Antique Hepplewhite Tea Caddy in mahogany with a fan inlay on the top and swag inlay on front.Having a hinged lid opening to two compartments for black and green tea, and raised on later ivory ball form feet.

English,Circa 1790

8" x 5" x 5.75" tall

Antique Italian Carved and Gilt Wood Mirror having openwork foliate decoration. Minor distress to the Plate. Circa 1860

Mirror: 18 ½” x 14 ½”
Frame: 28” x23”

Antique Italian Openwork Carved and Gilt Mirror; rectangular with scrolling leafage openwork decoration. Late 19th Century

Plate: 21.5 x 17.25"
Frame: 29" x 33"

**Please Note: This item is not currently on view in our gallery. Please call at least 48 hours in advance if you wish to see it.

Antique Masonic Gold Presentation Cane, inscribed “Presented to. Worshipful Bro. John Lee, member of Lg. No. 382, Dec. 22, 1876” with a Rosewood Shaft

Length 34"

Victor Spinski (American, 1940-2013)

A Piece of Cake

Ceramic, Signed and dated: "(19)97"

6 3/4" Diam. x 4" H

Spinski was a leading figure in the avant-garde ceramics movement of the 1960’s and 70’s. Throughout his career, Spinski experimented with many different materials, forms and techniques, becoming most well-known for his tromp l'oeil clay sculptures, which often incorporated humor.  In a 1983 article in the New York Times, art historian Helen A. Harrison described Spinski's works as being "technically sophisticated and fascinating in their imitation of nonceramic objects, such as metal cans filled with garbage. His "fountains," including an overflowing sink full of dirty dishes and a pile of beer cartons that have sprung a leak, are both cleverly conceived and beautifully realized."  Spinski participated in many historic solo and group exhibitions during his lifetime, including "Clayworks: 20 Americans" and "Coffee, Tea and Other Cups" both held in 1971 at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York City. 

Maurice Boval (French, 1863–1916)

Art Noveau Bronze of a Young Beauty

Signed, 14.25" high, 11" wide, 7"deep

Maurice Bouval was a French sculptor of the Art Nouveau period who was born in Toulouse, France in 1863. From 1880 to the first World War, he created a large number of bronze statues or objects including chandeliers, candelabras or table lamps. His main works are Ophelia, Femme assise, Jeune femme, Le Sommeil, Femme aux pavots, Le Secret et la Pensiveand and the statue that crowns the tower of the Casa de la Cultura, (Buenos Aires). He was not a prolific sculptor. He participated in the 1890 Exposition Universelle in Paris and was a member of the Société des Artistes Français and exhibited at the Salon from 1891 to 1914. He was a pupil of Alexandre Falguière who sculpted the Triumph of the Republic for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. At least three different founders cast his bronzes- Colin, Jollet, and Thiebaut frères. His work is highly regarded and well listed in most major discussions of sculptors of the Art Nouveau period. His works, as is this one, are usually signed M. Bouval.

**Please note: This is an original antique bronze, not a modern re-strike, and is so guaranteed.

Auguste Marie Barreau (French, d.1922)

Young Woman in Grecian Dress

A gilt and patinated bronze statue, signed on the base and inscribed “Médaille d’Or à l’Exposition des Beaux Arts 1865” and “Acheté par l’État”.

Height: 24.5”

Born in France, Auguste Marie Barreau, was a sculptor active during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français and the Exposition des Beaux Arts of 1865 where he won a gold medal for this Classical figure. Barreau died in 1922.

Source:

Benezit. Dictionnaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs. (1999).

Lucien Whiting Powell (American 1846-1930)

Bayou Oil-on-canvas, signed lower left

Provenance: Senator John B. Henderson (1826-1913)

Painting: 23” x 37”
Frame: 27” x 41”

Born 1846 in Upperville, Lucien Whiting Powell served with the Virginia cavalry during the Civil War. After attending the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Powell moved on to the London School of Art by 1875 where he was strongly influenced by the atmospheric painting style and romantic subject matter of J.M.W. Turner.

Powell eventually settled in Washington D.C. where he had a series of different studios, the most noted one at Henderson’s “Castle” on 16th Street owned by his formidable patron, Mrs. John B. Henderson. Perhaps with a certain proprietary attitude towards the artist, Mrs. Henderson owned some 200 of his watercolors and works on canvas and funded his tour of the Middle East in 1910.

