Lark Mason Associates is a full-service auction house specializing in fine and decorative works of art with an emphasis on Asian art. We are an international auction house with clients in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Founded by Lark Mason, the company began selling on the iGavelAuctions.com platform in 2003 and since that date has set numerous international records, offering works on behalf of private individuals, dealers, and institutions.
Lark Mason Associates
229 E 120th St, New York, New York 10035
212-289-5524
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseLark Mason Associates to Offer Historic 1897 Steinway Grand Piano with Ties to Evelyn Nesbit and Isaac D. Fletcher on iGavelAuctions.com
Steinway Model A Grand Piano New York, NY — Lark Mason Associates is pleased to announce the upcoming sale of a rare and historically significant Steinway Model A Grand Piano, painted by landscape and decorative arts artist Arthur Edward Blackmore and reputed to have once belonged to the famed model and actress Evelyn Nesbit. With an estimate of $30,000-50,000, online bidding starts May 1st and runs through May 15th on iGavelAuctions.com. Crafted in 1897 by Steinway & Sons in New York (serial number 88495), this richly painted mahogany piano was decorated in a “French Renaissance” style by Arthur Edward Blackmore (1854–1921), who signed and dated the painted panel at the end of the lid. Commissioned by the prominent industrialist and art collector Isaac D. Fletcher, the piano was purchased directly from Steinway for his newly built mansion at the corner of East 79th Street and Fifth Avenue—the Harry F. Sinclair House, now home to the Ukrainian Institute of America. Following Fletcher’s death in 1917, his mansion and art collection were bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in 1918 the contents of the home were sold at auction. The piano, listed as Lot 222 in the American Art Galleries sale held January 25–26, was described in a double-page illustrated entry as: “Specially designed case, Style A; made in rich polished mahogany, with elaborate decorations in color and gilding. Has square front legs and carved lyre. The front panel bears a painted ribbon scroll with the quotation, ‘As may the strains through my ear dissolve me into ecstacies [sic].’ The painting includes trophy and floral panels with scrollwork, signed by Arthur E. Blackmore and dated 1898.” While documented provenance ends with this 1918 auction, by repute the piano was subsequently owned by Evelyn Nesbit (1884/85–1967)—the original “Gibson Girl,” stage and film actress, and central figure in the infamous scandal involving architect Stanford White and her husband Harry K. Thaw. Though no primary documentation exists confirming her ownership, the piano was marketed as hers when sold to prominent Albany businessman John Desmond, in the late 1980s. Desmond, owner of The Desmond…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseiGavel Auctions Tops Half a Million Dollars in Online Auction Sales During Asia Week New York
Morning Glories with Bamboo and Dragonfly, sold by South Bay Auctions, which opened at $50 and soared to $78,126. New Braunfels, TX — Lark Mason Associates and iGavel Auctions announced the successful conclusion of five online auctions of Asian art, which collectively generated $651,656 in sales. The centerpiece of the series was Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics from a Prominent Collector, a single-owner sale that performed particularly well. Leading the results was an Indian Mughal White Jade, Gold, and Ruby Inset Dagger from the 17th/18th Century. Opening at just $600 and estimated at $2,400–4,000, the dagger far exceeded expectations, selling for $20,025. Other notable results from this sale included a Chinese Bronze Tripod Cooking Vessel, Ding, from the Western Zhou Dynasty, which achieved $12,187, and a Han Dynasty Archaic Bronze Ding that brought in $7,812. A group of Five Chinese Henan Brown and Black Glazed Bowls dating to the 10th–12th Centuries realized $6,562, while a lot of Six Chinese Glazed Ceramic Vessels from the 10th Century and Later sold for $3,750. With a total of 684 lots, 585 sold to achieve $174,736. Another auction titled–Chinese Jade Carvings from an American Collector–all of the sixty-two lots found buyers, achieving a total of $98,652. Among the highlights was a Chinese Jade Dragon Bi Disc from the Han Dynasty, which brought in $6,387. The two-part auction, Asian, Ethnographic, and Ancient Works of Art, featured several standout items. An 18th-Century Korean Eight Panel Screen, Ink on Paper, garnered $50,000—more than twice its original estimate of $20,000–30,000. A Chinese Colored Ink and Gouache on Paper, Figure in Landscape, after Zhang Daqian, sold for $42,500. Also featured were a Chinese Red Lacquer Chest from the Qianlong Period, which achieved $13,750; a boxed set of five Chinese volumes with calligraphy rubbings that sold for $13,436, and Along the River During the Qingming Festival, after the very famous 11th Century work by Zhang Zeduan, realized $12,500. Several lots went into extended bidding, with Chinese paintings leading the way. The most exciting to watch was the competition for a framed scroll painting of Morning Glories with Bamboo and Dragonfly, sold…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseLark Mason Associates Unveils Blockbuster Quartet of Asian Art Sales on iGavelAuctions.com in Celebration of Asia Week New York
