This June, Freeman’s will offer 19 lots of 20th-century furniture and decorative objects in its Select Design sale. Among them are 11 lots of furniture by Japanese-American woodworker George Nakashima (1905 – 1990). An architect and furniture maker, Nakashima produced some of the most influential furniture designs of the post-war era. He focused on the natural beauty of wood; his designs emphasized every knot, fissure, irregularity, and crack. Wooden keys, visible dovetails, and butterfly joints characterize Nakashima’s hand-crafted furniture. One of the leading lots of the upcoming auction is a Conoid desk by George Nakashima. Made from English walnut, American black walnut, rosewood, and hickory, the piece has a long fissure bridged by four butterfly joints.
Another featured item of the event is a 1929 fire screen by Samuel Yellin. A Russian-American designer and metalworker, Yellin played a significant role in the American Arts and Crafts movement. He made fine ironworks that ranged from gates, windows, and railings to fire screens, sconces, and chandeliers. Also in the sale are decorative items from Tiffany Studios, June Schwarcz, and Michael Graves. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Though the current sale by Brunk Auctions is from the Estate of T. Kenneth and Karen Ellis, much of the collection was acquired by Kenneth’s mother, Florence Adams Ellis. The collection focuses on British and Continental decorative art, fox hunting, horses, and dogs. Tiffany lamps also stand out, including a Tulip and Bamboo floor lamp from the 1910s. It bears a “Tiffany Studios New York/7367” stamp on the base. The sale also offers Tiffany & Co. jewelry, such as a platinum and diamond ring, a lapis and diamond bracelet, and a coral and diamond ring.
Original art in the sale includes a Christian Adolf Schreyer painting titled Warrior Watering His Horse and an original Henry Merwin Shrady sculpture of a buffalo. A silver tea set, sets of dining chairs, naval deck cannons, and a 1972 Volvo 1800 ES round out the offerings. View any of these items and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Warner Brothers purchased the rights to Everybody Comes to Rick’s (1940) from American playwrights Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. Hal Willis bought the manuscript for $20,000, a record-breaking amount at the time. The company then adapted the play into Casablanca (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. A mimeographed copy of the original playscript will lead an upcoming Bonhams auction. The 101-page copy is bound with brads and has “Wharton & Gabel” type-written on the title page. “Important! Return Story Dept.” is stamped on both the title and cover pages.
Marlon Brando’s collection of scripts, notes, and letters for Apocalypse Now is another lot of interest. In a typescript letter from Francis Ford Coppola, the producer-director explains to Brando that he is re-doing Leighley’s character (Kurtz) in the film. He also goes on to convey his hopefulness about the prospects of the project. The collection includes Brando’s typescript notes on the character of Kurtz.
The sale also features a rare photographic archive of King Kong curated by collector Stanley Simon over five decades. It includes 268 silver gelatin images of behind-the-scenes and candids from the sets; film promotion portraits of the leading cast; movie stills; and photos of co-directors Merian C. Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bonhams.
Sydell Miller affectionately referred to her Palm Beach mansion as ‘La Rêverie’ or ‘The Daydream.’ Beyond the estate itself, which sold for USD 105 million in 2019, La Rêverie also housed much of Miller’s fine and decorative art collection. A gold and black color theme unified pieces from numerous countries and centuries. Now, Christie’s presents 170 works from this highly-curated estate.
A table by François-Xavier Lalanne and two sphinxes by his partner and fellow artist Claude Lalanne headline the catalog. François-Xavier dedicated much of his career to depicting animals, including his debut ‘Zoophites’ show with Claude. The table on offer from La Rêverie is supported by tree branches made of gilt bronze. The seven elephants surrounding the trees are free-standing, giving collectors countless choices on how to display this piece.
Despite working alongside François-Xavier on the Zoophites series, Claude did not have the same passion for studying and depicting animals. Her subjects of choice included plants and icons of antiquity. This sale includes examples the latter with two sphinxes by Claude Lalanne. Appearing at first to be a faithful recreation of ancient Egyptian sphinxes, viewers will notice children’s heads replacing those of the pharaohs. At La Rêverie, these sphinxes guarded the property’s entrance.
Bidders will also find several fine art pieces, including John Cage’s Medicine drawings. The composition of this piece pulls from one of Cage’s artistic influences, Jackson Pollock. It is also an uncharacteristically chaotic piece from an artist known for exploring minimalism. “There is no such thing as an empty space or an empty time,” said Cage. “There is always something to see, something to hear.” Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid by visiting Christie’s.
A 17.81-carat Colombian emerald ring leads Joshua Kodner’s upcoming Lifestyle auction. The AGL & Gubelin-certified emerald is set in platinum with 4.36-carat diamonds on either side. According to an ancient Colombian legend, Fura and Tena were brought to life to inhabit the earth by Are, the supreme god of Muzo. They would remain immortals as long as they stayed faithful to each other. However, when a man named Zarbi entered Fura’s life, she betrayed Tena. The tears that Fura shed upon Tena’s death are said to form the green emeralds found in the Fura and Tena peaks of Muzo in Colombia.
