Catalog: Sold Items (421)

Impressionist oil painting of an Italian coastal village signed lower right "Luigi Bertolingrande" (1912-1965), a highly regarded 20th-century Italian Impressionist artist. Oil on canvas laid on masonite board in excellent condition. Unframed.

Beautiful Egyptian street scene an Original oil painting on board signed lower right measuring approx. 20 x 24 in excellent condition. Biography LEONID GECHTOFF, 1883-1941 

Leonid Gechtoff was born in Odessa, Russia, in 1883, an only child of parents already in their forties and not particularly well off financially.  After his art school training in Russia, where he probably first met his close life-long friend David Burliuk, he and his parents fled from their homeland when he was in his twenties, rather than have him face possible conscription into the army. Cairo proved to be a haven for several years and Gechtoff painted many city and genre scenes of Egypt in his heavily impastoed style, bringing him acclaim in the Orientalist-enamored European art world as well.

Gechtoff always felt most influenced by the work of Vincent van Gogh, however, and this led him to travel to Holland where Dutch-born van Gogh painted in his early years, though not in the colorful later style Gechtoff most admired. There he established good connections which led to gallery shows in Amsterdam, and at one he met his future Russian-born wife Etya while she was on vacation from her pre-medical studies in Germany. Her family was well-to-do and supportive of the young couple, so they were able to wed and settle in Holland initially for about a year, around 1917. Several Alpine landscapes indicate painting trips in more mountainous parts of Europe too. Both Leonid and his wife were fluent in several languages.

The Gechtoffs soon moved to Indonesia, then a major South Pacific colony under Dutch control, hoping that the warmer climate would be better for Etya's health. The lush volcanic landscapes were strongly appealing to the artist as well. They lived in Java for about two years, in 1918 and 1919, and enjoyed traveling and collecting throughout the region during painting trips.

By 1920 they were living in Manila, and in early 1921 they planned a visit to see two of Etya's brothers in Pennsylvania later that year.  Once in America, the Gechtoffs found themselves persuaded to stay and settle in Philadelphia, with both becoming US citizens.  Leonid's major patron and benefactor was either a member of the family of Dutch-born philanthropist Edward Bok or Bok himself. Along with inclusion in various group exhibitions, his work was featured in a solo show at the Philadelphia Art Alliance in the early 1930's.

Gechtoff had achieved substantial success throughout the 1920's from his landscape paintings near his home in Philadelphia, and had also purchased a summer home on Cape May, New Jersey, where he painted many coastal scenes.  Unfortunately, he made large investments in the stock market in the latter years of the decade, and these disappeared almost overnight in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The family now included young Sonia, born in 1926, and soon her sister, born in 1933.

With their fortunes in decline, like so many artists in the Depression of the 1930's, they sold the Cape May house but still were able find suitable rentals at the shore for their summer sojourns, and otherwise still lived in downtown apartments in Philadelphia. Gechtoff's works began to depict wintry landscapes along with his bright rocky seascapes and still lifes.

Gechtoff continued vigorously painting in his vivid and distinctive style, a blending of post-Impressionism and expressionism, until his health became a problem in 1940, with the stress of high blood pressure and complications. He died in 1941 at the age of 58. His widow later moved to San Francisco and ran an influential exhibition space in San Francisco called the East-West Gallery, while daughter Sonia became a well-known artist currently living in New York City. 
Gechtoff is listed in the Archives of American Artists, part of the Smithsonian Institution.

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.

A fine antique shoushan stone carving of the laughing Buddha or hotei a beautiful piece in excellent condition with carved hong mu rosewood stand measuring Approximately 11 inches wide and 8 inches tall.

A fine original antique photograph of the Oxford tennis team photo by J Soame stamped lower right framed and archival matted image approx. 11 x 14 inches.

A beautiful example with subtle blue enamel hues and a pair of crane with flowers. Meiji period c. 1900 in fine condition no damage an exquisite miniature measuring approx. 3 5/8 inches tall 10 centimeters, a fine addition to any collection.

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 African carved ivory figure of a nursing mother west Africa with beautiful patina measuring approx. 13 inches in length. A fine investment quality antique.

