Leonard Auction
330 W. Interstate Rd., Addison, Chicago, Illinois 60101
630-495-0229
About Auction House
Leonard Auction connects a global market of buyers to ourcurated catalog of estate auction lots and makes it easy to buy and sell quality items. We ensure that every item we feature is alwaysrepresented accurately and given the utmost carethrough the entire auction process. From appraisal and item pickup, all the way through to final delivery to the buyer, our experienced team of auction professionals ensures a smooth transaction. Leonard Auction offers customers an honest, easy-to-work-with, knowledgeable and experienced partner for all their auction needs.Auction Previews & News
8 Results
Auction PreviewLandmark 1879 Four-Dollar Flowing Hair Stella Coin Shines in Single Owner Coin Auction
A landmark 1879 four-dollar flowing hair coin with an old green holder is leading the upcoming Single Owner Coin Auction, presented by Leonard Auction. It is a Stella PR-63 PCGS coin minted in the US in 1879 and acquired from an estate in Madison, Wisconsin. Stella coins were produced in 1879 and 1880 at the suggestion of Hon. John A. Kasson, U.S. minister to Austria. Kasson felt that a coin of this value would be used by foreign travelers, as it could be readily exchanged for gold coins of approximately equivalent value in France, Germany, and other European countries. The obverse of the four-dollar piece depicting Lady Liberty with long, flowing hair was designed by Chief Mint Engraver Charles Barber. On the reverse, a large, five-pointed star is framed stating the coin’s worth. Its metallic content in the metric system is 6G, .3S, .7C, and 7 GRAMS, indicating its international nature. A set of 15 US Indian Head two-dollar half gold coins is another notable lot in the sale. The set contains a 90% pure gold Indian Head “Quarter Eagle” from every year of issue (1908 - 1915 and 1925 - 1929). The coin was designed by the renowned sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt. A set of US Gold types that includes 12 different sizes and designs is another notable lot. It includes coins from 1853 $1 Type 1 to 1926 $2.50. Find the listed items and register to place a bid in the Single Owner Coin Auction (Sale #323) and browse other online auctions on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewAbstract Native American Art by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Jules Breton’s Idyllic French Countryside Scene Lead Leonard Auction’s Upcoming Sale
Native American visual artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is a celebrated art educator and political activist. She is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Also of Métis and Shoshone descent, Smith explores subjects such as Native identity and historical oppression. The upcoming Leonard Auction sale will feature a pastel on paper piece by the artist. It portrays an abstract image of a Native American village, float matted with acrylic. An oil on canvas work by Jules Breton also leads the catalog. It depicts a rural scene of a group of women carrying out their chores at a water well. The 19th-century naturalist painter was known for his idyllic portrayal of the French countryside. A striking artwork by Paul Seignac, another French painter of the period, portrays a military officer visiting a young woman. It is mounted in a gold-tone carved wood frame. Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s Faune Cavalier is a noteworthy earthenware ceramic plate with blue slip over a white glaze. The piece is stamped and marked verso 'Madoura Plein Feu / Empreinte Originale de Picasso / C111 / #57-100.' To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming February Online Auction (Sale #312), visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Auction PreviewArt Nouveau Sterling Silver Set and Arman’s Accumulation Sculpture Highlight Leonard Auction’s Upcoming Sale
Derived from the French word “marteler” (meaning “to hammer”), martelé is a hand-wrought line of silver created by the Gorham Manufacturing Company between 1897 and 1912. Each martelé piece would be handcrafted by an artisan solely from start to finish. It was considered a significant expression of the Art Nouveau style in America. The upcoming sale, offered by Leonard Auction, will feature a seven-piece Gorham martelé sterling silver hand-hammered beverage set. It consists of a two-handle tray, a tilting hot water kettle and burner, a coffee pot, a tea pot, a creamer, a lidded sugar and a waste dish. The Art Nouveau floral-styled pieces are hallmarked and stamped on their undersides. Another striking sterling silver lot is a Mount Vernon Sheraton flatware service. The massive set of 390 items includes dinner, tea and fruit knives, dinner and luncheon forks, tablespoons, teaspoons, and ice cream spoons. A noteworthy sculpture by Arman also leads the listings. The 1991 artwork is an accumulation of lined-up paintbrushes with their multi-colored strokes. These are embedded in polyester resin and have an acrylic stand. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming October Online Auction (Sale #307), visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Auction PreviewMorgan Dollars Set and a Chopard Necklace in Leonard Auction’s Upcoming Event
