French School, Late 19th/early 20th Century

Young Girl with Paper Dolls

Oil-on-canvas, Unsigned

Oval: 19” x 14 ¼”
Frame: 25 ½” x 20 ¾”

This charming study of a young girl intent on cutting out paper dolls is reminiscent of works by Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt and Pierre-Auguste Renoir (his earlier works). She is beautifully captured with her rosebud lips, her hair tied up in a bow, a lacy pinafore over her navy dress and stockinged legs ...

A rare original drawing, dated January 1849, titled in margin at lower center "Jackall Hunting in India", by listed England-born Australian 19th century artist HENRY GILBERT-JONES (1804-1888). The watercolor measures 13 1/2" by 19 1/2" (18 1/4" by 26" in lemon-gold frame). This appears at first like a classic traditional sporting art print of fox hunting, but closer examination reveals it is in fact a highly detailed early watercolor and ink drawing...

An old (circa 1900, perhaps earlier) oil on canvas laid on a Masonite panel, 19 1/2" by 15 1/2" (24 1/2" by 20 1/2" framed), signed at center left with conjoined initials "AF" (or, possibly, AT). The work features an older man wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, his white moustache and beard adding considerable character to this individual, who looks like a professor or other man of wisdom, accomplishment, and achievement. To date, an effort to tie the work to a listed artist has been unsuccessful...

A pleasant impressionist watercolor painting of a marsh or slough, possibly Cape Ann, Massachusetts area, signed at lower right by Oregon-associated artist ALFRED HERMANN SCHROFF (1863-1939). The watercolor is on paper which was long ago laid to a board. The work measures 10 1/4" by 15 1/2" inside the mat and 14 1/4" by 19 1/2" as framed. Schroff was born in Springfield, MA during the Civil War years...

For your Mid Century interior, a really well-crafted oil on canvas painting, 22" by 28" (30" by 36" in wood frame, possibly the original), signed at lower center "Robert Anderson" and dated nearby "52". On the reverse the artist wrote "Robert P. Anderson/158 Old Road/Sewaren, N.J.". Sewaren is an unincorporated area in Middlesex County, just off the New Jersey turnpike in an industrial area between New Brunswick and Elizabeth, and just west of Staten Island...

An impressionistic watercolor painting of trees on the bank of a small lake or pond, signed at lower right by artist "M. MASAHIRO". The vintage work is very faintly painted, almost in the manner of artist Yamada Baske. The tree trunks are the most distinct features, while much of the rest of the scene is filmy, gauzy, ephemeral, foggy. An impressive little work (6 1/2" by 13", 11 3/4" by 18" in metal frame). Allow for reflections in some images...

A 20th century painting of a luminous, dramatic coastal sunset, the final light of the day reflecting on the rolling, beautifully depicted waves and aqua water, an interesting tree at right on the promontory adding balance and interest. The painting, unframed, 24" by 36", is not signed on the front but on the reverse is "Casati"...

A beautifully painted gem of a small work, acrylic or oil on paper on board (tempera?), or directly on board, 11" by 14" (17" by 20 1/4" in silvery frame), signed at lower right ARTHUR A. HENDERSON 1989 (with copyright symbol). The work would be easy to mistake for a print; but it is not. GUARANTEED TO BE AN ORIGINAL PAINTING. The subject is a pond at midwinter dusk, probably in the northeast. Skaters take a last go at it as daylight fades...

A contemporary oil on canvas painting of a handsome rooster, in the style of a traditional Chinese watercolor scroll painting, approximately 23" by 23" in black strip frame, with Chinese calligraphy at top left and right and one red artist seal. The work is by a competent hand. I am told by a Chinese reader that the family name of the artist is "Zhang" but cannot provide any more information other than the perhaps circa 1970's or 1980's New York framer's sticker...

Oil on canvas painting of a mill adjacent to a pond, 28" by 22", (33 1/2" by 27 1/4" framed) possibly signed at lower right, but affixed on reverse is an old handwritten slip of paper, with name of artist, subject identification ("Red House, Milltown"), her addresses, and 1924 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts 119th annual exhibition info, apparently item #95 in that exhibition. The artist is identified thereon as IRENA FRANKEBERGER...

