Catalog: Sold Items (421)

"Eutoxeres Aquila" An original John Gould Hummingbird lithograph published in 1861 Beautifully hand colored with watercolor and added iridesence. Hallmandel and Walto printers London in good antique condition some age toning and light foxing. Slightly trimmed measuring approx. 14 x 21 overall size. A fine example of this important work one of the finest images. A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-Birds Written by John Gould
Published by John Gould (London, England)
5 volumes and supplement, 1861-1887 John Gould (1804-1881) was a British ornithologist, artist, and successful businessman. Sometimes referred to as the "English Audubon," Gould had an illustrious career in which he served as official taxidermist to King George IV and established himself as Queen Victoria's favorite illustrator of birds. Gould was so devoted to the study of birds that he asked for his epitaph to read: "Here lies John Gould, the Bird Man." Though he chronicled a wide variety of bird species, from partridges to toucans, spanning all corners of the globe from Great Britain to Australia, Gould had a particular interest in hummingbirds. He developed a personal collection of 1500 mounted and 3000 unmounted specimens, containing at least 300 different species of hummingbird. A Monograph of the Trochilidae represents Gould's stunning effort to create a comprehensive guide to all the varieties of hummingbird with a high degree of accuracy, detail, and beauty.Gould's five volumes on the hummingbird contain 360 hand-colored lithographic illustrations. Gould would draw rough pencil or watercolor sketches of hummingbird specimens, which then served as guides for a team of artists (including his wife, Elizabeth). Gould also worked with lithographers, who used pure gold and silver leaf (applied underneath the watercolor) to achieve a lifelike illustration of the hummingbird's iridescent feathers.

Antique Italian oil painting portrait of a Cardinal by J. Rampollo signed lower left and titled on the reverse. The painting c.1890 is oil on board measuring approx. 10 in. by 15.5 inches. Framed in a beautiful antique gilt frame measuring 16.5 in. by 22.5 inches. The painting is in excellent condition the frame has some minor losses but shows very nicely and is ready to hang. J. Pampollo a highly skilled painter know for portraits of Cardinals and clergy.

Chinese famille rose medallion umbrella stand circa 1890 hand painted in traditional motif of floral butterfly and Chinese court scenes. In excellent condition measuring approx. 25 inches tall.

Original French watercolor painting. A botanical floral study of bluebells from a French porfolio of artwork dating from 1847. Image 7"w. x 10"L. Presented in an exquisite French mat and gilt wood frame measuring overall 20" L x 17" W.

A fine pair of early American portraits of a Handsome young man and beautiful woman. Oil on canvas relined some minor restorations nicely framed Measuring 22 x 18 inches framed size 26.5 x 22.5 inches. A wonderful decorative pair would enhance any interior.

Fine porcelain large bowl with profusely hand painted decorations in traditional Imari colors and motifs. A impressive size measuring 11 3/4 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches high in excellent condition. A fine piece would make a great addition to any collection.

Chinese porcelain vase hand painted with the Three Sages of Happiness design motif. Tong Zhi period 1862-1874 in excellent condition measuring approx. 9 inches tall comes in a fitted silk lined box.

An antique 19th century oil painting on tin depicting a European new world figure and a Native American Indian girl most likely John Smith and Pocahontas. Beautifully painted in excellent condition some age cracking and minor rubs on the extreme edges where frame would cover. Measuring approx. 10x8.5 inches a fine early American painting.

A beautiful antique Italian original painting gouache on paper in an exquisite French matte and frame. Measuring Approx. 6x8 overall framed size 11x13 inches. In excellent condition one of a pair see #341 sold together or separate.

A fine antique Japanese Ivory Netsuke of Fukurokuju the Buddha Scholar or Monk good wear and patina a very fine antique piece. Measuring 2.5 inches tall or 8 + centimeters.

Antique bronze south east Asian opium weights in the form of birds or roosters. Complete collection numbering 9 weights in tapering sizes the largest 5 inches tall. I good condition with a great patina.

A fine Pennsylvania Dutch painted document box belonging to Susanna Lengweiler dated 1839. All original paint and lock and key this box is in excellent condition measuring 11.5 x 8 x 4.5 inches. A very fine and rare example of Americana.

George Bacon Wood fishing dory on the beach oil on board signed lower left. This painting was exhibited at the Salmagundi Club in New York in 1897. In excellent condition measuring Approx. 7 x 9 with liner 8 x 10 inches. overall size 12 x 14. Biography, George B. Wood, Jr. was born into a Quaker family in Philadelphia on January 6, 1832. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Christian Schussele and probably saw the Exhibition of English Art there in February 1858. The exhibition laid out the work of those English painters that were following the precepts of the English painter and critic, John Ruskin. Wood as well as many of his contemporaries from Philadelphia were deeply influenced by the Ruskinian ideal and began to paint according to the precepts of "Truth in Art". Wood's neighbor and friend in Germantown, Pennsylvania, William Trost Richards, was one of the leaders of the movement and probably encouraged Wood to paint to this heightened perception of physical reality. Wood began exhibiting at the Pennsylvania Academy as early as 1858 and at the National Academy of Design by 1861. The American Ruskinians organized by 1863 with a house organ called The New Path, which was published from 1863 to 1865. His artist friends and their writings probably led to Wood's acceptance of the style and ideals of Ruskinian painting. Wood spent the Civil War years painting mainly in the area surrounding Philadelphia, but judging from the titles of his paintings, he also took a few longer trips. In 1866 he rented a studio in central Philadelphia, and the following year he moved downtown. At about this time he began summering (and even spending an occasional winter in the early 1870s) in the Adirondacks near Elizabethtown, New York. By 1870 he was married and well established as an artist. Wood exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy from 1858 to 1869 and again from 1876 to 1887. He also exhibited at the National Academy of Design from 1861 to 1885 and the Brooklyn Academy of Art in 1886. A member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Philadelphia Artists' Fund Society, he was generally part of the artist community in that city. By the seventies, Wood had turned from landscapes to documenting Philadelphia streets and interiors, but at the end of the decade added photography to his arts. In 1883 Wood traveled abroad, recording the sights in carefully rendered watercolors. Some of these sketches served as sources for later, more highly finished work he submitted to the Pennsylvania Academy in 1884 and 1887.

A fine Antique Chinese carved hong mu rosewood statue of a seated emperor or high official. Intricately carved with the finest details of dragons and decorative carved chair. Of the finest quality measuring Approx. 15 inches tall in good antique condition some minor losses to dragon on right arm of chair.

AFTER NIKOLAI IVANOVICH LIBERIKH (1828-1883), A RUSSIAN BRONZE OF A BEAR STANDING ON HIND LEGS with signature and with a plaque engraved in Russian "Killed by the Emperor near / Lisin 9 March 1865" Height 21 1/4 in. 54 cm Condition: excellent some age discoloration an early 20th century casting. Provenance: Private Collection Stanford Ca. Dimensions: Approx. 21" x 10" x 9"

An antique sterling silver repousse Crown for a Spanish colonial santo figure of Holy Mary, Hallmarked 925 in excellent condition. measuring approx. 4 x 3.5 x 2 1/4 inches.

Eugène Fromentin (1820 - 1876) original oil on canvas signed lower left by famed French artist. Measuring approx. 15.5 x 16 inches in ornate original frame. A beautiful antique painting.

A antique 19th century English Royal Navy Blunderbuss gun percussion cap c. 1860 all original in good antique condition.