Potter & Potter has invited collectors to enter The Matrix with the upcoming Wachowski Collection sale. This auction is offering some of the most iconic props in science fiction history. The Wachowskis are the minds behind some of the most groundbreaking Hollywood movies like The Matrix, Cloud Atlas, Speed Racer, and Jupiter Ascending. Their collection of iconic props from these movies is going under the hammer. This sale starts with a screen-used Lightning Rifle prop from The Matrix. It is the original resin, rubber, and foam prop model. On-screen, it was the weapon wielded by Cypher (Joe Pantoliano) against Tank (Marcus Chong) and Dozer (Anthony Ray Parker) when he reveals himself as an ally of Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) in The Matrix.
A chase scene screen-used banner from Cloud Atlas will be available in the auction. It is an original vinyl banner with imagery rendered in graphic style depicting the narrative in an arc. The banner begins with Adam Ewing’s opening sequence at sea and ends with the death and subsequent worship of Sonmi-451 as a deity. It was an integral part of the movie Cloud Atlas as Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) tries to escape her pursuers who are bent on retrieving her copy of Rufus Sixsmith’s (James D’Arcy) bombshell report. The Wachowskis are known for their ambitious, mind and bullet bending projects that don’t just have fans but a cult-like following. Find the listed items and more on Potter & Potter’s website and register to place a bid.
Guy Laliberté, who is the founder of Le Cirque du Soleil, Lune Rouge, and One Drop Foundation, also has a passionate interest in traditional arts of non-European people. To curate and assist this interest, he sought out the assistance of the curators at Christie’s. The team helped him acquire works in the past and now pass on some of those works to the future, via the Guy Laliberté Collection sale. The objects in the sale originated in the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa and were curated for Laliberté to reflect the emotion, ceremony, and stylistic command represented by Le Cirque de Soleil. These items have been displayed around the world.
One notable lot from the sculptural and ceremonial art of the collection is a Kota-Ndassa reliquary figure from Gabon. The figure is made in the Ndassa style, which the auction house says is “characterized by an attempt to create a third dimension,” which differentiates the Kota-Ndassa effigies from other Gabon statuary. Further differentiating features include the use of various metals and alloys to create colorful affects such as “red copper for the cheeks, [and] iron for the arched brows and ‘tears.’” Other works in the sale include a bearded Hemba figure from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a seated Djenné terra cotta figure from Niger, a Yoruba Adénlá or “Beaded Crown” from Nigeria, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid with Christie’s.
Kentucky-born portrait painter Matthew Harris Jouett is noted for his portraits of statesmen and high-ranking officials. In 1816, he left for Boston to study painting under Gilbert Stuart. After a brief yet significant study period, Jouett painted several portraits of statesman Henry Clay. One of them is a key highlight of The Inaugural Kentucky sale, presented by Kentucky Auction. The available work resulted from a single sitting that most likely took place in 1818 in Kentucky. The oil on poplar panel depicts a densely-shaded image of Clay without much background detail. This portrait exemplifies the influence of Stuart’s tutelage on his star pupil. However, it also illustrates Jouett’s own provincial style and strong design sense. Another striking painting from Kentucky-born artist Henry Faulkner is noteworthy for its use of colors. The oil on board My Soul is a Blue Lion demonstrates Faulkner’s eccentric personality and his avidly vibrant style.
The sale also offers a set of eight Kentucky-built chairs. The lot comprises one armchair and seven side chairs with the same construction. The top slats are painted with stenciled grape and leaf motifs while the back posts are adorned with gold-painted stripes and ring turnings. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Kentucky Auction.
Bernard Buffet’s paintings predominantly incorporate figurative and graphic compositions. In an attempt to address the importance of representational art, Buffet rejected the concept of abstract style which was dominating the art market at that time. His works revolved around the themes of death, pop culture, sexuality, and politics. A portrait of a woman by Buffet is available in the Property From the Estate of Robert Evans Online Only Auction, presented by Julien’s Auctions. The sketch was executed in 1949. According to the lot essay, this drawing appears in the living room of Woodland in the film The Kid Stays in the Picture.
The upcoming auction also includes work by notable 19th-century photographers like Helmut Newton. The fashion photographer from Berlin collaborated with renowned publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Playboy, and Elle. Newton was mostly active between the 1950s and 1960s. His works can be characterized by the theme of sexuality. One offered image shows two women dancing intimately in front of a fountain. View all the listed items on Julien’s Auctions and register to place a bid.
A portrait of George Washington in presidential costume will lead the upcoming Americana auction, presented by Freeman’s. It is an oil painting by Rembrandt Peale acquired from the estate of former Pennsylvania Governor William W. Scranton and First Lady Mary L. Scranton. Peale is one of the most recognized portrait artists in American history. In a way, he carried on the legacy of his father, Charles Willson Peale. Peale Sr. was a portrait painter, soldier, scientist, inventor, and politician. He also established the Peale Museum, one of the first museums in the United States. Rembrandt Peale, like his father, was fond of his family, politicians like George Washington, and painting. Another noteworthy lot in the fine art category is by Nicolino Calyo, titled View of the Schuylkill River & Fairmount Water Works, Philadelphia. The oil painting is signed and dated 1853.
