Catalog: Sold Items (420)

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.

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.

Original French master classical figural watercolor and ink drawing. Image 10"L x 8"W. archival framed and matted overall size 16 x 18 inches.

A rare Barbizon landscape oil painting by 19th century American woman artist lived in New Orleans died in 1891. Oil on canvas measuring Approx. 20 x 30 inches framed in fine antique gilt frame.

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

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

An original oil on board by Alexander Nepote signed lower right and signed and titled on the reverse "River Edge" Milbre Ca. 1959 measuring approx. 24 x 30 inches image size.

Biography

A painter known for mixed-media abstractions, Alexander Nepote was born on a ranch in California near Stockton. He studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, at Mills College, and at the University of California from where he received a Master's Degree. From 1945 to 1950, he was Dean of the Faculty at the California College of Arts and Crafts and served in the same capacity at San Francisco State College from 1950 to 1977. Memberships included the West Coast Watercolor Society, the Bay Region Art Association, and the California Watercolor Society.Source: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

Antique Navajo Indian silver and turquoise bracelet circa 1920s with interesting four directions and arrow design in excellent antique condition measuring approx. 2 inches at widest point. A fine example would be a nice addition to any southwest jewelry collection.

A fine antique bronze south east asian Buddha beautiful casting and patina measuring approx. 15 inches tall.

A W Best Navajo indian camp near bear mt. Arizona oil on canvas signed lower right measuring 8x10 inches framed in a hand carved 24k gold leaf frame approx. 16 x 18 overall. In excellent condition.

biography

Arthur William BEST 
1859 - 1935 Arthur William Best was born in Mount Pleasant, Canada on July 17, 1859. He and his brother Harry attended public school in Mount Pleasant and were members of a small band. Arthur played the cornet; Harry, the violin. When the band broke up in Oregon, the brothers learned to paint before moving to San Francisco in 1895. Arthur and his wife Alice established the Best Art School at 1625 California Street and a residence at 309 Broderick. He was a staff artist for the San Francisco Examiner (1904-06). Arthur was commissioned by Southern Pacific Railroad to paint pictures of the Southwest and Mexico for travel and tourist publicity in 1905. Many of his oils and watercolors were destroyed by the earthquake and fire of 1906. His landscapes include depictions of the Arizona desert, Grand Canyon and the Sierra Nevada. He died in Oakland on January 26, 1935. Member: San Francisco Art Ass'n; Berkeley League of Fine Arts; Bohemian Club. Exhibited: Oregon State Fair, 1891 (first prize); Mark Hopkins Art Institute, 1898, 1904; San Francisco Art Ass'n, 1904-16; San Francisco Artists Society, 1905; Berkeley Art Ass'n, 1908; California State Fairs (awards); Alaska-Yukon Expo (Seattle), 1909 (bronze medal); Del Monte Art Gallery, 1910, 1912; Sorosis Club, 1913. Works held: Oakland Museum; Phoenix Museum; University of Oregon; Charles M. Russell Gallery (Great Falls, MT); Santa Fe Railroad.

A beautiful original oil painting on Art board of a High Sierra Mountain peak signed lower right. Measuring 12 x 16 inches In excellent condition. Comes with a letter of authentication from the estate of the artist. a fine example of this his work.

Artists Biography,

Born in Denver, CO on Aug. 7, 1897, Curtis was a resident of Seattle before moving to Los Angeles in 1914. He was inspired to become an artist by his teacher Rob Wagner at Manual Arts High School. After working as a bank teller and serving in WWI, he soon was able to support himself as an illustrator. He served as official artist of the U.S. Antarctica Expedition in 1939-40 and again in 1957. About 1960 he changed his residence from Los Angeles to Twenty Nine Palms, California, with summers in Moose, Wyoming. An avid mountain climber, his studio in the Grand Tetons was a rustic log cabin. In 1972 he moved to Carson City, Nevada, where he remained until his demise on March 17, 1989. He is best known for his landscapes of the High Sierra, Grand Tetons, and Antarctica. His works won dozens of medals and prizes from the early 1920s in southern California shows.

An fine Equestrian portrait of a thoroughbred and original oil painting on canvas laid on archival art board signed lower right Thad Leland measuring 16 x 20 inches in good vintage condition framed in a quality wood frame overall 24 x 28 in.

Thad Emory Leland by John Hovard 
 ◦ The paintings of Thad Leland reflect his enduring association with the horse including the cultural spectacle of the Peruvian Paso, polo horses and racing thoroughbreds. Working in pastels, oils, acrylics, and watercolors, Thad Leland left a beautiful legacy of the spirit and tradition of the horse, its cultural harness and how man interacts with this spirit. 
It all started for Leland when he was a boy in Michigan, exercising the fine horses of Detroit millionaires. He went home and sketched these horses, which began the lifelong journey to recreate the spirit and beauty of the horse. 
Thad Emory Leland was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1914 and passed away in Pebble Beach, California, in 1987. He studied art at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, received a B.A. in fine art from the University of Michigan where he studied with Sarkis Sarkisian and John Carroll. 
Before the war, he exhibited throughout Wisconsin and Michigan, and was awarded a mural commission for the New York World's Fair. After World War II he received a masters degree in fine art from Stanford University. In the early 60s, his diligence to study equestrians continued with his painting and sketching of polo events at Pebble Beach, thoroughbred racing at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate tracks, and western riding events at the Salinas Rodeo and Monterey County Fair. He became sought after for commissioned portraiture.

