Watercolor on paper painting of a classic stone castle with figures outside its portals, 14" by 10 1/2" (26 1/2" by 23" as framed), apparently unsigned. This is a circa 1850 work which has survived in presentable condition. There is foxing in the sky principally, as shown, but no large stains. To be sure, there were a lot of anonymous skilled watercolor artists in the British Isles in the 19th century, though this might well have been created by an artist that would be "listed" today.

Watercolor with gouache highlights on paper painting 13 3/4" by 9 1/2" inside the mat, of a large and impressive castle on a hill, (possibly Windsor Castle near London), a pastoral landscape with figures in the foreground, signed in pencil at lower right "A WATT". There is a listing for an Arthur George Watt (1883-1935) but I doubt this be the same artist, as the techniques and style do not mesh and the dates are wrong; this drawing is earlier...

Watercolor on heavy paper landscape with house on a moor at sunset, a distant hill at left and blooming white wildflowers in the foreground, measuring 8 3/4" by 11 1/4" inside the mat, 17" by 20" in a simple old wood frame, and signed with initials that look to me like "R.E.M."---but this is just a guess. The piece likely was created in the last years of the nineteenth or early years of the 20th century. The shape of the house suggests to me an English rather than American origin...

Watercolor painting of a lake and scenic mountains, 6" by 8 1/2" (10" by 12" in simple framing with no mat), apparently unsigned, circa mid 19th century, likely English. The gentleman from whom I purchased this makes regular trips to England and brings back drawings and paintings which he sells, so, that is why I am fairly confident that this is indeed English. The work needs a mat at least although frame could be retained...

This is an unframed watercolor painting on heavy watercolor paper, the sheet 15 1/2" by 22, the subject an mansard-roofed old 19th century house in a winter landscape, signed at lower left by a Los Angeles area artist of note, Ann Murdoch (nee Sanguinetti). Murdoch is not strictly "listed" but, a living artist in her 70's, now residing in the Los Angeles area, she has a long history in fine art, stretching back to the Village Art Show in New York, the New Hope area of Pennsylvania, and Chicago...

PAIR of watercolors, the larger of raspberries on the vine, painted with amazing attention to detail and realism, measuring 10 3/4" by 8" inside the mat; the smaller painting of three bright red cherries and a leaf, measuring 6" by 9" inside the mat, BOTH SIGNED AT LOWER RIGHT with initials "M. C. R.". Since acquiring these works together at a shop in California's Gold Country a few years back, I have attempted to figure out who might have created them...

This is a very early watercolor, 9 1/2" by 5 3/4" framed, in the style of the early 19th century, titled at bottom "Double Rose", by an anonymous artist lost to time. His or her handiwork has survived likely 150 years or more but has lost a little color from fading, and the paper has browned. These are not faults---rather, they give the drawing age and character...

Watercolor on paper painting of a boat in a harbor, 13" by 21" inside the mat, 20" by 28" as framed, signed at lower right and bearing the artist's name and Fremont, California address on the reverse. The artist is SALLY INOUYE (1927-2010)...

The watercolor is unsigned, 6" by 8 1/2", 10" by 13" as simply framed, the scene tall forest trees and distant mountains; there is either a stream or pathway in the foreground. I'd think it has some age, but probably not before about 1970. The artist was talented, and this will decorate a small wall nicely.

Watercolor on paper painting of a tree on a bluff by a sandy shore of an estuary or lake, 5 1/2" by 3 1/2" (8 1/2" by 7" in attractive gilt frame), signed at lower left by the noted French 19th century painter, GEORGES BECKER (c. 1845-1909). Becker apparently did not leave behind too many works, but those that have survived leave little doubt as to the talents he possessed...

Watercolor and ink on paper painting of flowers in a pot, 15 1/2" by 11 1/2" (23" by 19" as framed), signed at lower left and dated 1970 by the well-exhibited, Chinese-born artist who goes by the name "Chinyee". She was born in Nanjing and educated in Chongqing during the time of the Sino-Japanese War (1930's). By 1947 as the winner of a scholarship, the artist was able to come to the United States for study...

Watercolor on paper painting, 9 1/2" by 17 1/2" inside the mat, 16" by 28" as framed, titled at lower right "AT DITTISHAM R. DART", signed at left by the nineteenth century English painter who is known apparently only by the signature "F. Walters". The artist painted in many parts of England. This scene is near Dartmouth in southwestern England not far from Plymouth. I would judge the age of the picture as circa 1870...

Beautifully executed, fresh watercolor and gouache painting of tiny figures overpowered by steep coastal cliffs, 9 1/2" by 21 1/2" (16" by 28" framed), signed at lower right "L LEWIS" and dated "96". This is a work by the listed English watercolor artist LENNARD LEWIS (1826-1913). The piece is exceptionally fresh considering that it was created more than 115 years ago. Colors are bright and the paper in excellent condition...

Late 19th century painting of the Roman Colosseum, an historical arch and surrounding gardens and park, signed at lower left "Conti"...

Watercolor on paper painting of a traditional Chinese junk near the shore of a reedy body of water, 15" by 11 1/2" (20 1/2" by 16 1/2" in simple blond wood look framing), signed at lower left in pencil with what appears to be the name "Tang". The transparent washes and deft handling make for a pleasing and calming image that is a fine alternative to a print. The work is affixed or pressed against the backing by the glass---there is not a proper mount.

Watercolor on quality watercolor heavy paper, 14 3/4" by 20" (18 3/4" by 24" as framed), the scenes a tropical street with historic old wood houses, likely Key West, Florida, and another street scene with a lone figure, signed in pencil at lower right something like "Meish...." or "Weish....."; I cannot decipher the name. The aritist probably created this in the 1960's or 1970's, and he or she was skilled with watercolor. The brush strokes are brisk but expertly placed. Condition is excellent...

Nineteenth century American or European drawing of pink roses, their leaves and prickly stems, unsigned, in an oval shape, 9 3/4" by 7 3/4" (12 3/4" by 10 1/2" as nicely framed). The attention to detail by the artist is exceptional. We could prick our fingertip on the fine thorns. This could be considered a folk art or Victorian piece. It is very fresh and clean, considering the age of the work. Allow for reflections in a few images. What might appear to be foxing is in fact the shadow of ...

Watercolor on paper laid on board painting of roses and hollyhocks in an intimate garden enclosed by a wall or structure, 16 1/4" by 13" and 1 1/4" wide frame, unsigned, executed late 19th or early 20th century. The artist's mastery of watercolor is clear, but unfortunately he or she failed to sign the work, which resembles paintings by members of the Stannard family of watercolorists (Henry John Sylvester 1870-1951, Lilian 1877-1944, Theresa 1898-1947). An experienced English art dealer, havi...