Catalog: Sold Items (421)

A beautiful Chinese silk embroidered robe circa 1900-1920 This amazing robe is composed of a deep cobalt blue silk ground embroidered on both sides with extensive use of the forbidden stitch technique featuring butterflies, peonies, and other flora. The collar and edges of the garment is overlaid with decorative collars further embroidered with urns vases and flowers. The garment is fastened on the front with silk buttons. The robe is in excellent condition a few minor loose threads on the embroidery overall a fairly large robe measuring 59 inches across and 44 inches long.

A beautiful Chinese Cloisonne Tea pot of very large size featuring gilt bronze handle and top with exquisite foo dog images in cloisonne design. In excellent condition measuring approx. 13 tall and 16 inches at its widest point.

Chinese antique carved Zitan wood foo dogs of the finest quality. Tested and dated at Stanford University lab. Genuine antique Zitan wood. Measuring approx. 12 inches tall and weighing each approx. 10 lbs. Signed and dated in excellent condition some cracking due to age shrinkage otherwise pristine. A fine pair would make a nice addition to any fine asian collection.

A beautiful masterfully drawn Standing Female Nude French c.1800. Drawing on blue gray hand made paper some age discoloration. Image 20"L x 12.5"W matted and framed in a quality gold frame overall 28" L x 21" W.

A fine antique Gilt bronze Buddha Thailand 19th century. Fine casting of the Buddha seated in Mara Vijaya (calling the earth to witness) Gilt bronze over lacquer most all original gilding remains in good condition. Top of the head is a stupa-shaped "flame" or called usnisa, symbol of the realization of Nirvana or indicative of supreme knowledge. Measuring approx. 15 inches tall A fine example.

A fine antique Greek pottery kylix a grand tour example c.1890. Decorated in Classic greek figures two handles and pedestal stand. Measuring 18 x 14 x 8 inches. A beautiful example would enhance any interior.

A fine Period Irish Chippendale tilt top tea table 18th century with fine hand carved edge and acanthus leaf knee and feet. Beautiful Honduras mahogany with book matched grain solid wood top. Measuring 35 inches in diameter and 28.5 tall. A fine example of Georgian period furniture.

Antique Japanese four-panel folding screen signed lower right "Kaiko Ga." Beautifully hand-painted motif of ducks and flowering plum blossoms. Eye hooks on top for hanging on wall, or can be displayed free standing. Some stains top edge, minor repair on reverse. Measuring 96" L x 48" H.

This rare engraving depicts the siege of Szczecin (Stettin), situated on the river Oder (north to the left), at that time part of Swedish Pomerania. A combined allied force of Poles, Austrains and Brandenburgians, under General Jean-Luis des Souches, invested the fortress on the 19th (29th) of September 1659. The besieged Swedish forces, under Major General Paul Wirtz, defended doggedly and eventually the besiegers gave up on the 6th (16th) November 1659. Plate 106 Background: In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia brought to an end the Thirty Years’ War and at the same time thwarted Sweden’s ambitions to control Baltic trade. Sweden was intent on gaining control of the whole of the Baltic trade (Dominium Maris Baltici) and the enormous customs duties deriving from it. All that was missing was control of the major ports on the southern coast of the Baltic or, alternatively, the Oresund, the gateway to the Baltic. A pre-emptive strike against Poland would isolate Prussia (east & west) forcing it to concede control of its ports, or at least pay Sweden a substantial amount of its income for ‘protection’. In July 1655 Karl X Gustav, King of Sweden, declared war and invaded the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania, giving rise to the 2nd Northern War, known in Poland as ‘The Deluge’. The Commonwealth was already weakened by fighting on two front; In the Ukraine it was attempting to suppress a war of independence whilst in the east Russian forces were overrunning Lithuania and Belarus. By superior tactical use of infantry and artillery, within the space of 4 months Karl X Gustav had overrun the whole of the area of present day Poland and forced the Polish King, Jan II Casmir, to flee the Country. All but a handful of the major stronghold gave up with just token resistance, the notable exceptions being Gdansk, Przemysl, Zamosc and Czestochowa. Two years later 'having conquered the Country but not the people' Karl X Gustav recieved information that the Danes had declared war on Sweden. Leaving some of his forces to hold various strongholds in Poland Karl X Gustav took 6000 of his most seasoned troops and marched to Denmark. This engravings comes from the book: De Rebus a Carolo Gustavo Sueciae Rege Gestis Commentariorum Libri Septem elegantissimis Tabulis Aeneis exornati (Sieben Bucher von denen Thaten Carl Gustavs Konigs in Schweden) Author: Pufendorf. S. Von, Published: Nuremberg, Christoph Riegel Date: 1696 The book is an account of the life and deeds of Charles Gustav during his reign as King of Sweden from 1654 to 1660. Engraver: ? Drawn by: Dahlbergh. Erik von, Condition: Very good ready for framing. Color: Uncoloured Size (h x w) 16.5" x 14" or 35 x 41.5 cm (approx. sheet size) Technique: Copper plate Scarce Samuel Pufendorf (1632-94): A German jurist and historian, he is especially noted as an early theorist of international law. In his later years, he served as royal historiographer at Stockholm and Berlin. Erik Dahlbergh (1625-1703): A Swedish field marshal, military engineer and cartographer, Count Dahlbergh was the author of a number of topographical works including the maps and plans in a famous account of the military exploits of the Swedish King, Charles X Gustav by Samuel Pufendorf. From July 1656 he served with the Swedish forces as military engineer and his engravings are that much more valuable in that they were made as an 'eyewitness'. The engravings are scarce and have great historic as well as artistic value showing as they do plans and elevations of towns & castles as well as the costumes of the period.

