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.

A beautiful antique carved stone statue of a Hindu deity 10 - 11th century. Of a red sandstone measuring approx. 18.5 inches tall. A fine example would be a nice addition to any collection.

Original Watercolor painting Modernist Seascape 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, the Haggin Museum, and the Huntsville Museum. Image 13.5"L x 17"W. Framed 21.5" L x 25" W.

Original oil on canvas c.1932 "Portrait Schooner Danmark" By Christian Pedersen (1870-1950) renowned marine artist. The Danish Navy Schooner Danmark was visiting NY Worlds Fair in 1939. At the outbreak of World War II she was ordered to remain in US waters to avoid capture by the Germans. Loaned by Denmark she was used to train more than 5,000 US navy sailors. Returning to the US she was given a place of honor leading the NY 1964 Worlds Fair parade of tall ships. Canvas size 25"W x 17.5"H. framed 32.5" W x 24.5" H.

A masterpiece of Georgian furniture this beautifully crafted table utilizes the best of form and proportion with exquisite hand carving. The tripod birdcage stand features a fluted column ornately carved legs ending in ball and claw feet. The table top is of pie crust form carved from a single piece of solid mahogany. The table measuring approx. 30 inches accros and 20 inches tall, is in excellent antique condition it has been refinished at some time in the early 20th century. I believe this piece is of Irish origin.

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.

Pair of Roosters finely cast and intricately detailed life like made of solid sterling silver. Weighing 82 Troy ounces approx. 4 lbs. Measuring 12" L x 7"T x 7"W. Made in Peru.

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

Chinese porcelain vase hand painted with the Three Sages of Happiness design motif. Tong Zhi period 1862-1874 in excellent condition measuring approx. 9 inches tall comes in a fitted silk lined box.

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 fine antique Chinese export porcelain bowl circa from the late 18th to early 19th century. Featuring Hand painted decorations of Mandarin figures with a floral sprig in the center of the bowl. In excellent condition with no chips or cracks etc. measuring approx. 9 inches in diameter and 4 inches tall or 23 x 10 cm. A fine example would be a nice addition to any collection.

An ancient panel relief depicting Buddha and Bodhisattva gathered around him. The sculpture is deeply carved from a single block of schist. Measuring 24 x 13 x 3 cm. in antique condition. Such schist friezes such as this were some the walls of Buddhist shrines, together making up large story panels telling tales from the Buddha's life. These stories would have been read, either casually or ceremonially by Monks and lay Buddhists alike. So-called Gandharan Sculpture was produced in parts of modern-day India, Pakistan and Afghanistan from the first century A.D. In the second century BC these areas were ruled by the Graeco-Bactrians, the farthest flung people of the Greek World, who brought with them the beautiful Hellenistic Greek Artistic tradition. This tradition became incorporated into the art of the region, resulting in a kind of "Graeco-Buddhist" Art from the 1st to the 3rd Centuries A.D., persisting for centuries later.

Antique Japanese tall Bronze vase with ornate dragon handles and floral and bird motif. In excellent condition measuring 9" x 17".

Chinese carved malachite study of a foo dog or temple guardian. A beautiful grained gem quality stone Measuring 2 x 1 3/8 inches in excellent condition a fine addition to any collection.

A fine antique Chinese gilt bronze censer or planter with intricate design foo dog feet and a angelic figure with clouds measuring approx. 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

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.

Original gouache and watercolor "Sail Boats at Sunset" signed lower right by Renowned American artist Edmund Darch Lewis. Lewis exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1854-69) and was elected an associate of the Academy in 1859. He also showed at the National Academy of Design in New York (1860), the Boston Athenaeum (1858-69), and the Brooklyn Art Association (1862-70). Beautifully Framed and Matted. Image 8.5"L x 19.5W. framed size 16" L x 27" W.

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.