American and Continental School 19th century A Collection of Ten Portrait Miniatures, various dates

Comprising a portrait miniature of Christiana Keadie Swan (1778-1867), American School, circa 1830, watercolor on paper, the reverse inscribed, "Christiana Keadie Swan/ wife of/ John Turner Sargent/ Water-color miniature on paper/ Painted in Boston about 1830/ Artist not known."; a pair of portrait miniatures depicting Henrietta S. Scott and Rochellina P. Scott, attributed to John Beale Bordley (1800-1882), watercolor, the portrait of Henrietta inscribed verso, "Henrietta S. Scott/ (Mrs. Samuel Chew)/ Aged 2 years/ Pinx. Beale Bordley, 1829," the portrait of Rochellina inscribed verso, "Rochellina P. Scott/ Pinx. B. Bordly 1829"; a portrait miniature of a young gentleman, American School, circa 1830-1840, watercolor, old label verso with indistinct inscription, "Mrs..../ 1922..."; a portrait miniature of a young lady in white dress, probably Continental School, circa 1830; a profile portrait miniature of a young gentleman wearing top hat, early 19th century, watercolor and gouache on paper, in velvet locket case; a pair of profile portrait miniatures of a man reading a book and a lady holding a child, Continental School, circa 1800, the portrait of a lady with indistinct inscription verso, "W. O. Didd..."; a portrait miniature of an amorous couple, probably Continental School, mid-19th century, oil on board; and a portrait miniature of a lady in fur stole, Continental School, 18th/19th century, watercolor, encased in a carved stone pill box; most framed.

(3 1/2 in. x 2 in. (largest, sight), Dia: 3 1/4 in. (one of round pair, sight))

Provenance

The Charles J. McManus, Jr. Collection
Thence by descent.

Charles J. McManus, Jr. (1922-2011) was noted interior designer and a passionate collector of antiques with a particular interest in the unusual and unexpected. As an interior designer, McManus worked on several important commissions in his birthplace of Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Club and the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. He acquired pieces for his own collection during his extensive travels throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean, where he owned a former sugar plantation in Antigua. His style of entertainment was widely admired as he hosted elaborate parties in his home, the former French Consulate in Philadelphia. The New York Times Magazine detailed one such cocktail party, and McManus described his goal for his collection as: “creating a mood, a feeling of warmth and otherworldliness,” for others to enjoy.