Mettlach stein number 1786, the St. Florian stein, is one of the most beautiful and skillfully crafted, etched and glazed steins produced by Villeroy & Boch during its "Golden Era", with artistry attributed to Otto Hupp. In excellent condition no damage or repairs

An antique beautiful Large Coral bead tribal necklace Tibet or Nepal natural Mediterranean red coral and copper disk beads. Measuring 20 inches or 50 cm. long. beads average 2 cm in diameter. A fine example in good condition professionally restrung.

A fine pair of antique portrait miniatures of a man and woman signed Dubbison and dated 1823 oil on Ivory in leather cases. In very good antique condition the lady has a restored hairline crack to her left. measuring approx. 3 x 4 inches. a beautiful pair.

Antique Portrait of a beautiful young girl oil on canvas signed on reverse Pankratz Korle and dated 1844. Pandratz Korle (1823-1875) is a well listed painter and highly regarded painter. This charming portrait of a girl in a white dress with a pink shawl is masterfully painted. A portrait by Korle sold at auction for $6,103 in November of 2005. Measuring approx. 24x28 inches framed in a antique gold leaf frame 27x32 overall. The painting is in very good condition although with age cracklure and one small 1/4 in. touch up. A fine decorative antique painting.

A beautiful pair of antique Sheffield Silver wine coasters circa 1850 hallmarked Padley Parkin & Co Sheffield England 1849 - 1855. Wine grape and grape leaf decoration with wood interiors. Sheffield plate, a sheet of silver is fused on to a thicker one of copper and the compound billet rolled, both metals expanding equally, become a thins sheet of copper coated with a layer of silver. About 1840 the Electroplate process superseded Sheffield Plate. Its production ceased about 1860.

A Beautiful antique sterling silver overlay cut crystal decanter. Marked sterling. Dimensions 5.0ʺW × 5.0ʺD × 10.0ʺH Condition Excellent

A beautiful antique still life oil painting on canvas of wine grapes. Measuring Approximately 14 X 16 overall size. 21 X 23 INCHES. framed in a beautiful stenciled Italian frame. A nice decorative painting.

Original antique carved sandstone seated Buddha circa 1500-1700, carved in meditation with crossed legs and arms in the "Bhumisparsa Mudra", set in an arched recess, with two monkey bodhisattvas at his side. Presented displayed on modern wood stand. Dimensions 16.5" W x 22.75" H x 5.25" D - measurements including stand.

