PAIR of copper engravings by the early Flemish artist JOHANNES STRADANUS (also known as Johannes van der Straet), born 1523, died 1605. Each measures 8" by 10 1/2" (16" by 18" in identical silvery contemporary frames). One image is titled "Staphae, Sive Stapedes", the other "Ser Sive Sericus Vermis". These works date to about the year 1590 or 1591. They are numbered 8 and 9, part of Nova Reperta, a series of 20 images that illustrated important discoveries of the Renaissance...

Watercolor on heavy, pebbled paper, 8 7/8" by 6 1/2" (13 1/4" by 11" in simple framing), signed at lower right and dated there 1830 by the listed French artist JOSEPH FRICERO (1807-1870). The subject is a young, bearded man who appears almost as a religious figure. The drawing is heavily foxed in the field, adding to its antiquity. Some words are written in French on the reverse but the only one I can decipher is "bois" (wood)...

This is a hand colored lithograph of the species Ramphomicron ruficeps, (the Red-capped Thorn-Bill hummingbird), drawn by the famous 19th century English naturalist, ornithologist and natural history illustrator JOHN GOULD. The species is found in the lowland jungles of Bolivia...

Antique hand-colored Italian engraving, the sheet 13 1/2" by 10" (15 3/4" by 12 1/4" framed), titled "IL MANGABEL". This is a work of the noted Italian engraver LUIGI RADOS (1773-1840). Rados studied engraving in Milan. He was the father of Eugene and Giovanni, who also went on to excellence in the profession...

For the natural history aficionado or decorator, a PAIR of original finely detailed drawings in watercolor and ink, one titled faintly in pencil "Scorpions", the other featuring other unidentified but quite exotic-looking creatures with many legs. Each drawing is 8 1/4" by 6 1/2" inside the mat, and the works are identically framed (13" by 11")...

Mixed media on panel painting of two horses tethered to a small tree in a desert landscape, unsigned, 10 1/4" by 13 3/4" (18 1/2" by 21 3/4" in black complementary frame). The painting, according to its previous owner, came from a large group of mostly signed works (in Oro Grande, CA where both artists painted) of the noted, well listed California and western artist JIMMY SWINNERTON (1875-1974)...

A true lithograph, possibly titled "Litografia VI", 9 1/2" by 12 1/2" inside the mat, 12 1/2" by 15 1/2" including the mat, unframed, by the famous Spanish modern artist who needs little introduction, JOAN MIRO (1893-1983). I do not know when this was produced or if the edition was limited. The mat is permanently glued down over the work, which is also apparently permanently affixed to the foamboard backing. Colors are very bright...

Fine old drawing of two women and a man, a horse, cow, dog and five goats in a landscape, 17th or 18th century, after the Dutch Old Master artist NICOLAES BERCHEM (1620-1683). The drawing, measuring 11 1/8" by 16 1/4", (19" by 24 1/2" as framed) was laid down long ago on a thin card. It is unsigned. An old label including cut-out printed catalog entry and a hand-written note thereon, accompanies the drawing...

PAIR of watercolor paintings of young women, one walking on a path, appearing very young, sweet and naive, a pitcher in hand (possibly a milk maid), the other a more sophisticated lady in a sun bonnet and elegant dress, watering can in hand, attending to her potted geraniums. Although the works themselves are of the same size, and frames are identical in style, the frames differ slightly in size...

Circa 1880's painting in oil on a 14" diameter papier mache style plate, unsigned, featuring a winter scene at dusk. This charming antique work by an anonymous artist has nice detail and light. The artist was not professional but certainly had some training and a good eye for color and composition. The work has acquired some small losses, showing as white spots in the imagery, and along the rim. See old original label on reverse with 1880 patent date. Found in coastal New Jersey.

Oil on paper painting, 5 1/2" by 3 3/4" (12 1/2" by 9 3/4" framed), signed at lower right by the noted Alaska artist JEANNE LAURENCE. Jeanne Laurence (1887-1980) was the wife of the famous Alaskan artist Sydney Laurence, and the author of the book "My Life with Sydney Laurence". Jeanne was a talented artist in her own right, her reputation overshadowed by her husband's wide renown in Alaska and beyond...

Pencil signed by the artist at lower right and numbered 418/975 at lower left, is this contemporary offset color print, 18 3/8" by 15" inside the mat, 22" by 18 1/2" framed, the subject a poetic one of mother and daughter reading an illustrated book while snuggled together in a bed with a colorful duvet. BARBARA A. WOOD the artist is from Ohio but also has spent considerable time in California, and, I believe, Georgia...

Offered as a pair, pastel drawings of fruit (an apple, and an orange), each signed by contemporary Alabama studio artist JOHN KELLEY. The drawings are each 4" by 4", and 11" by 9" as framed in light wood. Kelley was born in St...

Gouache on paper painting of a lush tropical scene with a few figures and thatched huts under mysterious palm trees, signed at lower right "KOPP" and the word "Rio" after it. This work was likely created in the 1960's or early 1970's at latest, in Brazil. There is no glass nor mat; over time, at top center left in the tree line, and in the sky, the work acquired small paint loss areas, which are overwhelmed b the busyness of the scenery---and they are easily touched up. Measurements 12 1/2" b...

An interesting and skilfully painted work, depicting a potted cactus on a wood strip floor, evidently in some kind of attic room open to the outside via a door, the result being an image with interesting detail, light, and mystery. Oil on canvas, unframed, the piece measures 28" by 22", and it is unsigned but likely painted circa the last twenty years. Note the detail of the flaking, corroding hardware, painted in an amazingly convincing manner demonstrating the artist's skill and powers of ob...

Original Harper's Weekly large wood engraving "ON THE WAY TO THE DIGGINGS---HALT IN A ROUGH PASS IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS", May 1, 1875, signed in the print by noted artists JULES TAVERNIER (1844-1889) and PAUL FRENZENY (1840-1902). The print is generally clean and fresh considering the advanced age, with the typical center fold and just a barely noticeable 1 1/2" vertical tear extending into the image at bottom center. The artists were employed by Harper's to travel across the continent, sketch...

Engraving, by the noted AEGIDIUS SADELER (1570-1629), possibly titled "Cottage Partly Built on Piles", from set of six landscapes, after a painting by the noted Flanders Golden Age artist, ROELANT SAVERY (1576-1639). Savery was an important Old Master of the Netherlands, and his original paintings sell for large sums at auction. Sadeler was a talented engraver, in demand by various artists who wished to have their original works translated into graphics. This print has been tightly trimmed to...

PAIR of French mid century lithograph gallery posters advertising upcoming exhibitions by artists JEAN LURCAT (1892-1966) and VERA FABRE (1912-), the Lurcat 26" by 17 3/4", the Fabre 25 5/8" by 19" (identical sizes as displayed, 30" by 24", in simple frameless Plexi assembled with clips). These are very stylish modern graphic works that should complement your Mid Century interior. Lurcat is perhaps best known today for reviving the art of tapestry. Born in eastern France, he was in Paris by 1...