Catalog: Sold Items (420)

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.

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.

Magnificent Chinese carved wood and polychrome figure of the Immortal Sage of Longevity. Finely detailed carving with painted enamel polychrome colors applied throughout probably from the first part of the 20th century. Measuring approx. 14.5 inches tall in excellent condition a fine addition to any collection.

Clyde Scott California impressionist seascape oil on board signed lower right measuring 12 x 16 inches framed in a one of a kind custom hand carved Bill Earl frame overall size 19x23 inches. A beautiful seascape with bold color and light showing the true mastery of this acclaimed artist’s talent. This painting is in excellent condition and ready to hang.

Biography

Born in Bedford, IA on Jan. 24, 1884. Scott studied at the Boston Art School and with Richard Andrews, Edward Kingsbury, and E. Felton Brown. From 1910 he worked in San Francisco for the Commercial Art Company while living across the bay in Mill Valley. Settling in Los Angeles about 1930, he was a special-effects artist at 20th Century Fox Studios from 1933 until retirement in 1950. He died in Los Angeles on Oct. 6, 1959. A skilled painter, his works include desert landscapes of the area around Palm Springs. Exh: PPIE, 1915 (bronze medal); Oakland Art Gallery, 1928, 1929, 1932, 1939; Wilshire Gallery (LA), 1929; Calif. State Fair, 1931 (3rd prize); Calif. Art Club, 1935-41; Painters & Sculptors (LA), 1935-52; Academy of Western Painters (LA), 1935-38; Hollywood Riviera Club, 1936 (1st prize); LACMA, 1937; Gardena High School, 1939 (1st prize); Laguna Beach AA, 1939 (1st prize); GGIE, 1939; Pomona College, 1939; SWA, 1940s; Ebell Club (LA), 1941, 1944; Chaffey College, 1944; CPLH, 1945; Hollywood Woman’s Club, 1949. In: Haggin Museum (Stockton); Gardena (CA) High School; Chaffey College; Santa Monica Municipal Collection; Clearwater High School. Source: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"

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 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.

Original oil Marko Stupar modernist portrait of a woman colorful beautiful painting measuring 11 x 14 framed in a beautiful quality gallery frame overall size 14 x 16 a quality painting would enhance any collection.

Biography

Born in 1936 in Yugoslavia, Stupar chose France as his permanent home in 1964 after completing his studies at the Beaux-Arts of Belgrade. Today we find that the art of Marko Stupar is totally integrated into the School of Paris. Although his work continues to be very personal, the graphic nature of his Slavic background is now uniquely combined with the subtlety found in Bonnard.Stupar has participated in juried exhibitions since 1966 when he won the Silver Medal at the Center of Diffusion of the Cote-d’Azur. He regularly participates in the Salon d’Automne, the Salon National des Beaux-Arts, the Salon des Artistes Français, and the Salon Comparaison. Among his other honors, Stupar has won both the Silver and Gold medals of the prestigious Salon des Artistes Français. One-man exhibitions of Stupar’s work have been held in cities all over the world including Paris, Geneva, Lyon, Osaka, Dusseldorf, Strasbourg, Zagreb, Annecy, Havre, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Houston.

Original French watercolor painting. A botanical floral study of bluebells from a French porfolio of artwork dating from 1847. Image 7"w. x 10"L. Presented in an exquisite French mat and gilt wood frame measuring overall 20" L x 17" W.

A beautiful Chinese silk embroidered robe circa 1900-1920 This amazing robe is composed of a deep cobalt blue silk ground embroidered on both sides with extensive use of the forbidden stitch technique featuring butterflies, peonies, and other flora. The collar and edges of the garment is overlaid with decorative collars further embroidered with urns vases and flowers. The garment is fastened on the front with silk buttons. The robe is in excellent condition a few minor loose threads on the embroidery overall a fairly large robe measuring 59 inches across and 44 inches long.

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 beautiful impressionist painting of a seated nude initialed lower right A.P. Oil on canvas in excellent condition framed in a quality gilt frame. Provenance: the estate of the artist.