Heintz Art Sterling on Copper bowl measuring 9.5 inches in diameter by 3 inches high. Impressed Heintz Art mark on bottom and made for Macy's co N.Y..

Antique Portrait of a beautiful young girl oil on canvas signed on reverse Pankratz Korle and dated 1844. Pandratz Korle (1823-1875) is a well listed painter and highly regarded painter. This charming portrait of a girl in a white dress with a pink shawl is masterfully painted. A portrait by Korle sold at auction for $6,103 in November of 2005. Measuring approx. 24x28 inches framed in a antique gold leaf frame 27x32 overall. The painting is in very good condition although with age cracklure and one small 1/4 in. touch up. A fine decorative antique painting.

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.

Pair of Beautiful 19th century French Bronze busts of young women. Finely detailed castings mounted on dark stone bases measuring overall approx. 10 inches 27 cm. tall in excellent condition. Some minor wear and chips to the base on one. Truly a wonderful pair would be a great decorative addition to any interior design.

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 fine California impressionist seascape by Paul Doughtery in oil on board signed lower right in excellent condition measuring 12 x 16 inches. Biography; Born in Brooklyn, New York, Paul Dougherty became a widely-known painter of dramatic marine scenes and desert landscapes although his family hoped he would become a lawyer. Following his father who was an attorney, he graduated from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1896 and New York Law School in 1898. But he changed professions to art and studied with Robert Henri and in Europe for five years from 1900 to 1905. Paul Dougherty then painted along the coast of Maine, and his paintings were compared to those of Winslow Homer. Of his success, John Sloan said: "Everything came to him; all his pictures sold, he won all the prizes. The rich delighted to honor him, and his wives were glamorous" (Falk). In 1907, he was elected a Member to the National Academy of Design in New York. He experimented with sculpture but settled on marine paintings, primarily focused on the ocean. Arthritis forced him to seek a milder climate, and in 1928, he began spending his winters in Arizona where he painted desert landscapes and mountains. In 1931, he moved to the Monterey Peninsula in California. His work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Joslyn Museum in Omaha; and the Fort Worth Museum in Texas as well as many other museums. Sources: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

Antique bronze south east Asian opium weights in the form of birds or roosters. Complete collection numbering 9 weights in tapering sizes the largest 5 inches tall. I good condition with a great patina.

A very fine antique Japanese Ivory netsuke of a Buddhist monk and a Oni figure. Artist signed very fine intricate carving the Buddha has a gold pin third eye on his forehead. Measuring approx. 2 inches tall or 5 centimeters. Truly a masterfully carved piece.

A beautiful Chinese porcelain vase exquisite hand painted details with scenes of court life and floral and geometric designs. In fine condition no chips or crack or damage.

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 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 fine antique caddy in all original condition finish and interior compartments sugar or mixing bowl and brass feet all complete. In good condition some minor restorations to the banding.

Oil painting of a Texas Barn by Nicholas Richard Brewer (1857-1949) . Signed lower left titled on verso. Image 12 X 18 in original frame overall size 15 x 21". A prominent 19th century portrait and landscape painter in Minnesota, New York and Texas, Nicholas Brewer was born in Olmstead County, Minnesota and was raised on a farm along the Root River in southeastern Minnesota. He was a student in New York of Dwight Tryon and Charles Noel Flagg at the National Academy of Design where he also exhibited. He painted a crucifixion in the Cathedral of St. Paul, in Minnesota as well as portraits of many prominent persons in his native state. Exhibition venues include the Minnesota State Art Society, the Minneapolis Art Institute, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh. He was a member of the American Federation of Arts, the California Art Club and the Salmagundi Club.

Claude Buck still life of a rope and sea shells 1966 oil in masonite signed and dated lower left. Measuring Approx. 28x48 inches in excellent condition. A masterful painting by this remarkable American artist. Provenance; the artist’s wife Leslie Buck.

