Catalog: Sold Items (421)

A beautiful original oil on canvas board by Renowned Laguna artist signed lower right and dated measuring 20 x 24 framed in a quality 24k gold leaf frame by Sean Speck of Los Angeles.

Biography>Born in Ravenna, Ohio, Anna Althea Hills was a prominent California landscape painter who was also remembered as a civic leader in Laguna Beach. In addition to painting in her native state, she was active in Arizona. She was raised in Olivet, Michigan, and attended Olivet College. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Cooper Union in New York, and privately with Arthur Dow. After further study at the Academie Julian in Paris and traveling throughout Europe for four years, she moved to Laguna Beach in 1913 and was painting in Arizona as early as 1914. The landscape of the West inspired her to adopt a light, colorful Impressionist palette. In spite of a severe spinal injury, she took adventurous painting trips into remote mountain areas. She also supervised a Sunday School for ten years, and was a six-year president of the Laguna Beach Art Association and helped raise funds to build the existing museum. Her early works of genre and interiors were much darker than her later California landscapes and marine scenes. She combined watercolor and oil and painted in a decorative style. Sources: Edan Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940

Anna Althea Hills California Impressionist view of Laguna Beach sunset oil on canvas c. 1925. A beautiful plein air painting by this highly regarded California artist. Oil on canvas signed lower left measuring 10x14 inches framed in a hand carved and 24k gold leaf quality frame overall size 16x20 inches. Provenance; From the estate of Anna Hills stamped on reverse stretcher with the estate stamp and catalogue number in addition attached is an accompanying letter from the Robert Beck Gallery as to the provenance of this painting. The condition is excellent the painting has been relined and cleaned and is in fine condition. A quality investment piece of California art. An Anna Hills 10x14 painting of Laguna sold for $23,000 at John Moran auction on 6/21/05.

Biography

Anna Althea Hills was born January 28, 1882 in Ravenna, Ohio. She studied at the Chicago Art Institute; Cooper Union Art School in New York City; she worked with Arthur Dow (1857-1922) and later studied at the Academie Julian in Paris. While in Europe she studied with John Noble Barlow (1861-1917). In 1912 she moved to Laguna Beach, California becoming a leading member of the Laguna Beach art community. She was an active member of the California Art Club, held a membership at the Washington Watercolor Club and served at the Laguna Beach Art Association as president from 1922 to 1925 and from 1927 to 1930. Hills was highly regarded as an art teacher and encouraged the study of the visual arts at the local public schools. Captivated and inspired by her new surroundings, she created atmospheric impressionist landscapes showing a reverence and appreciation of nature. The subjects of her plein-air landscapes varied from treescapes, the Laguna Beach coastline, Mission San Juan Capistrano, the vast Southern California and Arizona deserts, Santa Ana Canyon, arroyos and interior scenes. Hills won the Bronze Medal at the Panama-California Exposition, San Diego in 1915; the Bronze Medal at the California State Fair, 1919; and the Landscape Prize at the Laguna Beach Art Association, 1922, 1923. She died at the early age of forty-eight on June 13, 1930 in Laguna Beach, California.

Antique Bronze horse and trainer after Guillaume Coustou's famous marble created for Louis XIV's chateau at Marly, and that now stand at the entrance to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It depicts a dramatic scene of a fiercely rearing horse being restrained by a struggling groom. 19th century measuring 9" L x 18" W x 20" H. Good antique condition.

Antique brass balance scale with elaborate design of Serpent or Dolphin Fish motif. Complete with weights set in solid brass base. Dimensions 8" L x 18" W x 24" H

An exquisite antique Burmese Mandalay style gilt bronze Buddha c. 18th century. measuring approx. 13 inches or 33 cm. tall . A fine example would in good antique condition some losses and wear.

A fine 19th-century antique Bronze figure of a seated Buddha. Has a beautiful rich brown patina Dimensions 6.5ʺW × 4.0ʺD × 10.0ʺH In excellent antique

A fine antique southeast Asian Bronze Buddha 15-17 the century measuring Approx. 5 inches tall without stand mounted to a quality museum mount.

A fine vintage bronze bust of a boy with green marble base signed G. Martin and with foundry mark genuine bronze. In excellent condition some minor chips to marble base measuring 8 inches or 20 centimeters tall without base. A quality art work would make a fine addition to any collection.

Fine Antique miniature Bronze Portrait bust of a young man. Finely detailed bronze casting. Measuring 7.5" x 4 x 3.5 Inches. In excellent antique condition.

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 Continental European carved polychrome figure of a Saint or Santo from the first part of the 19th century. Finley carved from wood with flowing robe and well articulated face and hands with glass eyes. Measuring approx. 13.5 inches 34 cm. tall in good antique condition some losses or chips to carving.

Antique carved wood Buddha Burma circa 1850. Finely carved image of the Buddha seated on a lotus made from a hardwood with a rich deep brown patina. Measuring approx. 10 inches tall in excellent condition. This fine example would make a nice decorative and inspirational piece.

Antique Chinese Bronze Foo Dog Censer or incense burner. Qing Dynasty 19th century original. Measuring 4.5" x 4.5 x 3.5 Inches. In excellent antique condition.

A fine antique Ivory carved chess set of the finest quality with the King And Queen being Chinese Emperor and Empress with complete court all 36 are pieces carved from solid ivory and finely detailed. The pieces are substantial the King measures approx. 6.5 inches tall. In excellent condition.

A rare antique Chinese finely hand carved white Jade seated Shakyamuni Buddha with exquisite detail form and surface. Measuring an impressive 10.5 in. or 27.5 cm. tall. In excellent condition A fine addition to any collection.

A beautiful and rare large Chinese Ceramic foo dogs or temple lions. Date from the 19th century with a deep green glaze. In very good condition no damage or restoration an measuring and impressive 24 inches tall by 12 x 8 inches. An interior decorators dream.

A beautiful original 18th - 19th century Qing dynasty Chinese painting on silk measuring approx. 36 x 48 inches painted on silk mounted to board in antique condition some foxing and damage overall a beautiful painting would enhance any interior.

A fine antique Chinese rosewood jewelry box with white jade inlayed plaques. Opens to a group of silk lined drawers for jewelry. Measuring approx. 12.5 x 8 x 6 inches. In very good antique condition.