Finarte
Via Paolo Sarpi, Milan, Italy 6 20154
39 02 3363801
About Auction House
Finarte’s core business is the organization of public auctions of works of art and specialty items. Sellers, buyers and investors can rely on our experts for technical and financial advice on works of art, photography, design objects, jewelery, books, wines, vintage fashion and classic cars. In March 1997, its 35th anniversary, Finarte held its 1000th auction. Thanks to its long and illustrious history, Finarte has embraced every aspect of collecting and has gained invaluable experience.Auction Previews & News
15 Results
Auction PreviewPhotographs
Richard Prince is an American photographer and Pop artist known for his rephotographed pictures. During the mid-1970s, Prince started working at Time Life. He sent article tear sheets from magazines to companies notifying them of their published advertisements. While working at the Time Life library, Prince started rephotographing these ads and presenting them as art. The upcoming Photographs auction, offered by Finarte, presents photographs from the Cowboys series by Prince. This series involved rephotography of a Marlboro ad campaign. Explaining his idea for the works, Prince states, “At Time Life, I was working with seven or eight magazines, and Marlboro had ads in almost all of them. Every week, I’d see one and be like, ‘Oh, that’s mine. Thank you.’ It’s sort of like beachcombing.” Through his Cowboys series, Prince comments on American masculinity and its representation in the media. Another highlight is an archival pigment print titled Girls in the Windows by award-winning photographer Ormond Gigli. This photograph features 43 formally-dressed women standing in brownstone windows. The available image creates contrasting imagery with old New York architecture and modern, colorful dresses. Also showcased is the celebrated photo portrait titled Afghan Girl by photojournalist Steve McCurry for National Geographic. Rounding out the offerings are photographs by Helmut Newton, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Cindy Sherman, and Gabriele Basilico. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewPrints & Multiples: Works from the collection of Stamperia Berardinelli
Giorgio Morandi was an Italian painter and printmaker best known for his still lifes of bottles, jars, and boxes. In 1918, he was associated with the Metaphysical art movement, founded by Italian artists Giorgio de Chirico and Carlo Carrà. In this style, Morandi intended to depict everyday objects with a dreamlike composition. The upcoming Prints & Multiples sale, presented by Finarte, showcases an etching by Morandi. It shows two objects placed on a cloth-covered table. The sale also offers a painting, titled Atlantic, by Italian Transavantgarde sculptor, painter, and muralist Mimmo Paladino. The artist played a major role in the development of the Transavantgarde movement, which elevated the concept of figuration. Executed in 1987, the offered lot was created with the linocut printmaking technique. The auction of 180 lots also includes Bruno Munari’s painted wood piece titled Composition and a 1977 sculpture by François Morellet. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewCharms of Art
Featured in the upcoming Charms of Art auction, presented by Finarte, are works from Giovanni “Gio” Ponti. An architect, industrial designer, artist, teacher, writer, and publisher, Ponti was an advocate of Italian-style art and living. He contributed to the rise of Italian design after World War II. One available example of his work is a set of 14 Murano glasses. Also up for bid is a plate from the workshop of Ludovico and Angelo Picchi. The plate depicts a scene or story of two figures playing musical instruments in an idyllic setting. This Renaissance piece was likely created between 1550 and 1560. One of the more whimsical lots in the sale is a finely dressed monkey playing a guitar. The ancient automaton looks up as he strums, as if serenading a lover. Other lots in the sale include paintings of religious scenes, pieces of furniture, a pair of vintage game sets, tableware and cutlery, landscapes, portraits, busts, and more. View any of these items and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewOld Master Paintings and 19th Century Art
Finarte’s Old Master Paintings and 19th Century Art sale will highlight the work of Italian Renaissance painter Tommaso di Credi. Alternately known as the “Master of the Santo Spirito Sacra Conversazione” or simply Tommaso, the artist was active between 1490 and 1510 in Florence. Available in this auction is Tommaso’s interpretation of the Madonna and Child, a common religious theme in his work. The Child is shown gazing at a toddler dressed in rags, offering a gesture of blessing with one hand. More contemporary works available in this event include a 1907 unfinished oil study by Roman artist and film director Giulio Aristide Sartorio. The piece was practice for a large series titled The Poem of Human Life, commissioned for the Central Hall of the Venice Biennale. Its style aimed to bridge the gap between Greek-Latin and Nordic cultures. Costantino Barbella’s 1877 Harmony sculpture on offer shows two women in conversation, while his 1894 study piece for The Cherry or At the Market depicts a roughly carved peasant resting a bucket at her feet. To find more information on these lots, visit Bidsquare and register to bid.
