In the early 1950s, three Spanish brothers sought to crack the overwhelmingly French and English porcelain market in Europe. Juan, José, and Vicente Lladró began making plates, figurines, and other ceramic items decorated with complex details. The brothers’ joint brand, Lladró, began a decades-long expansion to become a leading porcelain manufacturer. Lion and Unicorn’s upcoming Collectors Auction will feature several Lladró porcelain items from its early days to the present.
Leading the second day of the sale is a Lladró figure grouping from 1982. It depicts three figures sitting on top of an elephant. A man and a woman sit side-by-side, seemingly engaged in animated conversation. This limited-edition piece is part of Lladró’s Historical Collection, launched as the brand expanded into Southeast Asian markets in the 1980s. Other available Lladró pieces include a 25-pound charcoal bust designed by José Puche, various porcelain figurines of flower-bearing angels, and a pair of ballerinas leaping over a wooden base. The upcoming sale includes porcelain items from other leading brands and designers.
Swarovski collectors will find several pieces made in collaboration with Disney. The companies share “a vision that brings magic and joy into the world,” according to Swarovski. The Austrian glass producer transforms icons of animation into collectible crystal figures. Available in the auction catalog is a sapphire blue crystal Eeyore, an amber-colored Tigger, a dancing Cinderella, and a mischievous Peter Pan figurine made by Swarovski and Disney. Items from Manifattura Artistica Porcelain, Sèvres, Royal Winton, Lalique, and Waterford will be on offer as well. Visit Lion and Unicorn for the complete catalog and to place a bid.
The upcoming Online Only Sale of Fine Jewels, presented by Sotheby’s, will offer jewelry from noted American makers. This event particularly highlights a turquoise vintage Alhambra necklace and a pair of ear clips from France. The Alhambra collection by Van Cleef & Arpels was inspired by Jacques Arpels and his penchant for collecting four-leaf clovers. He believed in luck and associated the leaves with good fortune. The first Alhambra necklace was created in 1968. It was a symbolic design composed of 20 identically sized clover-shaped motifs linked in a chain.
A pair of Bulgari gold and antique coin Monete cufflinks are also available in the auction. The 18-karat gold ornament is characterized by two bronze coins bezel-set within round frames. Pieces from the Panthère collection by Cartier are featured as well. Diamond enthusiasts can find rings studded with stones weighing up to 10.71 carats. View the full catalog or place a bid on Sotheby’s.
Georges Henri Victor Collot was a French explorer, colonial official, soldier, and spy. Under the command of Pierre Adet, who was then French Minister to the United States, Collot set out on a secret reconnaissance to assess the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. His mission was to survey the military capacity on the American and Spanish frontier sides of the river. In this pursuit, he navigated and drew detailed maps along the way. Georges Henri Victor Collot’s maps of the Ohio River will be available in the upcoming Fine Books & Manuscripts sale, presented by Potter & Potter Auctions. The map set comes with various notes and markings to indicate “dangerous” areas.
The catalog also offers a selection of books by Herman Melville, Charles Dickens, and J. K. Rowling. Leading the listings is Charles Darwin’s The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. It focuses on facial muscles and expressions in humans and mammals. George Harris, a prominent psychologist and the book’s recipient, remarked, “With this book, Darwin founded the study of ethology (animal behavior) and conveyance of information (communication theory) and made a major contribution to psychology.” Register to bid for any of these lots by visiting Potter & Potter Auctions.
The Chinese Panda coin series has been popular in collector circles since its introduction in 1986. Unlike other coin collections that feature standard weights, the Chinese Panda gold coins were produced in five weights. The upcoming Doyle auction features multiple 1986 12-ounce Chinese Panda gold coins. One available 1,000 yuan gold Panda coin depicts the Hall of Prayers on one side. The reverse depicts a panda chewing on a piece of bamboo as its cub plays alongside.
This sale also showcases a 1986-87 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan rookie card in excellent PSA EX5 condition. Michael Jordan rookie cards are among the most famous in the sports world owing to player’s popularity. Another highlight is a New York Yankees signed baseball from the 1952 World Series championship. It features the signature of Mickey Mantle, as well as fellow players Phil Rizzuto, Tom Morgan, Billy Martin, and Gene Woodling, among others.
A United States $10 Liberty coin mounted in a Corum watch is also available. The Corum gold coin watch was introduced in 1964 with $20 Double Eagle coins. Later, these historic timepieces incorporated different American coins. The available Corum quartz watch has a $10 Liberty head and brown leather strap. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Doyle.
Bilston, England was one of the most celebrated centers of enameling in the 18th century. The artists of Bilston decorated tiny objects and trinkets using the transfer printing technique. An 18th-century hand-painted Bilston button is among the key highlights of Lion and Unicorn upcoming vintage buttons sale. The rare button depicts a countryside landscape. Another unusual 18th-century button contains a caricature of the French Revolution of 1789. Glass covers the hand-colored ink on paper drawing. The button has a copper rim and tin back.