18th-century Korean Eight-Panel Screen in ink on paper, estimated at$20,000 to $30,000 Each panel is 66 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches. New York and New Braunfels, TX: In celebration of Asia Week New York, Lark Mason Associates is proud to present four major sales of Asian art on iGavelAuctions.com, featuring a dynamic selection of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean works of art, alongside European and American pieces that span over 5,000 years of artistic innovation. From rare Chinese bronzes and jades to iconic anime cels, 18th-century Korean screens, and Spanish Colonial masterpieces, these sales feature an extraordinary range of works spanning over 5,000 years of history and artistic achievement. "We are excited to offer an extraordinary array of Asian, European, and American works of art, representing more than five millennia of creative expression and cultural history," says Lark Mason, founder of Lark Mason Associates. Now open for bidding through March 20, the first of these exciting sales is Retro Anime: Original Cels and Other Items from the 1980s–2000s, a two-part sale benefiting the San Antonio Museum of Art. This nostalgic collection showcases iconic anime history with rare original cels and drawings, including a standout original Sailor Moon cel and drawing featuring Usagi and Luna from Episode 12, estimated at $500 to $800, YuYu Hakusho, Original Anime Cel and Drawing, Yusuke Urameshi, (Estimate: $300-500) and Inuyasha, Original Anime Cel and Drawing, Inuyasha (Estimate: $300-500). Running concurrently through March 27 is Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics from a Prominent Collector, a remarkable assemblage of works from the Estate of Daniel Wolf (1955–2021), acquired between 1997 and 2007. Reflecting the refinement of ancient Chinese ritual bronzes, is a powerful Chinese Bronze Tripod Cooking Vessel (Ding) from the Western Zhou Dynasty, circa 1046–256 BCE, estimated at $5,000 to $8,000. Also, on offer through April 1, is Chinese Jade Carvings from the Collection of Sam and Myrna Myers, featuring significant jade works, many with distinguished provenance and some previously published. Leading this group is an exceptional Chinese Jade Dragon Bi Disk from the Han Dynasty, with an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000, showcasing the elegance and symbolic…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseWith Low Reserves, Native American and Other Works of Art from an Oklahoma Collector is Now in Progress on iGavelAuctions
A Large Pair of 20th century Chinese Cloisonné Censers (Estimate: $2,000-3,000) New Braunfels, TX – Lark Mason Associates is delighted to announce their latest online auction featuring Asian, Native American, and other remarkable works of art from a prominent Oklahoma collector. Now open for bidding through January 14, 2025, on iGavelAuctions.com, this eclectic sale offers a veritable treasure chest of 547 lots at accessible price points. This captivating collection showcases over 25 intricately woven rugs, an impressive selection of more than 108 Native American silver and turquoise jewelry pieces, belts and beadwork. The offerings extend to European and American art, Americana such as Staffordshire flow-blue historical plates, Chinese export porcelain, silver, and a wide range of Art Deco Rosenthal figures. Lark Mason, founder of iGavelAuctions and Lark Mason Associates, states, “The incredible variety of works in this collection reflects the curiosity and diligence of a truly passionate collector. It’s a privilege to present this lifetime of discoveries, which embody such sophistication and taste.” With estimates starting below $3,000 and reserves as low as $25, this auction provides something special for collectors of all interests and budget. Featured Highlights: Silver Coral and Leather Concha Belt, Stamped C MTZ Sterling (Estimate: $200-300) A Large Pair of 20th Century Chinese Cloisonné Censers (Estimate: $2,000-3,000) A 20th Century Persian Tree of Life Qum Rug, signed (Estimate: $1,500-2,500) Pair of European Bronze Figural Candelabras, circa 1900 (Estimate: $1,500-2,500) Four Chinese Pewter and Brass Censers (Estimate: $100-200) A Pair of Gilt Bronze Ecclesiastical Candlesticks, circa 1910 (Estimate: $200-400) A 20th Century Bonallen Metal-studded Tooled Leather Saddle (Estimate: $500-800) A 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock (Estimate: $700-1,000) Valjon, “Stalking Wolf” Bronze Sculpture (Estimate: $500-800) A Native American Silver and Turquoise Purple Heart Mounted Bracelet (Estimate: $250-400) Visit iGavelAuctions.com to view the items and place bids.