A set of 95 Morgan dollars is among the highlights of the upcoming September Online Auction from Leonard Auction. The coins from 1878 to 1921 (only missing 1895) include 1889-CC XF Details PCGS and 1893-S XF Details PCGS. They are housed in two Dansco albums. These silver dollars were designed by Mint Chief Engraver George T. Morgan. The obverse of the coin features a close-up portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a “Phrygian Crown,” and the reverse has a heraldic eagle. Morgan dollars were minted from 1878 to 1904 each year, and again in 1921 for one final year. They are known as the “King of America's Coins” and are considered highly valuable by collectors. A Chopard 18-karat yellow gold pendant and necklace is also available in this sale. The twisted rope necklace comes with a circular diamond pendant. The pendant has a compartment containing a round-cut yellow sapphire fish and three bezel-set diamonds. Apart from this, Georges Clemenceau's Au Pied du Sinai is available. Published in Paris in 1898, the book contains illustrations by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. This auction offers furniture, Asian decorative arts, textiles, and more. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming September Online Auction (Sale #306), visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Auction PreviewSignificant Artworks by Bernard Buffet and Aref El-Rayess Lead Leonard Auction’s Upcoming Sale
French painter and printmaker Bernard Buffet produced an extensive body of over 8,000 works during his lifetime. He was a proponent of representational art and also a member of the anti-abstraction group L'homme Témoin. Some of his popular subjects included townscapes depicting pointed and elongated forms with subdued hues. The somber mood of his paintings was considered to be an expression of post-war emotions. Cafe Restaurant, Au Bon Coin, a mixed media on paper by Buffet, is a key highlight of the upcoming Leonard Auction event. Like most of his works, this one too portrays black outlines and persistent brush strokes that evoke melancholy. Another noteworthy painting is an abstract landscape by Lebanese artist Aref El-Rayess. Inspired by the Arabian Desert, the oil on canvas work is framed in linen-lined gold-tone wood. The painter is known for exploring varied materials and painting techniques, including elasticity and resistance. A lithograph by Joan Miró titled Peinture-Poésie also leads the listing. The influential Spanish artist is noted for his distinctive bold outlines, vivid colors and organic shapes. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming May Online Auction (Sale #302), visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Auction PreviewSalvador Dalí’s Etching Portfolio ‘Twelve Tribes of Israel’ Leads Upcoming Leonard Auction Event
Surrealist icon and printmaker Salvador Dalí was among the seminal watercolor painters of Spain. His artworks often depicted dreamlike scenarios centering on the subconscious mind, hallucinations, and emotional themes. The upcoming Leonard Auction event presents Twelve Tribes of Israel, a portfolio of 13 original etchings by Salvador Dalí. Created in 1973, each of the etchings represents tribes— Simeon, Levi, Reuben, Judah, Zebulun, and more. It is a prominent example of how the artist’s artworks were influenced by religious themes. The lot includes a multi-motif frontispiece with individually titled folders and a print edition justification page. Another auction highlight is an oil painting by Dutch post-war and contemporary painter Jan Rijlaarsdam. Titled Early Morning Storm: Paris, the canvas features the cityscape rendered in a palette of grayscale and earth tones. It is painted in a semi-abstract style. Additional lots include a flat and wavy wood sculpture by Doug Ayers, a directional serpentine sofa by Vladimir Kagan, and silver coin assortments. Visit Bidsquare to view the complete catalog for this April Online Auction (Sale #301) and other online auctions.
Auction PreviewUpcoming Sale by Leonard Auction Showcases Paintings by Lê Phổ and Aref El Rayess
French-Vietnamese artist Lê Phổ was famous for portraying gardens and Vietnamese women with lush landscapes in the background. The upcoming Leonard Auction event presents Lys Jaunes Marguerites, an undated artwork by Lê Phổ. The available painting features a slender wooden vase filled with fresh yellow lilies and daisies. The oil on the Masonite piece showcases the artist’s Surrealist style and love for floral still-life scenes. Fine art collectors will also find an abstract landscape by a Lebanese artist, Aref El Rayess. Born in Aley, Mount Lebanon, Rayess was a self-taught artist who exhibited for the first time in 1948. Also showcased in this sale is an Omega platinum and diamond wristwatch. The sparkling piece has a floral cover fitted with 14 marquis-cut diamond petals. Additionally, the center has four round and three pear-cut diamonds leading to a watch encased in a diamond-encrusted band. Other noteworthy lots include a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited SUV, St. Louis 'Thistle' compote, and a Chinese porcelain moon flask vase. Visit Bidsquare to view the complete catalog for this March Online Auction (Sale #300) event and to browse other online auctions.
