Catalog: Sold Items (421)

A fine California Impressionist painting of a view of Mt. Tam with lupine and poppies in the fore ground a small cabin to the left. Oil on canvas signed lower right measuring Approx. 15 x 20 inches in excellent condition but for some age cracking. Biography : Manuel Valencia was born in Marin County, California on October 30, 1856 on the family hacienda called Rancho San Jose, which is now Hamilton Field. A member of one of California's earliest families, Manuel was named after his grandfather who came to California with the Anza Party in 1774 and became administrator of the Presidio in San Francisco. The Valencia’s were given many land grants in the San Francisco Bay area and a street near Mission Dolores is named in honor of his family. Manuel attended Santa Clara College and then established a studio in San Francisco. He began painting when he was quite young and remained a self-taught artist except for a few lessons with Jules Tavernier locally and in Mexico City. The earthquake and subsequent fires in 1906 caused the Valencia’s to move down the peninsula to San Jose, however he commuted daily to his San Francisco studio and worked as a staff artist for the "San Francisco Chronicle" and as an illustrator for the Salvation Army Newspaper. A prolific painter, Valencia is best known for his landscapes and historic scenes of Northern California, which often included nocturnal adobes, missions and pueblos. Following an operation, he died in Sacramento on July 6, 1935. His ashes were scattered on Mount Tamalpais. Source: Edan Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940

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 About 1840 the Electroplate process superseded Sheffield Plate.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 landscape of a clearing storm over the French country side. A fine impressionist painting contrasting the storm clouds with the sunlight on the landscape. Oil on board signed lower right measuring approx 13 x 19 inches framed in a quality gallery frame 17 x 23 inches overall. A fine painting by a listed and highly regarded French and Belgian painter.

Biography

Painter of landscapes and marines. inspired by the landscapes of Brabant Wallon. Deceased about 1945. Exhibited at the Triennial "Exposition of Antwerp "in 1901 ("Mill in Dordrecht"). Lived in Saint-Gilles at that time. Listed in BOTTOM II and "Two Centuries of Signatures of Artists of Belgium". ...

Charles Dorman Robinson impressionist seascape A beautiful atmospheric seascape painting of a sunset with ships off the coast of San Francisco. Oil painting on artist board framed in the original arts and crafts era frame signed lower right. In excellent condition some very minor touch ups in the sky area professionally cleaned and re-varnished. A fine example of this highly acclaimed artists work.

Biography

Charles Robinson was born in East Monmouth, Maine, and his father, David Robinson, was a theatre producer for Gold Rush mining towns and constructed the first theatres and plays for stage productions in San Francisco. In 1850, his family moved to San Francisco where he was educated in the public schools and grew up sketching harbor scenes. He took lessons at the age of seven from Charles Nahl, a painter of mining genre and landscape, and earned a diploma at age 13 from the Mechanics' Institute for best marine drawing for a juvenile. From 1861 to 1873, he lived in Vermont because the family was forced out of San Francisco by threats resulting from his father being on the Vigilance Committee. On the East Coast, he became the pupil of marine artists William Bradford and M.F.H. De Haas as well as Impressionist George Inness. He was also much influenced by Albert Bierstadt and James Hamilton. He lived in Clinton, Iowa from 1873 to 1874 to court and marry Kathryn Wright, and then returned to San Francisco. He first worked as a retoucher of photos, and he and his wife wrote and did illustrations for "Overland Monthly" and "Century" magazine. By 1876, Robinson was exhibiting regularly as a painter, and in 1880 began making trips to Yosemite Valley. He was also in Paris between 1899 and 1901 and offered the Paris Exposition in 1900 a painting of Yosemite that was 50 x 380 feet and weighed five tons. When the committee rejected the panorama, he cut it into pieces, which he sold for passage money home. In the earthquake and fire of 1906, many of his paintings were destroyed in a warehouse where he had thought they would be safe. In 1921, a fire in his home destroyed twenty years worth of Yosemite paintings. He died May 8, 1933 in San Rafael, California. Source: Edan Hughes,

A Tibetan Tara Buddha bronze with traces of gilt and old polychrome late 19 th early 20 th century measuring approx. 8 inches tall.

A fine antique portrait of a Horse in a stable with saddle. Oil on canvas signed lower left in original birds eye maple frame. Measuring approx. 26 x 34 inches a fine decorative original painting.

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.