James Everett Stuart sunset glow Mt. Hood Oregon from near Portland. Oil on canvas signed lower left and dated Jan 11, 1917 signed and titled priced and dated on reverse. A fine example of this highly regarded American artists work measuring 12x18 inches in good all original condition some minor age cracking framed in a contemporary gallery frame measuring overall 20x26. A fine example of this great American artists work.

A painting Sunset Glow Mt. Hood sold for $12,000 at Santa Fe Art auction 11/14/1998 lot no. 121

Biography

Born in Bangor, Maine, James Everett Stuart became known for his panoramic landscapes from Maine to California to Alaska to the Panama Canal, but especially of the American West with focus on Northern California and Oregon. Reportedly he painted more than 5000 paintings during his lifetime and originated a method of painting on aluminum and wood with a special adhering process that he thought made his work quite durable but proved not to be so. He also wrote on the back of most of his paintings His parents took him to California at the age of eight, and the family settled in San Francisco where he attended the public schools and studied art with Virgil Williams, Raymond Yelland, Thomas Hill, and William Keith at the San Francisco School of Design. His early work was dramatic California landscape including the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and in style the works were moody and mysterious and suggestive of the French Barbizon School. He first traveled to the Northwest in 1876, and in 1881, he opened his studio in Portland, Oregon and from there traveled throughout the West and East Coast and into Mexico. Subjects included Yosemite as well as California missions and adobes. He painted landscapes whose sales ultimately were financially remunerative and which established his reputation. Of those years, he expressed that he much preferred being in the park to studio painting, but he stopped visiting in 1889 and instead traveled to Alaska and the Coastal Range. During much of the 1890s, he lived in Chicago, but in 1912 returned to San Francisco until his death in 1941. There, from his studio near Union Square, he was highly successful and popular among his peers, underscored by his membership in the Bohemian Club. Many of the owners of old homes in California have his paintings on the wall, suggestive of a time of grandeur. One of his paintings is in the White House, and his work is in the historical societies of Oregon, Washington, and Montana.

An exquisite carved Ivory image of Guanyin with the Buddha atop all hand carved from a very large tusk Measuring 5.5 in diameter 15 inches tall and 18 inches tall with stand. Signed with carved symbol on bottom. A fine example would make a nice addition to any collection.

Staffordshire brown transferware platter circa 1830 by T. Heath Burslem England titled on reverse sporting subjects. This beautiful example is in excellent condition no chips or cracks repairs etc. some age discoloration on the reverse. Measuring approx. 16 inches by 12.5 inches.

A fine original Oil painting on canvas board signed lower right by Professor Starcce. Sailing boats in harbor in original frame.

A beautiful buzzer bell ringer button for calling servant or hotel desk call button. Fine example in very good condition original wire very pretty stone. Measuring approx. 2 1/4 inches long.

A beautiful Japanese Art nouveau carved wood urn or vase stand finely carved details of Iris flowers measuring approx. 28 inches tall. A fine decorative piece.

Original Favuist style oil of a house near Fresno Ca. oil on canvas board by Harold Christopher Davies signed lower right. From the estate of the artist and the Hoover Gallery, San Francisco. Davies' work was exhibited at the San Francisco Art Association, the Oakland Art Gallery, the Birmingham Museum, the Southampton Museum, the University of Long Island Museum, the Parrish Art Museum, the Hoover Gallery (San Francisco), the Haggin Museum and the Huntsville Museum. Image 10 X 14 inches. In excellent condition unframed.

Fine Hudson River School painting of a couple picnicking along the banks of the Hudson the gentleman fishing. Signed lower left S. H. Thurston and 19th century New York artist. Oil on canvas measuring 22 x 29 inches.

A beautiful impressionist painting of a view from the Schuylhill river docks in Philadelphia Pa, showing ships moored in the foreground and factories in the background. Oil on board circa 1920 oil signed lower right. This painting just recently discovered is directly from a Great Grandfather who was a friend of Wagner and an artist himself the two shared a studio. Measuring 8x10 inches framed in a contemporary gallery frame. A great example of this artists work a fine addition to any collection.