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseLark Mason Associates Announces Trio of Holiday Online Auctions Featuring Stunning Jewelry, Watches, and Fine Art Now on iGavelAuctions
New York, NY and New Braunfels, TX- November 25, 2024 - Lark Mason Associates is delighted to present a remarkable trio of holiday online auction sales, offering an impressive selection of fine jewelry, luxury watches, and exceptional artworks. These auctions, now open for bidding on igavelauctions.com,showcase treasures from renowned collections and estates, headlined by a dazzling 5.80 carat diamond ring, a painting by the iconic Willem de Kooning and other rare works by renowned artists. Venetian Bouquet by Françoise Gilot (French/American, 1921-2023) (Estimate: $40-60,000) The first of these auctions–The Collection of Ben Adams, San Antonio Jeweler and Collector–features a captivating array of fine paintings and decorative objects from the celebrated jeweler's estate. Bidding for this sale runs through December 4, 2024, and includes standout pieces such as Venetian Bouquet by Françoise Gilot (French/American, 1921-2023). Gilot, a celebrated painter and author who was in a storied relationship with Pablo Picasso, created this oil on canvas, which is estimated at $40,000-$60,000. It comes with provenance from the Vincent Mann Gallery and is accompanied by Françoise Gilot: Monograph 1940-2000. Another highlight is an 18K Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Grand Complications Wristwatch, authenticated and serviced by the Henri Stern Watch Agency comes with the Service Seal and copy the invoice (Estimate: $40,000-$60,000). Continuing this showcase of exceptional quality is the Jewelry and Watches Auction, now open for bidding through December 10, 2024. Among its most notable offerings is a show-stopping 5.80 carat Diamond and Platinum Ring (Color D, Clarity VS2), accompanied by a GIA certificate and estimated at $100,000-$150,000. This ring comes from the estate of Elinor Ross (1926-2020), an internationally acclaimed opera singer. Other highlights include an 18K Gold and Diamond Necklace, featuring approximately 25 carats of diamonds (Estimate: $20,000-$40,000), as well as a 2.5ct Marquise-Cut Diamond Ring in 14K Gold (Estimate $2,000-$4,000). Collectors will also find a Carved Coral, Diamond, and 18K Gold Pendant with Chain Necklace (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000) and a Rolex 18K Yellow Gold GMT-Master Wristwatch (Estimate: $35,000-$50,000). Rounding out this series is the Fine and Decorative Arts Auction, which runs from November 25 through December 12, 2024. This sale includes…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseLark Mason Associates Achieves Over $900,000 in Asian Art Sales on iGavel Auctions
An 18th century Chinese Imperial Yellow Ground Nine Dragon Brocaded Silk Panel, Qing Dynasty fetched $78,125 New Braunfels, TX — Lark Mason Associates successfully concluded a series of four auctions on iGavel Auctions, generating over $900,000 in sales. The auctions, which closed on October 15th, featured over 950 lots of rare Asian art, ranging from Song Dynasty to Republic Period Chinese porcelain bird feeders and water containers, to Chinese porcelain spoons, and important textiles. Collectors from around the world, including many from the People's Republic of China, competed for the diverse offerings. "The success of these auctions was largely due to the inclusion of a broad selection of accessible, lower- to middle-market items," said Lark Mason. "By dividing the lots into smaller, specialized sales, rather than hosting a single large event, we created a more targeted appeal for collectors." One of the key features of these auctions was the offering of porcelain spoons, bird feeders, and water containers from the estate of Ida Besse Howes, a renowned conservationist, world traveler, and arts advocate from Round Hill, Texas. "We aimed at a specialized audience, particularly those in China, and our strategy paid off. Had we placed these items in a broader sale without allowing time for word to spread within the specialized collecting community, we might have missed significant interest," Mason explained. Competitive bidding led to several lots far exceeding their estimates, with many sales extending into overtime. Notable results include a Qing Dynasty Chinese Imperial Yellow Ground Nine Dragon Brocaded & Kesi Silk Panel, which fetched $78,125; a Chinese Burlwood Covered Album of Letters, Qing Dynasty, and a Rubbing from the Yun Ju Temple, which achieved $52,626.25; and six late 19th-century Chinese Embroidered Framed Silk Panels, which sold for $30,000. A Chinese Gilt Lacquered Bronze Figure of a Bodhisattva hammered at $20,625, while a Chinese Carved Bamboo Figure of a Scholar with a Hardwood Stand brought $13,750. Other significant lots included an early 20th-century bamboo birdcage, which was snapped up for $7,187.50; a Chinese Cobalt Blue Meiping Vase, which achieved $16,875; four Chinese Porcelain Spoons, including one marked Shende Tang, which…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseFrom Prominent Journalist and Statesman to International Collector: Lark Mason Associates Announces The Collection of James Greenfield, Now Open for Bidding on iGavelAuctions
