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Japanese Meiji Period Carved Wood Skull and Snake Tobacco Humidor, Late 19th C.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A late 19th century Japanese Meiji period (1868—1912) hand-carved and hand-painted wood skull, snake, and frog motif tobacco humidor.
A transfixing memento mori piece originally ma...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Jane Hammond, “Purple Chaperon”, Mixed Media on Paper, 1995
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and visually striking mixed media work on rice paper by notable New York-based American artist Jane Hammond (b. 1950), presented in a custom made frame.
Signature and title ...
Category
1990s American Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood, Paint, Paper, Lacquer
Pair of Boston and Sandwich Glass Co. White & Blue Dolphin Candlesticks, 1840–60
By Boston and Sandwich Glass Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
A gorgeous pair of circa 1840–1860 antique Boston and Sandwich Glass Company clam broth white and French blue pressed glass dolphin candlesticks.
Italian Renaissance-style dolphin s...
Category
Antique 1840s American American Classical Candlesticks
Materials
Glass
Stiffel Saucer Shade Enameled Metal and Brass Three-Light Floor Lamp, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell, Stiffel
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very striking and uncommon 1950s Stiffel mid-century modern atomic-style floor lamp with large saucer shade and three shaded uplights on brass rods and black metal base.
Twenty-fo...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Pair of Mid-Century Austrian Slipper Chairs with 1990s Silk Upholstery, 1940s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely pair of 1940s Austrian slipper chairs with matching throw pillows professionally reupholstered in the early 1990s in purple dupioni silk with chenille piping.
Clean and classic mid-century modern lines with low-profile seats and near-perfect proportions result in a timeless design that would work wonderfully in a variety of interiors after a wood refinish and fabric refresh to suit one’s taste and décor.
Chairs stand on tapered square birch legs with their original honey-tinted finish. Seats and down pillows custom dressed in lustrous high-quality dupioni silk with a crisp hand, attractively prominent slub texture, and chenille piping.
Original warm-toned purple or eggplant color is seen on the sides, backs, and pillows, while the seats and a couple other spots display a sun-lightened, magenta-hued shade that’s best described as boysenberry or burgundy.
Upholstery and pillows trimmed...
Category
Vintage 1940s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Materials
Chenille, Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Velvet, Foam, Birch, Down
Pair of Mid-Century Lane Acclaim Snack Tables by Andre Bus, 1960
By Lane Furniture, Andre Bus
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of scarce 1960 Lane Acclaim No. 900-18 snack tables by Dutch designer Andre Bus.
A seldom seen design from the iconic mid-century modern furniture line that launched in 195...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut, Lacquer
Italian Onyx and Brass Trefoil Top Three-Legged Side Table, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A striking and uncommon 1950s Hollywood Regency Italian onyx and brass three-legged side table or occasional table.
Stylized trefoil-shaped top with graceful curves joining the thre...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Side Tables
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Modeline Tripod Floor Lamp with Fiberglass Saucer Shades, Brass, and Wood, 1950s
By Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional and uncommon 1950s Modeline mid-century modern atomic-style tripod floor lamp with large fiberglass saucer shade and matching smaller one on a brass rod and black wood...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Brass
Pair of Pierre Cardin for Dillingham White and Brass Chests of Drawers, 1970s
By Pierre Cardin, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of 1970s Pierre Cardin for Dillingham white and brass chests of drawers or nightstands.
From iconic designer Pierre Cardin’s clean and concise Art Deco or Streamline Moderne-...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Rud Thygesen for Heltborg Møbler Rosewood and Aluminum Coffee Table, Late 1960s
By Rud Thygesen, Heltborg Møbler, Domus Danica
Located in San Francisco, CA
A late-1960s Danish modern model 45 rosewood coffee table with aluminum accents by Rud Thygesen for Heltborg Møbler, and distributed by Domus Danica.
Expansive five-foot-plus-long t...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Three-Piece Rattan Nesting Table Set, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very attractive and well-made 1950s three-piece set of rattan nesting tables.
Tables feature natural rattan frames with cane-wrapped accents throughout. A nice design detail are r...