This sale also offers a Gucci by Tom Ford bag with its original dust cover pouch. The pink and purple velvet monogram bag features double-headed dragons and faux pearls. Fashion designer Tom Ford, who once served as the creative director at Gucci, developed the bag. Its notable features include a brown canvas lining, pink python trims, a bamboo chain-link strap, and a flap snap closure. Another offered Gucci bag is crafted with rich pink pebbled leather and two eye-catching bamboo and chain straps. With a single compartment and a small side pocket inside, the bag has a flap with a bamboo twist closure. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Lion and Unicorn.
The French artist Louis Icart was a leading figure of the Art Deco movement. He was best known for his etchings depicting glamorous women in states of undress. In the upcoming Halcyon Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art, Dane Fine Art will showcase an etching by Louis Icart. It depicts four women enjoying the music they are playing together. The limited-edition piece is signed by the artist and is in excellent condition. The auction also features Pablo Picasso’s Le Vieux Roi (The Old King). The large lithograph depicts an old king watching some young girls. It is an original lithograph printed on Arches paper from a limited edition of 1,000. The artwork bears a red stamp signature and comes with a letter of authenticity.
Beyond fine art, the auction presents a handwritten note from Camille Pissarro. Pissarro painted across both Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist styles. He is best known for being the only artist whose work appeared in all eight Paris Impressionist exhibitions. The available letter dates back to 1883. To view this item and to register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
The Santa Paula Art Museum’s Eleventh Annual Fine Art Auction will feature 21 original works of art by some of the Museum’s favorite local artists— both historic and contemporary. Linda Brown is among the contemporary artists with work in the catalog. Dedicated to capturing the grandeur of the American landscape, Brown has mastered the art of plein air outdoor painting. Her interest in painting out in the open allows her to capture fine details, making her works appear more realistic. She is also a member of the California Art Club and a founding member of the PAC6 group of women painters. “Painting these locations on the spot is so much more valuable than a photograph,” says a member of the PAC6. Brown’s oil-on-panel, titled Sierra Dawn, is available in the Museum’s timed auction.
A notable lot among watercolor paintings is Jessie Arms Botke’s depiction of a Ventura beach house. Botke (1883 – 1971) often painted white peacocks, geese, and cockatoos. She experimented with still lifes and watercolor later in her career. Botke was a notable figure in the California School of Impressionism. A photograph by Bill Dewey is also available in this auction. Titled Faria Winter Waves, the photo depicts the curve of a California road and white-tipped waves from above. Dewey is an architectural photographer whose combined interest in photography and flying results in captivating aerial shots. This annual fundraising event will help fund the Museum’s exhibitions, tours, and community programming. Bidding opens on August 16th, 2021, and ends on August 29th, 2021. View the complete listings on Bidsquare.
Heavily carved crests, marble tops, black and gold incisions, and the Victorian “more is more” philosophy dominated Renaissance Revival furniture. Inspired by the fashions of the 1500s, walnut wood was used for this intricate style. The upcoming 2021 Americana auction, presented by Ross Auction Company, LLC, will feature a Renaissance Revival sideboard. Details inspired by 17th-century Baroque and Gothic furntiure can also be found on the piece.
An antique sword is also available in the auction. The sword once belonged to American military officer Lt. John Tucker during the War of 1812. A Gilbert Gaul Impressionist oil painting depicting a woman holding a dog is also on sale. Other notable lots include a pair of bronze and Fabrile glass candlesticks from Tiffany and an elaborate sofa made by Joseph Meeks. For the full catalog or to register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
Tim Ray Fisher is an American folk artist famous for his nude male photographs, geometric artworks, and assemblages. Fisher’s vibrant pictures kindle beauty, fantasy, and somber reflection. According to Fisher, they also represent the trauma experienced in his childhood and early adult life. The upcoming Artelisted auction presents several photographs by Tim Ray Fisher. Among the highlights is a black and white nude artistic photo. The available Epson professional paper print explores the effects of Fisher’s abusive childhood. Also showcased are multiple artistic digital photographs featuring forest scenes and assemblages.
Several stereoview antique photographs are on offer as well. In the 19th century, stereoscopes produced three-dimensional images that soon became famous entertainment mediums. Many stereographs depicted railroad construction, farming, and mining activities. One offered photograph depicts a group of farmworkers tending the long rows of a field.
A ferrotype portrait photograph of a soldier from the American Civil War period is another notable offering. The ferrotype photography process involved coating underexposed negatives in a photographic emulsion. This underexposing process soon became popular as photographers could develop images within minutes. The upcoming Extravaganza auction also features NSS insert posters, a limited-edition copy of The Lyrics of François Villon, and postcards. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Artelisted.
The Art Deco style emerged in the late 1920s and early 30s in Paris. The movement later influenced jewelry, interior design, art, and architecture. Art Deco architecture can be characterized by clean lines and sharp, sleek edges. Rivich Auction’s upcoming Vintage Summer Camp sale will feature an Art Deco iron architectural panel. The white panel measures 30.5 inches long and 12 inches tall.
A leading item among 113 available lots is a rattan peacock chair. The piece utilizes the wicker weaving technique, which was first discovered buried with pharaohs in ancient Egypt. The sale also highlights a Thonet washstand. A German-Austrian cabinet maker, Michael Thonet made a breakthrough in the furniture world with his bentwood pieces. Creating bentwood furniture involves steaming wooden rods that can bend into the desired shape. To view additional items in the auction catalog and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
