a serene impressionistic sunlit scene of a couple in the foreground seated in a gondola facing the viewer with a typically-dressed gondolier standing at the stern; with the towering St. Mark's Campanile and striking Basilica softly lit in the background; signed lower right; site dimensions: 11.5" x 11.5", overall dimensions: 16.5" x 16.5"; Raul Jose Mina Mora (Minamora) was born in Santa Ana, El Salvador in 1915, the son of a wealthy coffee plantation owner. Minamora came to San Francisco in 1924 where he studied at the California School of Fine Arts (San Francisco).
a large and handsome hand-crafted antique American half-hull wooden boat builder's model of a sloop with fin keel and spade rudder all constructed of laminated mahogany in a warm honey-toned patina; mounted on the original wooden frame fitted with two eye hooks; the half-hull models were used to commemorate the launching of a vessel
each tall upholstered back with shaped crest above a tight serpentine seat flanked by padded arms; over a scalloped apron with foliate and rocaille carving all raised on cabriole supports ending in scrolled feet joined by a curved x-form stretcher; later leather upholstery with fine nailhead detailing; structurally sound with general rubbing and wear; nice overall patina; professionally polished
the intricately detailed toucan with its dramatic curved beak above a finely plumed body resting on a foliate branch; all in a colorful hand-painted and glazed finish; marked on underside with an underglaze green windmill indicating production dates 1919 - 1945; Karl Ens (the elder) began Triebner, Ens & Co. in 1860. In 1899, his son, also named Karl, founded his own company, Porzellanfabrik Karl Ens, in Volkstedt, Thuringia and quickly became known for producing high-quality porcelain, especially life-like animal figurines; good condition with no chips or cracks; only minimal wear
the expressive cockatoo with a prominent head crest and strong hooked beak perched upon a foliate branch-work base; with maker's marks to underside; Dux Porcelain began in 1860 by Eduard Eichler in what was then Duchov, Bohemia. The high quality pottery and porcelain figures produced there are now referred to by the abbreviated name, "Royal Dux." Ownership of the business changed frequently over the last 150 years. Bohemia became part of Czechoslovakia which was in turn controlled first by Germany then the Soviet Union.
of impressive scale with stately presence, the Baroque Flemish Style cushion frame finely painted to replicate the rich, amber-like tones and distinctive radiating patterns of genuine tortoiseshell; the double-recessed frame with outer cushion molding all separated by bands of ebonized moldings; all surrounding a beveled mirror plate; excellent condition with only minimal wear
each artist-signed lamp of baluster form with waisted neck above an ovoid body all over a splayed foot; resting on a turned gold-painted wooden base; each adorned with well-executed hand-painted exotic birds resting on a meandering floral and foliate branch; height: 18.5" (top of porcelain) 30.5" (top of shade); marked 'Made in Italy' to underside; good condition with no chips or cracks; professionally rewired; minor wear to wooden bases
each shapely lamp of hand-blown sky blue dappled glass all raised on a brass and lucite circular base; height: 17.75" (top of glass) 27" (top of shade); professionally rewired; good vintage condition with minimal wear
Three globular forms with narrow mouths; comprising blue glaze example, dark purple glaze example, and black glaze with ocher accent; the blue vase with "Otto 98", the purple vase with "Otto 02", the black vase with "Otto 99"; excellent condition with minimal wear
excellent quality reproductions, each with serpentine shaped top above a conforming bombe-form body fitted with two drawers over a pierced rocaille-carved apron all raised on scrolled supports; the drawer fronts with graceful hand-carved surface depicting elegant scrollwork and floral vines all flanked by shaped side panels centering circular reserves; richly-colored patina with intentionally distressed finish to imitate age; good overall condition with light wear; refreshed finish
