Gold decanter set comprised of decanter, six cups and a tray. All covered in gold inside and out with handpainted scenes on each item in center of the item. Only mark on the pieces is a gold crown with Le Mieux China - 24 Karat Gold written on bottom.

This is a oil painting by Tamanaha Seichiki, painted in 1953. Tamanaha Seichiki was a member of an artists colony on Okinawa -- the Okinawan artists of the Nishimui Artists Society. I believe this painting was a study done in preparation for a larger painting done by Tamanaha in 1954, titled Portrait of Old Mother. I was able to view that painting on a website about the arts of Okinawa. I am quite certain the woman sitting for that painting is the very same in the painting that I own. The painting is done in an impressionistic style with very thick paint. There are areas on the surface of the paint where it has cracked and there are 2-3 small places where the canvas has been "bumped" and there is additional cracking to the paint in those areas (in the background and on her robe). There are no holes or rips in the canvas. Right now at UC Berkeley there is an exhibition of these artists, and I learned more about this group of artists from their show information. I am having a very difficult time finding out what my painting might be worth. I believe it is an important piece of Okinawan history. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Front cover was bent in half longways once but is now flat with an obvious crease line. Front blank page was torn out but copyright page is intact and all pages are in excellent condition.

These ashtrays have been in my family since I can remember and have never been used as they have always been on display.  I would like to know if they are of any real value.

 Description (revised)

HERE'S A VERY NICE OLD VINTAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS ERA BENCH WITH BEAUTIFUL PROPORTIONS AND ORIGNAL VARNISH AND SEAT. Is this a Stickley piece?  In any case, this is a lovely piece.

The size of the piece is 17 3/4" tall at the legs with the top size 12 1/2" deep and 21" long. The size of the inside covered seat is 10" x 18." Needs some restoration due to being in a workshop at one time- you can see the residue of paint drips and spray paint spattering on the seat and wood. One of the wood side panels is loose and needs some glue. There are a few knicks on the wood or leg sides and tops from age wear. One leg has a 1/8" x 1" sliver of wood chipped off, another 1/8" x 3/4." One leg has a 1 1/2" sliver crack on top of the leg with a 2 1/4" sliver down the side. Another sliver crack lower down is 3 1/2" long. By sliver crack, I mean only a dark line- one that has not seperated or broken open. There are also some knicks on the ledge that holds the seat in place from the tops of the upholstery tacks. When viewed upside-down, one of the cross pieces on the inside of the side panel has cutouts in it- I'm not sure what this is for since there is not a matching piece on the other side. I believe the upholstery material is leather and original. The stuffing on the seat is uneven in places. The 4 pads at the bottom of the legs all look good and the seat is overall quite sturdy.