Catalog: Sold Items (421)

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.

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.

“The Love Letter” by A.V. Hugenett 1902 oil on canvas of a beautiful young woman holding a love letter and a bouquet of flowers. Signed and dated top right in excellent condition measuring an impressive 30x40 inches framed in a toned gold frame some minor restoration overall size approx. 40 x 50 inches. A stunning decorative painting would make a fine addition to any collection.

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.

An exquisite example with a floral design motif on a gold foil background. Made with silver wire and I believe the box binding is sliver although tarnished. Measuring 4 x 3 x 2 1/4 inches in excellent condition no damage. This would be a fine addition to and collection.

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.

Japanese Bronze jardinière or planter Meiji period circa 1890s with a molded crane design. In excellent condition with a beautiful patina. Measuring 8.5 inches tall and 7.5 inches in diameter. Would be a great decorative piece for plants or floral arrangement.

Japanese Imari porcelain Tea Caddy or ginger jar Meiji period circa 1900. Beautifully hand painted in traditional Imari design and colors. Measuring approx. 8 inches tall in excellent condition no chips or cracks or repairs. Measuring approx. 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 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 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."

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

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

A beautiful example from the Meiji period c. 1900 green foil background with flying cranes over ocean waves. Measuring approx. 5 inches tall 12.5 centimeters. In excellent condition no damage to this piece. There is some seperation in the foil under the enamel this is in the making or firing and is not damage see pictures. A fine and beautiful example.

An exqusite example of Japanese imari in a coverd bowl with intricate hand painted designs of dragons pheonix birds shishi and roosters artists signed "Kutani". Richly embelished with 24k gold decorations. In excellent condition no chips or cracks some minor glaze crazing in interior of lid overall the condition is incredible. Measuring approx 10.5inches wide by 5 inches tall a masterpiece of museum quality.

A fine Japanese Archaic style bronze vase Meiji period c.1899 signed on bottom. A beautiful piece in form and design with rich bronze patina. Measuring approx. 9.5 inches tall in good antique condition some minor scratches and soft dent. A fine addition to any collection.

A beautiful example of this exquisite art form in a floral vase on tinted silver foil background. Artist signed measuring approx. 5 inches tall 13 cm. In excellent condition no damage. A fine example would be a nice addition to any collection.