Category
Vintage 1950s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking ...
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Pair of Bamboo Side Tables with Woven Cane Herringbone Pattern Tops, c. 1970
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very nice pair of circa 1970 bamboo side tables or end tables with distinctive herringbone pattern woven cane tops.
Hand-crafted natural bamboo frames feature hand-woven and wrapp...
Category
Vintage 1970s Asian Bohemian Side Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Hoffman Model A-309 Radio by Charles and Ray Eames and Evans Products Co., 1946
By Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare—and rarer still, fully functional—mid-century modern Hoffman Radio Corp. model A-309 tabletop tube radio designed in 1946 by Charles and Ray Eames, and produced in association with Evans Products Company in 1946–47.
Bentwood case with waterfall top and slightly sloped sides fabricated by the Charles Eames-helmed Evans Molded Plywood Products Division. Clad in combed oak veneer with original semi-opaque warm blonde lacquer finish.
Back-lit glass dial face is screen printed on the front with crisp off-white AM band frequency numbers that are cleverly drop-shadowed in orange from the back. The back is also screen printed with an olive, green, and orange striped design and green tuning pips. Metal frame with brass finish and embossed Hoffman nameplate below.
Original speaker grill cover is off-white woven cotton with a distinctive atomic-style brass finish metal decoration across the face. Dark khaki-colored painted trim around the grill is accented by the same around the bottom of the case.
At bottom left and right corners of the grill are Bakelite on/off/volume and tuning knobs in a light tan and cream marbled color complimentary to the case and grill. Though it can occasionally be a bit temperamental—as vintage tube radios often are—when given ample time to warm up (the longer the better), one can smoothly dial in stations within range and hear them coming in loud and clear, or at least as clear as AM radio reception typical allows. Video of it in action can be shared upon request.
Original paperboard back retains UL and Hoffman Radio Corp. labels, with the latter listing model number and specs. “INSPECTED” is stamped on the back and the edge of the case. Taped to the inside of the back is a detailed electrical and tube schematic. We’re unsure whether this was originally stapled to the underside of the radio as seen with other examples of this model online, or if it’s an additional schematic that was originally always affixed somewhere inside, thus meaning the one that was on the bottom of our example is no longer extant.
The Eames’ radio...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments
Materials
Metal, Brass
Papua New Guinea Iatmul People Initiation Mask, Middle Sepik River, Mid-20th C.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A mid-20th century large ceremonial initiation mask likely by the Iatmul people of the middle Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, located between the Blackwater River and Karawari River in East Sepik Province.
Impressively sized and well executed fantastical bird-like form with a 20-inch-long beak or nose and wide-open mouth, comprised of tightly hand-woven wicker basketry over a bent wood frame. Darkened surface is hand-painted with black, white, and salmon-colored natural earth pigment details and shapes.
A copper-colored, hand-knotted raffia fringe embellishes nearly the entire perimeter of the piece. A fluffy tuft of cassowary feathers decorates the tip of the beak or nose, while a few more cassowary feathers remain at the top of the head. Opening on underside is 9.5 inches in diameter.
Papua New Guinean masks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wicker, Raffia, Paint, Feathers, Bentwood
Lumen Martin Winter, “Burgomeester’s Joke”, Large Oil Painting, Early 1950s
By Lumen Martin Winter
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and lively early 1950s framed oil painting on canvas titled “Burgomeester’s Joke” by important multi-disciplinary American artist Lumen Martin Winter (b. December 12, 1908 – ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Dutch Colonial Paintings
Materials
Brass
BEARPAD “Untitled Bubs” Extra-Large Figurative Painting on Cut Masonite, c. 2020
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 2020 extra-large figurative painting on cutout masonite board by Santa Cruz, California-based artist duo BEARPAD (Patrick Stephenson...
Category
2010s American Modern Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood, Masonite, Paint
BEARPAD “Kent + Rob” Extra-Large Figurative Painting on Cutout Masonite, 2021
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 2021 extra-large figurative painting on cutout masonite board by Santa Cruz, California-based artist duo BEARPAD (Patrick Stephenson and J...