Auction PreviewItalian Design and Decorative Arts of 20th Century
A man of many hats, Gio Ponti (1891 – 1979) was an Italian architect, furniture designer, industrial designer, artist, writer, publisher, and teacher. He made several significant contributions to the modernization of Italian decorative art. A silver metal pot set by Ponti is among the highlights of the upcoming Italian Design and Decorative Arts of the 20th Century auction, presented by Finarte. The 1930s set includes three containers for a consommé soup: a vegetable pot, two bowls, and a gravy boat. Another notable lot is a ceiling light by Carlo Nason. The Italian glass artist is well known for his use of traditional techniques in producing lamps, vases, and sculptures. He belongs to one of the oldest glass blowing families living in Murano. Some of his works are displayed in the collections of the Corning Museum of Glass and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The sale also features a Carlo Zauli vase. Zauli is a famed ceramist who created a large frieze for the palace of Baghdad. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewModern and Contemporary Art’s Books and Documents
Finarte will offer Modern and contemporary art, books, and documents from the 100 years between 1914 and 2014 in the upcoming auction. The sale is intended to capture dialogues between artists, institutions, viewers, and the art itself. An example of such a dialogue is a poster series by well-known performance artist Marina Abramović. She is depicted in four poses from her performance of Rhythm 4 at Milan’s Diagram Gallery in 1974. Six posters are included in this lot, identical except for their background color. Also available is a series of telegrams, postcards, tickets, and other paper items from Pierpaolo Calzolari, an Italian artist associated with the sculptural and installation work of the Arte Povera movement. Another key lot is Keith Haring’s artist book for children titled Keith Haring’s Fun Book!!, which includes 14 black and white coloring pages (including the front and back cover). It was created for the Artbus Service Educatif (Children’s Drawing Workshop). Published in 1985, only 2,000 copies were ever printed. Other items in the sale include a book of sketches and drawings by Paul Klee, an original signed lithograph by Man Ray, autographed letters by Jan Tschichold, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewJewelry Week / Jewels – Session 4
Born to a shoemaker family, self-taught Italian sculptor Giacomo Manzù adhered to three principle motifs: religious iconography, life-size nudes, and the painter with his model. He was one of the leading 20th-century sculptors of religious statues. Among his best-known works are his relief panels for European churches, including the Porta Della Morte, the bronze doors for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The upcoming auction, presented by Finarte, highlights a medal by Manzù. The 18-karat yellow gold medal shows a flight of doves. Another highlight of the auction is an amethyst ring. According to Greek legends, the stone gets its purple color from Dionysus, the god of intoxication and celebration. The stone was believed to prevent drunkenness, overindulgence, and evil thoughts. A Cartier lighter is also available. Launched in 1968, the “Oval” was the first gas cigarette lighter in the world. Cartier led the industry in producing this oval-shaped lighter, which is now a standard model. The auction also offers jewelry from Tiffany & Co., Chimento, and Piccard Lucien. Interested bidders can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewThe Swatch Collection
The upcoming one-lot auction, presented by Finarte, offers bidders a collection of 1,241 Swatch watches. Combined, these watches represent many of the limited editions and production models from the Swiss watchmaker's first 13 years, 1983 to 1996. This includes a Jellyfish Swatch watch. Only 50 exclusive copies of the Jellyfish were produced for the winners of the 1985 Alternative Miss World, a counterculture beauty pageant. Also available as part of this lot is a Swatch watch signed by Pop artist Keith Haring. He partnered with the watch brand to produce four models with a total circulation of 9,999 copies. Rounding out the highlighted pieces is a 6 Black Puff watch. This 1988 model required wearers to blow puffs of fur out of the way to read the time. Established in 1983, Swatch aimed to reverse the watchmaking industry's shift from Swiss-made products to those from Japan and Hong Kong. To accomplish this, Swatch focused less on the utility of watches and more on aesthetics. “A $5 watch tells time every bit as well as a $30,000 watch,” wrote Edward de Bono on the market shift. “The Swatch was not selling time so much as fun and costume jewelry.” Those interested in this collection can register to bid on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewJewelry Week / Silver – Watches & Clocks – Coins – Session 3
In the 1960s, Rolex replaced its Chronograph watch series with a more cosmetic version called the Rolex Cosmograph. The Cosmograph watches have a bezel engraved tachymeter scale as opposed to the conventional dial-printed Chronographs. To advocate the brand’s association with speed, Rolex launched the Cosmograph Daytona in 1963. Named after Daytona, the world capital of racing, this watch was designed especially for motorsports professionals. The upcoming auction, presented by Finarte, showcases an early 1970s Rolex Daytona ref. 6263 watch. A first-generation Daytona model, the stainless-steel watch has a manual-winding Valjoux based caliber. Also showcased are timepieces from Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget, and Vacheron Constantin. Another highlight of the auction is a 1927 Vittorio Emanuele III 20-lire coin. The Italian coin shows the King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele III, facing right on one face of the coin. This 1927 coin marked the end of the reign of Vittorio Emanuele, as well as the replacement of the Ottoman lire with Turkish lire. The auction also offers items from Tiffany, Buccellati, and Serra Roma, silverware articles, and coins from Rome, Venice, Naples, and Modena. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewJewelry Week / Jewels – Session 1