Biography

SIMONPIETRI, Alfred H. (1916-2001). Painter. Born in Puerto Rico on June 20, 1916. While serving in the Army during World War Two, Simonpietri was in a plane crash. After the war he settled into a home in the Sunset District of San Francisco where he remained until his demise on December 2, 2001. A talented artist, he created hundreds of paintings, mostly nudes and still lifes. Biography provided courtesy of Edan Hughes Author Artists in California 1850-1940

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 vintage west African carved ivory portrait of a young woman. Beautiful grain ivory signed Myoke measuring approximately 8 inches tall.

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.

Baccarat Crystal Roosters by Georges Chevalier c. 1950 with Baccarat acid etched stamp on bottom. Chevalier, A graduate of the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs, in Paris, began working with Baccarat in 1916 ending his career there in the early 1970s. A journey, a life made of light. His designs earned the Crystalworks a place at the forefront of the history of the decorative arts. Both In excellent condition acid etched stamp is lightly worn. Measures 18" L x 5" W x 14.5" H. Original retail price was $14,000 each. From a Palo Alto Ca. Estate collection.

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.

A beautiful oil on board by Harold Christopher Davies of a nude in a landscape with two dogs. Provenance the estate of the artist and Hoover Gallery of San Francisco. Measuring approx. 10 x 14 inches framed in a quality gallery frame overall size 13 x 17 inches. A 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 Japanese Bronze Water dropper Suiteki in the form of a Samurai Helmet. Meiji period c. 1900 measuring 3 1/4 L x 3 W x 2.5 H. in excellent condition nice patina.

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.

Pre Colombian pottery figure of a standing man holding a basket over his head from the Nayarit area of west Mexico, dating between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. Measuring approx. 11.5 inches tall in excellent antique condition with some minor professional restorations. Formerly purchased from the Seal and Bear Trading co. has been in a private collection for several years.

Chinese export porcelain bowl circa 1790 a beautiful example with hand painted floral sprays and a scalloped decorated rim. Measuring approx. 9 1/4 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep in excellent antique condition for a piece of its age with a couple of barely visible faint hairline stress cracks in the outside glaze probably from cooling in manufacturing and one minute flea bite on the outside rim (see pictures). A fine piece would be a nice addition to any collection.

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.

A beautiful original oil painting by renowned California impressionist Angel Espoy oil on canvas signed lower right.In very good condition. An investment quality art work. Biography Known for paintings that evidence his great love of the sea, Angel Espoy did work that includes seascapes and maritime subjects; however, he was also an accomplished painter of California's rolling hills of poppies and lupines. He was born in Villa Nueva, Spain on October 2, 1879. He left home at age eighteen to work as a first mate in the Spanish merchant marines. While in that capacity, he acquainted himself with every detail of the clipper ships he later painted. His desire to paint took him to Barcelona where he studied with Joaquin Sorolla. Following his father's tobacco interests in the Philippines, he made many trips there at the turn of the century. Two years were spent in Havana where he began to earn his living as an artist by painting designs on furniture. Destitute, he made his way to New York City in 1904. After a return to his native land, he moved to San Francisco in 1914. There he supported himself for seven years making cartoons for movies while painting on weekends with Manuel Valencia, Carl Jonnevold, and John Califano. In 1922 he moved to southern California and from that time was able to subsist by the sale of his paintings. Espoy died in Seal Beach, CA on January 31, 1963. He was a member of the Los Angeles Art Association and exhibited at Barker Bros Galleries in Los Angeles. Works held: Los Angeles City Hall; Oakland Museum; Loyola University. Source: "Artists in California, 1786-1940" by Edan Milton Hughes

A fine antique Ivory carved chess set of the finest quality with the King And Queen being Chinese Emperor and Empress with complete court all 36 are pieces carved from solid ivory and finely detailed. The pieces are substantial the King measures approx. 6.5 inches tall. In excellent condition.

Original Vintage Conte Crayon Drawing of a Reclining Nude Woman by R. Chatfield monogramed lower right. Unframed. 25" L x 21" 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.

A fine Japanese carved ivory artist signed dragon motif cribbage board. In its original fitted box originally sold by Kitashojik K. of Tokyo Japan. Measuring approx. 7 x 2 inches in very good condition some age yellowing and wear to the outside of the box. See pictures.

