Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Restored Post-War Hawaiian Bird and Botanical Airbrush Painting, Framed

About the Item

Billy Seay Airbrushed Parrot Lovers artwork (original airbrushed over a print) for the Turner Company, circa 1948, in the original white painted frame. This a great example of the post-WWII Hawaiian and tropical art/decorating boom. Great for vintage Art Deco dwellings and rattan-inspired rooms. The print is new old stock and has never been displayed until now. Bill Seay (1922-2012) started his working life as Billy Seay, a child actor, in the late silents and early talkies (“Kid Millions” with Eddie Cantor, “Topaze” with John Barrymore, and “The Unknown” with Lon Chaney and the young Joan Crawford, are the most noted of these films), then followed in his father’s footsteps as an artist, joining the designer Sacha Brastoff in his studio from 1952 to 1959, remaining a life-long friend and co-author of the definitive book on Brastoff’s work, soon striking out on his own as a portrait painter (clients included Judy Garland, Crawford and the ill-fated George Reeves of the Superman series on TV), finally becoming an antiquaire and decorator until his passing at the age of 90." This piece on a soft board was damaged at some point in the past. At the left center (and see corresponding area on reverse, now taped), are cracks in the board which someone attempted to fix. They did a respectable job but it is hardly professional. From a normal viewing distance, the flawed area is kind of lost in the imagery of the bird and flowing flowery background. 1948, United States Art: 31.5" X 21.5" Frame: 38.52" X 33" We only purchase and sell only the best and finest rattan furniture made by the best and most well-known American designers and manufacturers including Ritts Company. (Herb Sr. and Shirley Ritts) Tropitan Seven Seas Rattan Paul Frankl Tropical Sun Rattan These designers and companies helped to popularize rattan furniture in the United States during the 1930s thru the 1960s. Shirley Ritts was the mother of the photographer and music video director Herb Ritts Jr. Shirley Ritts was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 28, 1920. Herb Ritts Sr. also invented the "S springs" under the cushions in the early 50s and replaced the wrapping with preformed plastic. Paul Frankl came from New York just before the Depression after a great run designing his renowned Skyscraper furniture line. He designed and decorated the homes of Hollywood’s top stars and producers from his Beverly Hills shop. Paul Laszló was a Hungarian-born architect and interior designer whose work spanned eight decades and many countries. László built his reputation while designing interiors for houses in the 1950s to 60s, including rattan furniture in his own style. C.W. Fishbeck started Tropical Sun Rattan of Pasadena in 1905. Tropical Sun produced top quality real rattan furniture in the Philippines where most of the above designers also had their designs made. He had showrooms across the country. We have in stock at this time a vast array of rattan from all of these designers, decorators, and architects; their sofas, chairs, and tables, and just about all their designed products from the 40s through the 60s. All refinishing is done by rattan workers with over 30 years of experience. Every wrapping and joint has been inspected by “The Rattan Man” Harvey Schwartz to guarantee you the finest product available, to enjoy for years to come in your home or office. Harvey Schwartz is the leading expert in vintage rattan and the author of "Rattan Furniture: Tropical Comfort Throughout the Home." Signed copies are available on request for $39.99 USD. The hardbound 160-page full-color book details the fascinating History of rattan with photos of wonderful vintage and modern-day tropical décors and rattan. The book is great for any newcomer to rattan wanting to learn as well as a top resource for dealers and designers alike.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940
  • Condition:
    Minor losses. Restored.
  • Seller Location:
    Van Nuys, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: SKU00007067aa1stDibs: LU947434880282
More From This SellerView All
  • Post War Hawaiian Airbrush Zebra in Original Frame w/ large Mat, Pair
    Located in Van Nuys, CA
    Original Post-War Hawaiian Airbrush zebra in original period white painted wood frame with large mat border, Pair. Art: 21" X 26" Frame: 25.25" X 28.25"
    Category

    Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

    Materials

    Paper

  • Postwar Hawaiian Airbrush Tropical Hibiscus Floral in White Wood Frame, Signed
    Located in Van Nuys, CA
    Postwar Hawaiian airbrush tropical hibiscus floral on paper in original period white wood frame. Signed by artist Hammis Measures: Art 26" x 36" ...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