Contemporary watercolor on paper painting of iris or similar flowers, 18" by 12" (23 1/4" by 17 1/4" in metal frame), signed J. London under artist's red stamp. The work shows the skill of the artist. I see no information on an artist by this name. Condition is excellent.

Antique, circa 1850 watercolor of a coastal scene in the British Isles, signed somewhat illegibly at lower right with what might be "Johnson", "Imson", or similar. The watercolor measures 10 3/4" by 16 1/2" inside the mat and 18 1/2" by 23 1/2" in nondescript modern frame (not pictured)...

A modernistic oil thin canvas, laid on plywood, signed at lower left in Hebrew script. The subject is a still life including cup and saucer, what appears to be a pitcher, and other table top items arranged in an intentionally shallow space...

A circa 1950's watercolor on heavy paper featuring a brick 19th century home on an orderly property including white split rail fencing, and a barn at right. Perhaps this is a gentleman's farm property in the eastern states, anywhere from Virginia through Ohio and up to New England. The artist, WILLIAM NETHERY, signed the watercolor at lower left and wrote "Passing Storm" on the mat at lower left, while also signing the mat again at lower right. I have not been able to discover any information...

In the style of popular Thomas Kinkade or Marty Bell, this is an original oil on canvas, 11" by 14" (17" by 20" framed), the subject a cozy cottage-like house set in a flowering garden, the welcoming lights all on. The painting is signed at lower left "N LaFond". If you enjoy the Kinkade style but would like an original work instead of a print, you may well like this piece. Condition is excellent, frame has a little wear.

Coastal watercolor and gouache painting, the scene likely of the New England shoreline, perhaps near Boston, waves breaking on a beach with rocky outcroppings, signed at lower right corner by artist SHARP. The painted area of the work measures 6" by 12", the sheet on which it is painted 8 3/4" by 14 3/4". The painted area is not a separate sheet laid down to a backing----it is all one sheet. There is staining of the left margin area but this is not of importance since freshly matted with arch...

A scene of an adobe with the classic protruding wooden beams, a low wall, springtime pink/white flowering trees and a split rail fence completing the composition. The work is apparently unsigned. It is laid down (glued) to Masonite panel. It shows signs of having been rolled in the past--long parallel vertical cracks in the paint, as shown in several images. Most certainly it is by a listed artist but this one is a mystery. Measurements are 11 3/4" by 15 1/2" (15 1/2" by 19 1/2" in a frame ...

An interesting contemporary painting of a middle-aged man sitting on a stool in a homey, cozy interior, a fireplace, paned window and painting set off by orange pastel colored walls. The unsigned work, by a trained hand, reminds of some of the interior paintings with figures by David Hockney. The oil on canvas, unframed, measures 30" by 24". It is in excellent condition. A silvery, or simple blond wood strip frame might be complementary.

Small oil landscape, 13 1/2" by 9 1/2" framed, signed at lower right corner with initials N.A.M., with canvas stencil on the reverse of Winsor & Newton, London. This is a scene of autumn or early spring perhaps, the tree without leaves. There is a small irrigation channel with sluice gate at center left. The work is a quiet and pleasant scene focusing on a peaceful time of the year. A gold frame would enhance the painting. Condition is good, the canvas not perfectly flat.

Oil on Masonite painting of one of the dramatic red eroded formations in Monument Valley, in far northeastern Arizona. The impressionist work is good enough to be by someone listed but there is no signature. Probably dates to about the early 1950's. Measures 9 1/2" by 11 1/2" (16" by 18" nicely framed, with some wear on the frame that could likely be smoothed out).

Old circa 1940's chalk portrait drawing of a young woman with red hair and striking light eyes, 22" by 16" (27" by 20 1/2" framed in green metal strip frame), apparently unsigned. This is one of several drawings I encountered by (I believe) the same artist. Two other drawings were signed, but illegibly, so the identity of the artist is a mystery. I think the paper might have been rolled at one time as under certain raking light conditions one can see soft horizontal, roughly parallel creases....