Category
2010s American Modern Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood, Masonite, Paint
Japanese Shōwa Era Imari Extra-Large Lidded Temple Jar on Wood Stand, c. 1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1940 extra-large Japanese Shōwa era Imari ware hand-decorated porcelain lidded temple jar, urn, or vessel on wood stand.
Lid features a delightfully charming butter yellow a...
Category
Vintage 1940s Japanese Showa Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Kai Kristiansen Model 33 Teak Cube Nesting Tables Three-Piece Set, 1960s
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A three-piece set of 1960s Danish modern Model 33 teak interlocking cube nesting tables by Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik.
Clean and clever design features three side or ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Materials
Teak
Pair of Monumental Topoke African Currency Spears on Museum Stands, Late 19th C.
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressive pair of late 19th century extra-long African currency spears—properly referred to as liganda or ngbele—from the Topoke, Turumbu, or Lokele peoples and related cultures in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, presented on museum-caliber custom made black pedestal display stands.
A liganda’s monetary value was determined primarily by its length, and based on the monumental size of the pair offered here, they would’ve been classified as dihunga liganda—the largest of those made—and used for important events or transactions such as wedding dowries or the purchase of livestock or a canoe.
Each dihunga liganda is comprised of two hand-forged, hand-wrought, and hand-worked thin melded iron pieces that in whole form a sword-like spear with winged elements that smoothly transition to a blade terminating in an elongated tip. Middle ridge with parallel linear decorations on both sides follow the left edge of the blade and the perimeter of the wings.
Narrow cylindrical shaft at bottom would’ve originally allowed it to be mounted on a pole or planted in the ground. Both dihunga liganda display a very handsome and desirable amount of uniform natural patina and character throughout.
Created and exchanged by the Turumbu originally, as well as by the Topoke, Lokele, Bambole, Wagenia, and Bajurnu peoples of the Isangi, Kisangani, Lomami, Lualaba, and other nearby regions of central Africa until around 1920, at which point the use of liganda as currency was banned by the Belgian colonial powers in control at the time.
Presented on commanding museum-quality custom made matte black wood pedestal display...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Steel, Iron, Wrought Iron
Japanese Taishō Period Bronze Champlevé Censer with Komainu Figure Lid, c. 1915
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1915 antique Japanese Taishō period tall bronze champlevé censer with komainu figure lid and lotus flower decorations on body.
Large and elaborate cast bronze form with very handsome and uniform dark reddish-brown natural patina and colorful champlevé—rather than cloisonné—enameled lotus...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Japanese Taishō Period Bronze Champlevé Urn with Buddha Figure Lid, c. 1915
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1915 antique Japanese Taishō period larger-size bronze champlevé urn or vessel with buddha figure lid and familial scene on body.
Cast bronze fo...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Monumental Tudor Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set, c. 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommonly large and likely bespoke circa 1900 Tudor Arts and Crafts period four-piece wrought iron fireplace tool set.
Monumental hand-wrought and hand-worked set features three...
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts Fireplace Tools and Chimney ...
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Svend Aage Jessen Sejer Tile, Ash, and Steel Coffee Table for Ryseberg, 1965
By Svend Aage Jessen, Sejer Keramik
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fantastic 1965 Danish Modern coffee table with ceramic tile and stained ash wood top and stainless steel frame by Svend Aage Jessen for Ryseberg Mobler.
Sixteen-inch-square stonew...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Bown Steel Aseptic Dental Cabinet by Lee S. Smith & Son w/ Twelve Drawers, 1909
By Lee S. Smith & Son 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional and scarce 1909 twelve-drawer, four-door Bown steel and brass “Aseptic” dental cabinet by Lee S. Smith & Son.
Considered by collectors to be the ne plus ultra of anti...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Industrial Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Brass, Steel
Danish Modern Black Steel Armchair with Sculptural Back and Round Seat, 1960s
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon and visually commanding yet minimalist 1960s Danish armchair with sculptural back, large round seat, and black steel rod frame that looks fantastic from every angle.
