Why You’ll Love It
This exceptional maritime miniature was painted in 1985 by the late IGMA Artisan Paul Saltarelli and is numbered #2 of only 2 ever created. The finely executed oil painting depicts a gathering of ships in Chinese waters, with a traditional Chinese junk ship in the right foreground. It is presented in an elegant antique-style gilt wooden frame.
An interesting piece of the painting's provenance accompanies this work. Saltarelli inscribed the back identifying the subject as "American Ships in China" after Montague Dawson. Subsequent research, however, indicates the painting is actually a replica of Thomas Wesley Freeman's The Empress of China. Rather than diminishing the piece, this documented attribution history adds another fascinating layer to an already extraordinarily scarce miniature by one of the most respected artists.
Details
Materials: Oils on canvas, carved wood frame
Scale & Size: 1:12 scale; 2⅞" tall × 3⅝" long
Condition: Excellent vintage condition
Artist: Paul Saltarelli (IGMA Artisan)
Collection: The Maureen Fukushima Collection
Please Note: The framed painting only. Other accessories and dolls shown are for staging purposes.
A Note About Value
Every miniature we offer has been carefully evaluated for its craftsmanship, rarity, condition, provenance, and collectibility. Many of the artisan pieces we sell are one-of-a-kind works that may never appear on the market again. While original retail prices provide an interesting historical reference, they rarely reflect decades of appreciation, the artist's legacy, or the scarcity of surviving examples.
Our pricing reflects the miniature's place within today's collector market and the years we've spent studying the artists, histories, and values that make these tiny works of art so special.
A Commitment to Research
Every miniature has a story, and uncovering it is one of our greatest passions. We carefully research each piece, but unsigned or illegible works can remain mysteries. If you can identify an artist or provide additional information, we'd be delighted to hear from you and will gladly update the listing to preserve their legacy.