Antique gold gilt Thailand amulet exqusite ancient Buddha. Provenance purchased from and English ambassador to Thailand from his personal collection. Measuring 3" x 1.5" or 8cm x 4cm. In all original antique condition.

A beautiful antique carved Tibetan Ivory Vaishravana Buddha with exquisite intricate carved detail measuring 5 Inches OR 12 CM tall. AND 3.5 inches 9 CM. wide

Antique Tibetan painted box made of wood covered with yak leather and exquisitely painted and decorated with traditional Tibetan design elements in gilt lacquer. Measuring approx. 16x10x8 inches in excellent antique condition a fine decorative accent piece.

Beautiful antique Tibetan silver torquoise coral pendant scent or snuff bottle. Beautiful quality antique piece. Has two loops to wear as a pendant top has been glued to stay on. Measuring 2.5" long 1 3/4" wide and 1" deep.

A beautiful antique Tribal necklace or choker silver turquoise coral. In excellent antique condition.

A W Best Navajo indian camp near bear mt. Arizona oil on canvas signed lower right measuring 8x10 inches framed in a hand carved 24k gold leaf frame approx. 16 x 18 overall. In excellent condition.

biography

Arthur William BEST 
1859 - 1935 Arthur William Best was born in Mount Pleasant, Canada on July 17, 1859. He and his brother Harry attended public school in Mount Pleasant and were members of a small band. Arthur played the cornet; Harry, the violin. When the band broke up in Oregon, the brothers learned to paint before moving to San Francisco in 1895. Arthur and his wife Alice established the Best Art School at 1625 California Street and a residence at 309 Broderick. He was a staff artist for the San Francisco Examiner (1904-06). Arthur was commissioned by Southern Pacific Railroad to paint pictures of the Southwest and Mexico for travel and tourist publicity in 1905. Many of his oils and watercolors were destroyed by the earthquake and fire of 1906. His landscapes include depictions of the Arizona desert, Grand Canyon and the Sierra Nevada. He died in Oakland on January 26, 1935. Member: San Francisco Art Ass'n; Berkeley League of Fine Arts; Bohemian Club. Exhibited: Oregon State Fair, 1891 (first prize); Mark Hopkins Art Institute, 1898, 1904; San Francisco Art Ass'n, 1904-16; San Francisco Artists Society, 1905; Berkeley Art Ass'n, 1908; California State Fairs (awards); Alaska-Yukon Expo (Seattle), 1909 (bronze medal); Del Monte Art Gallery, 1910, 1912; Sorosis Club, 1913. Works held: Oakland Museum; Phoenix Museum; University of Oregon; Charles M. Russell Gallery (Great Falls, MT); Santa Fe Railroad.

August Ludecke-Cleve (1868-1957): A beautiful antique German impressionist Landscape of cows in a meadow with a view through the trees. Bold brush work and bright colors. This is a very good and large example of this artists work. Measuring approx. 32 x 43 inches in excellent condition. Provenance: Stanford Museum Sale. Artist Biography: August Ludecke-Cleve first studied at the Art Academy in Dusseldorf then at the Munich Academy. Before the second world war (his studio was bombed) he had exhibitions in Dusseldorf. Ludecke-Cleve was better known for his landscape paintings before the war but from the 1930's onwards cows and tulips became his trade mark.

Fine Antique Austrian miniature Bronze Dachshunds mounted on green marble base. Finely detailed solid bronze castings. Measuring 5.5"L x 3.5"W x 2.5"T. In excellent condition.

Baccarat Crystal Roosters by Georges Chevalier c. 1950 with Baccarat acid etched stamp on bottom. Chevalier, A graduate of the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, began working with Baccarat in 1916 ending his career there in the early 1970s. A journey, a life made of light. His designs earned the Crystalworks a place at the forefront of the history of the decorative arts. Both In excellent condition acid etched stamp is lightly worn. Measures 18" L x 5" W x 14.5" H. Original retail price was $14,000 each. From a Palo Alto Ca. Estate collection.