Not...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Verre Églomisé Square Coffee Table, c. 1950
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very striking and uncommon circa 1950 Hollywood Regency square coffee table with gold and silver leaf verre églomisé top by Baker Furniture Company.
Inset glass top is reverse pai...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Hand-Blown Murano Glass Green and Gold Leaf Table Lamp on Mahogany Base, 1940s
Located in San Francisco, CA
An absolutely stunning and very uncommon 1940s Italian Murano hand-blown green glass table lamp with gold leaf accents on a turned wood mahogany base.
Inverted balloon-shaped body p...
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
Materials
Brass, Copper, Gold Leaf
Robert McCaine, “Tyke on a Trike”, Large Framed Oil Painting on Canvas, c. 1970
By Robert McCaine
Located in San Francisco, CA
A charming and large circa 1970 framed oil painting on canvas by Robert McCaine depicting a young child in their birthday suit riding away on a tricycle.
Wonderfully captures the ca...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Brass
Set of 4 Conoid-Style Teak Dining Chairs in the Manner of Nakashima, Late 1960s
By George Nakashima
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of four visually striking and impressive late 1960s Conoid-style teak dining chairs in the manner of George Nakashima.
Highly figured solid teak, with cantilevered contoured s...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Teak
Gustav Stickley Arts and Crafts Mission-Style Oak Trestle Table, c. 1910
By Gustav Stickley
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptionally handsome circa 1910 Gustav Stickley Arts and Crafts movement Mission-style oak trestle table.
Originally designed as a writing desk or library table, it could also now serve as a modestly-sized dining table. Features thick quarter-sawn solid oak construction with fantastic figuring throughout, and was hand-crafted in Stickley’s Eastwood...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Tables
Materials
Oak
Thomas Saydah Large Walnut and Glass Coffee Table, Signed and Dated, 1982
By Thomas Saydah
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and very handsome 1982 walnut coffee with inset glass multi-pane top by Ashland, Oregon artist, woodworker, and furniture designer Thomas Saydah....
Category
Vintage 1980s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Skovby Møbelfabrik Danish Modern Teak Lighted Corner Display Cabinet, 1970s
By Skovby Møbelfabrik A/S 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1970s Danish modern Skovby Møbelfabrik tall teak lighted corner display cabinet with glass doors and shelves.
Clean lines and handsomely figured teak from top to bottom. Upper hal...
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Corner Cupboards
Materials
Felt, Glass, Teak
Van Keppel and Green for Brown-Saltman Convertible Dining/Coffee Table, 1953
By Brown Saltman, Jasper Furniture Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1953 mid-century modern mahogany dual-purpose “Camel” dining table and coffee table designed by Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green for Brown-Saltman, with materials crafted by Jasper Wood Products...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Brass
Leon Rosen for The Pace Collection Brass and Glass Coffee Table, 1970s
By Pace Collection, Leon Rosen
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1970s glass-top coffee table with brass and glass base by Leon Rosen for The Pace Collection.
Sleek minimalist design with a modernized Hollywood Regency vibe. Base comprised of t...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century French Empire-Style Brass Candle Sconces, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of 1950s French Empire-style brass two-candle sconces.
Finely detailed throughout. Cast form features a flaming torch motif embellished with an acanthus wreath and rippling r...
Category
Vintage 1950s British Empire Candle Sconces
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Black & White Ceramic Ribbed Bottle-Shaped Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very dapper and uncommon 1950s bottle-shaped ceramic table lamp with white ribbed body and black tapered neck.
Handsome lines, perfect proportions, and a Truman Capote-approved bl...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Metal, Brass
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blue Tall Lidded Jar, 1960s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in San Francisco, CA
A striking and uncommon 1960s Rimini Blue tall ceramic jar with lid by Aldo Londi for Bitossi.
Stylized apothecary jar form, with a gently tapered body, bulbous neck, and domed lid ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Jars
Materials
Ceramic
Postmodern PAF Studio Gordon Floor Lamp by Barbaglia and Colombo, 1980s
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo, PAF Studio
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rather rare 1980s postmodern PAF Studio Gordon floor lamp by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo.
