Two notable Russian cigarette cases lead Akiba Antiques’ Mid March Estate Finds sale. The cigarette, as it is known today, first emerged as a global phenomenon in the mid-19th century. Slim and desirable, cigarettes quickly became status symbols that demanded design, accommodation, and attention. Cigarette cases soon developed as fashionable accessories with practical uses. The available Russian cigarette cases are both made of silver with decorative exteriors. One case features polychrome floral decorations, as well as a hinged door match safe for a convenient light. The other leading cigarette case comes from the stores of Fabergé. It includes subtle garnet accents and rounded corners.
Elsewhere in the catalog, bidders will find an 18-karat white gold and diamond watch from De Grisogono. Diamond insets, a stingray band, and anti-reflection sapphire glass are among the timepiece’s defining features. The sale also presents a broad selection of paintings and fine art. Among the key items is a nautical work by German painter Michael Zeno Diemer. In this piece, a ship battles against the churning waves of the sea. A tiny skull adorns the vessel’s bow in a suggestion of piracy. Also available are paintings by René Portocarrero, Henry Schouten, and Ira Monte. Find the complete listings and register to bid on LiveAuctioneers.
The 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta is one of 499 vehicles produced for the global market. With its naturally-aspirated definitive mid-engine V-8, it is the most powerful limited edition model manufactured in the history of the company. The Speciale Aperta is a key highlight of the upcoming Glendale 2022 event, presented by Mecum Auctions. Painted with Bianco Avus and Nero stripes on the exterior, the vehicle features Nero leather with yellow stitching accents for the interiors. The vehicle is equipped with navigation, cruise control, Bluetooth, and programmable suspension lift features. Another noteworthy Ferrari on offer is the 1967 275 GTB/4. This was the last dual-purpose grand touring model by the company. Giuseppe Pagni, an ex-AC Milan and Fanfulla footballer, purchased the 275 GTB/4 for ITL 6.5 million. The vehicle was fitted with a new engine block during the period of Pagni’s ownership.
The auction also offers a restored 1929 Model J Duesenberg Murphy convertible coupe. Awarded AACA National First Prize and ACD Club Category One Certification, the vehicle was part of the Imperial Palace Collection and the Blackhawk Collection. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Mecum Auctions.
In the 1930s, pastoral sketches of children by Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel began to appear in Germany and Switzerland, especially on postcards. The idyllic illustrations eventually caught the eye of porcelain maker Franz Goebel, who acquired the rights to turn the drawings into porcelain collectible figurines. Though the figurines are the most notable and popular creations from the original Hummel drawings, other Hummel items exist. Among them is a set of lithographed buttons that will be available in part two of the Beverly Hills Estate Auction at Lion and Unicorn.
The sale includes items from a large, single-owner estate in Beverly Hills, California, and it particularly features glass and porcelain items, clothing, jewelry, Judaica, and more. Some of the notable lots include sculptural works by Israeli architect and sculptor Frank Meisler, such as a silver and gold-plated cast metal sculpture depicting Noah’s Ark. Bidders will also find a platinum diamond engagement ring, a Carolina Herrera sleeveless black evening gown, a vintage Singer sewing machine with work bench, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Lion and Unicorn.
During the 1950s, Pablo Picasso commissioned goldsmith François-Victor Hugo to create signature medallions and dishes. These gold and silver medallions designed by Picasso were exclusive. The artist hid these medallions from his friends and even declined to lend them to museums. However, after constant convincing by Hugo, the artist authorized a few numbered editions for sale in 1967. These pieces were dispatched discreetly to their buyers, making them extremely rare. The upcoming Bonhams auction features 15 of these gold medallions by Pablo Picasso. These medallions by Ateliers Hugo utilize the repoussé-ciselé technique.
Another highlight of the auction is a pastel and charcoal drawing by French artist Édouard Vuillard. Madame Hessel à la Campagne à Amfréville depicts Vuillard’s distinct portrait painting style. The available portrait utilizes the distemper technique, imparting high detailing and rich hues. Vuillard’s subjects often included famous and wealthy Parisians in detailed settings of their homes or studios. Also featured are sculptures by avant-garde artist Joseph Csaky. Cones et spheres, a patinated bronze by Csaky, shows the artist’s machine age-inspired style. These modern figurines were revolutionary for their three-dimensional constructions.
The auction also presents dining chairs designed by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in 1961. The classical design of the chairs reflects the designer’s affinity for Greek furniture making. The walnut wood chairs have brass Saridis plaques on their bottoms. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Bonhams’ website.
Headlining the upcoming Sotheby’s Important Jewels auction is a pair of Boucheron diamond pendant ear clips. The pair features two detachable pear-drop diamonds weighing 14.00 and 13.75 carats, respectively. The top diamonds weigh a total of approximately 7.80 carats. The pendant ear clips are signed ‘Boucheron’ with both French assay and workshop marks. The House of Boucheron was founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858. Originally located within France’s Galerie de Vallois, at the Palais-Royal, Boucheron was the first store of its kind to move to the historic Place Vendôme, where it remains today. The jewelry company made a name for itself during the 1889 World’s Fair, winning the Grand Prix for Outstanding Innovation award for its clasp-less necklace.
A Graff size 5 diamond ring with accenting diamonds of a pink hue, a David Yurman size 6.75 emerald and diamond ring, and a Cartier diamond bracelet are also included in the auction. View the full catalog and register to bid at Sotheby’s.