An original conte crayon drawing of a male nude by Couse framed in a quality 24k gold leaf frame. Provenance the estate of the artist with estate stamp on the reverse. Eanger Irving Couse (1866–1936) was an American artist and a founding member and first president of the Taos Society of Artists. He is noted for paintings of Native Americans, New Mexico, and the American Southwest. His house and studio in Taos have been preserved as the Couse/Sharp Historic Site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties. In 1911 Couse was elected to the National Academy of Design.[3] He also became active in the Taos art colony. In 1915, Couse was one of the six founding members of the Taos Society of Artists, and was elected first president. Another founding member was the artist J. H. Sharp, who adapted a chapel near Couse's house as a studio. Later Sharp built a combined house and studio on the land. The adjacent properties are recognized jointly as the Couse/Sharp Historic Site, and are preserved and operated by the Couse Foundation. Among Couse's works in public galleries are Elkfoot (National Gallery, Washington); The Forest Camp (Brooklyn Museum of Art); The Tom-Tom Maker (Lotos Club, New York); Medicine Fires (Montclair Gallery, New Jersey); and Shapanagons, a Chippewa Chief (Detroit Museum of Art).

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.

A fine vintage Navajo Indian Teec Nos Pos rug, woven by Bessie Little Pouch. Featuring a centering double diamond hooked medallion design with geometric accents on all sides, feather pairs in the center, within finely serrated surrounds and a split wing border. Woven in tan, beige, black, red, orange, white and gray. Measuring approx. 6 ft. 4 in. x 3ft. 10 inches in very fine condition.

The Teec Nos Pos style of Navajo weaving is a bold, exciting and elaborate design. Many believe this style developed from pictures of Persian rugs while others see no connection and believe that traders introduced this design to the Navajo People from designs on flour sacks. The name, which means "Cottonwoods in a Circle," comes from a settlement in the northeast corner of the Navajo Nation. Always surrounded by a wide border and filled with an exuberant variety of motifs, Teec Nos Pos style rugs are usually large, and therefore very expensive. An elaborate center is enhanced with stylized feathers and arrows. Steps and angular hooks extend from the points of diamonds and triangles, while zigags are abundant. The many, brightly colored yarns are used to create a visually stunning design in the Teec Nos Pos style.

A fine antique Bronze Statue of an Oni finely detailed casting in the finest Japanese tradition of bronze works. Cast in three pieces body pined to base. Measuring 17"T x 15"W x 11D.

Fine Santa Clara pueblo pottery example by Gwen Tafoya. Completely hand made and fired in the traditional manner featuring a water serpent design. Measuring approx. 3 tall and 5 inches in diameter. A fine signed example of Native American pottery by one of the great pottery artists.

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.

Ming Dynasty porcelain wine storage jar with hand painted dragon motif. A large vessel in very good antique condition. Measuring approx. 14 inches tall and 10 inches at widest point.

An original painting by famed Irish artist Roderic O'Conor a profile portrait of a Tahitian woman probably influenced by his friend Paul Gaugin as O'Conor did not travel to Tahiti. Watercolor on paper atlier stamp lower right and initialed lower left. measuring 8 x 12 inches in excellent condition. Provenance Crane Kalman gallery London sold in 1959 to James Costigan Esq. Biography

RODERIC O’CONOR An exact contemporary of Charles Gruppe, O’Conor is listed as both Irish and Irish-American (by Bénézit, in error). His place of birth was Roscommon, Ireland (on 17 October 1860). Regarded as Ireland’s most progressive painter of his time, O’Conor was close to both Gauguin and Armand Seguin in the Pont-Aven region, and he was wealthy enough to purchase paintings by Cézanne, Gauguin, Renoir, Manet, and others. O’Conor studied art in Dublin (1879-83), Antwerp (1883), then in Paris under Carolus-Duran and at the Académie Julian. He was working in Grèz-sur-Loing in the 1880s (Jacobs, 1985, p. 33), and began exhibiting his works at the Salon des Indépendants in 1890. Later he would take part in the Salon d’Automne. O’Conor first came to Brittany in 1890, and two years later he executed Yellow Landscape at Pont-Aven (Barnet Shine Collection, London). At Pont-Aven, O’Conor also did engravings. The Irishman befriended Gauguin there, also in 1892. The latter tried to persuade his “drinking buddy” O’Conor to accompany him to Tahiti. The Irish painter was certainly as avant-garde as Gauguin. Breton Peasant Knitting, already post-impressionistic, was painted in 1893, and The Farm at Lezaven, Finistère (National Gallery of Ireland), a year later. According to tradition, O’Conor inspired the character of Clutton, the failed artist in Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage. The letters between Seguin and O’Conor were published in 1989, as Une vie de bohème. In the introduction, Denys Sutton describes how O’Conor served as Seguin’s “father confessor.” O’Conor’s friend Clive Bell (in Old Friends, 1956, p. 163), pointed out that O’Conor “seems to have known . . . most of the more interesting French painters of his generation — the Nabis for instance.” O’Conor’s use of bold color anticipates the Fauves and the German Expressionists. His knowledge of avant-garde painting had a direct impact on the formalist critics Roger Fry and Clive Bell. O’Conor influenced both Robert Vonnoh and Edward Potthast in Grèz, and he oriented Alden Brooks (1840-1931) to Vincent van Gogh’s innovative techniques. Brooks stated that O’Conor was “considered by all the one genius of the crowd.” (Hill, 1987, p. 14). He died at Neuil-sur-Layon on 18 March 1940.