Minimalist positionable metal form with satin black powder coated enamel finish fea...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Iron
Pair of Palecek Rattan End Tables with Faux Crocodile Leather Tops, c. 2010
By Palecek Furniture
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of uncommon Palecek rattan and mahogany end tables with faux crocodile or alligator leather tops.
Rattan base features X-shaped sides and square...
Category
Early 2000s American Campaign End Tables
Materials
Leather, Rattan, Mahogany
Arabia of Finland Ceramic Kitchen Jars and Spice Jars, 16-Piece Set, 1966–68
By Ulla Procope, Arabia, Esteri Tomula
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fantastic and rare set of sixteen Arabia ceramic kitchen and spice jars, comprised of six Kahvi jars or canisters designed and decorated by Esteri Tom...
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Jars
Materials
Plastic, Rubber, Cork, Ceramic
Movie Theater Gold Painted Plaster Sunburst Mirror Decoration, C. 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1920 Art Deco gold painted solid plaster sunburst decoration with gilt metal-framed mirror from an upscale movie theater or playhouse.
A classic décor element rendered in ...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Sunburst Mirrors
Materials
Metal
Young Boy Riding a Turtle, Patinated Bronze Fountain Head Sculpture, c. 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
A delightful circa 1920 antique patinated cast bronze fountain head sculpture depicting a cherubic young boy riding a turtle, and more specifically, a Galápagos tortoise.
With a ben...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Revival Fountains
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Ristomatti Ratia for Palaset Palanox Storage Boxes by Treston Oy, Set of 4, 1972
By Treston, Ristomatti Ratia, Palaset
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1972 four-piece set of Palanox modular storage boxes or cubes by Ristomatti Ratia for Palaset and manufactured by Treston Oy.
Set comprised of one brown cube with four square white drawers, two brown cubes with two wide white drawers and one wide yellow drawer each, and one brown cube with two cubbies. Finish is a matte lacquer over a very sturdy and deceptively heavy injection molded plastic.
Pressure...
Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
Wells Fargo Building Painted Cast Iron Winged Mountain Lion Grotesque, c. 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
A striking and uncommon circa 1900 painted cast iron winged California mountain lion and bighorn sheep motif grotesque (aka gargoyle) believed to be from a Wells Fargo bank building ...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Beaux Arts Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Silas Seandel-Style Brutalist Coffee Table with Painted and Gilt Finish, 1970s
By Silas Seandel
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very striking and uncommon Brutalist steel coffee table done in the manner of Silas Seandel, Marc Creates, or Curtis Jeré, with hand-pai...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
Venetian Illustrated, Polychrome, Gilt, and Leather Gondola Chair, c. 1820
Located in San Francisco, CA
An absolutely stunning and rare circa 1820 museum-worthy Venetian gondola chair with illustrated panels, polychrome finish, parcel-gilt decorations, and original leather upholstery. ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Chairs
Materials
Brass, Iron
Will Frates, “Princeton Beach”, Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting, c. 1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and evocative circa 1950 framed impressionist landscape oil painting on canvas titled “Princeton Beach [Boat Repair]” by noted northern California artist William “Will” E. Frates (b. 1896–1969).
Captivating coastal setting depicts an unassuming barn-like structure beside a pair of fishing boats in dry dock, one of which is on stilts with figures discernible on deck going about their repairs. Sandy shoreline terrain in the foreground and turquoise-colored waters in the cove lead to a sliver of beach below verdant foothills in the distance that rise up into a cloud-filled sky.
Earthy palette punctuated by reddish-orange pops of color that capture the warm glow of an inimitable California sunset on the building, boat hulls, and a section of water. Artist’s loose yet assured brushwork on wonderful display throughout, with impressionistic details and textures that reward those who lean in for a closer look.
Based on Frates’ San Francisco Bay Area roots and the title, the setting could be somewhere near Princeton-by-the-Sea just north of Half Moon Bay, which is a short drive south of San Francisco on scenic Highway 1.