“Art, in its complexity, approaches truth,” states Mary Bauermeister (b. 1934), one of the most influential and accomplished artists of the 21st century. Alu Tower 3 by Bauermeister is soon coming to auction at Rago. Bauermeister is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and performer. She was born and raised in Germany where she began her career with charcoal and pencil drawings. She studied art under Helene Nonné-Schmidt and Max Bill, later dabbling in photography. A 1971 ink, glass, glass lens, stone, painted wood, resin, and aluminum construction by Bauermeister will be available in the Post War + Contemporary Art Auction this March.
Free South Africa (1985) by Keith Haring is a notable lot among lithographs. It is a set of three color lithographs from the edition of 60 published by Edition Schellmann. Haring (1958 – 1990) was an artist who believed in the ideology of accessibility in society. He used striking imagery on political and social campaigns to create awareness of various issues. Haring’s mural on the western side of the Berlin Wall is one of his most notable public works. Rago’s curated event features painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography by some of the most important and influential artists of the second half of the 20th century: Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Gilliam, Jenny Holzer, Kehinde Wiley, and Olga de Amaral, among others. Find the listed items on Rago and register to place a bid.
From a heavily embellished Bulgari bracelet watch to a historic stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch by Breitling, the lineup at the upcoming sale of Fine Watches by Sotheby’s will have diversity in brands and models. A leading lot is the Diva’s Dream bracelet watch by Bulgari. The watch is made with 18-karat pink gold and features a dial set in diamonds. The case and the closure are also engraved with brilliant-cut diamonds, turquoise, and pink tourmalines.
In addition to the Diva’s Dream bracelet, bidders will find a Bulgari Serpenti watch. The Reference SP P 26 G Serpenti comes in pink gold with the bracelet encrusted with diamonds and enamel. An 18-karat yellow gold bracelet watch by Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet is among the featured lots. The Reference 15000BA Royal Oak features an automatic movement and comes with an octagonal dial. Several models by Rolex, including the Daytona, Yatchmaster, and Submariner, round out the offerings. Explore the full catalog or place a bid on Sotheby’s website.
When Mario Buccellati turned 28 years old, he opened a store in Milan. His debut show at Madrid’s 1920 Exposition caught the attention of many. Buccellati was eventually recognized across Europe for his skill with textural gold jewels and intricate silverware. Commonly referred to as the Prince of Goldsmiths, Buccellati and his successors attempted to capture the essence of the Renaissance and classicism. Highlighted in the upcoming Fine Jewelry Collections auction, presented by Skinner, is a Mario Buccellati ring set with coral cabochon.
Another featured item is a 14-karat gold brooch from renowned jeweler William Ruser. He launched his career at Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Following World War II, Ruser and his wife, Pauline, set up their own company to make pearl jewelry inspired by the Baroque style. Ruser’s designs made of freshwater pearl accents grew to be popular in the late 1950s. The available “Saturday’s Child” brooch by Ruser shows a young child standing on a pile of irregular pearls with a mop and pail in hand. Other notable lots include jewelry by Tiffany & Co., Hermès, and Van Cleef & Arpels. View all the items and register to bid by visiting Skinner.
A family-run producer of handcrafted Nativity sets and figurines, Fontanini was founded by the trained Italian artisan Emmanuele Fontanini in 1908. Its products have been exclusively distributed by Roman Inc. since 1973. Elio Simonetti, the chief sculptor of the company, creates designs that are prized for their lifelike detailing. An heirloom Fontanini Nativity figurine designed by Simonetti is a key highlight of the upcoming North Carolina Vintage & Antique Estate sale from Lion and Unicorn. The hand-painted piece portrays David, the innkeeper’s nephew, modeled as a young boy dressed in a green cloak and holding a lantern in his hand. The figurine bears a Fontanini stamp on the underside and Simonetti’s signature on the back. Two Lladró porcelain figurines also lead the listings. One of them is a large, lustrous piece showing ballerinas mounted on a base. The other is a Japanese woman dressed in traditional attire, standing next to a lamp post.
Also on offer is The Wedding, a notable color lithograph print by Edward Lamson Henry. It portrays a colonial wedding scene featuring a horse-drawn carriage. An American genre painter, Henry was best known for his colonial-themed works painted with minute details. To view the complete auction catalog and register to bid online, visit Lion and Unicorn.
Available with Turner Auctions + Appraisals this March is a selection of Lionel Classics model trains. One leading lot includes six Lionel Classics pieces in their original boxes and packaging. There is a 1-381E locomotive, as well as passenger, Pullman, observation, and baggage cars. The Classics line recalls the company’s Standard Gauge trains from the early 20th century. These models helped establish a bustling collecting market for trains before the Great Depression devastated the global economy. Other notable Lionel trains in this auction include a Hiawantha passenger set, a Milwaukee Special set, and a pre-war locomotive set in dark red.
From 3rd Rail, a division of Sunset Models, comes an “O” scale brass Southern Pacific locomotive in mint condition. It has extensive brass detailing and white lettering along the sides. Train collectors will also find Mike’s Train House (MTH) die-cast steam locomotives, Kusan Model Trains (KMT) streamlined passenger cars, and more. This sale presents over 250 items from the estate of Northern California collector Armond Conti. He built the collection of model trains over 75 years. Passion fueled the curation. Conti felt that trains were “big, noisy, and kind of cool,” according to the sale’s press release. For the complete catalog and to place a bid, visit Turner Auctions + Appraisals.
