Oil on canvas painting of white and pink roses in a blue bowl, signed at lower right "Strachan". The work, measuring 18" by 24" and 23" by 28 1/2" in likely original frame, has tiny losses in background and lower left area. The frame also has light wear, and losses on back of left edge. Overall, a very shabby chic piece in feeling. There is an old Los Angeles framer's sticker on reverse backing.

Oil on canvas painting of a farmer by a water pump in an open field, two dray horses at center and left slaking their thirst. The work measures 11" by 12" and 15 1/2" by 16 1/2" in frame that may well be the original. The painting is signed faintly yet distinctly at lower left corner "S.S.C.", which is one of the known signatures of American artist SAMUEL SIMPSON CARR (1837-1908). Other known signatures include "S.S. CARR" and "S. CARR"...

A PAIR of watercolor paintings framed as one, in black and white, each signed lower corner "CC" or "LL", likely late 19th century or early 20th. Each measures 2 1/4" by 3 1/4" (12 1/2" by 9" as framed). There is no information inside on the identity of the talented artist. Silvery frame and hand drawn mat makes for a very elegant little piece.

A most unusual painting on wood panel, 24" by 30", unframed, featuring some gritty, tough-looking downtown Los Angeles men in a claustrophobic, vertiginous streetscape of old hotel buildings. The Hotel Rosslyn and annex were built in 1914 and 1923, respectively, and were fashionable places to stay, in their day, at Fifth and Main in old downtown. The medium used is likely casein or other non-oil, water-based paint...

An American oil on panel painting, unsigned, likely circa 1920, unframed, featuring a landscape including a lake, some distant low mountains, and yellowing foliage in foreground suggesting autumn as the season. The piece measures 14" by 22". Surface is dirty---could really use a cleaning/varnish---and there is paint chipping along left, top, and bottom edges, as well as a small loss at left center in the foliage. Needs some TLC but the essentials are all there...

A lithograph titled in pencil in margin at lower left "Algerian Caravan", and pencil signed and numbered at lower right margin, by the noted western Michigan (Muskegon area) artist WILFRED "WALLY" BERG (1908-2002). Measurements are 15 1/2" by 19 1/2". The complex image features a caravan of camels and burros, led by their handlers, descending a steep mountain trail to a valley in Algeria, where the artist served during the Second World War...

A beautifully executed watercolor painting of a proper Victorian lady in her fine parlor, her chair and small table sitting on a bear skin rug. The work is unfortunately unsigned. It measures 18 1/4" by 12 3/4" at the mat opening (25 1/2" by 19 1/2" as framed). This was acquired from a New Jersey dealer, in Florida. He claimed to have had a bit of paper with the name of the artist but has never been able to come up with it despite my requests...

Oil on canvas painting with great luminosity, the subject small craft pulled up on foreground beach, with a view to distant ships offshore a city, signed at lower left corner and dated 1876 by well listed Danish painter NORDAHL GROVE (1822-1885). The work measures 17 1/2" by 26" (23 1/2" by 32" framed). The luminous handling and colors reminds of works by northeastern American artists of the late 19th century...

Early landscape painting of a likely imaginary, idealized, pyramidal mountain peak of California, (doesn't really resemble Mt. Shasta, but I suppose it could be), 20" by 16" on the stretchers, painted on canvas, 25 3/4" by 21 3/4" in a fine old gold 19th century frame, signed at lower right by artist "C. A. Simpson" and dated there 1886. The painting is firmly in the luminous tradition of some of the eastern Hudson River artists, with a pinkish glow suffusing the sky...

A watercolor painting featuring a street scene in exotic Cusco, Peru, the imagery of a steep walkway in the high altitude mountain city, a lone figure in classic, native Andean dress descending the steps, an extensive view of tiled rooftops, whitewashed buildings and churches completing the middle distance, as serrated mountain ranges fill the horizon. The 10 7/8" by 7 1/2" painting (15 1/4" by 12 1/4" framed) is signed at lower left "ORE" and dated there 1980. Condition is excellent...

An original botanical watercolor drawing of unknown age, apparently unsigned, featuring leaves and insects, one likely a wasp or similar. The work is very clean and ready for the wall. Some slight brownish toning of the paper seems to be accentuated by the camera; it does not appear that way to the naked eye. The attention paid to detail, by the artist, is impressive. The crisp and stylish monochromatic gray/black/white scheme makes this a neutral piece that will fit into a lot of situations...

A vintage framed 1929 print featuring a peaceful homestead, evidently in Texas, as the scene is filled with bluebonnets in the spring. The framed work measures 13" by 17" and is in excellent condition. Perfect addition to your Texas home sweet home, or reminder of Texas if you are somewhere else and are homesick. Allow for reflections in a few images.

A charming oil on canvas painting of central Paris by the Seine, a number of tiny figures enjoying their walks along the river with its barges. The artist signed at lower right "L Florguin" and dated the work 1953. Very surprisingly I see only scant information under this name...

Late 19th century watercolor painting of a religious road-side shrine, probably outside of Rome, an imposing church dome (probably St. Peter's Basilica) forming the backdrop to the scene. The painting is signed at lower left "Conti"; it is possible it is a work of the listed artist Tito Conti (1842-1924) but I cannot say for certain that he was the artist. The unframed piece measures 14 3/4" by 11 1/4". Note the exceptionally fine detail throughout; the traditional clothing of the foreground fig...

Boris Riab (French, 1898-1975)

Setter with Woodcock

Watercolor on Paper, signed

Sight size:17.75" x 12.75
Unframed, Mat size: 23" x 18"

Biography:
Boris Riab (Born November 1, 1898 Boris Riabouchinsky, in Moscow, Russia. Riab died in 1975 in Saint Vincent du LorouÃr.)
Due to his families finances, Riab studied at many different art schools in Moscow.
In 1917, Riab's family fled Russia after the Bolshevik Party gained power. Pursuing hu...

A late 20th century acrylic on canvas painting of an old New England mill by the mill pond in winter snow, 12" by 36" (15 1/4" by 39" framed), signed at lower right by recognized contemporary Rhode Island-based artist GERALD A. ROBILLARD. The peaceful work captures beautifully the peace of a mid winter New England day while the snow falls. One can almost hear the roar of the falls at right, typical of a mill pond. In olden days the water power would have powered the mill, possibly where texti...

A contemporary, unsigned oil on canvasboard work, 9" by 12" (12 1/2" by 15 1/2" in simple black frame), the subject small boats at a dock, one likely a fishing boat. The work was likely painted rather rapidly by an artist of talent. It is clean and ready for the wall.

Oil on canvasboard painting of a woman with basket on head in tropical town street, 12" by 16", 17" by 21" framed, signed at lower right Paul Katzman. The FRAME is most interesting, with a geometric cross-hatching pattern that would complement a Southwest themed painting.