An avid traveler, Powell also toured the American West in 1901. His best known works are landscapes of the Grand Canyon as well as land- and seascapes of Venice. In Street Scene in Florence, Italy, a casual gathering of women proffer goods under cloth and wooden awnings in an open square. Powell’s warm, earthy palate and loose, painterly rendering reflect his admiration of Turner.

Though he ventured far afield, Powell achieved considerable recognition in the District; his works were collected by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. He also exhibited regularly at the Corcoran and was a member of the Society of Washington Artists. Powell’s work is currently represented in the collections of American University, Georgetown University, the U.S. State Department and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C

Sources:

Falk, Peter, ed. Who Was Who in American Art 1564-1975
McMahan, Virgil. The Artists of Washington, D.C. 1796-1996** For other paintings by artists from Maryland, Virginia or Washington DC, type “local” into the search box.

** For other paintings by artists from Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC or North Carolina, click on the “Regional Artists” button on our Homepage.

James Francis O’Brien (American, 1917-1996)

Bethesda

Oil on canvas, signed lower left and titled on the reverse.

Painting size: 20” x 24” Frame size: 25.5” x 29”

** Please Note - This painting came directly from the Estate of Mr. O’Brien. For other examples, type “O’Brien” into the search box.

** For other paintings by artists from Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC or North Carolina, click on the “Regional Artists” button on our Homepage.

Born in Newtonville, Massachusetts, O’Brien exhibited a love of drawing and painting from a very early age. As a high school student, he took all possible elective courses in art and technical drawing. He supplemented this study with evening courses at M.I.T. Following his move to Washington, DC as a young man, he enrolled in the Washington Workshop of the Arts. WWA, like the Art Students League in New York City, was a school in which all the classes were taught by a rotating roster of professional artists.

During WW II, his technical artistic training served his country well when he was put to work as a map maker. In the final year of the war, O’Brien married. On his honeymoon in New York City, he found time to paint the rooftop view from his hotel room window. This initiated a lifelong pursuit of city painting (his family was inclined to call it an obsession).

Starting with the founding of Federal Graphics, a commercial art firm he launched with a partner in 1947, he pursued a commercial career for the majority of his life. However, he always considered painting his “real” work, and his dedication to this vocation was apparent in a myriad of ways. He helped to found the Montgomery County Art Association and held memberships in the Arts Council of Montgomery County and American Art League.

Throughout his life, he exhibited widely, both as an individual and in group shows. The Arts Club of Washington, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Montgomery College, and the Rehoboth Art League were a few among the many venues at which his works were shown. In addition, he exhibited in several private galleries.

During the course of his painting, O’Brien noticed that the paints on his palette sometimes mixed into designs as interesting as those more deliberately created. From this observation arose the text, Design By Accident, first published in 1968. The book became widely used by art teachers following very favorably reviews by newspapers and magazines. It was even reviewed by Scientific American from a technological-aesthetic.

A draftsman, illustrator, writer and most importantly painter, O’Brien was fortunate to have his work recognised and appreciated during his life. He won awards from The Montgomery County Art Association, Rehoboth Art League and American Art League. Even art critics praised his work with the most succinct calling his paintings, “familiar scenes, fresher and lighter than life”. (Florence Berryman of The Washington Star)

O’Brien believed that the “creative urge” was something all children have. However, as adults, that impulse falls victim to ever growing demands and responsibilities. He maintained that artists are able to keep alive the childlike ability to see beauty and mystery in commonplace things.

Thanks to his sense of wonder, he left us deeply in his debt. His paintings remind us that every day that Washington, DC is full of inspiring sights that fall outside of the traditional “glamour” views depicted by most artists.

Benson Bond Moore (American 1882-1974)

"Stream in Autumn, near Bethesda MD."

Oil on board, signed lower left and titled on the reverse

Painting: 12" x 16"
Frame: 17" x 20.75"

SAFA/10945 Provenance: The Estate of a Toms River Collector

Benson Bond Moore, painter, etcher and teacher was born in Washington, DC. He studied at the Corcoran School of Art with Messer and Brooke , and also with Weyl . He continued his studies in drawing at the Linthicum Institute under Ballenger and learned painting conservation from his father.