An antique oil on canvas landscape of a distant snow capped mountain range framed by bright late autumn foliage, 15 1/2" by 30" (21 1/2" by 35" in likely the original frame), signed in red at lower right by artist ADELE BRACY and dated there what appears to be 1898 or 1896 (or, in that vicinity towards the earlier side). This is apparently a copy by a talented amateur of an image well-known in the mid 19th century. An original painting "Late Autumn in the White Mountains" by important American...

Pastel drawing of a young girl seated in a chair, signed at lower right by American 20th century artist from Long Island, New York, Muriel Kahn, and dated 1967. The sheet measures 12" by 8 3/4". An inexpensive modern frame that would fit this is available at no extra charge, but the drawing will be sent between boards/paper. The signature resembling that of important American artist Wolf Kahn, and the medium being the medium for which he is best known, I looked into whether this might be by h...

Something of a frustrating, mystery painting.......oil on canvas, 36" by 23 1/2" (44" by 31 1/2" framed), apparently unsigned, probably American but could also be European, the subject a view onto a small inner courtyard or air shaft, seen through an interior doorway. The work certainly exhibits a modernist touch in some spiky passages in the vegetation, and the choice of red/orange color contrasting with the other more somber tones. It could possibly be cut down from an originally larger canv...

A poetic and dreamy watercolor titled on reverse "The Tail of St. John's Lake", (and original 32 Pound Sterling price) signed at lower right with what appears as "H Vaux" or similar. The mid 20th century watercolor is by a masterful hand. Painted in muted colors, it measures 7 1/4" by 12 1/2" inside the present mat, and 14 1/2" by 19 1/2" in modern simple framing. Could be shipped without the non-glare glass and frame. Further research could result in positive identification of the artist. ...

PAIR of framed Chinese or Japanese landscape watercolor paintings in traditional style, each featuring a mountain landscape, a small river in one and a waterfall in the other running into the lake or ocean. Blue-roofed buildings pine trees add to the beauty of the scenes. Each has a red chop mark and some calligraphy at lower right, presumably the name of the artist. Measurements 12 3/4" by 9 3/4" each (23 1/4" by 15 1/2" framed).

**NOT PRINTS**----A PAIR of fabulous original antique botanical drawings or paintings as they might be described, in watercolor, each 12" by 15 1/2" (and 19" by 25" as identically framed), both bearing old 1958 framing labels from the legendary Goodspeed's Book Shop on Beacon Hill in Boston. These drawings, found in Connecticut, are of the first half of the 19th century. The fruits depicted are the Large Jambu, otherwise commonly known as the Rose Apple; and the Rambutan (from the Malay "rambu...

Naive, or slightly primitive, almost folk art painting of clapboard 19th century style buildings next to an inlet of the sea, signed at lower right by artist Martha Crosmer. I see a listing for an artist by that name, born 1909, deceased 1995, last known address in Monrovia in Southern California, with earlier roots to Montana, but this painting does not resemble the desert plein air works that artist apparently painted. This scene to me looks more like coastal Maine, the Canadian Maritimes, o...

A well-painted work featuring an interior, perhaps a residence, perhaps a restaurant or other public space, a table with fruit in a bowl, a chair, and sofa filling the space. The oil on canvas, 17 1/2" by 21" (20 1/2" by 24" in old frame, likely the original), is signed somewhat indecipherably at lower left and dated there "Berlin 1909". The name appears at first glance to be "B. Geis(xxxx)" or "B. Geism(xxxx)". Surprisingly, given the inherent quality of the painting, I do not see a listed n...

Gouache and pencil abstract drawing on paper, 7 1/4" by 11 1/4" (14" by 18" in metal frame of the period), signed on the reverse of the inner backing with what appears as "Richard Chinn(xxx)/gouache/pencil/fall '77". This is an elegant modern little work with attractive colors and composition. I at first thought it unsigned, and was ready to sell it as such, but decided to dig just a bit further, laboriously disassembling the framing, in search of any writing. Once again, it appeared there wa...