Among furniture, a Queen Anne carved cherry bonnet-top high chest from Connecticut stands out. Made around 1775, the high chest has a shell-carved drawer for the upper and lower case. The upper case of the highboy has elaborate bonnet details while the lower half sits on curved legs. The piece is an example of the American Colonial furniture produced in the 18th century. The auction offers several additional pieces of American furniture, including a fine Chippendale carved mahogany chest-on-chest and a Pemberton-Morris-Lloyd Chippendale carved and figured mahogany sideboard table, attributed to Thomas Affleck. Apart from furniture and paintings, the auction offers silverware by John Coney and John Dixwell, as well as embroidery. Find the listed items and more on Freeman’s and register to place a bid.
Baroque artist Frans Synders is one of the most noted 17th-century painters who often depicted animals in his paintings. Hunting scenes and animals in combat were among his recurring subjects. The upcoming 5th of May Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art, hosted by Dane Fine Art, will make Synders’ oil on canvas work available for bidding. This piece shows a dog eating meat while two others growl with envy.
One of the top lots in the auction is Mr. Brainwash’s Watch Out!. The 2019 piece shows a man terrified of a red dog-like figure. French artist Thierry Guetta, famously known as Mr. Brainwash, is a Pop artist and videographer. He is celebrated for his large-scale art installations. Many of his works incorporate pop culture references. He rose to fame after his collaboration with Banksy in the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. Explore the entire catalog of this and other online auctions on Bidsquare.
Puiforcat was formed in 1820 by Émile Puiforcat. The company was notable for its silver cutlery and flatware with formal designs adjusting forms to match the function. The upcoming Auctions at Showplace event presents a set of Puiforcat French sterling silver cutlery. The monogrammed 150-piece set was commissioned for the Venezuelan President, Guzman Blanco. The cutlery set features clean lines and simplistic patterns. Camusso Peruvian silver chargers with a rising-falling design are also featured.
Another highlight is a 14-karat yellow gold pocket watch by Elgin National Watch Company. The company was notable for its affordable and high-quality watches. The use of machine-made elements in these timepieces facilitated quick assembly and replacement. The available dual dial timepiece has a yellow gold fob chain and a gold spring clip. Also showcased is an oil painting, The Judgement of Paris, by Dutch Golden Age artist Daniel Vertangen. The artwork features “a scene of Paris selecting Aphrodite as the golden apple recipient over Hera and Athena.” Vertangen was famous for his works depicting historical legends in the Baroque style. Also offered are Lalique glassware, Victorian jewelry, porcelain ware, and rugs. Interested collectors can explore the entire listings, register to bid on Bidsquare, and check out other online auctions.
Over 400 engraved plates featuring realistic illustrations of various birds found in the United States were used to create the well-known The Birds of America book series. Curated by naturalist and painter John James Audubon, the illustrations in these books even featured birds which are now considered extinct. A limited-edition copy of the first full-sized reproduction of The Birds of America will be on display in Hindman’s upcoming auction of Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana.
A set of three books featuring poems by Emily Dickinson is also available. The three editions from three different volumes comprise the first published collection of her poetry. The first edition of the first printed treatise on architecture, De re aedificatoria, is one of the event’s other highlights. Written by Leon Battista Alberti, the document is presumed to be printed by Nicolaus Laurentii Alamanus on December 29, 1485. View any of these lots or register to place a bid by visiting Hindman.
SJ Auctioneers will feature a variety of Lionel trains, Walt Disney Disneykins, and more in the upcoming Fine Silverware, Toys, Décor, Jewelry, and Dolls event. Particularly highlighted is the Lionel 384E Blue Comet train set. The real Blue Comet was a passenger train that ran from the New York metropolitan area to Atlantic City between 1929 and 1941. Lionel created a replica of the Blue Comet to scale. The standard gauge set includes the blue steam locomotive, blue passenger cars, eight pieces of tinplate tracks, a variety of accessories, and the original boxes.
Walt Disney Disneykins can also be found in this auction. Manufactured by the Marx Toy Company from 1961 to 1973, these miniature plastic figurines were hand-painted and known for their detail. This 34-piece set is in its original box with all characters but two still glued in place. Other items include a 19th-century German menorah, a Cartier sterling salt and pepper stamping set, and an Irwin crawling baby. To view the catalog and place a bid, visit LiveAuctioneers.
Mark Marshall is regarded as an exceptionally prolific designer in Doulton’s pottery history. He produced some of the most imaginative pieces with unrestrained creativity for the company. Using vivid colors and inventive shapes, Marshall modeled grotesque and fanciful stoneware. One such rare vase, The Oracle, is a key highlight of the upcoming April Collectors Auction at Lion and Unicorn. The 23.5-inch tall piece has light and dark brown glaze and a grotesque head for the lid. With foliate and floral decorations, the stoneware has three mice on the body and one seated on the handle. The sale offers many other striking Doulton items, including a large hand-decorated figurine of Henry V at Agincourt. Released in 1997, this deep red and blue piece is accented in gold gilt. Another key pub and whisky accessory from the ceramic manufacturer is a prototype character jug depicting Bill Clinton. It is modeled with a saxophone and American flag handle and marked Pascoe and Co.
Wedgwood’s Nizami pattern fairyland luster bowl also leads the listings. Created by artist Daisy Makeig Jones, the footed bowl is inspired by the works of the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Lion and Unicorn.