Active in professional societies, he was a member and officer of the Landscape Club of Washington. He was also a longtime member of the Society of Washington Artists. He exhibited with both groups from as early as 1915 and continued through the 1930's. His work was also shown at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

As an artist, he became well known and honored for his local scenes, many of which are in major public collections. His works are held by the National Museum of American Art; Historical Society of Washington, DC; Library of Congress; The White House; Bibliothèque National de Paris; Cosmos Club; National Museum of American History; the Houston Museum of Fine Art and the Los Angeles Museum of Art. Over his life, he was honored with numerous awards for his work.

Sources:
McMahan, Virgil. "The Artists of Washington, D.C. 1796-1996"
Consentino, Andrew and Glassie, Henry. "The Capital Image, Painters in Washington, 1800-1915"
Strass, Sephanie, "A Seasonal View - The Landscapes of Benson Bond Moore"

James Francis O’Brien (American, 1917-1996)

Bethesda Oriental Restaurant

Oil on canvas, signed, located, inscribed and dated: “1983” on the reverse.

Painting size: 24” x 20”
Frame size: 29” x 25”

** Please Note - This painting came directly from the Estate of Mr. O’Brien. For other examples, type “O’Brien” into the search box.

** For other paintings by artists from Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC or North Carolina, click on the “Regional Artists” button on our Homepage.

Born in Newtonville, Massachusetts, O’Brien exhibited a love of drawing and painting from a very early age. As a high school student, he took all possible elective courses in art and technical drawing. He supplemented this study with evening courses at M.I.T. Following his move to Washington, DC as a young man, he enrolled in the Washington Workshop of the Arts. WWA, like the Art Students League in New York City, was a school in which all the classes were taught by a rotating roster of professional artists.

During WW II, his technical artistic training served his country well when he was put to work as a map maker. In the final year of the war, O’Brien married. On his honeymoon in New York City, he found time to paint the rooftop view from his hotel room window. This initiated a lifelong pursuit of city painting (his family was inclined to call it an obsession).

Starting with the founding of Federal Graphics, a commercial art firm he launched with a partner in 1947, he pursued a commercial career for the majority of his life. However, he always considered painting his “real” work, and his dedication to this vocation was apparent in a myriad of ways. He helped to found the Montgomery County Art Association and held memberships in the Arts Council of Montgomery County and American Art League.

Throughout his life, he exhibited widely, both as an individual and in group shows. The Arts Club of Washington, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Montgomery College, and the Rehoboth Art League were a few among the many venues at which his works were shown. In addition, he exhibited in several private galleries.

Unusual Wood Tea Caddy or Tobacco Box in the form of a doghouse with brass nails and door surround and with a brass dog sitting outside. It opens by gently lowering the dog's hinged head which releases the peaked roof form lid which opens to a tin lined interior. The whole is mounted on a plinth base with brass beading. Circa 1870, probably Black Forest.

11.75" x 5.5" x 7" tall

British Three Masted Ship in the Bay of Naples

Italian School, Circa 1870.

Before photography, ship captains, owners or pasangers would commission local artists to paint their ship in foriegn ports, Here we see a ship in the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius in the background

Ptg. : 10.5" x 16"
Frame: 13" x 18"

American School, Early 19th Century

Carib Indians Around a Jungle Campfire, with a Piton in the Background

Oil on canvas, signed indistinctly on the stretcher. Mid 19th century carved wood, compo and gilt frame

Painting Size: 9.25” x 12”
Frame Size: 13.5” x 16.5”

Carved Wood Bank in the form of a Victorian Mailbox. Carved from a solid piece of mahogany(?) with a slot at the top and a hinged door opening to a cavity (no key)

Height:14"

Carved Wooden Top Hat

(Early 20th C., some scratches

12.25” x 10” x 6.75” tall

Antique Black Forest Tea Caddy in the form of a dog house with a mounted bronze of a dog, carved on all sides and back and with a trick latch to open. German, circa 1870 . 8.5" x 7.5" x 7" tall

English School, early 19th century

Portrait of a Woman in Lace Cap

Oil on panel.

Provenance: J. Davey & Sons, Manchester, England

Painting size: 8.5” x 7”
Frame size: 11.5” x 10”