Biography

Fred Wagner was born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1864. He received a scholarship to study art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Eakins and in 1884 was made chief Demonstrator of Anatomy there. In 1885, Wagner left the Academy to make a painting tour of San Antonio, Texas, and then went on to Los Angeles, California, where he painted a number of landscapes and portraits. He returned to Philadelphia as an illustrator for the Philadelphia Press until 1902, and then moved to Norristown, Pennsylvania to paint full time. In 1912, Wagner opened a Philadelphia studio and taught classes in outdoor painting at Addingham, and later, at the Pennsylvania Academy's summer school in Chester Springs. His reputation grew, and he took on additional classes at his studio in the Fuller Building. In 1913, Wagner exhibited in the now famous Armory Show in New York City. He exhibited frequently at the Pennsylvania Academy's annual exhibitions, and in 1914, was awarded the Fellowship Prize. He was awarded Honorable Mentions from the Pittsburgh International, the Philadelphia Art Club, and the Carnegie Institute in 1922. His paintings are in the collections of the Cleveland Museum; St. Louis Museum, MO; Fort Wayne Museum, IN; Kalamazoo Museum, MI; Rochester Museum, NY; Worcester Art Museum, MA, and the Reading Museum, PA. Fred Wagner died in Philadelphia in 1940.

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 Japanese Ivory carved figure of a woman merchant carrying baskets and Noh masks finest detailed carving signed Ta Naka.

A fine Japanese Ivory netsuke of a Noh Drama character artist signed measuring approx. 2.5 inches 6 cm. tall in excellent condition.

A beautiful original watercolor painting of a New York landscape by Harry Roseland signed lower right in excellent condition in quality frame site approx. 10x 14 inches. An investment quality work. Harry Roseland 1868-1950 Genre painting enjoyed tremendous popularity in nineteenth-century America. It was a style that allowed a painter to tell a story, evoke an emotion, tell a joke, or educate. Largely superseded in the twentieth century by changes in popular taste and improvements in photographic technology, genre painting nevertheless remains a strong sub current in popular taste. One of the most notable painters in this mode was Harry Roseland. Roseland, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1868, matured as an artist while waves of change were sweeping over the art world. Largely self-taught, he chose to paint what he saw. He received some education in art under J.B. Whittaker in Brooklyn, and at first painted some landscapes and still lifes, but his natural flair was for telling a story in his paintings. His subject matter was at first highly sentimental and heavily influenced by fashionable taste: smartly turned-out young women, old folks, and idealized farm scenes. He abandoned the mawkishness that is the downfall of so many self-educated artists when he found a topic that was close to home and yet largely unnoticed: the post-Civil War blacks who formed the underpinning of Northeastern society. Roseland's clever, skillful scenes of homely activities - such as checkers or letter-reading, were remarkably dispassionate and candid for the time, though to modern eyes they may seem condescending and dated. They capture with gentle humor of a way of life that existed through the first half of the twentieth century and has now vanished. Harry Roseland never left his native Brooklyn, dying in New York in 1950, but enjoyed a remarkable success as an artist in his chosen specialty, improving and maturing continually. The archetype of the independent American artist, he never traveled to Europe to study or observe, choosing to carve his own path. During his career as an artist he exhibited:Brooklyn Art Club, 1888 (gold),Boston, Mass., 1900 (medal), 1904 (gold),Charleston Expo, 1902 (medal), National Academy of Design, 1898 (prize),Brooklyn Society of Artists, 1930 (prize), American Art Society, Philadelphia, 1902 (medal), 1907 (gold),Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Art Institute of Chicago. His memberships include: Brooklyn Arts Club,Brooklyn Society of Artists, Brooklyn Painters Society, Salmagundi Club. Public Collections representing the work of Harry Roseland: Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Science, Brooklyn Museums,Charleston Art Museum,Heckscher Museum, Long Island, New York.

A Beautiful antique S Kirk and Sons sterling silver covered urn with heavy chased repousse a floral finial and ram head finial handles monogramed with a letter P measuring approx. 9.5 inches tall marked 11 oz. In very fine condition.

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.

