Catalog: Sold Items (421)

A fine original watercolor by James David Smillie of a street view in Nice France signed lower right and titled and dated Nice Feb. 1893 lower left. On the reverse is an exhibit label from a exhibit at the American Watercolor Society. A fine example of this important American Artist. Measuring approx 8 x 12 image and framed in a fine gold leafed period frame overall 16 x 20. Provenance Hirschel Adler Gallery New York

Biography

A native of New York and the son of an engraver, James David Smillie earned his early reputation for his etching skills but later for watercolor landscapes. He began etching at age 8, learning from his father, James Smillie (1807-1885). At age 14, he did a set of plates illustrating John Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost. He had a job as a bank note engraver, and then he and his father had a business, collaborating as engravers with a specialty of bank-notes. They also did the engravings for the 1857 Mexican Boundary Survey Report. James David Smillie helped organize the New York Etching Club, and he was the U.S. representative to supply examples of American etchers' work to the Painters-Etchers Society of London. Although he continued working with etching, drypoint, aquatint and lithography, in 1865, he began doing landscape painting and was especially interested in mountain scenery. Smillie traveled in California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in Colorado in the Rocky Mountains, and in the eastern United States in the Catskills and Adirondacks. From these trips he did illustrations that were published in 1872 in the magazine Picturesque America. In 1881, Smillie got married, and the couple had two sons. By 1884, he was in France, and spent much time there doing prints of landscapes, figures, portraits and cityscapes. Between 1888 and 1896, he produced a set of drypoint floral still-life prints. James David Smillie founded the American Watercolor Society and served as president and treasurer. He also taught classes at the National Academy of Design in 1868 and from 1894 to 1903.

Japanese Banko pottery art tea pot with beautiful enameled designs of cranes. Featuring a complex form with figured bamboo handle and a internal tea strainer impressed mark on bottom. Measuring approx. 6.5 inches tall from bottom to top of handle this piece is in excellent condition.

Banko pottery wares have been produced since the nineteenth century both for the domestic market and for export. Banko ware comes usually as teapots and has charming designs of a peculiar style. Some Banko pottery is unglazed while others can be very colorful and abundantly decorated with sculpture-like high reliefs in very imaginative shapes.

A Japanese Banko monkey form art pottery tea pot with a beautiful glazed design robe. An absolutely charming work of this unique Japanese art pottery factory. Measuring approx. 6 inches tall in excellent condition.

A fine Song Dynasty period East Asian celadon vase measuring 5 inches or 13 cm tall. In excellent condition a fine example.

Chinese ceramics of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) constitute perhaps the foremost expression of ceramic art, not only in China but in the entire world. During the Song period, a unity of the essential components fundamental to the art: vessel shape, potting techniques, glaze, decoration, firing processes, and aesthetic theory were all combined in a high standard of excellence. In general, the shapes of Song Dynasty are simple and sedate by comparison to what preceded them and what was to follow. Likewise, the glazes tend to be monochromatic and subtle, a fluid, integral part of the form of the vessel they cover, with a depth of color and texture that invites the spectator to both touch and contemplate.

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 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.

Pastel titled Old Shipwreck, signed lower left Frederick Wagner (1864-1940). Wagner was an American Impressionist who studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts from 1879 to 1884. He exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy the Carnegie and the Corcoran as well as the National Academy of Design. Image, 9.5"L x 11"W. Framed 15.5" L x 18" W Complete written provenance accompanies this piece. Please View Our other inventory

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 beautiful modernist composition oil on paper by Harold Christopher Davies a well listed California modernist The Provenance is from the estate of the artist and Hoover Gallery of San Francisco. Measuring approx. 12 x 15 inchesA fine example of this artists work. Harold Christopher Davies was a painter with whom art came first and commercialism last. Though he was a remarkably passionate and somewhat prolific artist, he resisted gallery representation until the age of eighty-four, just one year before his death. Davies began his formal art education at the age of fourteen, enrolling in the Corcoran Art Institute in Washington, D.C. Later he continued his studies at the San Francisco Institute of Art. An abstract expressionist, his style was directly influenced by Cezanne, Gorky and de Kooning. Being a man of intense dedication to his art, he kept extensive notebooks and sketchbooks in which he developed his own artistic and aesthetic philosophy, often through his candid critiques of other artist’s works. Painting, for Davies, was not a means of earning his living. Though he exhibited frequently at various local colleges and museums, he never sought public recognition of his talent. He believed fame compromised the integrity of an artist’s work. Davies earned his living as a businessman, eventually owning and operating his own chemical company. He lived a life of balancing his monetary obligations with the true love of his life: painting. After living in a variety of cities around the United States, Davies moved to Inverness, California in 1969 where he was free to devote all his time to his art. MEMBER: Oakland Art League San Francisco Art Association Huntsville (Ala.) Art Association EXHIBITED: San Francisco Art Association, 1921-1931 Oakland Art Gallery, 1931 Birmingham Museum, 1951 Southampton Museum, 1959 University of Long Island Museum, 1964 Parrish Art Museum, 1964, 1966, 1967 Hoover Gallery (San Francisco), 1975 Fresno Art Center, 1976 (Solo) Haggin Museum 1982 Huntsville Museum, 1982

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.

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

A beautiful Verlys glass charger or large bowl with cranes and japanes coy fish signed in the center measuring an impressive 13 1/4inches or 34 cm. in diameter the three dimensional glass moulded with opalescent cranes. In excellent condition a beautiful example of this fine French art glass.

Verlys Glass History

In 1920, the Societe Holophane Français was set up as a subsidiary of the USA Holophane Company in a glassworks near Rouen in Northern France to make vehicle headlights. By 1925, they had expanded into making art glass vases and bowls. They created a separate department for these products, and named it "Verlys". Initially the pieces were blown vessels with several layers of glass, smooth on the outside with internal decoration. From 1933 onward, Verlys focused on high quality press-mould glass. They produced clear, frosted, opalescent and colored items with designs typical of Lalique-style glass of the 1930s.

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.

Fine pair of antique gilt bronze candle holders featuring a male and female figure each holding a urn with flowering buds ending in a candle holder. Measuring 13.5 inches tall in excellent condition.

German faience stein or tankard 18th century with hand painted Chinoisorie decoration in blue on a white body tin glaze. Mounted with a pewter lid and thumb lift engraved with initals and dated 1795. An exquisite example measuring 11 1/4 inches tall and 4 1/4 in diameter. In excellent antique condition one minor repaired chip on the bottom near base( see photo). A rare and fine addition to any collection.

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

A fine antique Chinese carved zitan wood statue of Buddha or a Bodhisattva beautiful patina and fine carved details. Finest quality one solid piece of rare Zitan wood measuring approx. 16.5 inches tall or 42 cm. A fine addition to any collection.

Amazing original watercolor by Stan Glover of Bowen's Wharf Newport Rhode Island painted with incredible detailed realism. Signed on verso and dated 1980 with original bill of sale from NY gallery. Image measuring 15" x 20" Matted size 20" x 25". In excellent condition unframed.