A Tibetan Tara Buddha bronze and sliver with inset coral and turquoise 20 th century measuring approx. 8.5 inches tall. A fine example.

Antique 19th century American game table probably NY c. 1850 solid walnut. Top opens to expose game table and playing surface. In all original antique condition some minor reinforcment dowels to leg. A beautiful example. Measuring 14" L x 29" W x 30" H.

Fine western bronze of a cowboy bronco buster signed mounted on marble base in excellent condition.

Artist Biography Austrian sculptor was born in Vienna in 1865. His teachers were Karl Waschmann (1848-1905), known for his ivory sculptures and portrait plaquettes of contemporary celebrities, and Stefan Schwartz (1851-1924), who exhibited in Paris, including the Exposition Universelle of 1900 where he won a gold medal. Kauba’s intricate bronzes, imported to the United States between 1895 and 1912, were cast at the Roman Bronze Works. Kauba was part of the nineteenth-century tradition of polychrome bronze sculpture. There were several types of patinas on a single statue: he could render the color of buckskin, variously tinted shirts, blankets, feathers, as well as beaded moccasins. Reportedly, Kauba came to America around 1886. Inspired by the Western tales of German author Karl May, he traveled to the West and made sketches and models. Critics, however, pointed out inaccuracies of costume and other details. For instance, the guns that his “mid-nineteenth-century” figures use are models produced after 1898. Apparently he did all of his works back in Vienna. Besides the variety of color, Kauba’s bronzes show a great range of textures and his style is highly naturalistic. The sculptor loved ornament, some of which he rendered with coiled wire for reins, rope and feathers in headdresses. He successfully rendered figures in motion and often executed compositions with more than one figure. Berman (1974) illustrates non-Western subjects by Kaula, such as the pendants Where? and There (ca. 1910), a seated Scottish couple, impressive in the expressions and the details on patterned fabrics of both sitters. Another genre piece is Buster Brown, ca. 1910, and Nude on Vase shows Kauba’s versatility even further. The smooth skin contrasts with the stylistic, plant-like vase.

Traditional hand painted mandarin figures and floral and butterfly motif. An 19th century example c.1880 a dinner plate measuring approx. 9 5/8 inches in good antique condition some wear to enamels no chips or cracks. A nice addition to any group or a great decorative piece on its own.

Sterling Tea Pot Hester Bateman London 1780 A beautiful Georgian silver teapot by Hester Bateman Of oval form with beaded rims and the sides and shoulder and lid decorated with bright cut and wheelwork decorations. The front side with a period monogram centered in a continious ribbon tied floral swag and drape garland. In excellent condition the lid hinge is a bit loose and the silver finial is probably a 19th century replacement. Measuring approx. 5 3/4 inches tall 11 inches excellent clear hallmarks overall weight 15 oz 10dwts.

Hester Bateman 1708 - 1794 Hester Batemans's long career began after the death of her husband John Bateman(1704-1760. John was a chainmaker in London, but little is known about him. After his death, Hester began to build the business, entering her first silver mark in 1761 and continuing to expand the business and went on to be one of the best known of the female silversmiths working in London during the 18th century.

A pair of Japanese mixed metal vases or urns beautifully decorated with dragons winding around the body of the vases with designs of clouds inlayed in gold and silver metal with elephant head handles inset with gold metal eyes. Measuring approx. 5.5 inches tall in good antique condition. A fine pair of the finest quality would enhance any collection.

A beautiful Chinese porcelain vase with green tea dust glaze of beautiful color and form measuring Approximately 8 inches tall in excellent condition no chips cracks or restorations.

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 beautiful example with delicate sliver wire enclosure flower designs on a foil background. Meiji period c.1900 in excellent condition measuring approx. 4.5 inches tall.

