A fine oil on canvas still life painting signed L.Charles. The work is beautifully done and shows a well collected and positioned group of still life objects, chosen for contrasting textures and colours. The painting is centred around an Italian majolica vase in which are Japanese anemones and a branch of autumnal leaves. A copper salver sits behind the vase and red velvet is draped over the backcloth. To the fore of the work is an old book on which is a half opened green purse. The whole work has a feel of Autumn with those colours predominant. The painting is in excellent condition having been professionally cleaned, with some minor craquelure in areas. The work is signed to the lower right ‘L.Charles’ and dated 1891. I can find no record of L.Charles and I would think this is either a pseudonym or that this is a very talented artist who did not exhibit and therefore was not recorded. The gilt frame is the original and in excellent untouched condition. The whole is a great decorative...