A vintage impressionist oil on canvas painting of a sunny fenced meadow, signed with initials "FB" at lower right, 10" by 14" (14 1/4" by 18 1/4" framed). The work came from a German-American family which had brought much art from the old country, suggesting a European origin. The painting is pleasant and easy to live with. A cleaning to remove light surface dirt would be beneficial, as would a new gold frame, the present wood one not flattering to the work.

An oil on canvas painting of beach dunes with three small row boats, (25 1/2" by 31 1/2", 33" by 39 1/2" framed), signed at lower right by listed contemporary French artist MARC CHAPAUD (1941-). The work is titled on the reverse "Dunes" and is dated there 1968, making it one of the earlier works of the artist. Chapaud's works have sold at auctions in France (in 2017, a work brought nearly $4,000 at auction). The artist's most recent paintings deal with French chateaux of the Loire Valley. Th...

Oil on canvasboard painting of a lonely rutted dirt track in the California desert, 16" by 20" (21 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed), signed at lower right by artist Helen Hausman. I think the painting probably dates to the 1950's or very early 1960's. It is very dirty with yellowed varnish and grime. A cleaning would work wonders.

A 30" by 40 1/2" work on canvas, featuring a large barn in a tawny presumably California landscape, an early car housed interestingly in the structure, signed at lower right by noted Utah-born, western American artist DONAL JOLLEY (1933-). Jolley was born in Zion National Park, Utah, and settled in Rim Forest, California, high in the San Bernardino Mountains, in 1970. He remains there, creating watercolors and the occasional oil or acrylic work. Jolley showed a very early affinity for drawing...

Old watercolor painting of ducks under a tree by the side of a lake or river, 11 3/4" by 18" (25" by 31 3/4" framed), signed at lower left by artist CONSTANT ARTZ (1870-1951). The poetic work dhows the birds taking refuge under a tree as a storm is perhaps approaching. Indeed, written in old hand on the backing is "The Storm" (probably not by the artist himself). The sky looks grayish and overcast and the leaves appear to be moving in a stiff breeze. Artz was the son of David Adolph Constant...

Oil on board painting of autumnal trees, (California sycamores?), hazy mountains in the distance, unsigned, circa 1930's or 1940's. The work measures 9" by 12" and 11 5/8" by 14 1/2" in old probably original frame. The lack of a signature frustrates an effort to identify this talented artist, who might well be listed. The ornate frame is in good condition save for a missing chip at upper left. Painting is a bit soiled consistent with its age. There is a vertical line of soiling or foreign m...

A classic late 19th century American pastel of daisies on a red cloth, 10 3/4" by 15 3/4" (14 1/2" by 19 3/4" in likely original framing), apparently unsigned, the style somewhat resembling that of renowned American artist of the period Martin Johnson Heade. Condition is excellent. A very small fragment of a label remains on the frame, with "Broadway" as part of street address. That would likely but not necessarily be Broadway in New York. Interesting gold frame is in good condition consider...

A rare, historical, early pastel on heavy paper laid to card drawing of a young Zuni indian girl in Arizona, unsigned, circa late 19th century, including the original gold mat, decorated with images of tipis and spears. The work measures 18" by 12" (entire mat) and 12 3/4" by 6 1/4" inside the mat. Sadly, the old antique work has been damaged. There is a darkened diagonal stain that extends from upper right down across the front of the face and into the hair. There is also a mildewy and mold...

Antique oil on canvas of cherries on a table top, 8" by 11 3/4" (11 1/2" by 15 1/2" as framed), signed indecipherably at lower left; name could be W C Hammond, Hammons, or Higgins, or? The work is in the tradition of American 19th century still life and likely dates to about 1880. Some very old patches on the reverse attest to old battle scars the painting acquired in its some 150 years of existence. Those old damages are noticeable especially at right center and in the dark area above the fr...

A circa 1960's painting of a clown playing a most curious blue violin, signed at lower right with what appears as "J. A. Evans" (or, Evers, or similar). The oil on canvas measures 20" by 16" (24" by 20" framed). There are few tiny flecks of missing paint, very minor, but generally the work is in good condition.

