Press Release

Bloomfield, NJ, USA, November 22, 2025 -- Nye & Company Auctioneers and Appraisers will hold a scintillating and scholarship-rich single-owner auction featuring property from the collection of Nancy and Robert Stein, on Wednesday, December 3rd, beginning promptly at 10am Eastern time.

The thoughtfully curated collection—assembled over decades with passion, connoisseurship and an eye for early American artistry—encompasses exceptional examples of antique furniture, fine art, historical portraiture, ceramics, needlework, pewter, and decorative arts.

Immediately after the Stein Collection sale, Nye & Company will present its two-session Chic & Antique Auction: Session I: Dec. 3 at 1pm Eastern time; and Session II: Dec. 4 at 10am Eastern.

The Stein Collection reflects a discerning appreciation for early American furniture, Pennsylvania Impressionism, Russian art with American parallels, mochaware, delftware, early pewter and a notable group of portraits attributed to James Sharples Sr. and his daughter Ellen Wallace Sharples—a family of itinerant artists whose work forms an important chapter in late 18th- and early 19th-century Anglo-American portraiture.

James Sharples Sr. (ca. 1751–1811) was an English-born portraitist celebrated for his intimate pastel likenesses of political leaders, intellectuals, and civic figures. After emigrating to the United States in the 1790s, Sharples traveled extensively, creating admired portraits of figures including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Ellen Wallace Sharples (1769–1849), his highly accomplished daughter, produced finely rendered portraits notable for their subtle tonality and quiet psychological depth. Both artists operated portrait galleries in Philadelphia and New York, contributing significantly to America’s early artistic identity. Works from this lineage are increasingly prized by collectors for their charm, historic resonance, and scarcity.

The furniture category features an exceptional selection of early American craftsmanship. A parade of regional masterworks anchors the sale, including the following:

- A maple high chest, likely from Chester or Londonderry, New Hampshire, exhibiting bold proportions, elegant line, and quintessential Northern New England craftsmanship.
- A Chippendale mahogany tavern table from Rhode Island, distinguished by its robust stance and exceptional surface.
- A Queen Anne tray-top tea table from Connecticut, a graceful example of early colonial refinement.
- A near-pristine Federal card table labeled Archelaus Flint, Charlestown, MA, 1800–1820 — a piece of extraordinary integrity and rarity.

Archelaus Flint (1778–1840) was an esteemed Charlestown, Massachusetts cabinetmaker known for his refined execution, sophisticated line and crisp inlay work typical of Boston-area Federal style. His shop operated during a flourishing period of cabinetmaking innovation, producing furniture that bridged utility and ornament. Labeled examples, such as the one offered in this sale, are highly sought after for their rarity, craftsmanship, and excellent documentation.

For more information, images, or interview requests please contact: info@nyeandcompany.com, 973-984-6900. You may visit the website at www.nyeandcompany.com. The company is also on Instagram & Facebook @nyeandcompany.

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