    Materials

    Paper

  • Hawaiian Airbrush Nude on Paper by Mundorff Honolulu in Bamboo Frame, 1945
    Located in Van Nuys, CA
    Early Mid-century WWII wartime Hawaiian airbrush artwork nude featuring young topless women on an island beach with a palm tree overhead. The airbrush was done on Paper signed by the...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s American Paintings

    Materials

    Paper

  • Billy Seay Airbrush Cockatoo and Hibiscus Hawaiian Art for Turner
    By Bill Seay
    Located in Van Nuys, CA
    Billy Seay airbrushed parrot lovers (original airbrushed over a print) for the Turner Company, circa 1948, in the original white painted frame. A great exam...
    Category

    Vintage 1940s North American Paintings

    Materials

    Paper

  • Restored Post-War Hawaiian Koa Wood Desk W/ Rattan Border
    Located in Van Nuys, CA
    Stacked Mahogany secretary desk with mahogany top and rattan accents, center drawer with four drawers on each side of the desk. Measures: 29.5" high x 49" wide x 25" deep We only p...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

    Materials

    Rattan

  • Midcentury Beach Scenic Oil on Board in Original Frame, Post War Signed
    Located in Van Nuys, CA
    Midcentury Realism beach scenic landscape oil on board in its original dark stained frame, signed Anderson. Size: 23.5" tall x 27.5" wide.
    Category

    Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings

    Materials

    Wood

You May Also Like
  • American Post-War Abstract Oil Painting
    Located in New York, NY
    American Post War design abstract art, oil painting of pink, green, orange and beige shapes in a silver frame.  
    Category

    20th Century American Modern Paintings

    Materials

    Silver

  • American Post-War Car Watercolor
    Located in New York, NY
    American Post-War (1970s) watercolor picture of a stylized view from the back seat of a car with a driver by the beach with palm trees in an oak frame.
    Category

    Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas

  • "Dante's Inferno, " Post-War Expressionist Painting in Vivid Red, Black and White
    By Emil Kosa Jr.
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    A remarkable scene from Dante's Inferno with three nude male figures and a horse, all imbued in white, black and red the color of blood was painted by Emil Kosa, Jr. The central figu...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s American Expressionist Paintings

  • Expressionist Tactile Botanical Oil on Canvas Painting Framed
    Located in Oklahoma City, OK
    An exquisite example of this artist's traditional take on still-life realism, and a masterpiece in its own rite. This floral painting represents the artist's awe for botanical and floral scenes as well as his or her adept knowledge of tactile painting. With broad sweeping strokes and high texture, the artist paints a portrait of a small circular Ombre deep blue vase, filled with creamy white ranunculus or buttercups with berry color centers, green eucalyptus and small accents of white hydrangea. Oil on canvas. Framed roughly in a small wood frame, with gilt painted accent inside. How we would display: A botanical painting will forever bring a certain feeling of femininity and softness to a room. This piece would be wonderful displayed in a space with too many harsh lines. Alternatively, we suggest hanging this as part of a grouping of other floral portraits on a large wall to add interest. Another favorite of ours for art is to display pieces on their own in a bedroom. Such as a guestroom or child's room. Hung just above a nightstand (we currently love the idea of using a bombe chest), and just above a table lamp, (perhaps a lamp with a Caprani...
    Category

    20th Century Unknown Expressionist Paintings

    Materials

    Gold

  • Set of Four Framed Chinese Silk Flower and Bird Paintings
    Located in Atlanta, GA
    A set of four Chinese silk paintings, beautifully presented in matching gilt and burl wood frames with brocade borders. The subject of this lovely ...
    Category

    20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

    Materials

    Silk, Wood

  • Vintage Framed Oil Painting of Cuddling Women With Birds
    Located in Delray Beach, FL
    Outstanding vintage frame oil painting. Features two women sleeping on each other surrounded by doves.
    Category

    Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Paintings

    Materials

    Metal

Recently Viewed

View All