A PAIR of paintings of figures dressed traditionally, the larger 12" by 9 1/2" (17 1/4" by 14 1/2" framed), the smaller 9 3/4" by 6 3/4" (15" by 11 3/4" framed), one signed in red and dated 1991, the other just dated 1990, but both have ink writing on a margin paper that shows as "Byklasang 1990" (or, By Klasang?). These appear to be of Thai, Laotian, or other Southeast Asian origin, possibly Burmese (Myanmar). I do not appear to be able to tie them to a known artist. However the artist was s...

Large 30" by 48" painting on Masonite (36" by 54" nicely framed) signed at lower right "Sardi". There is a listed artist Jean Sardi (1947-) but his works do not seem to resemble this and the signature differs. This is a thinned paint on rough side of the Masonite. A previous similar work I handled, by this artist, had an original pre-zip code label from Karl Mann Associates in NYC, apparently a well known interior design firm for decades, a label from the firm considered a good provenance. A...

A late 20th century watercolor painting , 10 1/2" by 14 1/2" inside the mat, 14 1/2" by 18 1/2" in gold framing, the scene three figures in front of a walled house, the figures with loads carried on heads or in traditional pole baskets. There are two red chop marks at lower right. On the reverse is a rubber stamp of Suvida Frame, and Thai lettering. The poetic work is clean and highly decorative. Allow for reflections in a few images.

A really well painted antique small watercolor of yellow roses, 6 1/4" by 8 1/4" in strip frame, signed at right with what looked to be LCTiff----When I purchased this in San Francisco area in the 1980's or early 1990's I thought it possibly a turn of the century work by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Further research appears to establish that this is not the case. The signature does not resemble known Tiffany signatures and there is little to no record of still life works that resemble this. Nevert...

A nicely executed watercolor and gouache painting of Notre Dame Cathedral as seen from the east, the view captured on an atmospheric, cloudy gray day. The scene includes fishermen and other tiny figures at left. At lower right the artist signed rather illegibly; it could possibly read "Pierre" or "Renee", and after that it becomes more difficult to decipher, but "51 PARIS" is at the end (possibly "54"). So we have a view of the famous cathedral created just a handful of years after the end of...

A watercolor painting of a small motor boat and the surrounding dock area complete with lobster traps, signed at lower right by artist WILLIAM J. GILLETT, where it is also dated 1950. The work on heavy watercolor paper measures 12 1/2" by 17 1/4" and is currently housed in an old frame and mat that should all be discarded (that measuring 21" by 25"). The piece was stored in an attic with no glass so the paper is evenly showing evidence of soiling, and it does not lay flat due to some buckling ...

A small contemporary watercolor of the dynamic waterfront harbor area of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed by artist Jo Wodz. The work, 3 3/8" by 3 3/8" (6 1/4" by 6 1/4" in modern frame) is by a contemporary Canadian artist, information on her painting style and subjects available on the internet. Condition is excellent. A fine way to remember Vancouver and its many charms.

A **PAIR** of watercolor on paper paintings of tropical South Florida landscapes, each 15 1/4" by 19 1/4" (one unframed, the other measuring 21 1/4" by 25 1/4"), both signed by Wisconsin-born artist RACHEL STEARNS (1895-1979). Stearns spent much of her life in Chicago where she received art education, some with Frederic Grant. Evidently she spent a lot of time in Florida, as a number of watercolor works featuring scenes from that state are known. These watercolors are vintage perhaps 1940's a...

A mid 20th century watercolor on paper landscape painting of craggy classical mountains and gnarled pines, signed at center left with characters. The work measures 14" by 19" (24 1/2" by 30", no glass).

A fine example of California plein air art by listed woman artist MARY MAISON (1886-1954), unframed, 16" by 20", signed at lower right. The work is painted directly on wood panel. Image is of a high mountain, like Mt. San Jacinto or Mt. San Gorgonio near Palm Springs, seen in early spring when snow remains on the summits as the desert blooms far below. The former Mary Cox was born in Bethlehem, PA and studied art in Paris and Philadelphia. By the early 1920's she had settled in Southern Cali...