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.

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 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.

Original oil on board by Drake Seaman of a young Navajo girl named Rita. Signed lower right and signed and titled on the reverse by the artist with the artists address in Arizona. Measuring image size 8 x 10 in excellent condition. Drake Seaman, Southwestern artist, was born 1935 and died December 2000. He was a resident of Williams, Arizona and painted in sumi ink, acrylics, and oil using brush and knife applications. Seaman's subject matter includes cowboys, horse, cattle and landscapes. He also painted murals with Ray Strong. One of Seaman's landscape murals is in a Seventh Day Adventist Church in Santa Barbara, California. A mural titled "Prodigal Son" is in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Williams, Arizona. He studied at the Kachina Art School with Jay Datus. From 1969 to 1970, he was an instructor of landscape painting at Brroks Fine Arts Center in Santa Barbara. Two paintings are in the permanent collection at the Phippen Museum in Prescott, Arizona. Much of his collection resides with his wife in Williams, AZ. Seaman is believed to have associated with Flagstaff Activist Network (FAN) a conservationist group that supports preserving habitats and native cultures of the Southwest. Source: Katy Holditch "Who's Who in American Art", 1997-1998

A fine antique French ink well set of gilt bronze and a black marble base adorned with a bronze bust of a Roman soldier signed Richaud & Cie Measuring approximately 16 inches long and 12 inches high in excellent condition.

Antique 19th century American game table probably NY c. 1850 solid walnut. Top opens to expose game table and playing surface. In all original antique condition some minor reinforcment dowels to leg. A beautiful example. Measuring 14" L x 29" W x 30" H.

A beautiful antique American portrait of a young girl circa. 1890 framed in a spectacular period frame. Oil painted on an oval canvas measuring 16x20 inches and overall framed size approx. 26 x 30 inches. The painting is signed lower right C. T. Webb and titled with the Childs name on the reverse. In very good condition some minor touch ups and the frame has some touch ups to the gold leaf liner. Overall a very fine and decorative antique painting.

Anna Althea Hills California Impressionist view of Laguna Beach sunset oil on canvas c. 1925. A beautiful plein air painting by this highly regarded California artist. Oil on canvas signed lower left measuring 10x14 inches framed in a hand carved and 24k gold leaf quality frame overall size 16x20 inches. Provenance; From the estate of Anna Hills stamped on reverse stretcher with the estate stamp and catalogue number in addition attached is an accompanying letter from the Robert Beck Gallery as to the provenance of this painting. The condition is excellent the painting has been relined and cleaned and is in fine condition. A quality investment piece of California art. An Anna Hills 10x14 painting of Laguna sold for $23,000 at John Moran auction on 6/21/05.

Biography

Anna Althea Hills was born January 28, 1882 in Ravenna, Ohio. She studied at the Chicago Art Institute; Cooper Union Art School in New York City; she worked with Arthur Dow (1857-1922) and later studied at the Academie Julian in Paris. While in Europe she studied with John Noble Barlow (1861-1917). In 1912 she moved to Laguna Beach, California becoming a leading member of the Laguna Beach art community. She was an active member of the California Art Club, held a membership at the Washington Watercolor Club and served at the Laguna Beach Art Association as president from 1922 to 1925 and from 1927 to 1930. Hills was highly regarded as an art teacher and encouraged the study of the visual arts at the local public schools. Captivated and inspired by her new surroundings, she created atmospheric impressionist landscapes showing a reverence and appreciation of nature. The subjects of her plein-air landscapes varied from treescapes, the Laguna Beach coastline, Mission San Juan Capistrano, the vast Southern California and Arizona deserts, Santa Ana Canyon, arroyos and interior scenes. Hills won the Bronze Medal at the Panama-California Exposition, San Diego in 1915; the Bronze Medal at the California State Fair, 1919; and the Landscape Prize at the Laguna Beach Art Association, 1922, 1923. She died at the early age of forty-eight on June 13, 1930 in Laguna Beach, California.

Beautiful antique Italian bronze sculpture of a woman by Professor Antonio Garella (1864 - 1919) . Signed on right shoulder Prof. Garella.