Possibly Rosenbach Gallery, Philadelphia (according to a label on the reverse);
Possibly Samuel Borchard, New York;
Presumably by descent to his daughter, Evelyn Borchard Metzger;
By whom gifted to a Coastal Connecticut Museum, in 1958;
From whom acquired by the present owner.

Picture with basket of flowers: Canvas has been relined and surface is a bit pressed and abraded in some areas, mostly noticeable in sky, parts of background and in grapes at bottom edge. the flowers are mostly quite well retained with very good detail and strong coloration. There is a central horizontal canvas seam or crease that runs through center of flowers which is noticeable but not too distracting. scattered areas of old discolored and rather crudely done retouching in sky upper center, on left side of stone pedestal and basket, in rocks at left and a few others scattered. under UV light: retouches to areas as mentioned; other areas in landscape at lower right and left corners; some very small retouches here and there to some flowers and retouching to tulip on right at upper left. Picture with gold vase: Canvas has been relined and surface a bit pressed in some areas. flower garlands and bowl of fruit are very well preserved and detail and coloration in these areas is very nice. as with other picture, there are areas of old discolored retouching: along bottom edge, two areas on lower part of gold vase and to upper left and right side of vase. sky areas a bit pressed and abraded. under UV light: retouching to what appears to be an old repaired hole at lower left (patch on reverse) and retouching to areas mentioned above. a few other in sky and foreground. These paintings have not been attended to in a long time and would greatly benefit from careful restoration and a re-addressing of the old, crudely done restorations that could certainly be done more skillfully. appearance should be improveable and they willl be very striking and attractive images. offered in frames with some gilding at edges and a few minor nicks.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This impressive pair of paintings displays elements suggestive of the elaborate pictorial style of Tomás Hiepes, one of the leading still life painters of his generation in Valencia.  His compositions are often complex, incorporating an array of fruits, flowers and birds, executed with astonishing accuracy, and with extensive landscapes stretching beyond.