Catalog: Sold Items (421)

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.

Fine porcelain large bowl or charger scalloped rim form with beautiful transfer ware design of cherry blossoms. Circa 1900 in excellent condition some minor firing flaws to the underside rim, measuring approx. 12 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. A beautiful decorative piece would make a nice addition to any interior.

Japanese mixed metal bronze censer with gold silver and brass inlaid details of a rooster and hen with chick and a blossoming flower motif. In excellent condition no damage some slight variations in bronze patina. Measures approximately 7 inches tall or 18 cm. a fine form with tripod feet. This is beautiful example of Japanese Meiji period metal work.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

A fine Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Bowl, Qianlong mark Circa Late 19th Century early 20th. The Exterior all intricately hand painted decorations with two senic painted panels and large and small flower design all on a blue sgraffiato floral ground of the most beautiful detail and color. Interior of bowl is robins egg blue color glazed. Everted mouth rim Circular raised foot with underglaze blue Qianlong reign mark, although we believe this piece to be late 19th century early 20th. Foot rim remains unglazed. Measuring 7.5 in diameter and 4 inches tall or 19 x 9 cm. The Condition is excellent no chips cracks or restroations. An exquisite example would make a fine addition to any collection.

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.

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 magnificent large Japanese Imari porcelain bowl exquisite in size and quality beautiful painted court scenes and traditional Imari decorations with 24k gold highlights. overall size 18 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep or 46 x 10 cm. A fine example would be a nice addition to any interior or collection.

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

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

Fine antique Japanese ivory netsuke of a man hiding under a basket from an Oni signed Mitsu Nobu . Measuring approx. 2.5 inches in length.

A fine Antique Japanese bronze censer Meiji period artist or makers signed. A incredibly finely detailed casting with dragons and shishi dogs and traditional Japanese design elements. Measuring approx. 21 inches tall in good condition some repairs or re-soldering to the handles and base supports causing some discolorations to the patina. All in all this is a remarkable piece at a very reasonable price.

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."

Emille Galle art nouveau art glass miniature vase circa 1890s. A frosted clear glass with a lavender color etched and wheel cut floral motif signed Galle. In excellent condition no chips or cracks some residue in interior. Measuring approx. 2.5 inches tall a fine addition to any collection.

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.

Original Russian impressionist painting by Emil Hirschfeld signed lower left oil on canvas measuring 11 x 18 inches in good condition some age craquelure a beautiful atmospheric seascape. Emil Benediktoff Hirschfeld 1867-1922 Born in Odessa in 1867, the Russian painter lived thirty years in Concarneau France. In with the broad sweep of foreign artists in the late nineteenth he came out to meet the French realist painting, deeply influenced by Courbet, he spent time in Munich and Paris He arrived in Concarneau in 1891. Here he established a successful career know for his picturesque maritime paintings. He exhibited at the Salon of the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Hirshfeld died prematurely at the age of 54 years, his legacy lived on in his art represented in many private and museum collections worldwide.

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.

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.

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 beautiful example of this exquisite art form in a floral vase on tinted silver foil background. Measuring approx. 6 inches tall 15.5 cm. In excellent condition no damage. A fine example would be a nice addition to any collection.

Exquisite inlaid rosewood Anglo Indian table with a scene of a couple under a tree with a palace in the distance. Elephant head legs. Some minor restoration to inlay. Measuring 35" L x 33" W x 19" H

A fine Japanese bronze vase with moulded designs of Shishi dog and flowers. Measuring approx. 9 inches tall in excellent condition with beautiful patina.

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 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 Tiffany blue favrile art glass vase with beautiful blue iridescent color and stretched glass rim. Measuring Approx. 6 inches tall and 7 inches at the widest point. Signed on the pontil L.C.T. Favrile and numbered. In excellent condition.

A fine vintage African Dan mask. a beautiful piece of fine form and carving and patina. Provenance From The Late Phillip Kirkeby Collection. Custom display mount overall 15.5 inches the mask is 9 inches in length in excellent condition a fine addition to 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.

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.

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 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.

A beautiful Japanese Imari Arita porcelain boat form dish with carved wave stand. In excellent condition measuring approx. 15 inches long.

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.

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.

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.

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 large Chinese carved Ivory figure of the god of longevity, Shou Lao. Carved from one whole tusk an antique item in very fine condition artist signed. Measuring approx. 14 inches tall a fine example of Chinese art. Shou Lao is depicted in the traditional manner as an old man with a long white beard and a high, bald forehead holding his gnarled staff in one hand and the peach of immortality in the other, also a symbol of longevity.