Signed on front at bottom and signed, titled, priced, and notated in pencil on verso. Title on verso appears to have originally been “Princeton Beach Boat Repair”, with “Boat Repair” having been crossed out. Original circa 1950 price was possibly overwritten from “$200” to “$300”, which in either case translates to nearly $4,000 in today’s dollars.
Presented in its original plaster-coated wood frame with painted faux-stone finish and painted white wood interior border. Canvas backed by stiff paperboard.
Will Frates was born in Hayward, California in 1896, and was an active, versatile, and very skilled oil, watercolor, pastel, and etchings artist from the 1920s until his passing while on a painting excursion in Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1969. His subjects were mostly San Francisco Bay Area and California “Mother Lode” landscapes, though he also painted scenes far afield, from New Mexico to the coast of Maine.
Frates first studied art in San Francisco with noted landscape painter and ornithologist William Otto...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Plaster, Wood, Paint, Paper
Bruce Hasson Verdigris Bronze Puma Sculpture, Signed and Numbered, Early 2000s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very handsome and engaging circa early 2000s signed and numbered Brutalist cast bronze sculpture of a puma by world renowned San Francisco Bay Area sculptor and painter Bruce Hasson (b. 1954).
The big cat—deemed a puma based on its similarity to the one in a titled sculpture from his "Plight of the Animals" series, but conceivably a mountain lion, panther, or particularly healthy domestic feline–lounges languidly upon a rectangular platform. A big paw hangs over the front, while a long tail extends well past the back, giving the sculpture wonderful dimensionality. As relaxed as its body looks, though, its eyes remain alert and sharply focused.
Brutalist/Expressionist work displays fantastic and loose natural texture and character from top to bottom, having been initially crafted in clay of small built-up applied pieces. Calls to mind the works of Alberto and Diego Giacometti—both inspirations to Hasson—and especially the latter, whose work features many similarly executed animals. Verdigris finish is a fantastic shade of bluish-green, with hints of natural bronze intentionally peeking through in spots and adding to the depth of color.
Numbered and signed “© 1/50 Hasson” in the artist’s hand in the casting on the side of the platform. The piece came to us untitled, and our research uncovered no other matching examples. We’ve dated it based on examples of his work that bear a similar theme and aesthetic; however, it could be from as early as the mid-to-late-1980s, another period during which he produced cast bronze animals.
Dimensions listed are overall; platform is H 1.75 x W 9.5 x D 4.5. Single piece casting weighs a substantial 16 pounds.
Bruce Hasson lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area, and studied at the University of California-Santa Cruz before continuing at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, and the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, Italy. He draws his influences from a broad spectrum that includes artists and designers such as Naum Gabo, David Smith, and Isamu Noguchi, as well as early Latin American and Etruscan cultures.
Per Berenson Fine Art: “After 1989, he has spent much time in Latin America, including Peru, where Machu Picchu made an indelible impression. He places great value in the sculpture of the Aztecs as well as the Incas. The Archaic Etruscan style, in all its primitive crudeness, beautiful simplicity and realism has also been a significant influence in the artwork of Bruce Hasson over the last 35 years.”
Through the years, Hasson’s sculptures have often conveyed strong themes of peace, disarmament, and the conservation of nature. His 1,700 pound “Millenia Bell” was first installed at the Campidoglio in Rome during the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize Conference as a monument to human survival, and was struck by Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev during its dedication.
Notable public works in San Francisco by the artist include “The Ark” in Father Alfred E. Boeddeker Park, a powerful 1985 bronze drawing attention to the preservation of endangered animals and their natural habitats; and 1989’s “Trolleys” at the Polk-Bush Garage, 56 cast aluminum balustrades and a balcony based on the human form and transportation, and part of the San Francisco Arts Commission Collection.
Across the bay at Berkeley City Hall you’ll find Hasson’s 2002 “Peace Bell...
Category
Early 2000s American Brutalist Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Louis XV Walnut Marquetry and Ormolu Two-Drawer Commode, Early 19th C.