A beautiful and finely woven vintage Navajo two grey hills rug. Design featuring an elaborate concentric medallion center stepped corner elements within a crenellated reciprocal border and solid outer frame in brown black white and grey. Measuring approx. 5 ft. 1 in. by 3 ft. 8 in. A fine example of this most desirable design of Navajo weaving in Very fine condition.

Two Grey Hills rugs are woven of natural, undyed, handspun wool in whites, blacks, & browns. Weavers produce subtle shades of these basic hues by carding together various colored wools. Because of the considerable time and effort required to prepare the wool for this style, weavings using these yarns may cost twice as much as those made from commercial yarns. Like other styles with borders, many Two Grey Hills rugs have a spirit line or spirit trail-- a single line of light colored weft near the top of the design, running through the border to the edge of the rug. This spirit line is meant to release the weaver's creative energies from the rug back to the Universe so that a weaver's spirit will not be trapped within the completed rug.

Japanese Satsuma pottery vase with cobalt blue background and beautifully hand painted with the finest detailed images of flowering branches and nesting birds. Artist signed on bottom in excellent condition measuring approx. 5 in. tall 4 in. wide or 13 x 11 cm. An exquisite example of this sought after art form.

A fine antique Navajo Indian rug centering a cross-filled complementary stepped diamond medallion, with four-corner Hooked diamond accents, solid color banded border, in beige dark brown, red, white and grey brown. Measuring approx. 7 ft. 3 in. by 4 ft.6 in. A fine antique native American textile in excellent antique condition.

Provenance

From the collection of American pop culture legend Andy Warhol sold at the sale of Warhol’s estate at Sotheby’s in New York on April, 28, 1988 lot # 2479 Warhol was an avid and knowledgeable collector of fine art, furniture, jewelry and decorative objects. Over time, his 27-room Manhattan townhouse was filled to overflowing with the fruits of his obsessions. Exquisite Art Deco furniture and American folk art vied for space with Navajo Indian blankets and Empire sofas. After Warhol's death, Sotheby's auction house was given the daunting task of inventorying the contents of the townhouse and selling them at what has become a series of legendary auctions, which Time magazine characterized as "the most extensive estate sale in history, and the glitziest."

Japanese Ivory Netsuke of a turtle finely carved artist signed in excellent condition. Measuring approx 2.5 inches long 6 centimeters. a fine addition to any collection.

Japanese bronze Ichibana bowl circa 1900 signed with a rich dark patina and relief design of Japanese figures gathering blossoms for ichibana floral arrangement shishi dog feet and elephant handles. In excellent condition measuring approx. 11” wide 8” deep and 3.5” tall.

A fine pair of Sheffield Silver Candlesticks by Mathew Boulton c.1790. Boulton a famed English inventor and manufacturer of fine Sheffield Silver Plate. Each candle stick is hall marked with the Boulton touch mark. Measuring 8.5" T x 4.5"W. in very good condition some copper showing through.

A Beautiful and rare Song Dynasty 960-1279 A.D. Celadon tea bowl of very delicate form featuring intricate incised designs of dancing children and vines. Measuring Approx. 7.5 inches by 3 inches, In very fine condition to chips or cracks. A museum quality example.

A beautiful original oil painting by renowned California impressionist Angel Espoy oil on canvas signed lower right.In very good condition. An investment quality art work. Biography Known for paintings that evidence his great love of the sea, Angel Espoy did work that includes seascapes and maritime subjects; however, he was also an accomplished painter of California's rolling hills of poppies and lupines. He was born in Villa Nueva, Spain on October 2, 1879. He left home at age eighteen to work as a first mate in the Spanish merchant marines. While in that capacity, he acquainted himself with every detail of the clipper ships he later painted. His desire to paint took him to Barcelona where he studied with Joaquin Sorolla. Following his father's tobacco interests in the Philippines, he made many trips there at the turn of the century. Two years were spent in Havana where he began to earn his living as an artist by painting designs on furniture. Destitute, he made his way to New York City in 1904. After a return to his native land, he moved to San Francisco in 1914. There he supported himself for seven years making cartoons for movies while painting on weekends with Manuel Valencia, Carl Jonnevold, and John Califano. In 1922 he moved to southern California and from that time was able to subsist by the sale of his paintings. Espoy died in Seal Beach, CA on January 31, 1963. He was a member of the Los Angeles Art Association and exhibited at Barker Bros Galleries in Los Angeles. Works held: Los Angeles City Hall; Oakland Museum; Loyola University. Source: "Artists in California, 1786-1940" by Edan Milton Hughes

