“The Politicians” bronze sculpture by Christopher Keene. The politicians are made up of two hippos, an alligator and another spiny reptile – typical politicians! Very intricate and detailed bronze work from the lost wax manufacturing process. Signed in the flagstone floor, “Keene ’78″ and is 1/10 (one of ten).

Bronze Rhinoceros by Salvador Dali. It’s a small version, numbered, limited edition of a very famous piece of his work. It has a typical bronze patina with a light green wash over it. The foundry that created it for Dali is Airaindor. On the edge of the base it reads: “AIRAINDOR.177/350.VM.18F”. The base is cast bronze as well with a mottled, green patina.  Salvador’s signature is scribed into the base. “Salvador Dali”. Excellent condition. $3,000. Size: 6.3 ” L x 3″ W x 4.75″ H. Wt: 4 lb. 1.8 kg.

An Artist’s Proof bronze, “The Hand” with black patina. Attributed to Fernando Botero. Signed and numbered: “E/A Botero 6/12″ with the foundry mark just above his signature: “Fondoria M Italy”. Purchased from a dealer in Columbia and brought to Canada in 2002. The piece speaks of Botero’s creativity that shows the strength and power of the human being. A fine example of his work that shows subtly and grace created from the lost wax technique in bronze from a foundry. Remarkable work in excellent condition. No COA or paperwork.

Oil and casein tempura on masonite by Fred Ross R.C.A. Signed and dated: “Fred Ross 57″. “Portrait of an Old Man” is an interesting piece. You’ll notice that the old man is winking OR has he lost an eye, at some point?  He has many stories to tell. It looks like he’s lost an ear as well. In the painting Fred Ross has put all the names of his family staring on the left with his wife, Sheila. Then there’s Lorna who is the eldest child, then Christopher, next oldest, then there’s a question mark (?) suggesting that there was another child on the way, while he was painting this picture.  It turns out that there was another girl, Catherine (Cathy Ross, an accomplished artist as well). This was a part of Max Stern’s collection, owner of the Stern Gallery and Dominion Gallery in Montreal. Labels on the back explain a few things. Frame is gold leaf over wood with a hand rubbed red/brown patina on top. The frame has been made to look like there are worm holes on the top, bottom and both sides. Excellent condition. Museum quality.

Oil and casein tempura on masonite by Fred Ross R.C.A. Signed and dated: “Fred Ross 1956″. This is a staggeringly interesting piece. I won’t try to define it here but suggest you read the written description in the book about Fred Ross, “A Timeless Humanism” by Tom Smart. You’ll notice that the boy is on the far side of the window sill but on the inside of the frame in which he is standing. Also the monkey is threading beads from the bottom upwards. The front of the scull is floating. Fred’s wife’s name, Sheila, is carved into the frame to the left of the boy’s head. Why is there an owl on his shoulder, a piece of rope hanging from the frame and a wish bone also hanging on the frame? Things to ponder when you enter this remarkable painting. This was a part of Max Stern’s collection, owner of the Stern Gallery and Dominion Gallery in Montreal.The frame is gold leaf with some red streaks and spackle.  There is a green velvet inner frame to further set the painting apart from the gold colour. Astonishing. Excellent condition. Museum quality.

Huge acrylic, chalk and collage on Masonite panel.  Another masterpiece by Fred Ross R.C.A. Entitled: “Artist in Studio” with Judith as the nude model.  It’s a fascinating piece of work in that it’s a self portrait with the artist facing us with a nude in front of him facing away from the viewer. Fred has his left foot resting on the divan that she is lying upon. Also there is an easel with another nude paining on it.  That small painting is signed: “Fred Ross” in the upper right corner and the main painting is signed: “Fred Ross’ in the extreme lower right corner. Two signatures – quite unique. Next to the artist is a spike of light coming in from a window that sheds light on the subjects from right to left – otherwise it’s a very dark room. The label is from Gallery Walter Klinkhoff stating: “Artist in Studio – Acrylic, chalk and collage 52″ x 42″ Fred Ross”  The label also has the Klinkhoff seal that gives this painting its COA. The frame is wood with gold leaf and three grey key lines as a border. There is an inner lined raised fillet that sets the painting away from the frame. Spectacular – a powerful artist’s statement and in perfect condition. Museum quality.

Large oil on board. Paulémile Pissarro.  The flowering apple tree.  This is a famous tree with the Pissarro family.  Many of the Pissarros painted it.  Collect a few of them and you’ll be rich. Master of oil, signed lower left “Paulémile -  Pissarro” in oil.  Frame is modern wood with lots of relief in gold raised, carved pattern. Inner fillet is vinyl linen and gold wood.  Excellent condition.