A beautiful early 20 th century Dutch impressionist painting of a view of Amsterdam. Signed lower right G. Koopman oil on canvas Approx. 16 x 24 inches in a quality original frame. A beautiful painting with bold impressionist brush strokes.

A beautiful 20 th. century carved serpentine jade censer with dragon finial and handles. Celadon green quality stone measuring approx. 8 inches tall in excellent condition.

Fine Japanese Meiji period bronze hand warmer with applied dragon design side panels and bird motif handle with pierced lid with phoenix bird design. In excellent condition with a beautiful rich brown patina. Measuring approx. 6 inches long by 3.5 wide and 6.5 tall. A fine example would be a nice decorative piece for and collection.

William Keith California Landscap at evening sunset through California Oaks with cows at a distant watering hole. A dramatic moody classic Keith painting oil on canvas signed lower right William Keith and lower left SF for San Francisco. Measuring 18x14 inches framed in a modern gold leaf gallery frame 26x32 inches overall. A fine example of this important early California and American painter such an influential artist and teacher he is sometimes referred to the Dean of California Artists. Works by Keith have sold for as much as $121,000 at auction.

Artist Biography.

Brought to New York City in 1850, William Keith was apprenticed to a wood engraver in 1856 working for "Harper’s" magazine. In 1858 (or 1859) he visited California for "Harper’s" and then after a trip to Great Britain, settled in California as an engraver in 1862. He began exhibiting paintings in 1864 in San Francisco where he opened his studio, after having been taught painting by his wife. The Northern Pacific Railroad commissioned him to do landscape paintings along its route about 1868. In 1869-70 he studied in Dusseldorf, Germany; in 1871-72, he shared a studio in Boston with William Hahn; and in 1872, he returned to California. A nature lover, he found there was “scarcely a mountain in three-fourths of California where he had not kept vigil for days as a time, studying every detail of color, flower, rock, forge, shadow, and sunshine.” Keith became Thomas Hill’s rival in monumental landscapes, saying, “I’d be satisfied if I could reach the power and success of Tom Hill.” When George Inness visited California in 1890, he worked in Keith’s studio for many weeks, and they made sketching trips together. The result for Keith was an influenced style reflecting the subjective rather than the spectacular. His "Majesty of the Oaks" painting sold at auction in New York City in 1903 for $2,300., and about the same time "Glory of the Heaven" sold at auction in San Francisco for $12,000. Of medium height with unruly curly hair, Keith had his studio next to the live oaks on the Berkeley campus where it was the center of the university-oriented California culture. The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed 2,000 of Keith’s works.

Indian Mogul painting on silk. Titled Shaw Jehan returns in Triumph. Image, 10"L x 7.5"W. Label from Indian gallery on verso. Matted Unframed. Please Take the Time to View the rest of our inventory.

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.

A beautiful still life painting of fruit and a copper pot oil on board signed lower right and noted Southwest art association. In excellent condition measuring 17 x 25 inches framed size 22 x 30 inches. A beautiful original painting would make a fine decorative piece for any interior.

Biography

Quince Rudolph Galloway was born on August 16, 1912 in Alma, Arkansas. He was known for his realist, and sometimes impressionist, landscape, portrait and still life works. Galloway attended college in Arkansas. He moved to Oakland, California in 1931 where he studied art at the Fox-Morgan School. Soon after his move to Oakland he married fellow artist Janice Webster and settled in nearby San Leandro. For several years he studied in the San Leandro area with Robert Rischell and Van Waldron. Working in pastels, oils, acrylics, and watercolors he often painted realistic images of the landscape using strong light and shadows. Galloway was a member of the Oakland Art Association, San Leandro Art Association, and the Southwestern Art Association. He died in Oakland, California on September 21, 2003.

An Ancient Greek Pottery Ewer Mycenaean era polychrome designs of mythological lions c. 1000 BC.-1030 Measures approx. 7.5 inches tall in good antique condition.

"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.

A Charming Japanese Ivory okimono study of a Man a boy and a turtle. Approx. 5 inches tall in very good condition one small age crack on the back of the base.

Fine Santa Clara pueblo pottery example by Joe Chevarria. Completely hand made and fired in the traditional manner featuring a water serpent design. Measuring approx. 4.5 tall and 7.5 inches in diameter. A fine signed example of native American pottery by one of the great pottery artists.

A fine Chinese carved Ivory Snuff bottle depicting an Elephant with a Empress. Finely carved with great detail the inside is well hollowed. Measuring approx. 3 inches tall in excellent condition. A fine addition to any collection.