An adorable tabby cat drawn in pastels directly on an old soft board, probably early 20th century or even turn of the century, in an old octagonal mat. This cat was loved, as evidenced by the blue ribbon tied as a bow in the neck area. Approximate dimensions inside the mat 10" by 8 1/2" (18" by 15 3/4" as framed). Sure to please the cat aficionado.

Pastel on paper, 11" by 23 1/2" (15 1/2" by 28" in its original stained oak veneer frame), unsigned, the subject a beautiful still life arrangement including a number of peaches and bananas in front of a tilted bowl or possibly basket. I think the work dates to about the year 1900 give or take a decade or two. Condition is excellent, with just a little pastel dust adhering to the glass...

Pastel on paper drawing of an attractive young blue-eyed, red-haired girl in white blouse with aqua bandana, apparently unsigned, 18 1/4" by 15" inside the mat, 25 1/2" by 22 1/4" in a modern gold frame with blue green mat and inner fillet...

Fine pastel drawing of a seated young woman, on gray-blue paper, 18 1/2" by 12 1/2" (23 1/2" by 17 1/2" in mid century white frame), unsigned. The artist was clearly very skilled but unfortunately failed to sign the work. An elegant interior is suggested by the orange pottery vessel at far right. The young lady's clothing suggests that the work could be old----maybe early 20th century, despite appearing to be quite fresh. Once again, it is difficult to determine without a date or artist name...

A lovely pastel drawing of a young woman, with skilled modeling of the face and careful attention to hair and spring blossom background, not signed on front but sliver of preserved old paper affixed to backing by a modern day framer states subject is one Ruth Noble, age 17, the work drawn by one Mildred Stillman, art teacher at Wyoming Academy, Kingston, Pennsylvania. Kingston is in northeastern Pennsylvania not far from Scranton and near Wilkes-Barre...

Pastel on paper, 10 1/2" by 23 1/2" and 2" inch wide very attractive and complementary oak Arts and Crafts appearance wood frame, unsigned, the subject bananas, peaches, and a basket, circa 1920. This is a typical example of the early 20th century American pastel school. Reaching back to artists who created pastels late in the 19th century, pastel artists like William Joseph Chandler, Glatthaar, and others created works for homes that would exhibit more quality than mere reproductions...

In the style of noted and popular late 19th century/early 20th century pastel artist WILLIAM CHANDLER, this is a nicely executed work featuring purple grapes, a sectioned orange, a peach in the back, and some seeds and grape leaves. Measuring 10 3/4" by 14" (15 1/2" by 18 1/2" as framed), signed "MAYER" at lower right, I have been unable to match this up with a listed artist, but the work, dating to as late as 1930 or so, is very decorative and folky and in excellent condition, as is the frame.

Pastel on paper drawing of a rocky coastline with sailing craft offshore, apparently unsigned, 9 1/4" by 23", (16 3/4" by 31" as framed), circa 1900. The style of the drawing is reminiscent of that of American artists like Alfred Thompson Bricher (1837-1908). The popular and common pastel art of William Chandler also comes to mind. The work needs a new mat and the old acidic wood backing is best replaced. Otherwise for its age this work is in excellent condition.

Nicely drawn impressionistic drawing of fresh peaches, the leaves still attached, apparently unsigned and measuring 8 1/2" by 11 1/2" (11 1/2" by 14 1/2" framed in oak). Would look attractive in a pantry or breakfast nook. Squarish light area at top is a reflection only.

Vintage charming pastel on old paper, 12" by 8", the scene a quiet city street or lane with 19th century buildings, signed at lower right by the artist, E. R. VAN DEMAN, and dated 1901. Rather little information on the artist appears on the net, but a member of the board of the Delaware County Historical Society in Ohio contacted me to say that the organization has seven of her pastels in their collection, the subjects local places circa 1900...

Pastel and gouache mixed media work on red paper, measuring 18 1/4" by 13 1/2" plus thin old black wood frame, signed at lower right with what appears to be "Macero Arbuckle" and dated '04 (1904). I don't see any information on the artist. This is an interesting illustration work that is quite subtle, and being subtle, doesn't lend itself to being photographed easily. Condition is excellent. There is an old sticker on glass at lower left corner with "13" written on it.

Something of a mystery piece that has resided for some time in my inventory, a pastel on paper, 7 1/4" by 18 1/2" (13" by 22" in a simple protective frame), with old penciled title on reverse of thin card "Monomy Beach", and with modern inscription in red ballpoint: "I OWNED THIS WATERCOLOR BEFORE DAMAGED - IT WAS SIGNED LOWER RT. A. T. BRICHER (signed) Bob Venger 28 Feb '82". Nearby, written in blue ballpoint, is "BRICHER"...

Found in eastern Maine, a fine old still life pastel, the image including an orange, dark blue grapes, a walnut in the shell, and a metal vessel. At lower right are the words "GOOD SHEPHERD BAY VIEW" (???), but no signature. Circa 1900 date of execution judging from frame, which is dark stained walnut with gilt inner fillet. Size 9 1/4" by 12 3/4" (13" by 16 1/2" framed). Allow for a few reflections and some dust on the glass.

Born in Germany in 1857 in the town of Harthau, he moved to America and painted in New England and traveled to paint in Europe where this scene was done in Katwijk, which also happens to be the town where he died in 1929. The work depicts the sailing ships of the 19th century in pastel on sanded paper measuring 17x26 inches in a whine period frame

Large (22" by 36", unframed) pastel drawing on heavy paper, which has been in turn laid on canvas, signed at lower left center by the well-listed American landscape artist GEORGE DOUGLAS BREWERTON (1827-1901). The impressive drawing features a Hudson River School-like landscape with no figures, the hazy ball of the sun dominating the sky. The overall effect is one of Luminism. Brewerton led a fascinating life for his times...

A PAIR of gold-framed, antique pastels of fruits, one a pear and grapes, the other peaches, apparently unsigned, but very much in the style of and possibly by the known late nineteenth century American pastel artist JOHN BOWER, who was known for precisely this kind of work. Each drawing measures 7 1/2" by 9 1/2", and frames are identical size at 13" by 15". Affixed to the frame reverse are typed labels proclaiming each to be "Unsigned"...

Circa 1900 American pastel landscape drawing, 22 1/2" by 9 3/4" (29" by 15" framed), apparently unsigned, in the style of William Chandler and the pastel school of the period. The work is framed behind non-glare glass, which blurs the detail. Condition appears to be excellent. The vertical format would fit your hard-to-fit narrow wall. See other American pastels of the late 19th century/early 20th century period in my shop.

Pastel on paper on board, of grapes and an apple on the ground, 11 7/8" by 9 3/4" and a simple narrow frame, unsigned, but very likely by noted mid 19th century American artist JOHN S. BOWER, known today primarily for his very distinctive studies of fruit in a landscape. See my shop for several other works by this artist, some of which are signed. A number of works by him have passed through the Skinner auction house in Boston over the years, placed in Americana and folk art sales...