Oil on masonite monochromatic coastal landscape with headlands and seabirds, measuring 20" by 24" (29" by 33" as framed), signed at lower right "Jean Appleton". I cannot with confidence offer this as an authentic work of the noted Australian artist by this name. I have seen in the Los Angeles area, a number of paintings thus signed. I have sent several of these to Australia where they sold at auction as authentic works by her...

A vintage California oil on canvas painting of high mountains and the desert at sunset, probably painted circa 1935 through the early 1940's, 20" by 24" (23" by 27" in likely the original frame), signed at lower right by Los Angeles area artist ESSIE KAILEY (1897-1986). Kailey is not apparently a known artist, and was likely a talented amateur...

This is a lithograph, titled "Heure Matinale", 19 3/4" by 25 3/4", unframed, signed in pencil at lower right by the artist and dated there "61", with "epreuve d'artiste" notation, by the noted CoBra artist GUILLAUME CORNELIS VAN BEVERLOO, best known by the pseudonym "CORNEILLE" (the French word for "crow"). The regular edition of this print appears to have been of 120 examples, on BFK Rives paper (and this has those watermarks)...

**PAIR** of pastel and pencil drawings on paper affixed to board at edges, each 9 3/4" by 13 1/2" inside the mat, currently in simple contemporary inexpensive frames, one signed in pencil at lower right "GROLL". These appear to be possibly scenes of Mexico or even Spain (the artist studied in Europe) by listed American artist ALBERT LOREY GROLL (1866-1952)...

Pastel on paper laid on board, 15 1/2" by 19 1/2" (19" by 23 1/2" as simply framed---no glass), signed at lower right by noted American pastel artist ANDREW GUNDERSON (1888-1964). This is a rather typical example by the artist, who is grouped today with such pastellists as William Chandler and Glatthaar...

A PAIR of oil on canvas works, each 14" by 10", unframed, featuring hanging wild birds against a simulated wood-grain background, painted in the then-popular realistic trompe l'oeil manner of painters like William Harnett in America, or Michelangelo Meucci (1840-1909) in Italy. The paintings likely date to about the 1880's. They are signed but despite my best efforts, I have been unable to make out the worn and faint signature. An image of that area is provided...

Unsigned watercolor landscape painting, late 19th century American origin, the subject a chilly shoreline including snow-covered shacks, two figures, and a small overturned boat in winter storage, measuring 11" by 21" inside the mat (16" by 25" as framed). This is a primitive work, the figures a bit small and out of scale, and therefore a charming work, rather typical of late nineteenth century American watercolor by self-taught artists. CONDITION: Foxing in the sky, as shown, otherwise good...

This is a print on metal process, the sheet measuring 34" by 28", and the subject being "The Burning Bush". The work was created to celebrate the 1996 opening of the Skirball Cultural Center and Museum in West Los Angeles. The Skirball is known for its focus on American and European Jewish culture. This work is numbered 629/900 on the reverse in marker and is signed at lower right in marker by the artist...

Oil on canvas, circa late nineteenth century, 21 1/2" by 26 3/4" and about one inch wide framing, unsigned, featuring feathery trees, distant snowy mountains, a lake with small sail craft, and a gentleman pulling in nets on another small boat. This painting is in need of restoration, but, I believe it well worth saving for posterity. There are some holes, the largest about 3/4" by 1/2", at lower left, a similar one at upper left, and some much smaller punctures at far right...

Watercolor on paper country road scene with figure and possibly a horse, 4" by 8 3/4" inside the mat, signed at lower right "Lauro" and inscribed "A mi querido cunado (brother-in-law) Daniel" and dated 1881. I have searched for a listed artist that could correspond to this name but have not come up with a compatible listing. Purchased this at a flea market in Buenos Aires, Argentina...

Watercolor on paper of a rugged seacoast with rocks and surf (presumably California, but could be a number of other places including England), 10" by 13" inside the flimsy makeshift mat (18" by 22 1/2" as framed), signed at lower right "GAY", and bearing a bonus---a pretty study on the reverse side. I do not believe this to be by any of the noted artists who share that last name of "Gay". Nevertheless it is a nicely drawn work, in excellent condition. Allow for reflections...

Watercolor on heavy paper, 6 1/4" by 9", (9" by 11" as framed), unsigned, the subject a marble Parthenon-like classical ruined temple at right, several picturesquely dressed figures in the right foreground, and a cypress tree at left framing the scene. I would guess the age as circa mid 19th century. Unfortunately there is no signature nor other hint as to authorship...

Oil on canvas still life of a small statuette of a horse and a copper vessel on a small table, 13" by 15" (14" by 16 1/2" as framed), signed at lower right "Virginia Weaver"...

Watercolor on paper laid down long ago on a thin old board, the subject being fruit, including green and purple grapes as well as a melon, measuring 10 3/4" by 18 1/4" inside the mat (19" by 26 1/2" as framed), apparently unsigned, dating likely to the late nineteenth century. This is a fine example of American still life art of the period. I would imagine the unknown artist would be listed, due to the quality of the work. Condition is excellent, with fresh colors and no water stains or foxin...

Oil on canvasboard, 16" by 20" and 1 1/4" dark stained oak frame, signed at lower left with initial "D", and executed en grisaille (grays, whites, black). This is a work by an accomplished artist, showing what appears to be a solemn funeral gathering, with a minister reading from the bible as a black gravedigger looks on at right. The style of dress of the mourners suggests the 19th century as the period depicted. I thought this might be a work by the major illustrator Harvey Dunn, and ran th...

Oil on canvas landscape oil, unmounted/unstretched, contained loosely in a decorative and complementary modern white metal frame, measuring 5" by 7" (7 1/2" by 10" as framed), signed at lower left "A. Schilling". I would date this to the late 19th century or early years of the 20th. Schilling (1859-1937) exhibited in Chicago at the Art Institute, St. Louis at the world's fair, at the Pennsylvania Academy, and elsewhere. Though listed in a number of reference works, there does not seem to be a...

Oil on masonite, 18" by 24", (23" by 29" as framed), the subject a copper kettle on a small wooden stand on a table, with a cup and saucer, small blue milk pitcher and poinsettia in a decorative blue vase filling out the scene. The painting is signed at lower right "L. Johnson". I do not seem to be able to connect this to any listed artist so am offering it as a decorative work. It was found in San Diego, and the poinsettia suggests a California origin. Frame is vintage and no doubt origina...

Watercolor on paper, 16 1/2" by 11 1/4" inside the mat, 23 3/4" by 17 1/2" as framed, signed boldly at lower right by the California listed artist ALFRED OWLES (1894-1978). Owles was born in England and is today perhaps best known for his accurate watercolors of aircraft and early aviation, including depictions of World War I dogfights, with which he was personally familiar, having flown in the early craft as a photographer. He worked for many years in a San Francisco studio, and later in life...