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptionally handsome early 19th century French Louis XV walnut, burlwood, satinwood, and fruitwood marquetry lockable two-drawer commode or petite chest with ormolu mounts and e...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu, Metal
Randy Cooper, “Melanie”, Figural Wire Mesh Shadow Sculpture on Wood Base, 1998
Located in San Francisco, CA
An entrancing 1998 “Melanie” wire mesh screen figural shadow sculpture on black wood base by American artist Randy Cooper.
Extremely well-executed ne...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Wire
Vico Magistretti for Oluce Snow Table Lamp, 1973
By Oluce, Vico Magistretti
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1973 postmodern Snow table lamp by Vico Magistretti for Oluce.
A very cool model 201 table lamp from Italian design icon Vico Magistretti’s Snow...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Grosfeld House Shell Console Table in Silver Leaf and White Lacquer, 1940s
By Grosfeld House
Located in San Francisco, CA
A stunning 1940s Hollywood Regency silver-leafed shell console table with white lacquered top and base by Grosfeld House.
Exceptionally well-sculpted and exquisitely detailed monume...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Console Tables
Materials
Silver Leaf, Metal
Chinese Qing Red Lacquered Wood Child's Convertible Bathtub and Seat, circa 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
A delightful circa 1900 Qing era Chinese red lacquered wood child’s convertible combination bathtub and seat.
Oval staved wood plank body finished in brilliant red lacquer and a clear coat. With a higher back then front, and horn-like elements on either side that would’ve helped with getting in and out.
With a removable tray up front, and a removable platform inside that allowed the piece to easily convert from what was essentially a low children’s “highchair...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Metal
Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall Maple Chest of Drawers, 1946–47
By Dan Johnson, Hayden Hall 1
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare 1946–1947 mid-century modern three-drawer chest or dresser in maple by Dan Johnson for Hayden Hall.
Early piece in a prescient contemporary-looking minimalist geometric style...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Maple
Set of 4 Ilana Goor-Attributed Brutalist Metal and Leather Dining Chairs, 1980
By Ilana Goor
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of four circa 1980 Brutalist metal and leather dining chairs attributed to notable Israeli artist and sculptor Ilana Goor (b. 193...
Category
Vintage 1980s Israeli Brutalist Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Steel, Wrought Iron, Metal
Orange Shagreen Campaign Side Table with Polished Nickel X-Base, circa 1980
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon and strikingly chic circa 1980 campaign-style side table or cocktail table with orange shagreen top and polished nickel X-shaped base.
Wood top is clad in genuine light ...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Campaign Side Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Italian Periwinkle Sommerso Murano Glass and Alabaster Table Lamp, circa 1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
A gorgeous circa 1950 Italian periwinkle sommerso Murano glass table lamp on alabaster base.
Elegant hand-blown glass twisted tear drop-shaped body ...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of Monumental National Air Map Company Manhattan Aerial Photo Maps, 1955
Located in San Francisco, CA
A monumental and rare circa 1955 framed two-piece aerial photographic map of the borough of Manhattan in New York City by the National Air Map Company, including its original cover sheet.
Titled “Postal Zone Guide of New York – Borough of Manhattan”, these highly detailed aerial photo maps allow one to clearly discern a myriad of New York City landmarks. A small sampling of those labeled include Central Park, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, UN Plaza, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Hayden Planetarium.
Neighborhoods, streets, bridges, subway lines, rivers, docks, and other notable locations are labeled, with unlabeled yet iconic spots such as the Guggenheim Museum and the Empire State Building providing a great opportunity for a borough-wide cartographic Easter egg hunt. A quadrant-based index on the left side of each map lists streets, museums, and sport centers such as Yankee Stadium, Ebbets Field, and Madison Square Garden.
Includes its original cover sheet titled “Aerial Photo Map of New York City” with photo, size, and price details on the front, and a business directory and advertisement for the National Air Map Company’s services on the back.
According to a sold listing...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Photography
Materials
Acrylic, Wood, Paper
Danish Modern Long Teak Sideboard with Three Doors and Three Drawers, 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very handsome 1970s six-foot-wide Danish teak sideboard with three sliding doors and three push-to-open drawers.
Clean Scandinavian modern design in bookmatched teak with nicely r...
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sideboards
Materials
Felt, Wood, Teak