A Pair of Tibetan Gilt Bronze Figures on Deer and Buffalo, 18th Century (Estimate: $4,000-6,000) New York, NY – Lark Mason Associates is pleased to announce the upcoming auction of the esteemed Collection of James Greenfield, a distinguished editor, journalist, statesman, and avid world traveler. The collection is open for bidding on iGavelAuctions.com from October 17 through October 31, 2024. Greenfield, known for his urbane and well-traveled lifestyle, began his illustrious multi-faceted career as a foreign correspondent for Time Magazine, covering the Korean War in the 1950s. His assignments led him to live in Hong Kong, India, Japan and Myanmar, sparking a lifelong fascination with Asia and its diverse cultures. In 1967, Greenfield joined The New York Times overseeing international coverage, including the Vietnam War. His contributions were crucial to the paper's Pulitzer Prize-winning publication of the Pentagon Papers, a secret Defense Department report on American involvement in Vietnam. During his extensive travels across Asia, Greenfield forged close relationships with antique dealers in Hanoi’s back alleys, Hong Kong's Hollywood Road, the sprawling markets of Bangkok, and Cambodia’s flea markets. With a keen and discerning eye, he unearthed small, unassuming objects that often turned out to be rare and extraordinary treasures. Collecting became a lifelong passion, a pursuit that paralleled his career in journalism and public service, which included a pivotal role in the Kennedy Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. By the late 1960s, while working in London as a correspondent for The New York Times, Greenfield's passion for collecting expanded to English furniture, paintings, and decorative objects discovered in the Cotswolds and Bath. Upon returning to the United States, Greenfield continued his pursuit of art and antiques, frequenting regional auctions, tag sales, and small shops. His collection became a diverse showcase of Chinese ceramics, Southeast Asian bronzes, European bronze sculptures, and scientific instruments, many of which will be available in the upcoming iGavel Auctions sale. Notable highlights from The Greenfield Collection include: A Pair of Tibetan Gilt Bronze Figures on Deer and Buffalo, 18th Century (Estimate: $4,000-6,000) A Chinese Huanghuali Table, Qing Dynasty (Estimate: $5,000-8,000)…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseLark Mason Associates presents stunning collection of Chinese and Asian art at auction on iGavelAuctions, October 1-15.
A Chinese Carved Pale celadon Jade Archaistic Covered Vessel, Tulu, Qing Dynasty (Estimate: $4,000-6,000) New York NY: Lark Mason Associates is delighted to announce that over 300 lots of Chinese and other works of Asian art treasures will open for bidding from October 1st through October 15th on iGavelAuctions.com Among the highlights are a set of Eight Korean Painted Panels, late Joseon Dynasty (Estimate: $20,000-30,000), a Chinese Carved Pale celadon Jade Archaistic Covered Vessel, Tulu, Qing Dynasty (Estimate: $4,000-6,000),a Chinese Formal Court Robe, Chaofu, Qing Dynasty (Estimate: $10,000-15,000), a Chinese Gilt Lacquer Seated Lohan, Qing Dynasty (Estimate: $5,000-8,000), an 18th century Chinese Blue and White Dragon Dish, (Estimate: $5,000-8,000), and a set of Five Chinese Blue and White and Café-au-Lait Triple Gourd Form Vases, Kangxi Period (Estimate: $5,000-8,000). Other treasures include an Eight-Panel Japanese Flower Screen, Rimpa School, 17th / 18th century (Estimate: $12,000-18,000), a Chinese Gilt Bronze Figure of Guanyin, Ming Dyansty (Estimate: $4,000-6,000), and a Chinese Underglaze Blue Painted Porcelain Landscape Bowl, 17th/18th century (Estimate: $3,000-5,000). Says Lark Mason: “This is a solid, highly appealing sale which offers a wide range of significant Asian works that span centuries and traditions at reasonable estimates. It’s a great opportunity for collectors, and we look forward to connecting Asian art enthusiasts with these extraordinary objects."
