The following description for has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts S. Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans & Kenyon

Note 1) The following Moira biographical materials are taken from the Wikipedia website:

“Gerald Edward Moira (26 January 1867–2 August 1959) was an English painter who became best known for his murals.

Gerald Moira was born in London, the son of a former Portuguese diplomat who became a miniature painter. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1891. His first commission for a mural was by J. Lyons and Co. for the Trocadero restaurant in Shaftesbury Avenue, London. His other early commissions included the ceilings of the vestry and library of the Unitarian Chapel, Liverpool, the board-room of Lloyd's Register of Shipping, and paintings and stained glass for the Central Criminal Court in London. He also painted in oil, tempera, and watercolour. Moira was principal of the Edinburgh College of Art from 1923 until 1932, president of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, vice-president of the Royal Watercolour Society, a member of the Royal West of England Academy, and a founder member of the National Portrait Society.”

Note 2) This Moira still life manifests his ability to combine an Impressionist pastel palette with an angular crispness in his imaginative, but realistic painted portrayal of a great variety of different colored flowers with great skill. It is in good condition and attractively framed. Thus, this vase of flowers can be viewed as being very esthetically appealing and a potentially good investment. The foregoing considerations and the following auction records regarding sales warrant the conclusion that the presale estimate of $1,000-$3,000 is reasonable and justifiable. In this regard, as of October 1, 2012, when this text is being written, Askart.com sales listings indicates that auction houses have attempted to conduct and to consummate the sale on auction day of only two Moira oil paintings, both of which were smaller than this auction's Moira painting and were not still lifes, like this painting. Thus, their photographic images are irrelevant. Askart.com records that one painting did not sell, and one brought only $287. However,Askart.com recorded that all of the other 14 Moira sales results from 1992-2004 were for Moira gouaches and/or water colors and a combination thereof, all of which were significantly smaller than this Moira still life, which, with one exception, brought $3,473 on 10/28/2004 and was only slightly larger than this Moira auction still life. However, Askart.com indicates regarding these 14 Moira gouaches, that there were a number of these watercolor/gouaches that brought from $496 through $896 in the middle and upper level of hundreds of dollars. However, 6 of such 14 sales brought in excess of $1,124 to $1, 323, and from this price level to $2,646 to $3,307 to $3,473. Gouaches and watercolors do not sell for as much at auction as oil paintings, like this Moira still life. These gouaches

and watercolors are, with the one exception, noted above of the $3,473 lot, are all significantly smaller than this Moira still life. Thus, it is appropriate to factor all of the foregoing considerations into the presale estimate. See below for all of the Artprice.com auction records regarding Moira sales. Thus, the presale estimate of $1,000-$3,000 for this Moira still life is reasonable and justifiable.