“Vergillon Soleil”. Large oil on canvas by Paulémile Pissarro. This is a fabulous landscape. Master of oil, signed lower left “Paulémile – Pissarro 1922″ in oil. The title “Vergillon – Soleil” is inscribed on the back stringer by Paulémile and is also signed “Paulémile  Pissarro”. A label states that Pissarro did not partake in the Salon in Paris during the years 1920, 1921, 1922. The frame was recently refinished (I had it done in about 1995) with gold leaf and a hand wash to tone it down. It’s on wood with lots of relief in a raised, carved pattern – very fitting. COA from the Pissarro family. Awesome! Excellent condition.

“Celebration of Life” is a small version of the life-sized one at the Grand Wailea Hotel on Maui, Hawaii. Bronze, custom patinated sculpture by Kenneth Shutt. Signed and dated: ” 33/40 Shutt 91″. Ken Shutt was a resident of Hawaii for 25 years before moving back to California. He invented the white patina on this sculpture and they are produced in very limited editions – this one being number 34 of 40. On a three tier, black marble base with white flecks inherent. Perfect condition.

Paradox of the Trapper. A unique, one-off, original, bronze wall-mount, sculpture by the renowned, Canadian sculptor, Christopher Keene.  It portrays a trapper confronted with a life challenge for he and his horse. Extreme realism that is frightening. Much detail including showing the trapper’s glove on the ground. Did he survive? I think so.  ArtCast did the lost wax bronze process and Chris did the final detailing and the patina, leaving much of it rough, to create the remote, northern, winter, outdoor atmosphere. No edition was created. COA in hand. Excellent, original condition.

Portrait of a President. A unique, one-off, original bronze sculpture by the renowned, Canadian sculptor, Christopher Keene. This piece  was created to draw attention to President Nixon’s dark side. An American Bald Eagle protrudes from Nixon’s jowly face. It shows that the President was strangling himself. It shows his feet going in different directions and when you turn it around you see that his head is filled with snakes. Nixon’s eyes are closed suggesting that the end of his term had arrived. The bronze is supposed to be placed on a mantle with a mirror behind it so you can see into Nixon’s thinking. ArtCast did the lost wax bronze process and Chris did the final patina leaving much of it rough to amplify Nixon’s muddy language and dealings. No edition was created. Excellent, original condition. COA in hand.

The Evolution Factory. A unique, one-off, original bronze sculpture by the renowned, Canadian sculptor, Christopher Keene. This piece was created as his final exam for his Masters of Fine Art degree at the Rhode Island School of Design. It portrays a factory where beasts are creating and building “man”. It’s an assembly line and as you progress through the piece you see that the beasts are filling man’s head with garbage. They are using a crane to lift the final, heavy piece of the human skull. Keene states that this creation came from a dream that he had. ArtCast did the lost wax process and Chris did the assembly and finish work and the final patina leaving much of it rough to create the macabre atmosphere of the factory. No edition was created. Signed and dated front lower right: “Keene ’74″. Excellent, original condition. COA in hand. $9,000. Size: 26″ L x 7″ W x 15″ H. Wt: 33 lb. 15 kg.

An original sculpture by JMac. She is a renowned, long-time, Toronto sculptor with much International success. This piece is made from hundreds and hundreds of spikes projecting out from a female upper torso. Riveting, and the centre of any discussion on modern art. Matt black, smooth texture under the black spikes. “Black Mail” quite appropriate. Excellent condition. $6,500. Size: 30″ H x 14″ W x 12″ D. Wt: 20 lb. 9.0 kg

Unique, rare, bronze sculpture by Louis Icart, 1888-1950. “Le Chat qui Dort”. The cat that sleeps. Typical of his mildly erotic and amusing work. It is created by the lost wax technique. The piece has the title and signature and the foundry stamp. Foundry being “Edition Paris” In the centre of their seal is their logo. The title is on the front. The signature “Louis Icart” is bottom right side. Excellent work.  There is no edition number whatsoever so this a unique, one-off sculpture. I have a COA from Nathan Daniel Isen of Philadelphia, PA where he states that this is a “Unique proof, conceived before final edition” and in excellent condition.

Dancers by Fernando Botero. Solid bronze on heavy marble base. Signed and numbered: “Botero E/A Botero 1/12″. Has foundry mark “Fondria Italy” with a capital “M” in the middle. Dark, charcoal black, shiny patina. Quite a lot of detail, nicely cast.  They are large and I think they are just about to start dancing.  They are looking lovingly into each other’s eyes. Botero has added a big scoop of emotion.  Excellent condition.