Impressionist painting signed at lower right with conjoined initials "MP", unframed, 24" by 18", the subject three female black dancers, two wearing festive hats. There is considerable energy in the scene and the stylized figures are by a trained hand. The painting likely dates to the 1960's or possibly 1950's. There are some light abrasions at lower left, a flaked area near the extreme lower edge there and another small edge loss at top, and light overall soiling.

A PAIR of unframed oil on canvas works, one a scene of coastal cliffs and waves, 12" by 12", the other featuring a small lake or pond, 11" by 14" (both unframed). They are each signed by the artist, one M. Mahmoudi. I have not located information on the obviously talented artist, who is likely Californian; found in Los Angeles. Condition is excellent. What appear as white speckles in some images are reflections off the varnish and canvas weave.

This is an original painting in gouache on paper, 23 3/4" by 23 3/4" square, in a narrow metal frame, apparently by an unlisted artist named Gertmenian. This is an Armenian name, and the painting was found in Los Angeles, where there is a large Armenian population. If you're seeking an eye-dazzler of a painting that contains strong primary colors, consider this decorative art...

Fine engraving by Cousen, titled at bottom center "The Woodland Gate", after the original painting by English Royal Academician WILLIAM COLLINS (1788-1847), measuring 8 1/4" by 10 5/8" inside the mat with hand-drawn lines, 16" by 17 1/2" in silvery framing. This is a fine decorative print that is in extremely clean, wall-ready condition. According to information on the internet, Collins' work was prized more highly in the late 19th century than that of Constable and Turner...

An original 17th century etching, "God Appears to Moses in the Burning Bush", plate 30 from the well-known series of 52 published in 1615 in Rome by Giovanni Giacomo Rossi, the artist being ORAZIO BORGIANNI (1578-1616). These works are after the frescoes by Raphael on the second floor of the Apostolic Church in the Vatican. Borgianni, a Baroque painter who adopted the style of Caravaggio after settling in Rome in 1604, turned to etching in the final years of his short life...

Oil on canvas painting of an elegantly dressed lady on a terrace or balcony, a Parisian-style table and chairs with champagne bottle at left, 36" by 18, unsigned and unframed. This Matisse-inspired work was likely painted circa 1970's by a talented amateur artist. The violets, blues and white make for a harmonious color balance and the light is suffused rather than intense and sharp...

Oil on canvasboard painting of an extensive panoramic desert viewed from forested heights, signed at lower right and signed again with title "Over Mahave Desert Sept. 19, 1944" on the reverse. The work, 10 3/4" by 14", is unframed. Lydia Floret is a listed artist. Several pieces have sold at auction---another desert scene, a boy with a toy train, and a landscape of the New Hope Canal (eastern Pennsylvania's Bucks County)...

A small, beautifully crafted oil on canvasboard landscape titled on reverse "Abandoned Farm Santa Clara River", dated June 1999, signed at lower right and again on the reverse, and with artist's business card affixed as well. The painting measures 8" by 10" and 11 1/2" by 13 1/2" in wood frame with liner. Condition is excellent. The artist was born in Pennsylvania and has been in Southern California for most of his life, with much of his subject matter taken from the Oxnard and Ventura area...

Unsigned oil on canvas, circa 1970's or 1980's, unframed, 28" by 22", the subject a ceremonial dance mask and head wear such as might be seen in use in the course of special events on one of the reservations in Arizona or New Mexico. During the late 1980's I was at Zia Pueblo in New Mexico, and was privileged to watch one of these ceremonies...

Late in life, circa 1999, Japanese master print maker, Haku Maki, did this shikishiban print. It is called Z1-12 (WAZA); 7.25'' x 8.25''; Shikishiban is a nearly square format. Shikishiban are often mounted on a thick, light cardboard. Japanese people like to give them as presents. The print is in the US and will be shipped from there.

A rarely seen hand signed (ball point pen, lower right margin) poster printed to publicize the 1992 Taos Arts Festival, the poster featuring a painting of the Taos Pueblo against snow capped mountains, western horses in the foreground. The piece measures 27" by 20 1/2" as framed (no glass). ILA MAE McAFEE (1897-1995) was an American painter, muralist, illustrator and author born in or near Gunnison, Colorado...

This is an interesting example of a monotype, in which art is created on a piece of glass which is then pressed against paper to produce a unique image. The artist is well listed and his paintings sell well at Canadian auctions. At first glance, this work could easily pass for a watercolor; a monotype is something of a hybrid, with characteristics of prints and original art. It measures 17 3/8" by 13 1/2" inside the mat; with an additional 5 1/4" of mat and frame on a side...

A Hand Colored Lithograph by Nathaniel Currier, circa 1850. Titled "Lord Byron and Marianna". Dimensions 12" wide x 16.5" high. Period frame.

Watercolor on paper, 10" by 14" (15" by 19" as framed), signed at lower left with the distinctive signature of California Scene artist JAKE LEE. This is an image of a vintage old house framed by mature trees, a few suggested figures in the foreground. Jake Lee's works are increasingly sought after by collectors in the wake of his relatively recent passing. This is a clean example in excellent condition...

Oil on canvas painting of grouse in the snow among pines, 16" by 20", signed at lower right "Berta C. Richards 50", and titled in ink on the reverse "Spring Around the Corner/in Colo Foot Hills/Berta C. Richards/1950". I do not see a listing for the artist but this vintage oil is competently executed by a talented hand. The condition is excellent, since this has been protected actually behind glass, in the veneer-type frame often seen on Currier and Ives prints...

Mid 20th century painting of a vessel containing a plant with interesting leaves and orange tightly closed flowers, executed in an impressionist style with a modernist feel, on a 16" by 20" canvasboard, unframed, signed in black capital letters at lower left "Chatterton". Neither the signature nor subject matter resemble those of noted artist Clarence Chatterton, who was a student of Edward Hopper. I am offering it simply as an interesting still life painting. Condition: some light abrasions ...

A watercolor of a lighthouse on the Maine coast, 9" by 13" (15" by 19" in wood frame), signed at lower right by artist Donna Sabaka (1946-). On the reverse is written "The Nubble Light"/York/Cape Neddick, Me.". The artist signed again there and wrote "Kennebunkport, Me. 1986". The lighthouse is in the extreme southern portion of Maine, in the heavily visited coastal strip of that state---a large tourist draw in summer. Judging from information on the internet, Sabaka is apparently still a ve...

Charity in the Cellar Engraved by Leney, after Hogarth's painting Heath edition The Works of William Hogarth" as published by Baldwin, Cradock and Joy in 1822 with the original plates restored by James Heath, engraver to His Majesty. The Heath edition was the last to print directly from Hogarth's original engraved plates. All William Hogarth prints appearing after this date are copies of these original graphic works of art. Heath edition 1822 An original copperplate engraving — over 195 yea...