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseWith Over 6,000 Asian Art Treasures from a Renowned Round Top, Texas Collector, Lark Mason Associates Announces a Trio of Blockbuster Auctions on iGavelAuctions.com Now Open for Bidding
Group of 30 Chinese Famille Rose and Other Porcelain Bird Feeders, part of the1,000 piece collection, dating from the Song Dynasty to the Republic Period,expected to fetch between $100,000-200,000 New Braunfels TX: In one of its most extensive sales to date, Lark Mason Associates is delighted to present the Estate of Ida Bess Howes–a conservationist rancher, world traveler, art collector, and arts advocate who resided in the Round Top, Texas community. The first of three online auctions now open for bidding on the iGavel Auctions platform during Asia Week New York. The specialized 106-lot auction features a rare collection of over 1,000 rare Chinese porcelain bird feeders and water containers, ranging from the Song Dynasty to Republic Period, with estimates projected to achieve between $100,000-200,000. This sale closes on September 24th. The second auction–Chinese Porcelain Spoons, Textiles, and Works of Art–opens for bidding on September 19th and closes October 3rd. Highlights include 16 Chinese Famille Rose Peony Commemorative Cups, expected to fetch between $40,000-50,000; a superb collection of over 400 fine and rare Qing Dynasty porcelain spoons, including examples dating to the Guangxu period and earlier, as well as an Imperial Shendetang spoon crafted for the Hall of the Cultivation of Virtue, the summer residence of the Daoguang Emperor, expected to achieve $40,000-60,000. Also featured is a collection of approximately 200 Chinese miniature robin’s egg and monochrome glazed vessels, and more than 400 Chinese Qing dynasty textiles, including garments, fabrics, and wrapping cloths. The third session in this series–Brass Scientific Instruments, Furniture and Works of Art–runs from September 26th to October 11th. Among the standout lots are six Chinese Embroidered Framed Silk Panels, late 19th Century (Estimate: $4,000-6,000). Viewing of the first two Ida Bess Howes sales is by appointment at the New Braunfels gallery, 210 W. Mill Street. Items from the third session of the collection will be on display at the Round Top Ranch on Wednesday, October 9th, and Thursday, October 10th, from noon to 7:00 p.m., with a wine reception on each day from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Email: [email protected] for an invitation and address. Chinese and Other…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseAsia Week New York and Noted Author Becky MacGuire Zoom-In on Four Centuries of Blue & White, Wednesday, September 11, 2024
SEATED CAT Wanli period (1573-1620)8 3/4 inches highPhoto credit: David Schlegel New York: Asia Week New York is delighted to present its Fall webinar: Four Centuries of Blue & White, with the noted decorative arts expert Becky MacGuire author of Four Centuries of Blue & White: The Frelinghuysen Collection of Chinese & Japanese Export Porcelain. Ms. MacGuire will delve into the evolving commercial and cultural exchanges between East and West, with a particular focus on the collection's rare, unusual and little-studied material. Lark Mason will moderate the discussion which will be held on Wednesday, September 11 at 5:00 p.m. EST. To register for the webinar, click: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xYZrTBmBSvu8anXgd-p3jQ The extraordinary Frelinghuysen collection, assembled carefully over 50 years, features an exceptionally wide array of Asian blue and white export porcelain—that most ubiquitous and influential of all ceramics. Ranging from rarities made at the height of the Ming dynasty, when Europeans first sailed to Asia, to commissions executed for the Thai royal court in the last decades of the Qing dynasty, the collection goes beyond iconic export classics to include pieces made for markets from Japan to the Islamic world. An intriguing counterpoint is provided by a full complement of Japanese export. About the Panelists: Becky MacGuire was the longtime senior specialist in Chinese export art at Christie's and director of the firm's New York Exceptional Sale. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley with honors in art history, Ms. MacGuire completed the program of the Study Centre for the Fine and Decorative Arts at the Victoria and Albert Museum. A frequent lecturer, she was an original appraiser on “The Antiques Roadshow” and a founding partner of The Chinese Porcelain Company. Ms. MacGuire is the author of Four Centuries of Blue & White: The Frelinghuysen Collection of Chinese & Japanese Export Porcelain, published by Paul Holberton Books (October 2023). Lark Mason, founder and CEO of iGavel Auctions, is renowned for his regular appearances on "The Antiques Roadshow" and his expertise in Chinese art. He established Lark Mason Associates, an auction house with locations in New Braunfels, Texas, and New York City, specializing in Asian, ethnographic, and ancient works of art. The…
