This original work of art consists of a painting applied over what appears to be a serigraph. It is interesting in that the artist who signed and gifted it to his friends at the bottom, was known to be proficient in both mediums: print and watercolor or gouache.

It measures 13 by 19 inches (image only) on an 18 by 24 inch panel board.

It is signed: Jara Valenta, on the lower right portion of the panel. It is also signed: To Teresa and Frans, lower left.

Jaroslav Henry Valenta was born May 23, 1899 in Czechoslovakia. He is listed in Who Was Who in American Art as a Brooklyn artist.

He was also listed as a member of the America Artist's Congress ( est 1936).

He exhibited works at the Federal Art Gallery in New York City and the American Artists Congress. He is also listed as a WPA Artist.

Jaroslav (Yaroslav) Henry Valenta (1899- )is listed in Davenport's Art Reference and Price Guide. He is also listed on Artprice.Com. In addition, he has work held in the Smithsonian Art Collection.

He also has work held in the Indianapolis Museum of art: (http://www.imamuseum.org/art/collections/artist/jara-h-valenta).

He also has work that can be viewed in the AMICA Library (http://www.davidrumsey.com/amica/amico1062343-112516.html).

Additional links to other works by Jara Henry Vanenta below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanartmuseum/3302781232/

This black and iridescent art glass vase measures about 12 inches in height and about 7-7.25 inches in diameter.

It has a wonderful overall iridescence and was created in the threaded style of art glass like that found in Loetz or Pallme Koenig.

It is unmarked but does have a ground spot on it's base where an etched signature would most likely go.

It is in excellent condition, period. No chips cracks or repairs.

We estimate this classic Art Nouveau vase to date circa 1895-1910.

This large Chinese Cloisonne covered box measures 15 inches in diameter. It actually measures 17.5 inches wide, when you include the bronze handles on either side. It also measures 8 inches tall.

It is in excellent condition with the exception of a small circular restored spot on the bottom of the exterior. It appears to have been repaired in the late 19th century, based on the odd shade of green enamel that was used in the repair.

The cloisonne scene on the lid consists of a phoenix (fenghuang) looking down on a mountain range across the waters and under a red sun (a possible reference to Japan).

The chrysanthemums in the foreground may refer to Japanese royalty. This could have been designed as a gift for Japanese royalty.

This original watercolor painting measures 15 by 22 inches.

It dates circa 1940-1950. It is unsigned.

It is painted on heavy watercolor paper.

It is in excellent condition, unmatted and unframed. The paper has a French watermark embossed in one corner.

It is not a giclee, print or copy of any kind.

It was purchased as part of a collection of original watercolor paintings amassed by a student of the well known, published and listed American artist, Robert Landry. Her name was Nancy Louise Hickman and she died in the 1980's.

There is very little known about Nancy Louise Hickman except that she had a rather large number of outstanding watercolors by Robert Landry in her estate, along with more of her own, many of which were very good or even exceptional.

Given the quantity of paintings she had kept over the years, there has been speculation that possibly she was more than just a student, based on the number of Robert Landry paintings that she owned and the obvious similarity to many of her paintings.

Note: Robert Landry was a married man (not to her) and none of this has ever been documented. It is merely speculation based on circumstantial evidence.

These watercolor were kept in deep storage so that there has been very little light on them for decades. Many of them are as crisp, bright and clean as the day they were painted : 50 to 60+ years ago. ___________________________________________

This original oil painting on stretched canvas measures 16 x 20 inches and is framed 22 x 26 inches.

It is signed Guzman in the lower right corner.

Juan "Pepe" Guzman is a contemporary California artist.

His strong use of color and light is influenced by both his Chilean background and his California roots. His paintings are a mix of Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauve colors and a dash of California Plein Air.

This painting was purchased by me directly from the artist a number of years ago and has been hanging in my home ever since.

He is also listed and known as Juan Guzman Maldonado.

It is in OUTSTANDING CONDITION, period.