The upcoming series of auctions held during Finarte’s Jewelry Week will include jewels, watches, silver, and high-quality coins. The first session of this series is dedicated to jewelry. Pieces embellished with diamonds, precious gemstones, and micromosaics will be on offer, including necklaces, rings, brooches, and lapels. Available at the event is an 18-karat yellow gold ring by Chaumet. This piece has a blue vitreous aquamarine stone at the center surrounded by diamonds. Chaumet, a historical jewelry brand from Paris, was founded by Marie-Étienne Nitot in 1780 and has since been known for its tiaras and luxury items. Nitot was said to be a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte and a personal jeweler to his first wife. Another lot on offer is a pair of 18-karat white gold earrings studded with brilliant-cut diamonds. Items from several luxury brands, such as Tiffany & Co., Vhernier, Damiani, and Weingrill, will be presented as well. Browse the entire catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewJewelry Week/Jewels – Session 2
Throughout history, jewelry has conveyed status, wealth, and power. In the second auction of Finarte‘s upcoming Jewelry Week, several pieces from Chaumet, Gavello, Damiani, and Cartier can be found. Created by Marie-Étienne Nitot in Paris, France, the House of Chaumet has been making luxury jewelry since 1780. Featured in this sale is an 18-karat yellow gold, tourmaline, and diamond bangle. Gavello Jewelry is also represented. The company was formed by Rinaldo Gavello and his wife Martha in Milan, Italy in the late 1970s. Gavello’s 18-karat two-color gold and black diamond ring, shaped like a curled snake, will be highlighted. Another key piece is a white gold, diamond, and onyx bracelet from Damiani, an Italian luxury jeweler founded in 1924. A pair of freshwater natural pearl earrings, as well as a platinum and diamond bracelet, round out the auction. To view the entire collection and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewPhotographs: Under 1K
A singer, songwriter, actor, writer, filmmaker, and photographer, the British-American artist David Byrne has never limited himself to one profession. His photography cannot be classified into a particular genre, much like his music. Among the highlights of the upcoming Finarte sale is one of Byrne’s photographs, titled Target Practice Clothesline, Cuba, 1990. The piece measures 76 by 94 centimeters. Another available piece from Byrne is titled Sprague Maternity Ward, North Adams, MA, 1996. Army Girls I, a photograph by Sergey Bratkov, is offered as well. Born in Ukraine and settled in Moscow, Bratkov has documented the post-Soviet life for more than two decades. His Army Girls portrait series was completed in 2000. The auction also features a gelatin silver print of Mario Giacomelli’s L'approdo. It was taken in 1953, the year Giacomelli took to photography and joined the Misa Group. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewFashion Vintage
Specializing in lifestyle products and leather, Hermès named its famous Birkin handbag after the English actress Jane Birkin. She met Jean-Louis Dumas, the son of Robert Dumas-Hermès, in a coincidental encounter. After she complained to him about how inadequate her bag was for daily use, Dumas invited her to France and the two co-designed the Birkin handbag. Among the key highlights of the upcoming Fashion Vintage auction, presented by Finarte, is a range of Hermès Birkin bags. An available blue jean Birkin bag is designed with gold hardware, while a toupe version is styled with palladium. Another Hermès lot in the sale is a gray wool and cashmere poncho designed with black leather details and trim. The auction also features a pearl grey mink sleeveless jacket with edelweiss flower detailing and Italian artisan tailoring. A dark blue wool crèpe sleeveless dress, suit, and jacket designed with six jewel buttons is offered as well, along with a burgundy-colored cape and skirt set from Yves Saint Laurent. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewModern & Contemporary Art
Giacomo Balla, an Italian painter, was an early advocate of Futurism, and his geometric artwork often explored movement and light. Balla first developed an interest in visual art while working in a lithograph printing shop at the age of nine. The upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art Auction, presented by Finarte, will feature an etching and aquatint titled Affetti by Balla. The offered portrait shows the influence of the Italian Divisionists on the artist. Another highlight is a Cossack color screenprint titled Bather by Giorgio de Chirico. The painting uses pastel colors and curves to deliver the sensation of the shown woman’s skin. Alighiero Fabrizio Boetti was known for his works combining different cultures and disciplines. Also known as Alighiero e Boetti, his vision brought together contrasting elements, including embroidery and geography. Classificazione dei Mille fiumi Piu lunghi del mondo, meaning Classification of the Thousand Longest Rivers in the World, is a substantial artwork by Boetti available in this auction. He lists the thousand longest rivers in the world on a color screenprint, with block letters spelling the names of the rivers placed in descending order of their lengths. The auction also offers a lithograph by Maria Lai and Gianfranco Baruchello. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewPrints & Multiples
Giorgio de Chirico, a writer and artist, was the co-founder of the Metaphysical art movement, which influenced the Surrealists before World War I. Tate describes the movement’s style as “...a dream-like view of eerie arcaded squares with unexpected juxtapositions of objects.” An example of de Chirico’s work is featured in the upcoming Prints and Multiples Auction, offered by Finarte. The available collection of ten different prints includes sketches titled The Attendant, Furniture in the Valley, The Idol, and more. Each is signed in the lower right. Another item highlighted in the sale is a color screenprint by Andy Warhol. In the 1950s, he was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. Warhol is best known for capturing the link between celebrity culture and art. The sale also highlights a ceramic work from Pablo Picasso. Beyond his influence in Cubism and Surrealism, the Spanish artist is also known for his ceramics. View more of these lots and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