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Auction Industry, Press Release200 Rare Napoleon III-era Exotic Boxes are Among the Summer Treasures for Sale on iGavelAuctions.com, June 12
Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Rococo Revival Oil Lamps, Gagneau, circa 1860-1880 (Estimate: $25,000-30,000) New York, NY and New Braunfels TX: Lark Mason Associates heads into summer with two exceptional sales. The first, Exquisite Boxes, Furniture and Works of Art will open for bidding on June 12 and run through June 27 on igavelauctions.com. With more than 360 lots, the standouts include a monumental collection from a professional conservator of over 200 Napoleon III-era and earlier exotic inlay and gilt bronze mounted jewelry and glove boxes. Together with lap desks and ink stands, the collection is estimated at approximately $90,000-150,000. Also included is a pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Rococo Revival Oil Lamps, Gagneau, circa 1860-1880 (Estimate: $25,000-30,000). Other notable items are: Petit Soleil, a glazed ceramic tile, by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) (Estimate: $4,000-6,000); a 17th century Aubusson Landscape Tapestry (Estimate: $10,000-15,000); a group of four 16th-17th century Brussels Tapestries, each estimated between $7,000-10,000, two 18th century oil paintings of hunt scenes by George Morland: Meet by the Farmhouse and Death in a Rocky Clearing, Provenance Christies, December 6, 2000, lot 29 (Estimate: $5,000-8,000) and Ceramique from Ceramiques de Miro et Artigas, a lithograph by Joan Miró (1893-1983) (Estimate: $3,000-5,000). Furniture highlights include a Neoclassical Marquetry Commode by Giuseppe Maggiolini, (Estimate: $8,000-12,000), and a French Regence Ebonized Wood Commode (Estimate: $5,000-8,000). Among the knockouts in the second sale, Jewelry, Silver and Works of Art from a Prominent Collector–which opens for bidding on June 18 and runs through July 2–are a Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Card Box and Cover, dated 1947, from the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Estimate: $2,000-4,000); a Pair of Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Five Light Candelabra, by Koch & Bergfeld, Bremen, circa 1900 (Estimate: $1,500-2,000); a Roger Skeet Navajo Native American Sterling Silver and Turquoise Concho Belt (Estimate: $1,000-1,500); a Native American 14K Gold, Turquoise and Claw Necklace (Estimate: $700-1,000); and a Japanese Komai Gold Damascene Iron Barrel Form Box & Cover, Signed Komai Otojiro, Meiji Period (Estimate: $500-800).Noted Lark Mason: "From a Tiffany Sterling silver card box once owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseThe Consummate New Yorker: Books and Other Collections from Robert Gottlieb Opens for Bidding on iGavelAuctions.com, May 30 – June 13
First edition, first printing, first issue dust jacket of Catch-22, bearing a personalized inscription (Simon & Schuster 1961) (Estimate: $20,000-30,000) New York: Lark Mason Associates is delighted to announce that “The Consummate New Yorker: Books and Other Collections from Robert Gottlieb” will be open for bidding on iGavelAuctions.com, from May 30th to June 13th, 2024. Robert Gottlieb–renowned for his editorial stewardship at Simon & Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf, and The New Yorker–shaped a bibliophile’s library of novels, nonfiction books, and magazine articles by a Who’s Who of prominent writers from the mid-to-late 20th century. In his private life, Gottlieb was a collector in his own right, amassing a quirky assortment of Lucite handbags from the 1950s, American travel postcards, Art Deco and early 20th Century decorative arts, and his primary love, books. The sale, with over 130 lots, includes volumes penned by highly acclaimed 20th century writers Joseph Heller, John le Carré, Robert Caro, Toni Morrison, Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Cheever, Doris Lessing, Bill Gates, Katharine Graham, Barbara Tuchman, Jessica Mitford, and many others. “Robert Gottlieb was one of New York’s most venerated and influential