An ancient southeast Asian (Thailand) pottery bowl from the Ban Chiang culture, dating to approximately 500 B.C. A wonderful piece measuring approx 10" x 8.5" in excellent ancient condition a small hair line at the top edge. This a distinctive vessel with a bold form and individualistic style, the body rises from a rounded base. The piece is adorned with exuberant painted curvilinear forms This striking earthenware vase was produced at the site of Ban Chiang, Thailand, and is typical of works attributed to its later phases. A site of remarkable social complexity, Ban Chiang is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in southeast Asia. It marks an important stage in human cultural, social and technological evolution, presenting the earliest evidence for farming and complex metallurgy in the entire region. Its long cultural sequence, size and economic status has no parallel in any other contemporary site. Representing a seminal point in the history of human development in its region, it is unusual for vessels of this type to survive undamaged and in such excellent condition.

Original Besler Botanical engraving with period hand coloring c.1613 text on verso. Basilius Besler¹s magnificent engravings are the first large-folio natural history botanicals. His work, Hortus Eystettensis (Garden of Eichstätt), is man¹s earliest documentation of a specific garden and is the oldest of all of the great botanicals. Over 1,000 varieties of flowers are depicted in 367 exquisitely engraved and colored plates. Plate mark image 18.5"L x 15.25"W. overall sheet size 21"L x 16"W. Unframed. Condition: Good antique condition some age yellowing small hole upper left commensurate of age.

San Francisco Bay Area Modernist watercolor ink painting by Harold Christopher Davies, signed lower right. Provenance: Estate of the artist and Hoover Gallery, San Francisco. Davies' work was exhibited at the San Francisco Art Association, Oakland Art Gallery, Birmingham Museum, Southampton Museum, University of Long Island Museum, Parrish Art Museum, Hoover Gallery (San Francisco), Haggin Museum and Huntsville Museum. Image, 6"L x 4.5"W. Matted and framed. Minor wear.

A fine antique Berber tribe of Morocco N. Africa brides dowery necklace made of coin silver with enamel beads and champleve work with inset coral. Measuring approx 28 inches overall. A fine example.

Original Painting by Zhāng Shūqí (Chinese: 张书旗; 1901-1957) a Chinese painter from Zhejiang, noted for painting flowers and birds. He studied at Shanghai under Liu Haisu. For a time he taught at the National Center University. From 1942 to 1946, he lived in the United States. After that, he returned to China for a time, but ultimately settled in the US.His works are in the Gallery of Victoria Museum, the Ashmolean Museum and Stanford Museum. Image 9.5"L x 12"W. framed in a gilt bamboo frame 16" L x 19" W. Provenance a Stanford collection estate stamped lower right. Please view our other catalog offerings.

An original oil depicting a Brigantine Ship sailing ship off the coast with other vessels and a lighthouse. Oil in board signed lower left in an original arts and crafts era frame. Measuring approx. 10 x 16 inches in excellent condition. A fine example of this artists work. Biography C. Myron Clark (1858-1925) was a painter of mountain landscapes in oil and watercolor, as well as ships (USS Constitution, 1906; Frigate in Tow). He worked mostly in Massachusetts, though his oil landscape of Mounts Skihist and Lilovet was painted north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1921. His work is in the collection of the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. A FINE EXAMPLE AND NICE ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.

English rosewood traveling secretary circa 1850. These pieces were custom made for British Officers stationed in India and were brought home and have been widely collected. This is a particularly interesting example with a carved top brass banding and a exotic interior with place for correspondence and storage for writing utensils etc. It is mounted to a quality rosewood stand making it a nice side or lamp table. In good antique condition a repaired age crack due to shrinkage of the wood on the top and some minor wear.

A fine antique bronze south east asian Buddha beautiful casting and patina measuring approx. 15 inches tall.

A fine figural nude bronze by Hans Dietzsch-Sachsenhausen signed and dated 1921. measuring 17 inches tall in excellent condition. Sachsenhausen (1810-1926) a noted German sculpture with many important public statuary in city centers in Germany and other Countries.

. A beautiful bronze head of the Buddha Thailand Sukhothai style. A serene face with elogated ears and a top unisa flame. in good antique condition measuring approx. 15 inches tall with mounted stand overall 22 inches.