Biography

A leading member of the avant-garde symbolist artists in Chicago, Claude Buck moved there from his birth place of New York City in 1919. He was known for his "fantastic, sometimes disturbing images with allegorical and literary themes" (Kennedy 97) drawn from writings of Edgar Allen Poe, operas by Richard Wagner, classical mythology and New Testament writings from the Bible. Some of these early paintings had nude figures rendered in classical style to express abstract themes developed through dream-like landscapes and disregard of relative scale or relatedness between the figures. These paintings had luminist elements achieved with light-toned paints worked with transparent glazes. In the 1920s to earn money by gaining public favor and also expressing his increasing disdain for modernism, Buck did a number of "hyper-real" portraits, figures and still lifes. These proved popular and aligned him with the opponents of abstraction and their "Sanity in Art" movement whose headquarters were in Chicago. Buck taught drawing and painting at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art from 1921 to 1926, and at the Art Institute, where he took over classes of George Bellows. In New York City before coming to Chicago, Buck had a reputation as a radical artist. He took his first art training from his father, William R. Buck, from the time he was ages three to fourteen, and then until he was twenty-two, he studied at the National Academy of Design where he was nicknamed "Kid Hassam" because his painting reminded viewers of that of Claude Hassam. Buck worked as a scene painter in the theatre and at the Willet Stained Glass company, and in 1914 began portrait commissions to earn money. In New York he founded a group named the Introspectives, which reflected his own problems with melancholy during that period. Members, holding their first exhibition at the Whitney Studio in 1917, were artists who expressed their personal feelings and experiences and included Raymond Jonson and Emil Armin. In this phase of his career, Buck was focused on Old World styles of Leonardo da Vinci, Ralph Blakelock and Albert Pinkham Ryder. In 1929, the Arts Council of New York voted him one of the top one-hundred painters in the United States. In 1949, Buck and his wife, Leslie, moved to California to a studio-home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and ten years later they settled in Santa Barbara where he died on August 4, 1974. In California, he was a member of the Carmel Art Association, the Santa Cruz Art League that he served as President in 1953,and the Santa Barbara Art Association. His paintings are in the collections of the Santa Cruz Public Library; the Santa Cruz City Museum as well as the Spencer Museum in Lawrence, Kansas; the Brigham Young University Museum; and the Museum of Elgin, Illinois.

Original Favuist style oil of a house near Fresno Ca. oil on canvas board 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 (San Francisco), the Haggin Museum and the Huntsville Museum. Image 10 X 14 inches. In excellent condition unframed.

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,

Bruce Crane impressionist landscape oil on art board signed lower left Bruce Crane N.A. measuring 8x6 inches framed in a custom carved and gilt finished frame overall size 11x 9 inches. A beautiful gem of a painting by this highly regarded American impressionist painter would be a fine addition to any collection.

Biography

A popular landscape painter, especially of golden toned landscapes that conveyed fall and winter seasons, Bruce Crane was strongly influenced by the French Barbizon school of painting and had a studio for many years in Old Lyme, Connecticut. He also painted on Long Island, the Catskills, and the Adirondacks. In 1882, he was in France at the colony at Grez-sur-Loring with Birge Harrison, Kenyon Cox, and Alexander Wyant, but he maintained a studio in New York City until he moved to Bronxville in 1914. He took early art lessons from Alexander Wyant in New York City and then studied in Europe. He became a member of the National Academy of Design, the American Water Color Society, the Salmagundi Club, the Society of American Artists, and the Grand Central Art Galleries. One of his great admirers was J. Francis Murphy with whom his work has often been compared. Source: David Michael Zellman, "Three Hundred Years of American Art" Peter Falk, "Who Was Who in American Art"

This is a beautiful work of art by this highly acclaimed western painter. Original oil on board signed lower left and framed in a quality gallery frame. The painting measures 6 x 12 inches overall framed size 10 x 16 inches. The condition is excellent. Hartwig is know for his scenes of Indian life in the old west. Hartwigs paintings are in major public and private collections

Biography

Heinie Hartwig became a painter of primarily western subjects although he also does landscapes and still lifes. The tone of his work is primarily romantic. He started painting in 1970, working on his art in the evenings, and a year later quit his job and began painting for a living. He had grown up in the Santa Clara Valley of California, and left for three years to spend time traveling through Europe with the Army. He was in Germany as the Berlin Wall went up and persuaded his wife, Eva, to leave East Germany to marry him. Returning to Santa Clara, he worked pouring concrete, and spent a lot of time running marathons. In 1964 he held the record for long distance running in Northern California. By 1991, he was in "Who's Who in American Art". Hartwig taught himself to paint by studying the "Old Masters." He was attracted to the charm and romance of classic art. He has managed to capture the light, color and style of those great artists. Though most of his work has a western theme, Hartwig is a versatile painter. Many of his paintings are landscapes and still lifes. Heinie Harwig's work has been compared to Albert Bierstadt and John Constable for its romanticism, European feel and composition.

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.

Antique Bronze horse and trainer after Guillaume Coustou's famous marble created for Louis XIV's chateau at Marly, and that now stand at the entrance to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It depicts a dramatic scene of a fiercely rearing horse being restrained by a struggling groom. 19th century measuring 9" L x 18" W x 20" H. Good antique condition.

A fine Chinese Antique song dynasty pottery vase beautiful form with foo dog and frog decorations looped two handle neck. Measuring 6 in. or 15 cm tall in excellent antique condition wear to the glaze from age.

A Beautiful and rare Song Dynasty 960-1279 A.D. Celadon tea bowl of very delicate form featuring intricate designs of dancing boys and vines. Measuring Approx. 4.5 inches by 2 inches 12 x 5 cm. in very fine condition to chips or cracks. A museum quality example.

A fine pair of Sheffield Silver Candlesticks by Mathew Boulton c.1790. Boulton a famed English inventor and manufacturer of fine Sheffield Silver Plate. Each candle stick is hall marked with the Boulton touch mark. Measuring 8.5" T x 4.5"W. in very good condition some copper showing through.