Orientalist

Moroccan Street Scene with Camel and Figures, watercolour, signed Giovanni Barbaro, c1900. Unframed.

Watercolour on paper pasted to acid board, signed. Dimensions : Overall : 270mm x 625mm x 2mm. Weight : 0.200kg. Condition : Quite good.

£1000.00

Moroccan street scene with camel and figures, watercolour on paper pasted to acid board with a 3-5mm border around the painting. Signed Giovanni Barbaro in the lower rh corner. c1900. Unframed.

Condition/Notes : Quite good. The watercolour on paper is in quite good condition; slight age related toning to colour overall and dusting along lower edge probably caused by previous frame edge which would be laid directly to painting surface. Some speckled marking to upper rh quarter edge probably caused by condensation from previous glazing which would have been laid directly to painting as was the practice of the period. Few very small paint losses along mid-lh edge probably caused by frame contact. 

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The Northern Lights, Nubia, Egypt, watercolour on paper, titled, signed Henry A. Harper. c1880.

Watercolour on paper, titled and signed, c1880. Original frame. Dimensions : Frame : 285mm x 448mm x 22mm. Image : 118mm x 278mm. Weight : 1.060kg net. Condition : Quite good.

£250.00 Shipping : UK : Free Delivery. Europe : £30.00. World : £40.00.

Condition/Notes : Quite good. This interesting night study titled in lower lh corner "Northern Lights, Egypt" is in quite good condition; the grainy appearance captures the reality of the phenomenon aurora borealis set against the stark headland in the distance. The painting is signed Henry A. Harper in the lower rh corner in this artist's usual style. The location is thought to be Safaga on the Red Sea coast. 

There are a few light surface scratches to the lower lh quarter but only really noticeable under magnification. Also a 15mm horizontal light surface abrasion above the title in the lower lh corner. The main concern is the vertical 30mm long surface scratch extending downwards from near the lower point of the headland into the Red Sea. It is noticeable but does not detract from the overall balance of the study and has been as such for many years.

The painting is displayed within a stone coloured mount which is in quite good condition but with some foxing spots in places and toning to the window edges.

The original faded gilt wooden frame is sturdy but with scratching and scuffing to edges. Original wooden backing board secured with old headless framing nails; black ink print 687AO, upper centre, scratched numerals 00-2303 below and chalk 6 008 upper lh corner. Remnants of original dust-sheet held by gummed tape with ink handscript "Northern Lights Nubia Egypt By Henry A. Harper" lower centre. Brass rings and old wire attached.

An interesting and unusual study by this well known British Orientalist.

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On Roof of Chateau d'Hydra, Alger, watercolour, unsigned. c1880. Original frame. Orientalist. 

Watercolour on art paper, with a second watercolour beneath. 19th C School. Framed and glazed. Dimensions : Frame : 575mm x 403mm x 20mm. Image : 441mm x 272mm. Weight : 1.750kg net. Condition : Quite good. .

£250.00  Shipping : UK : Free Delivery. Europe : £40.00. World : £50.00. Unframed : £20.00/£30.00.

On Roof of Chateau d'Hydra, Alger, Algeria, watercolour on art paper, with a second watercolour, untitled, depicting part of the gardens below, on heavy art board, acting as backing board to the latter. 19th Century School. Framed and glazed. c1880.

Condition/Notes : The primary painting which displays the roof of the Chateau d'Hydra is in quite good condition. The colours are subdued and yet clear as would be experienced in the heat of the day. The view is towards the sea from the heights overlooking the Port of Algiers. This scene is famous in Algiers as it is on the roof of the city's most famous building dating from the second half of the 18th Century and also known as the Castle of Hydra which has housed the Turkish General Ali Agha, the Consul of Sweden and Norway in 1830, Emperor Napoleon III in 1865, Serge Peltzer in 1902, acquired by the City of Algiers in 1942, the Staff of the 10th Airbourne Division of General Massu settled here in 1955 and currently the French Embassy. The painting appears to be unfinished  as there are sections of the original pencil sketch which have not been painted. The title of the painting is written in handscript lower rh corner. The sky gives the impression of blank glare characteristic of the heat of a typical Algerian afternoon. There is an area in the lower lh corner of damp stain with some fungal staining. The back of the painting is blank but with pencil handscript lower rh side stating "Roof of a Moorish House Algiers". The second watercolour painting, on heavy art board, is primarily the study of the trees in the garden surrounding the building as viewed from the roof. This painting is completed. It appears to have been used as the backing board in the wooden frame for the main painting although there are remnants of another board attached in parts to the back of this painting. There is a small area of previous damp with fungal stain in the top rh corner but this does not affect the main area of the painting. Overall, an interesting pair of paintings of historical interest but unfortunately unsigned unless the word below "Roof of a Moorish House" is not Algiers but the name of the artist (Aljsiu or Algsiu or Aljseu). The old wooden frame is in sturdy condition and quite stylish which suits the painting.

Contact for any enquiries or more detailed images. Any info regarding this location in Algiers will be welcome.