Auction PreviewBrilliant-Cut Diamond Ring and Signed Gallé Glass Table Lamp Lead Leonard Auction’s Event
This December Online Auction, presented by Leonard Auction, will particularly highlight a 14-karat yellow gold and four-carat diamond ring. An oval-shaped brilliant-cut diamond in the center is surrounded by two trillion-cut diamonds on either side. The central diamond is set slightly higher than the other two diamonds, drawing more attention. The accompanying GIA report states that the diamond is natural with VS2 clarity. A signed Gallé 'Peony' cameo glass table lamp is another highlight. It was made by French designer Émile Gallé, an artist known for his innovative use of colored glass and glass art techniques. While the lamp base and domed shade have red cameo peonies and leaves, the fitter looks like a three-arm spider with scarab end pieces. Other key lots in the auction include a Moser glass jardinière and stand. The ornamental pot is covered with painted and enameled leaf motifs, insects, and birds. The inside bottom of the base reads '654. D.180 Moser' marked in golden paint. Bidders can also consider an oil painting by Alexandra Nechita, a Romanian-American painter who started exhibiting her artworks at the age of eight. Visit Bidsquare to view the complete catalog and browse other online auctions.
Auction PreviewAbstract Watercolor Painting by Dong Kingman Showcased in Upcoming Leonard Auction Event
California Style School artist Dong Kingman was among the seminal watercolor painters of America. He was famous for his cityscapes depicting the urban lifestyle in San Francisco and New York City. The upcoming Leonard Auction event presents Guanajuato, Mexico, a watercolor landscape by Dong Kingman. The available painting portrays a scene at Plaza de la Paz as people and cattle linger around the Our Lady of Guanajuato statue. It is a prominent example of the artist’s post-war artworks with an abstract geometric style and complex themes. Fine art collectors will also find a still life by Henry Faulkner portraying a bunch of roses in a vase against a pink background. The oil on Masonite piece depicts Faulkner’s colorist and Surrealist style. Also showcased is an Ecrou de Cartier bracelet inspired by Cartier’s iconic jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo. The 18-karat yellow gold bracelet reflects a mix of industrial design innovations. Another auction highlight is a Gorham sterling silver Melrose flatware assortment. The company defined this 1948 Rococo Revival pattern flatware series as a symbol of the “American way of living.” The scallop-design flatware features a combination of classic scroll leaves and floral patterns. Additional lots include a Persian Hamadan wool rug, a Waterford Crystal assortment, and Rado timepieces. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewUpcoming Sale by Leonard Auction Showcases Gio Ponti Furniture, Rolex ‘Pepsi’ Watch
The end of World War II increased demand for new furniture designs in the United States. To meet these design expectations and bring modern furniture to America, makers Singer & Sons collaborated with designer Gio Ponti. This partnership introduced Italian design to the American furniture market. The upcoming Leonard Auction sale will present a Singer & Sons double dresser by Gio Ponti. The featured luxury wood dresser features smooth shapes and a fine finish— Ponti's signature style. Also showcased is a Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ wristwatch featuring a jubilee bracelet and a black dial. This Rolex sports watch includes a 24-hour multi-color Cerachrom bidirectional bezel. Due to the red and blue color of the bezel, which resembles Pepsi’s logo, it became popularly known as a ‘Pepsi watch.’ However, the two-color bezel was only designed to tell the time of day. Red symbolized daytime and blue signaled night. The auction also highlights a Georg Jensen Caravel sterling silver flatware service. Designed by Henning Koppel in 1957, the Caravel silver pattern is famous for its style and expression. Other notable lots include a Japanese Meiji-period Kinkozan Satsuma jar and oil paintings by Lewis Henry Meakin. The auction also features George Nakashima furniture, Vacheron Constantin timepieces, gold and diamond jewelry, and Lalique Crystal items. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewOnline September Auction
Kehinde Wiley's painting is one of the highlighted lots in the upcoming September sale, presented by Leonard Auction. Titled Psyche Abandoned, the piece shows a Black woman's portrait against a heavily-ornamented pattern of flowers. Wiley is recognized for his highly patterned portrait paintings of Black Americans. The poses, objects, and backgrounds used in his portraits take inspiration from French Rococo, the modern urban landscape, and everything in between. Wiley says his figurative paintings "quote historical sources and position young black men within that field of power." Another featured work in this event is from Kara Walker. An American artist, Walker is known for creating black-and-white silhouette works that explore the history of American racial discrimination. Titled I'll Be a Monkey's Uncle, the available piece depicts the figure of a girl and a monkey in black silhouette against a white background. Also offered is a cylindrical, abstract vase from Clyde Burt. Explore the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Auction IndustryArtist to Know: Ndidi Emefiele