Japanese Imari vase Meiji period circa 1890 a large bulbous base with a long neck. Hand painted in traditional Imari design and colors with blossoms and landscape elements. A fine piece with 24k gold color highlights in excellent condition some roughness to the bottom edge. A fine addition to any collection.

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.

Pair of Beautiful 19th century French Bronze busts of young women. Finely detailed castings mounted on dark stone bases measuring overall approx. 10 inches 27 cm. tall in excellent condition. Some minor wear and chips to the base on one. Truly a wonderful pair would be a great decorative addition to any interior design.

Tiffany Studios Indian pattern patinated bronze desk set consisting of a ink well letter holder stamp box and blotter paper ends. In all original excellent condition beautiful Tiffany quality excellent brown with green highlights patina. A fine set would be a nice addition to any collection.

A fine antique bronze Chinese bronze buddha with very fine details in the hand mudra postures. Measuring approx. 8 inches tall a fine example.

An Antique Japanese Ivory Netsuke of a reclining Buddha with a rich patina and warm color great form. Measuring 4 cm or 1.5 inches in length.

A beautiful example with delicate sliver wire enclosure depicting a Dragon on a sliver foil background. Meiji period c.1900 in excellent condition measuring approx. 6.5 inches tall. A masterpiece work of cloisonné art.

A beautiful quality original watercolor marine painting of ships off the coast and braking waves by george howell gay signed lower right. Painted on a heavy watercolor paper laid on matte board measuring approx. 14 x24 inches framed in a quality gold leafed frame. In very good condition no tears or creases some areas of age discoloration and fading typical with watercolors of this age please view pictures.

biography

george h. Gay was well known for his watercolor landscapes, seascapes and paintings of rivers and ships, mostly along the shores of new england. Gay also painted snowscapes, but these are scarcer. It is unusual to find an oil painting by this artist, as he worked mainly in watercolor. Some of his works display a tonalist aesthetic. He was born in milwaukee, wisconsin on july 2, 1858, and lived in chicago and then in 1889, settled in bronxville, new york. Gay was a pupil of paul brown and henry elkins in chicago. He is known to have exhibited at the national academy of design in 1890; boston art club, 1890-1900; and boston art club, 1897. Shortly before his death in 1931, george gay's address in 1929 was known to be 100 kraft ave., bronxville, ny.

An original oil painting on canvas still life of peaches and grapes signed lower right a beautiful painting in good condition. Thomas Nash painter. Nash appears to have been an itinerant artist. He was in southern California in 1879 when he painted a series of Kern River scenes. From there, he traveled north to Oregon where he did several views of the Columbia River. By 1880 he was sketching around the Colorado River in the Calico Mountain region. In 1894 he painted scenes of Michigan, and during the years 1903-13 he painted up and down the California coast. Nash's few extant works are from the brush of an accomplished painter.

An exquisite Chinese carved Ivory figure of a beautiful maiden. Hand carved from one ivory tusk artist signed on the bottom measuring Approximately 14 inches tall in excellent condition.

A original oil painting of the The Copenhagen (København) was a Danish sailtraining vessel rigged as a five-masted steel auxiliary barque(1921–1929). It was, according to Alan Villiers, the largest and finest sailing vessel in the world at the time it vanished. Oil on canvas signed lower right indistinctly and titled measuring 17 X 25 image framed size approx. 23 X 31. In good antique condition some age cracking. A nice historical decorative painting.

