an armchair stroll, an afternoon of art, as I shared some of the photos I'd taken of beautiful paintings and sculptures from the Dayton Institute of Art's collection. This month, as promised, I'm posting more from the Institute, but only images from their Georgian or Regency Era collections.

(Please bear with my photos--I didn't take them with the intention of sharing publicly, but realized belatedly that others would enjoy them.)

American PIER TABLE c.1810-20

Wood with mahogany veneer, marble top, alabaster columns, gilt bronze ormolu and mirror.

(If you look closely, you'll see my legs reflected in the mirrored section!)

"The Pier table was inspired by the Empire style, a late 18th-to early 19th-century French style introduced during the rule of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in France, which became popular in the United States after 1810.  It is best characterized by its classical and stately features, including beautiful wood, elegant columns, animal-paw feet, and elaborate, gilded acanthus-leaf ornamentation. This majestic furniture style was popular well into the mid-19th century." 

My two cents: This is truly classic Regency style! 

JANE ANN BENJAMIN POWERS, MRS. CHARLES WESLEY POWERS, 1829

Oil on canvas, by Ammi Phillips (1788-1855)

"Folk artist Ammi Phillips was born in Colebrook, Connecticut and began painting portraits throughout the region by 1811. A decade later, the period in which this image of Jane Ann was completed while the artist was working in Dutchess County, New York, his portraits became more sophisticated due in part to his interest in realism and the natural world. Phillips also began to experiment with dark backgrounds, which provided a dramatic contrast to this sitter's pale skin."

My two cents: Notice the lower waist line and wide sleeves, elaborate curls and poufed hair--definitely late Regency style. George IV (previously the Regent) would reign for one more year after this portrait was painted. He died  January, 1830.    

This is earlier than the previous portrait, definitely Georgian. Unfortunately my photo of the provenance for this portrait did not come out, so I can give no information regarding the artist, location it was painted, or exact year. 

  

by Ralph Earl, (1751-1801) American

"A portrait painter, Ralph Earl was a prominent southern New England portraitist who carried on the high standards set by John Singleton Copley. (1738-1815). Earl was trained in England.

The little brass plate (which you can see along the inset of the frame on the bottom) says, "MICHEL."

Unfortunately that is all the information I have on this lovely scene. My photo of the provenance is too blurry to read!   

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FRENCH CABINET, c. mid 19th-C.

Ebony, oak, marble, oil paint, glaze, ormolu

by Hippolite-Edme Pretot

"Nineteenth-century French craftsmen excelled at designing and fabricating furniture with intricate combinations of luxurious materials.  This cabinet was almost certainly made to showcase such skills. Signed by Pretot, a little-known Frenchy artisan, its materials include gilded bronze, brass inlay, and rich, dark ebony. The painted flower decorations are attributed to the virtually unknown Franco Joseph Napoleon. The cabinet was likely intended for a hallway or dining room, where it would have been used to store or display the belongings of the wealthy owner." 

The label identifying the Paris shop where it was crafted is still intact!

CASTLEFORD WARE, English, founded 1790

TEAPOT, CREAMER, AND SUGAR BOWL WITH COVER, c.1785

Basalt Ware

My two cents: If the manufacturer was founded in 1790, I find it interesting that they date the pieces to 1785! You might say  they were crafted before their time. 

No information on this one, but it is certainly majestic.

I can't be sure until I return to the museum, but I think this is by Sir Joshua Reynolds. An imposing Regency personage, methinks, with a respectable cravat.

HENRY, 8th LORD ARUNDELL OF WARDOUR, c. 1764-7

(A name worthy of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, to be sure!)

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792)

British, Oil on canvas 94 x 58 inches. (That is, nearly 8 feet high by nearly five feet wide)

"Reynold’s full-length portrait of the elegantly dressed English nobleman exemplifies both the brilliantly painterly skills that made him one of the most sought after portraitists of his age, and the luxury enjoyed by England’s richest noble families in the eighteenth century. The artist captures Henry with all the signs of his status: his peer’s robes, the crown of a Lord Baron resting on the parapet, and an aloof, if noble, bearing."

My two cents: Noble bearing, indeed. Contrast Arundell's pose with that of his monarch, George III, below (This painting is not from the DAI)

George III in his coronation robes. From commons.wikimedia.org

TEA SERVICE: TEAPOT, CREAMER AND SUGAR, English

Thomas Holland, Silver, 1806-1807

Silver looks more like gold here, but I can't tell if its my photo or if it had such a golden sheen in the case. Possibly the "tarnish" of the silver gives it the golden hues.  

PAIR OF CHAMBERSTICKS, English, 1812

Not much "younger" than the tea set above, the silver here is noticeably whiter.

PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN, English

Sir Richard Cosway (1742-1821) Watercolor on ivory set in gold box.

Cosway was the premier painter of miniatures of his day. I was so excited to see one of his tiny masterpieces in a Dayton collection! This is certainly Georgian, and most likely no more than 2-2 1/2 inches in length! I have a book on Cosway's miniatures--if I can find it before this post goes live, I'll double-check the measurements. 

COVERED CUP, c. 1752-53 (Georgian)

Sterling Silver

Amye Videau, active 1730-1770

English

"This splendid covered vessel in the form of a trophy...reflected Baroque style prevalent in Europe at the time." Videau was a French Huguenot who emigrated to nearby England as did many Protestants after their freedom of religion was revoked in the late 17th century. (Rather startling, isn't it, that Christianity is becoming less tolerated in our modern 21st century society.)

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PORTRAIT OF ELIAS JONATHAN DAYTON, 1813

Oil on canvas

(What a proper Mr. Knightley he could be!)

by Thomas Sully (1783-1872)

Not my photo--this came From the DAI website. I had a poor picture of the provenance only.  

A dark photo of snuff  bottles, 18th century, Chinese

I hope you've enjoyed these pictures of art and artifacts from the Georgian and Regency eras. For myself, it is hard to get enough of them. Stay tuned as I re-visit the regency in other ways in coming months here at Heroes, Heroines and History!

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Linore Rose Burkard is best known for regency romance novels with Harvest House Publishers, and now writes YA/Suspense as L.R.Burkard. Linore teaches workshops for writers, is a mother of five, and still homeschools her youngest daughter—preferably with coffee in one hand,  and iPad in the other.

Linore's newest novel, RESILIENCE, the action-packed sequel to PULSE, is  available now for pre-order on Amazon.