He is also listed on Askart.com. see the link below:

( http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/search/Search_Repeat.aspx?searchtype=AUCTION_RECORDS&artist=11168533 )

This original Chinese watercolor painting measures 25 by 25 inches (ink and watercolor painting only) and 29 by 69 inches, including the brocaded scroll it is mounted on.

It has the seal and signature of the artist, Hong Jun, along the lower right side of the painting. It also has a collector's seal in the lower left corner.

The subject is a water garden scene with pink lotus flowers with large leaves in shadow and small fish swimming through.

This painting was painted with a very loose hand, but by an obviously talented artist.

This original ink and watercolor painting mounted as a scroll dates from the middle to the latter part of the 20th Century.

It is in excellent condition.

This original contemporary Chinese ink and watercolor painting measures 24 by 24 inches (image only) and 27 by 62 inches, including the silk brocaded scroll it is mounted on.

It has the seal and signature of the artist, lower right. There are additional seals that may be collector's seals on the painting also.

The subject: A cat pursuing a cricket.

This painting has intricate details and a combination of strong colors and subtle shading.

It is in excellent condition.

Additional information about Contemporary Chinese scroll paintings is available in our Newsletter by clicking on Newsletter on our Home page.

This original, signed painting on wooden panel measures 17 1/2 inches by 18 inches (44cm x 46 cm) not including the ornately carved wooden frame it sits in. With frame, it measures 23 1/2 by 24 inches.

The subject of the painting is two samurai with drawn blades.

It is signed on both the front and reverse of the painting. There is also an additional hand painted seal in the upper right corner.

We date this painting to the late Meiji Period, although it is quite possible that it could be much earlier.

The condition of the painting is very good, but there are a few minor scrapes to the soft wood evident in the picture, but only from a certain angle. They really do not detract from the charm of this outstanding work.

Last, but not least, the frame is an amazing example of wood carving, and in outstanding condition.

This original, unsigned oil painting on panel board measures about 18 by 24 inches, not including the simple frame it currently sits in.

The scene is the ocean with storm swept skies and heavy waves breaking against the rocks. In the background, a portion of the Northern California coastline can be seen.

It is in outstanding condition, period.

It dates circa 1940-1960 based on the style of painting, the subject matter, and the board it is painted on.

This original oil painting on stretched canvas measures 28.5cm by 33cm (about 11 1/4 by 13 inches, not including the simple but detailed wooden frame it sits in.

The subject is an alpine mountain landscape with a Swiss or Bavarian style building and a dome topped church or building beyond. The scene includes snow capped mountains in the distance.

It is signed J. Felsinger in the lower right portion of the painting. Josef Felsinger (1908-1972) is listed on Artprice.com with a history of auction sales.

This painting is executed in a very crisp, well detailed impressionist style.

The colors are vibrant and better looking in person than the photos would indicate. Any white dots on the pictures are the result of flash bounce back and are NOT on the painting itself.

There is a very fine spiderweb pattern of crackling of the canvas from age that does not show up in the photos, but only when the painting is lit from behind.

Overall, this is a very attractive little gem of a painting by a known artist. The buyer will not be disappointed.

This original watercolor painting measures 15 by 22 inches.

It dates circa 1930-1950. It is from a regional style of painting found primarily in California, but not limited to California in both location and subject matter.

It is painted on heavy stamp watermarked French watercolor paper (see enlarged photo of stamp).

It is in excellent condition, unsigned and unframed.

This silver Turkoman or Kazak fibula (breastplate) measures approximately nine inches from top to bottom. The diamond shape measures about five inches side to side or 4 1/2 inches when measured straight across as a square. It is about 1/4 inch or 6-7 mm in thickness. It appears to be solid rather than hollow. It has a black linen pad hand stitched to the reverse , which helps to document that it was actually a family heirloom, rather than merely having been produced to sell to tourists. It dates from the latter part of the 19th century and is in excellent condition. It is inset with carnelian, jade and black onyx or jet cabachons. It is covered on the front with gilding and triangular silver shapes covered with silver dots. It is unmarked, but guaranteed to be about .900 silver or better. Many silversmiths melted old silver coins to obtain their silver for making jewelry. Most coins were about .900 silver in quality.