Catalog: Sold Items (421)

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.

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.

An original Portrait of a Cavalier or noble man oil on canvas signed lower right and dated 1911. Measuring 10 x 12 inches in a fine antique frame overall 16 x 18. in excellent condition a fine example of this important American artists portrait work.

Biography

Born in Ogdenburg, Germany, Henry Raschen became one of America's leading painters of Indian portraits and figures in the 19th and early 20th centuries and was the first California artist to be committed to Indian themes. He also painted still lifes and landscapes, the latter with skillful play of light and shadow. In 1868, he and his family emigrated to Fort Ross, California where they spent one year and then settled in San Francisco. He took early art lessons at the San Francisco Art Association under Charles Nahl and Virgil Williams and also studied with noted figure painter of altar pieces, Joseph Harrington. Feeling the need for more extensive training, he went to Munich in the late 1870s and became part of the numerous California artists then studying in Munich at that time. There he became friends and a painting companion of William Merritt Chase, and he also traveled in Italy and France. In 1883, he settled in San Francisco and for the next eight years went with landscape painter Carl Von Perbandt on excursions among Indian tribes of California and the Southwest, and he gained much attention for the life-like quality of his paintings. From 1890 to 1894, he lived and had his studio in Munich where he was a successful painter and teacher, and after returning to San Francisco, won the gold medal at the Munich Exposition of 1898. He went on an expedition with Army General Nelson A. Miles when Miles and his troops captured Apache Chief Geronimo at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona, 30 miles northeast of Douglas. Many years later in Oklahoma, Raschen sketched Geronimo whom he visited in prison at Fort Sill. In the early 20th century, a key person in establishing Raschen as a major artist in San Francisco was Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, mother of publisher William Randolph Hearst. In 1906, damage from the earthquake and fire caused him to move across the bay to Oakland where he painted until his death in 1937. Source: Edan Hughes,

A beautiful antique Indian statue of a Hindu female deity standing approx. 14 inches tall finest details patina and form. A beautiful piece would enhance any collection.

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.

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.

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.

Antique Tibetan painted box made of wood covered with yak leather and exquisitely painted and decorated with traditional Tibetan design elements in gilt lacquer. Measuring approx. 16x10x8 inches in excellent antique condition a fine decorative accent piece.

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.

English rosewood traveling secretary circa 1850. These pieces were custom made for British Officers stationed in India and were brought home and have been widely collected. This is a particularly interesting example with a carved top brass banding and a exotic interior with place for correspondence and storage for writing utensils etc. It is mounted to a quality rosewood stand making it a nice side or lamp table. In good antique condition a repaired age crack due to shrinkage of the wood on the top and some minor wear.

A rare natural Emerald crystal carved into a Chinese figural group of two immortals measuring approx. 8 inches tall in excellent condition beautiful color and quality 19th century Qing dynasty.

Fine antique portrait of a Thoroughbred race horse at the race track. Oil on canvas signed lower left Hillyard and dated 1894. Hillyard is a listed artist known for animal subjects. Measuring approx. 20x24 inches framed size 26x30 inches in excellent condition two very minor professional repairs to the canvas and minor stretcher lines showing. A beautiful antique equestrian painting would be a nice addition to any interior.

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 fine Pennsylvania Dutch painted document box belonging to Susanna Lengweiler dated 1839. All original paint and lock and key this box is in excellent condition measuring 11.5 x 8 x 4.5 inches. A very fine and rare example of Americana.

Mettlach stein number 1786, the St. Florian stein, is one of the most beautiful and skillfully crafted, etched and glazed steins produced by Villeroy & Boch during its "Golden Era", with artistry attributed to Otto Hupp. In excellent condition no damage or repairs

A fine Antique Chinese carved hong mu rosewood statue of a seated emperor or high official. Intricately carved with the finest details of dragons and decorative carved chair. Of the finest quality measuring Approx. 15 inches tall in good antique condition some minor losses to dragon on right arm of chair.

A beautiful and rare large Chinese Ceramic foo dogs or temple lions. Date from the 19th century with a deep green glaze. In very good condition no damage or restoration an measuring and impressive 24 inches tall by 12 x 8 inches. An interior decorators dream.

A fine antique Gilt bronze Buddha Thailand 19th century. Fine casting of the Buddha seated in Mara Vijaya (calling the earth to witness) Gilt bronze over lacquer most all original gilding remains in good condition. Top of the head is a stupa-shaped "flame" or called usnisa, symbol of the realization of Nirvana or indicative of supreme knowledge. Measuring approx. 15 inches tall A fine example.