literary personalities in publishing,” says Lark Mason. “This auction offers bibliophiles and contemporary design enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire an important selection of first edition books and mid-twentieth century decorative objects.” Among the books are three by Joseph Heller: a first edition, first printing, first issue dust jacket of Catch-22, bearing a personalized inscription (Simon & Schuster 1961) (Estimate: $20,000-30,000), an inscribed Something Happened, (Alfred A. Knopf, 1974) (Estimate: $2,000-3,000), and an advance reader’s copy of the uncorrected proof of Closing Time, with a letter from the author to Gottlieb (Estimate: $2,000-3,000). Jane Austen's four-volume first edition set of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, (London: John Murray, 1818) (Estimate: $4,000-6,000) and Bill Gates’ How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, (Knopf, 2021), with a personalized note to Gottlieb from the author (Estimate: $2,000-3,000) are also of interest. Lucite handbags feature a highly desirable Llewellyn Beehive Box Bag together with a Wilardy Two-Compartment Box Bag (Estimate: $150-350), and two Wilardy bags, one lace-inset with flowers, the other black with…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseSurpassing its $800 to $1,200, After Giambologna, Two Patinated Bronze Allegorical Figures of Astronomy and Architecture Fetches $500,000 in the Lark Mason Associates Series of Asian Art Sales
After Giambologna, Two Patinated Bronze Allegorical Figures of Astronomy and Architecture Fetches $500,000 New York: Amidst the dazzling array of Asian art treasures in the Shahmoon Family Collection Asian, European and Other Works of Art, one of the four sales presented by Lark Mason Associates on iGavelAuctions.com, during Asia Week New York, was one standout that attracted a great deal of excitement and competitive bidding. Surpassing all expectations, After Giambologna, Two Patinated Bronze Allegorical Figures of Astronomy and Architecture achieved a remarkable $500,000 far exceeding its estimate of $800-$1,200. Lark Mason, founder of Lark Mason Associates, commented on the electrifying outcome of the Shahmoon sale, noting the exceptional performance of these sculptures from a model by Giambologna, renowned for his connection to the Medici family. "Auctions often deliver surprises, and the success of the Shahmoon sale was truly astounding," Mason remarked. According to Mason, the combined sales exceeded an impressive $1.5 million, with a sell-through rate of eighty-two percent, and thirty-one percent of lots entering extended bidding. Among the remarkable highlights of the Asian Works of Art sale were several pieces that far surpassed their initial estimates. Notable examples include a Chinese Blue and White Baluster Vase, Daoguang Mark and Period, originally estimated at $7,000-10,000, which sold for $24,375.00. Additionally, a Chinese Reticulated Jade Censer and Cover, initially valued at $1,000-1,500, achieved an impressive $19,513.75, while a Huanghuali Low Kang table, circa 1700, estimated at $10,000-15,000, fetched $19,375.00. The Collection of Bruce and Barbara Sullivan also featured standout pieces, such as a Pair of Hexagonal Jardinieres from the Qing Dynasty, originally estimated at $700-1,000, which ultimately sold for $18,750.00. Another highlight was a Chinese Carved Yellow Jade Recumbent Phoenix, initially valued at $1,500-2,500, which commanded $20,625.00. The Collection of Brigadier General Charles A. Coolidge garnered significant attention as well, with notable sales including a Chinese White Jade Monkey Group from the Qing Dynasty, which exceeded its estimate of $1,000-1,500 by fetching $7,187.50. A Chinese Gilt Bronze Cloisonne Circular Box, Qianlong Mark and Period, surpassed expectations with a sale price of $18,125.00, well above its estimate of $5,000-8,000. Additionally, a Chinese…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseFeaturing Alexander Calder Works on Paper, Lark Mason Associates Presents a Fine and Decorative Arts Sale Now Open for Bidding on iGavelAuctions.com