"Summer at the 18th Pebble Beach "

A fine original watercolor painting of Pebble Beach Golf course Carmel California by James March Phillips a renowned California watercolorist. Measuring approx. 12 x 20 inches in excellent condition beautifully framed.

biography

James March Phillips was born in Fresno California in 1913. His art career began in the 1940's while attending Jean Turner Art Academy in San Francisco where is studied under such prominent artists as Louis J. Rogers, Alfred Owles, and J. Paget Fredricks. His paintings were sold in numerous galleries in the west during the 1940's and 1950's. In recent years his paintings have become quite valuable and have reached prices as high as $13,000 at San Francisco auction house Bonhams Butterfields. This is one of a pair please view the other listing of the 7th hole Pebble Beach.

Beautiful rare Quianlong 18th century porcelain large bowl or charger exquisite Floral motif in soft enamels. Measuring approx. 14 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. In excellent condition no chips or cracks with wear to the enamels. A fine early example would be a fine addition to any collection.

A beautiful large Japanese Imari porcelain center bowl or platter very large size measuring approx. 17 inches long. Hand painted underglaze in traditional Imari color and incredible design motif circa 1900 . In very good condition one minor firing flaw. A fine addition to any collection.

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

A Japanese Bronze Water dropper Suiteki in the form of a Samurai Helmet. Meiji period c. 1900 measuring 3 1/4 L x 3 W x 2.5 H. in excellent condition nice patina.

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.

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 original oil painting on canvas by Clifford Park Baldwin titled "A Sailing Sunday" . Measuring 16 x 20 inches in a quality gallery frame.

Biography

Painter, illustrator. Born in Cincinnati, OH on Feb. 14, 1889. Baldwin moved to southern California in 1911 and had homes in Montrose and Carlsbad. He studied painting locally with Jean Mannheim, Paul Lauritz, and George Demont Otis. While on the staff of the Southwest Museum from 1933-41, he illustrated the books Gypsum Cave and Navajo Weaving. Baldwin died in Oceanside, CA on July 3, 1961. Member: Painters & Sculptors of LA; Carlsbad-Oceanside Art Club. Exh: Eagle Rock Artists, 1931. In: Southwest Museum (LA). Eagle Rock Sentinel, 10-2-1931; CA&A; AAA 1933; Sam; SCA; AAW; WWAA 1938-62; WWPC 1951.

A Japanese Sumidagawa or Banko pottery figural tea pot with multiple faces or mask images. A charming piece with bamboo handle impressed mark on bottom. Measuring approx. 7 inches tall from bottom to top of handle in excellent condition.

Sumida pottery is a heavy, brightly glazed pottery and often has human and animal figures attached as reliefs. This pottery has its name from the Sumida river in an area near Tokyo. The origins of Sumida pottery are in the mist. It is probably a creation of a family of potters from the nineteenth century. Sumida pottery was probably produced mainly for export to the West.

Exquisite Japanese scalloped rim bowl finely decorated with scenes of demons and dragons artist signed in excellent condition no chips or cracks or restorations a fine example of Japanese Satsuma wear. Measuring 7 x 3.5 inches approx.

A fine vintage Japanese netsuke of a noh mask devil artist signed a very fine carving. In excellent condition measuring approx. 2.5 inches or 6.5 centimeters long. A fine addition to any collection.

A fine epic size original oil by this renowned artist measuring 24 x 40 oil on canvas signed lower right in excellent condition.

Biography

Alexander Dzigurski traveled widely in the United States , painting in the Rocky Mountains, Grand Tetons, Glacier National Park, New England and along the coasts. Dzigurski started his career in his native Yugoslavia by decorating the interior of churches, which he continued in the U.S. after he and his family had fled from Tito's communist regime via Italy. By 1952 he could afford to travel and paint landscapes, settling in California. He Studied at the School of Art, Belgrade and the Academy of Art, Munich, Germany. He was a member of various organizations including: Fine Art Institute of Los Angeles; American Artists Professional League; and Society of Western Artists. His work has been exhibited in the following museums: Belgrade Art Museum, Yugoslavia; Ford Museum, Detroit; and Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

A beautiful Chinese export porcelain famille rose medallion large center bowl circa 1900. The bowl hand painted with traditional rose medallion motif of floral and butterfly designs plus mandarin figures and court scenes. Measuring 12 inches by 4 inches deep in excellent condition one minor restored flea bite to rim and some wear to enamel. A fine example.