Leonard Auction to Present Mixed Media Painting from Rising Nigerian Artist Among the leading voices of contemporary Nigerian art is Ndidi Emefiele, a painter in her early 30s who is working to subvert Western expectations of African art. The women shown in her paintings have wide eyes protected by colorful glasses and are dressed in rich fabric scraps. Emefiele’s work raises questions about gender, culture, and style. “Physically and emotionally covered up, [the northern Nigerian woman] has to grow into a role that is already carved out for her from infancy. It was normal for a while but it didn’t take long before I began to feel a need to revolt using my work,” Emefiele has said about her art. One of her paintings will be on offer in Leonard Auction’s upcoming online sale, held on August 16th, 2020, at 11:00 AM EDT. Get to know Ndidi Emefiele before the bidding starts. Ndidi Emefiele. Image from New African Woman Magazine. Born in 1987, Emefiele spent the majority of her life in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Her interest in art began at an early age but strengthened while she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Delta State University, Abraka. While still building a following in Nigeria, Emefiele traveled to London to pursue her master’s degree at the Slade School of Fine Art. Her experience studying abroad not only provided professional opportunities but also threw light on the global lack of support for women artists. “In Nigeria, some would easily classify you as a mediocre for being female and inferior to your male counterparts, or spend more time looking for the bad in your work as they believe you are likely to spend less time making art,” Emefiele told Omenka, a Nigerian art gallery. The empowering nature of her paintings is designed to combat these beliefs. Citing Frida Kahlo, Wangechi Mutu, and Nike Okundaye among her influences, Emefiele’s art plays with the proportions of women’s heads and shoulders. Placing sun or eyeglasses on her subjects’ faces, Emefiele creates a boundary between them and the viewer: “[The glasses are] that curtain,…
Auction PreviewOnline August Auction
As Troy Brauntuch worked with a group of artists called the Pictures Generation in the late 19th century, he was introduced to mass media. For several years, he studied the art form, which eventually defined his style. Describing his abstract and figurative works, Dominique Von Burg writes, “Brauntuch’s compositions challenge perception and call for great concentration.” One of his pastel on paper pieces will be highlighted in Leonard Auction’s upcoming online sale. The 1985 piece is an abstract composition in shades of teal and gray against a black backdrop. Another mass media work is from Ndidi Emefiele. A renowned artist, Emefiele creates works that drew on cultural, gendered, and personal references. Her works portray women as strong, vibrant, and self-confident. The available piece shows a brown leather couch with fabric pillows and glasses on the seat. Also offered is a Baroque sterling silver flatware service from Wallace Silver. Wallace is recognized as the first American metalsmith to make spoons out of German silver. The offered set includes dinner knives, forks, teaspoons, and a gravy ladle among the 83 pieces. Explore the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewOnline July Auction
Between 1989 and 1995, the Moscow Mint produced a series of palladium bullion coins that pictured a ballerina on the front. Created to honor the Bolshoi Theatre, one of the best-known cultural institutions in Moscow, these coins continued production through the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A 25-roubles ballerina coin from 1990 will be featured in the upcoming Online July Auction, offered by Leonard Auction. The back of the piece places it before the collapse of the U.S.S.R., showing the hammer and sickle symbol atop a globe. Other notable numismatic lots include a 1975 South African Krugerrand and a 1915 gold ducat from Austria. Leading the fine art lots are two paintings from Béla Czóbel, a Hungarian painter and graphic artist associated with Fauvism and Expressionism. One of the works, titled Grand Bouquet, shows a striped vase filled with red and pink flowers. The other captures a dirt road and a few houses under a dark sky. Instrument collectors will also find a Gibson ES-335 TDW electric guitar with a mother-of-pearl inlay. To browse the complete catalog and register for online bidding, visit Bidsquare.
Auction PreviewOnline June Auction
Frank Helsley, the founder of Republic Guitars, was a teenager when he first heard Johnny Winter playing a resonator. Helsley became obsessed with music and guitars after that. Failing to find affordable options, Helsley founded his own guitar company. In 2009, he designed a travel-sized guitar, the Highway 61, which became famous among the likes of the Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, and Winter himself. The upcoming Online June Auction, presented by Leonard Auction, offers a Republic Highway 61 resonator guitar with a copper finish. The sale also includes over 150 lots of jewelry and fine art. Among the key items is a Lariat-style necklace. Originating in Spain in the 1820s, a lariat is a long chain that lacks a clasp. It is often draped multiple times around the neck. The available 14-karat gold chain has a round cut citrine mounted on a slide. The length of the chain can be altered by moving the slide. Also available in this auction is an oil painting by John Bradshaw Crandell. Known as the “artist of the stars,” his clientele included such celebrities as Bette Davis, Judy Garland, and Carole Lombard. Visit Bidsquare to browse the full catalog and register to bid online.