Alexander Calder (1898-1976), Pinwheel & Hourglass,Gouache on Paper, 1944 FD1C New York, NY, and New Braunfels, TX - Lark Mason Associates announces that their highly anticipated sale of Fine and Decorative Arts is now available for bidding exclusively on iGavelAuctions.com until Tuesday, February 27th. Among the treasures awaiting discerning collectors are remarkable works on paper by the iconic Alexander Calder, alongside a diverse array of over 125 lots of Continental and Asian furniture, mirrors, carpets, lamps, paintings, watches, and silver, spanning the 18th to 20th centuries. “We are thrilled to offer this exceptional collection of Alexander Calder's works on paper, showcasing the ingenuity and timeless allure of one of the most revered artists of our era,” remarks Lark Mason, founder of Lark Mason Associates. Among the notable Calder pieces–each with a label designating the provenance of Perls Galleries, specialists in French contemporary art from 1937 to 1997 in New York)–are Pinwheel & Hourglass, a captivating Gouache on Paper from 1944 (Estimate: $25,000-35,000); Red Discs, an enchanting Gouache on Paper created in 1964 (Estimate: $25,000-35,000); Yellow Yin and Red Yang, a vibrant Gouache on Paper dating to 1967 (Estimate: $15,000-20,000); and the evocative Misty Moisty was the Morn, an Ink on Paper from 1944 (Estimate: $5,000-7,000). Mason emphasizes that the inviting estimates have been carefully set to stimulate spirited bidding. Highlighting the furniture selection are exquisite pieces such as a Louis XV Marble-top Commode (Estimate: $2,500-3,500); a circa 1900 Austrian Bentwood Settee (Estimate: $700-1,000); a George III Inlaid Mahogany Demi-Lune Sideboard (Estimate: $600-900); and a Set of Eight Regency Brass-inlaid Mahogany Dining Chairs (Estimate: $3,000-5,000). The decorative arts offerings feature standout items including a Massive Japanese Cloisonne Vase, circa 1900 (Estimate: $1,000-1500); a resplendent 19th-century John and William Vokins Rococo Style Giltwood Mirror (Estimate: $1,000-2,000); a striking Pair of Baroque Style Wrought Iron Candle Stands (Estimate: $800-1200); a Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Sugar Bowl and Creamer Set, designed by Johan Rohde (Estimate: $200-400); and a set of Twelve Wallace Sterling Silver Goblets (Estimate: $600-900). About Lark Mason Associates With offices in New Braunfels, Texas, and New York City, Lark Mason Associates is a…
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Auction Industry, Press ReleaseAsia Week New York Zoom in on Unintended Consequences: An Overview of Objects of Addiction: Opium, Empire, and the Chinese Art Trade, at the Harvard Art Museums, Wednesday, December 13
New York: Asia Week New York, in collaboration with Harvard Art Museums, is delighted to present "Unintended Consequences: An Overview of “Objects of Addiction—Opium, Empire, and the Chinese Art Trade," now on display there through January 14, 2024. This intriguing webinar explores the interconnected histories of the opium trade and the Chinese art market from the late 18th to early 20th centuries. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Click here to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4YQwwwqHSEeB04GPjFVF5A Opium pipe, China, Qing dynasty to Republican period, inscribed with cyclical date corresponding to 1868 or 1928. Water buffalo horn, metal, and ceramic. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L.Winthrop, 1943.55.6. Photo: © President and Fellows of Harvard College; courtesy of the Harvard Art Museums. Dr. Sarah Laursen, curator of "Objects of Addiction: Opium, Empire, and the Chinese Art Trade” will lead the discussion, unveiling the intricate relationship between opium and Chinese art. This exploration sheds light on their profound impact on the global economy, cultural landscape, education, and, notably, public health and immigration—issues that continue to resonate today. The session will be moderated by Lark Mason, founder of iGavelAuctions. Dr. Laursen will provide a historical context to the complex opium and Chinese art trades, presenting a comprehensive timeline of events in China, Europe, and the United States. The consequences of the Opium Wars, from the 18th-century illegal sale of Indian opium in China to the active involvement of Massachusetts merchants in the opium trade during the 19th century, will be highlighted. The discussion will also explore the growing interest in Chinese art in Europe and the United States post-Opium Wars, examining the formation of Chinese art collections in Massachusetts in the early 20th century. Artifacts from former opium traders' homes, such as the Forbes House Museum and Ipswich Museum and others, illustrate the prevailing taste for functional or decorative objects such as export ceramics and lacquer furnishings. Newly available imperial palace treasures also prompted the collecting of ancient bronzes and jades unearthed from tombs. Dr. Laursen also draws parallels between China's historical opium crisis and the contemporary opioid epidemic…