Oil on canvas on board, 18" by 27", unframed, signed at lower left by artist OSWALD SCHLOMBS (1876-1926), and titled in pencil on reverse "Herbst" ("autumn", in German). The artist though listed is not well known, though obviously talented. This painting has scattered paint loss, showing as white areas in the photos, and apparently some chemical darkening of the pigment, as at very top the observer will note how the paint that had at one point been hidden by a frame is a lighter blue than the ...

A vintage, old, pastel on paper drawing of old steep-roofed houses in a mountain landscape, 10 1/2" by 15 1/2" (14 1/2" by 19" as framed, no glass), signed at lower right corner with initials that appear as "SHC.". The work probably dates to the 1920's or 1930's, judging from the style, and framing materials. The old paper has browned heavily and one can see a ghost image of the drawing on the reverse side. This should be re-framed with non-acidic materials, and room should be left for a prop...

A nicely worked oil on canvas, 21" by 29" plus almost 1" wide old frame, the subject an extensive continental European landscape with figures on shore and in a small boat, a dog, wading and resting cows, trees and classic buildings, signed at lower right by artist "O. Kirkman" and dated there 1858. The more one studies this the more detail one sees. This antique painting will need restoration and it is well worth the effort to bring it back to displayable condition. There is yellowed varnish,...

A nicely painted watercolor of wild roses, signed at lower right by artist M. J. Gage, circa 1900. Found in Boston area, The work measures 6 1/4" by 12 1/4" inside the double mat and 14" by 18" as framed in oak. Colors are fresh considering that this is a century old. Clean and ready for the wall.

Offered in as-is condition, a true restorer special----a framed (18" by 15" oil on canvas, 22 3/4" by 19" as framed) lovely impressionist painting of Notre Dame and trees in Paris, a figure providing a spot of color, signed at lower right and dated there 1912 by listed English artist ROBERT ARTHUR WILSON (1884-1979). On the stretcher is written "Painted by R A Wilson" and "Notre Dame Church in Paris". All the edges generally match up but as happens over time, there is some slight stiffening and...

Original acrylic on canvas painting, 18" by 13 1/2", unframed, by the noted Central Australian aboriginal artist JUNE BIRD NGALE (born c. 1954). The painting is titled on an original 1992 label of Utopia Art, Sydney, "Bush Tucker" (tucker is the Australian word for food). The label is affixed to the canvas and "June Bird" is written in pencil on the stretcher. We seem to be looking at some kind of bush or plant which would presumably have provided that food. June Bird as she is most commonly...

An antique painting of a classical landscape, the scene including feathery trees, a number of tiny figures, and a distant church, likely French or Italian, less likely English (the red tile roof, clothing styles), unsigned, painted on a board and set within an oval frame. The piece measures 13 5/8" by 16 3/8" including the antique frame. As might be expected of a work so old, the surface is soiled and there are some condition issues such as soiling, little to no varnish, a small dig with missi...

A large unframed oil, 34" by 46", unsigned, a vintage mid-century work ***AFTER*** a DEAN CORNWELL (1892-1960) painting which was executed in 1953 for a New York Life Insurance Co. calendar, in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the incorporation of New York City. The painting is meticulously painted and I contacted auctions dealing with illustration art to see if it might be a study for the finished work. The response is that it is most likely simply a work after Cornwell, so it is off...

A watercolor on paper of people conversing and socializing in a square or city street, the sheet 15" by 11", the drawing 12 1/2" by 8 1/2" (22 1/2" by 18" in newish gold framing), the work indecipherably signed in red below the linen mat. The signature looks like "Arnold Balg(xxxxx)" or any number of variations of that, but to date I have been unable to tie this to a listed artist. The work came from the liquidated collection of eastern Pennsylvania theatre owner mogul Merton Shapiro (also of ...

An impressionist painting of the famous obelisk and fountain in the center of Paris at the iconic Place de la Concorde, 24" by 29" (and the very nice period frame 31" by 36"). Curiously, the work is unsigned but the artist was obviously talented. Paint is thickly applied in places, thinly in others (artist used bare canvas in places to show clouds). The date of execution would be circa mid 1950's to about 1960, judging from the old-style vehicle at right center; this is a classic scene paint...