When I first saw this piece, it screamed to me "Picasso". The 11 1/2" by 7 1/2" work is not signed, but the style, the slight glaze on the baked clay surface, the decoration, is suggestive of the ceramic Madoura works of Picasso. The item weighs just shy of three pounds. Condition is excellent.

A floral still life painting on pebbled paper, 14 1/2" by 10 1/4" inside the mat, 19" by 15" as nicely framed (no glass). The work bears signature "Montezin" at lower left but I have researched the piece and it is not by the noted French artist. It is offered solely on its decorative qualities. There are light folds in the paper at top but they are not really a concern.

A very pretty contemporary oil on canvas landscape of trees, a cluster of pink flowers in the left foreground, signed at lower right by California Art Club associate member DULCIE ADAMS. Biographical information seems to be lacking on this obviously talented artist. The work measures 18" by 24" (26 1/2" by 32" nicely framed). Painting is in excellent condition; linen liner has a small stain that could probably be removed.

A most interesting circa 1960's work featuring a group of older, mostly one story buildings in a town, those buildings apparently of stone, judging from the earthy colors. A dark blue sky elegantly sets off the earth tones, making for an interesting play of light and color. Brush strokes are vigorous and sure. The painting is oil on canvasboard, measuring 9" by 13" (12 3/4" by 16 1/2" framed), signed with initials that could be "CB" at lower right...

A typically colorful painting from Haiti, featuring female figures carrying loads of fruit on baskets balanced on their heads, against a mysterious deep green background landscape. The painting is signed at lower right "Xavier B./Haiti/2000". Measurements are 25" by 21" as framed in white wood. Canvas is slightly rippled, there are a few hairline crack marks in the legs of several figures, but nothing that is bothersome at normal viewing distance...

An old watercolor on paper laid on board painting of old buildings, with a view to open water beyond the narrow lane. The work is signed with initials "MC" or "ME" at lower left but there is no other information. The watercolor measures 11 1/2" by 9" inside the mat and 18 1/2" by 16" as framed. There is old wood slat backing remaining. This might well be a scene of old England, perhaps Cornwall, but it is really hard to say more as to the locale portrayed...

Oil on canvasboard painting of a dirt road through a pine woodland, signed at lower right by artist ADDIE SYLVESTER. On the reverse side it is titled "Deep in the Heart of Texas", signed again and dated 1950. I do not see information on the artist. Curiously there was a woman by that name who passed away in 1989 in Manhattan, Kansas area; on the backing paper, most of a label is missing, but the remaining letters of what would be the town in the address are "MAN..."...

Oil on canvas painting of white and pink roses in a blue bowl, signed at lower right "Strachan". The work, measuring 18" by 24" and 23" by 28 1/2" in likely original frame, has tiny losses in background and lower left area. The frame also has light wear, and losses on back of left edge. Overall, a very shabby chic piece in feeling. There is an old Los Angeles framer's sticker on reverse backing.

Oil on canvas painting of a farmer by a water pump in an open field, two dray horses at center and left slaking their thirst. The work measures 11" by 12" and 15 1/2" by 16 1/2" in frame that may well be the original. The painting is signed faintly yet distinctly at lower left corner "S.S.C.", which is one of the known signatures of American artist SAMUEL SIMPSON CARR (1837-1908). Other known signatures include "S.S. CARR" and "S. CARR"...

A PAIR of watercolor paintings framed as one, in black and white, each signed lower corner "CC" or "LL", likely late 19th century or early 20th. Each measures 2 1/4" by 3 1/4" (12 1/2" by 9" as framed). There is no information inside on the identity of the talented artist. Silvery frame and hand drawn mat makes for a very elegant little piece.

A most unusual painting on wood panel, 24" by 30", unframed, featuring some gritty, tough-looking downtown Los Angeles men in a claustrophobic, vertiginous streetscape of old hotel buildings. The Hotel Rosslyn and annex were built in 1914 and 1923, respectively, and were fashionable places to stay, in their day, at Fifth and Main in old downtown. The medium used is likely casein or other non-oil, water-based paint...

An American oil on panel painting, unsigned, likely circa 1920, unframed, featuring a landscape including a lake, some distant low mountains, and yellowing foliage in foreground suggesting autumn as the season. The piece measures 14" by 22". Surface is dirty---could really use a cleaning/varnish---and there is paint chipping along left, top, and bottom edges, as well as a small loss at left center in the foliage. Needs some TLC but the essentials are all there...

A lithograph titled in pencil in margin at lower left "Algerian Caravan", and pencil signed and numbered at lower right margin, by the noted western Michigan (Muskegon area) artist WILFRED "WALLY" BERG (1908-2002). Measurements are 15 1/2" by 19 1/2". The complex image features a caravan of camels and burros, led by their handlers, descending a steep mountain trail to a valley in Algeria, where the artist served during the Second World War...

A beautifully executed watercolor painting of a proper Victorian lady in her fine parlor, her chair and small table sitting on a bear skin rug. The work is unfortunately unsigned. It measures 18 1/4" by 12 3/4" at the mat opening (25 1/2" by 19 1/2" as framed). This was acquired from a New Jersey dealer, in Florida. He claimed to have had a bit of paper with the name of the artist but has never been able to come up with it despite my requests...

Oil on canvas painting with great luminosity, the subject small craft pulled up on foreground beach, with a view to distant ships offshore a city, signed at lower left corner and dated 1876 by well listed Danish painter NORDAHL GROVE (1822-1885). The work measures 17 1/2" by 26" (23 1/2" by 32" framed)...

Early landscape painting of a likely imaginary, idealized, pyramidal mountain peak of California, (doesn't really resemble Mt. Shasta, but I suppose it could be), 20" by 16" on the stretchers, painted on canvas, 25 3/4" by 21 3/4" in a fine old gold 19th century frame, signed at lower right by artist "C. A. Simpson" and dated there 1886. The painting is firmly in the luminous tradition of some of the eastern Hudson River artists, with a pinkish glow suffusing the sky. Note the tipis at left lo...

A watercolor painting featuring a street scene in exotic Cusco, Peru, the imagery of a steep walkway in the high altitude mountain city, a lone figure in classic, native Andean dress descending the steps, an extensive view of tiled rooftops, whitewashed buildings and churches completing the middle distance, as serrated mountain ranges fill the horizon. The 10 7/8" by 7 1/2" painting (15 1/4" by 12 1/4" framed) is signed at lower left "ORE" and dated there 1980. Condition is excellent. The gra...

An original botanical watercolor drawing of unknown age, apparently unsigned, featuring leaves and insects, one likely a wasp or similar. The work is very clean and ready for the wall. Some slight brownish toning of the paper seems to be accentuated by the camera; it does not appear that way to the naked eye. The attention paid to detail, by the artist, is impressive. The crisp and stylish monochromatic gray/black/white scheme makes this a neutral piece that will fit into a lot of situations...