Watercolour on paper, 19th/20thC Algerian School, social-realist study of Rue de Casbar, Alger, c1895, signed A.G. Absolon. Original heavy glazed frame.

Dimensions : Frame : 425mm x 527mm x 12mm. Image : 292mm x 382mm. Weight : 2.2kg. net. Condition : Good.  

£250.00 Shipping : UK : Free Delivery. Europe : £40.00. World : £50.00. 

This watercolour study of the actual Rue de Casbar in Algiers depicts the daily activities of local residents and the artisans of the area and captures the characteristic style and atmosphere of the region at end of the 19thC. A rare subject for the period. The painting is in good condition with no damage or marking; overall slight age related toning to the colours, but good. The study is signed  by the artist, in capital letters, in the lower right hand corner.  

The painting is displayed beneath a plain stone coloured mount board which is in good condition with age related toning in places and to window's cut edges. This appears to  be the original mount board. The plain wooden frame is in good sturdy condition and the heavy glazing clear; cardboard backing board secured by old pins and sealed with gummed framing tape. Hanging cord attached to eyes. 

An extremely interesting and historical work. 

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Watercolour on paper, 19th/20thC Algerian School, social-realist study of a rural small holding near Bejaia capturing the range of produce and live-stock in a colourful and entertaining manner, c1895. Signed A.G. ABSOLON. Framed.

Dimensions : Frame : 426mm x 529mm x 13mm. Image : 290mm x 382mm. Weight : 2.2kg. Condition : Good. 

£250.00  Shipping : UK : Free Delivery. Europe : £40.00. World : £50.00.

The watercolour study is in good condition with good colours (subject to slight age-related toning) and no damage or marking - very slight foxing to the sky in places. The scene depicts the characteristic style of building in Algeria with the attached small holding area of produce as viewed from the overlooking hill on the viewer's side. An interesting scene with figures in their daily activities and I particularly like the younger figure chasing the goat away from the growing crops in the lower left quadrant. The flowering cherry blossom captures the viewer's eye which then wanders over to the olive tree on the left. Overall, a very pleasing scene. The painting is signed in  black paint in the lower rh corner in the artist's usual style A.G.ABSOLON.

The painting is displayed beneath the original stone coloured mount board which is in good condition with age-related toning and general dusting. The original oak wood plain frame is in good sturdy condition (40mm long chip to the lower lh corner) and glazed with heavy glass. Original cardboard backing is secured by old rusty nails and sealed with original gummed tape which has been reinforced with more recent self-adhesive framing tape. No visible script. Hanging cord attached to old screw-eyes.

An extremely interesting and historical work.

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Watercolour on paper, 19th/20thC Algerian School, social-realist study of a small-scale magnetite mining op. on Lake Fetzara near Annaba. Original frame with sealed backing. Signed A.G. Absolon. c1890.

Dimensions : Frame : 425mm x 528mm x 13mm. Image : 299mm x 380mm. Weight : 2.200kg. Condition : Very good. 

£250.00  Shipping : UK : Free Delivery. Europe : £40.00. World : £50.00. 

The watercolour study on paper is in very good condition with good colours; very slight foxing spots in a few places in the sky. The study is interesting and appears to depict a working encampment next to the entrance to a small mine site probably searching for magnetite which was mined in this region at that time. A solitary figure seen carrying water from the lake. Signed in black paint in the lower right hand corner in the artist's usual style A.G. Absolon. 

The painting is displayed within original stone coloured mount board which is in good condition with age related toning and dusting to the face and window's cut edges. The original oak frame is in good sturdy condition with heavy glazing. Original cardboard backing secured  by old nails and sealed with gummed framing tape. Does not appear to have been opened. Additional self-adhesive tape has been added to the corners at a later date. Hanging cord attached to old screw-eyes. No visible script.

A very interesting historical painting which will benefit from further research.

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Watercolour on paper, 19th/20thC Algerian School, social realist study of a small colony near Annaba, signed A.G. ABSOLON. Original glazed sealed frame, c1890.

Dimensions : Frame : 426mm x 528mm x 13mm. Image : 294mm x 382mm. Weight : 2.200kg. Condition : Very good. 

£250.00  Shipping : UK : Free Delivery. Europe : £40.00. World : £50.00.

The watercolour on paper study is in very good condition with good colours and no damage or marking; a few very slight foxing spots in the sky. The study depicts a small settler's colony near the city of Annaba with a woman and a seated man. The scene is peaceful. The waterfront road leads to further houses in the distance. The artist has signed his work in the lower right hand corner in faded black ink, A.G. ABSOLON. 

The painting is displayed within stone coloured mount board which is in good condition; a few marks in places. The glazed wooden frame is in good sturdy condition. Original cardboard backing secured by old nails and sealed with gummed framing tape which has detached from the framed edges in places. Self-adhesive tape attached to the corners. Hanging cord attached to screw-eyes.  No visible script. The frame has not been opened for examination so there could be script inside.

Please contact for any enquiries or more images. 

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