A fine original oil by Christian Jorgensen a view of Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the distance. Oil on Canvas signed lower right in excellent original condition framed in a period art nouveau frame. Measuring 20 x 24 canvas size. Biography. Born in Oslo, Norway on Oct. 7, 1860 Christian Jorgensen moved to San Francisco with his mother in 1870. He showed artistic promise at an early age, and when the School of Design opened in 1874, he was among the first to enroll. At 14 he was greatly influenced at that school by Virgil Williams, who was both teacher and father figure. Jorgensen later became an instructor at the School of Design and served as assistant director from 1881-83. He then established a studio at 131 Post Street where he continued teaching, and by the mid-1880s was a successful landscape painter. For five years he and his wife, Angela, traveled by horse and buggy to the sites of the 21 California missions and during this period he produced 80 watercolor studies of the missions and a complete set of oils. In 1899, he pitched a tent in Yosemite, and after several months, obtained a permit to build a studio-home there and continued painting there during the warm months for 19 years. (His home in Yosemite is now used as headquarters for the government rangers.) In 1905 he built a boulder home in Carmel (this later became the Hotel La Playa) where he and Angela lived for a few years; most of his time was spent at the family home in Piedmont, CA. The Jorgensens made trips to Italy (1892-94), Mexico (1907), the Grand Canyon (1910) and New England (1916). Jorgensen enjoyed a long career and continued painting until his death in Piedmont on June 24, 1935. Exhibitions: San Francisco Art Association, 1884-1905; Mechanics' Institute (SF), 1884-97; California State Fair, 1886-96 (medals); Bohemian Club, 1899-1922; Cosmos Club (Washington, DC), 1906; Sequoia Club (SF), 1907; Del Monte Art Gallery (Monterey), 1907-09; Rabjohn & Marcom Gallery (SF), 1908; Alaska-Yukon Expo (Seattle), 1909; Courvoisier Gallery (SF), 1909; Kanst Gallery (LA), 1915. Collections: California Historical Society, Bohemian Club; Athletic Club (Oakland); Sonoma Mission; Mechanics' Inst. Library (SF); Orange Co. (CA) Museum; Yosemite Museum. Source: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

A fine vintage Ivory netsuke of a girl reading signed Hi Chiyo measuring approx. 2 inches in length in excellent condition. of the finest quality.

Antique Tibetan Snuff or Scent Bottle Copper silver with Turquoise Coral. Measuring approx. 2"L x 1.5"W.

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 Chinese silver and Champleve enamel or cloisonne bead necklace with silver dragon filigree snuff bottle. Antique and very beautiful measuring approx. 16 inches long circa 1910

A fine antique Japanese Ivory Netsuke of a Buddha and a Shishi or Foo lion by his side. Meiji era circa 1890 in very nice condition some wear and a very nice patina. Measuring 4 centimeters or 1 3/4 inches tall. A very fine example.

Gorham Sterling silver art nouveau floral design bowl elaborate monogrammed initials GER in center marked sterling with Gorham mark and number. In excellent condition some minor scratches measuring approx. 5.5 inches by 1.5 inches.

A beautiful antique Japanese bronze two handle vase with beautiful three dimensional design of birds with bamboo handles Measuring 15.5 inches tall in excellent condition.

Chinese Imperial yellow porcelain censer with frogs on lid and elephant handles. The pierced lid setting on a rounded form bowl on tripod legs impressed mark Daoguang period 1821-1850. In excellent condition no damage a fine addition to any collection.

Original painting Seven Angels tempera and oil on embossed gold paper. By Carlo Facchinetti Italian (1870-1951). Signed and titled with artists address in Florence Italy on verso. image 7" in diameter. Presented in an Italian carved 24k gold leafed frame.

Please View Our other inventory

A beautiful and rare Tiffany Studios etched bronze and art glass box with a butterfly and rare early chrysanthemum or carnation pattern. Signed Tiffany Studios New York measuring 8 inches square. In excellent condition great patina.

Fine set of Twelve Alvin sterling napkin rings in fine condition.

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.

A fine Chinese carved Ivory dragon pendant of the finese quality carving mounted on a silver frame with loop for chain. In good vintage condition some minor age cracking. Measuring approx 3.5 x 3 inches or 10 x 8 cm. A fine design of the finest quality would enhance any collection.