Fine original oil painting on canvas signed lower left J.B.Smith dated 1876 titled on the reverse on "Vale of Heath Wales" provenance Richard Green Gallery London. Measuring 18 x 14 inches. In excellent condition a couple of minor touchups. John Brandon Smith fl. 1848 - 1888 was a London landscape painter who exhibited from 1859 to 1884 at the Royal Academy. From 1860 to 1874 he exhibited at The British Institute and also at the Royal Society of Artists, Suffolk Street. Titles at the Royal Academy included View in Surrey 1860, On the Lledr, 1867 and Caldron Linn, Perthshire, 1874. He is most commonly known for his pictures of rivers and waterfalls.

Chinese Ivory carved reclining beauty or doctors model circa 1900 measuring approx. 6.5 inches in length 16.5 cm. In excellent condition yellowing from age this piece would make a fine addition to any Ivory collection.

Thomas L Hunt American impressionist view of Gloucester harbor Mass. Oil on canvas board signed lower right. This painting was exhibited at the Laguna Beach Museum of Art impressionist show in 1986 . Measuring 14 x 17 framed in the original American Impressionist frame. In excellent condition.

Biography

Thomas L. Hunt was born in London, Ontario, Canada on February 11, 1882. He studied with his father John Powell Hunt and with Hugh H. Breckenridge. He resided in Laguna Beach, Hollywood and San Bernadino, California and maintained a studio in Laguna Beach, California. He was a founding member of the Laguna Beach Art Assn. and he was a member of the California Art Club and San Diego Art Guild. Examples of his paintings can be found in the Kansas City Museum, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California and the Laguna Beach Museum of Art, Laguna Beach, California. He won First Prize at the California State Exposition in 1923, First Prize at the Laguna Beach Art Assn. in 1927 and 1935, and awards at the Pasadena Art Institute, 1933 and at the San Diego Fine Arts Guild in 1933. Thomas Hunt painted in Canada, Northern and Southern California and New England. Drawn to the seaside, he sought his preferred subject matter -- wharves and boats. He also painted beach scenes with crashing waves over rocks, cottages, snowy hillsides and village scenes. Known for his use of pure color, he creates paintings intended to sparkle and vibrate with scintilating light effects. His viewpoint and treatment of his subject matter is highly distinctive. A "Los Angeles Times" critic in 1931 summed up, "One is impressed, in fact, by the poetry of nature he has felt". Thomas Lorraine Hunt died in Santa Ana, California on April 17, 1938.

His paintings can be found in: The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York The Louvre, Paris Constant Troyon began his career as a porcelain painter. By the late 1830s he turned his attention to landscape painting, and his first Salon entries were views of Saint Cloud and Sevres, near the state porcelain works. These early paintings were characterized by bright colors based on his experience working with porcelain glazes In 1843, Troyon became friends with Theodore Rousseau and Jules Dupre, and began to frequent Fontainebleau, which would provide him with a new subject for his painting. In 1846, he was awarded a first-class medal at the Salon. The turning point in Troyon's career was in 1847 when he visited the Lowlands. Here he fell under the influence of the two great 17th century Dutch animal painters' Albert Cuyp and Paulus Potter. When he returned to France he concentrated on animal painting and the Salon of 1849 saw his first entry devoted to an animal subject. From this point on he was a great success, both critically and financially, and his influence was felt in France, the Lowlands and Germany. Troyon became the first Barbizon artist to win overall acceptance. Exhibitions of his works were held in London, Manchester, Brussels, Vienna, Antwerp and The Hague. A perfect balance of color, line and composition characterizes his paintings of animals, rooted in their natural surroundings. Whether painting a cow in a pasture or a pointer in a field, animal and nature coexist in total harmony when they are recorded by Troyon's brush. When Troyon died in 1865, his reputation as one of the greatest animal painters of the 19th century was firmly established.

A beautiful semi antique still life of fruit and a basket. Oil on canvas signed lower right P. Themmen Antwerp 1931. Framed in a beautiful antique gold leaf frame the painting is in very good condition the frame has some losses to the edge but still presents nicely.