The sale also features a 13.11-carat fancy yellow diamond ring by Graff. It has VS2 clarity and comes with a GIA certificate. Two smaller diamonds, shaped like bullets, complement the radiant-cut yellow diamond. Bidders interested in accessories will find a Louis Vuitton monogrammed speedy bag and a crystal-studded flame clutch by Judith Leiber. Fine art lots include a Douglas Arthur Teed oil painting of an ancient Middle Eastern street. Find 708 lots of jewelry, fine art, decorative art, automobiles, ethnographic pieces, and other collectibles on Bidsquare.
Inspired by Greek and Roman art, the Louis XVI furniture style focused on elegance and neoclassicism. The style developed in France during the reign of Louis XVI. The first part of the upcoming Fine and Decorative Furnishings and Art Glass sale, presented by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, features a Louis XVI-style gilt bronze and Boulle marquetry mantel corner cabinet. It has an ebonized front and marble top in the style of French cabinet maker and artist André Charles Boulle.
Other notable decorative furniture lots include a François Linke vitrine cabinet. This piece features original beveled glass with bronze ormolu mounts, a marble top, and original keys. A three-piece marble fountain resting on a dolphin carved pedestal is also on offer, as is a Baksaish room-sized carpet. Browse the entire catalog or place a bid on Bidsquare.
Jessica McCormack’s ‘day diamonds’ attract royal patrons and celebrities such as the Duchess of Sussex, Victoria Beckham, and Rihanna. McCormack’s diamond accessories are made for working women and carry an heirloom legacy. The upcoming Christie’s auction highlights a pair of Jessica McCormack diamond earrings. The 18-karat yellow gold, silver, and diamond earrings feature her signature Georgian cut-down setting.
A Bulgari Serpenti wristwatch from the 1940s is another leading lot. Inspired by the flexibility of gas pipelines, Constantino and Giorgio Bulgari created the Tubogas coil bracelet wristwatches. The available 18-karat rose gold coil bracelet wraps naturally around the hand while the pavé diamond dial resembles the serpent’s head. A Bulgari coin and ruby Monete necklace showcasing the influences of the Roman imperial era is on offer as well.
Also available are Tiffany & Co. jewelry pieces by Jean Schlumberger and Elsa Peretti. Notable lots include animal-inspired gemstones and enamel-decorated brooches. The Jewels Online sale will feature items from Cartier, Rolex, Boucheron, Marina B, Buccellati, Graff, David Webb, JAR, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Christie’s.
Jon Corbino was only 21 years old when the Art Institute of Chicago exhibited his works. His “Heroic” paintings often portrayed subjects that were uncommon at the time, including refugees, people in wartime, and families in the style of the Baroque Masters. Dancer, a painting by Corbino, features an athletic person with strong physical features. This piece is available in the upcoming Old Masters, Fine Art, Antiques & Jewelry auction, presented by Helmuth Stone Gallery. Among Old Masters, Chinese modern artist Wang Bu (1898 – 1968) made his mark with his works in porcelain panels. A Wang Bu porcelain plaque depicting a seated scholar in rust red is available in the upcoming sale.
A 16th-century Flemish paintng, titled Susana and the Elders, explores the concept of lust through the Biblical story of Susana. A married woman, Susana is accused of promiscuity by two elderly men who lusted over her. Susana is proved innocent when the two men are put on trial. There are many paintings of the scene where the two men accost Susana. The available version, an oil on cradled wood panel, is attributed to the Master of the Prodigal Son. Find over 400 lots of fine art, estate jewelry, Chinese porcelain, bronzes, and more on Bidsquare.
Charles Fasoldt is considered one of the most influential watchmakers of the 19th century. He pioneered a double-wheel lever escapement, which was a major contribution to the American watch movement. Charles Fasoldt’s chronometer desk timepiece will cross the auction block with Bonhams during its upcoming Fine Watches and Clocks sale. Produced in 1870, the lot features a gilt bridge pattern and a micrometer regulator.
Another notable lot is Rolex’s reference 6263 bracelet watch. Debuted in the late 1960s, Rolex reference 6263 watches were specifically designed for race car drivers. Offered in both gold and stainless steel, the model was popular between 1971 and 1987. One of the distinct features of this reference is its black plastic tachymeter. Another lot of interest is Albert H. Potter & Co.’s timepiece from the 1870s. The watch is a strong example of watchmaker Albert H. Potter’s patented chronometer design. Also showcased are timepieces from Jaeger-LeCoultre, Adolf Nicole, Tiffany & Co., and Viner & Co. Interested collectors can explore the catalog and register to bid online on Bonhams’ website.
During a renovation in the 1990s, box seats in Chicago’s Wrigley Field were replaced. Two connected seats from the 1960s were spared and will be available in the upcoming Sports Memorabilia auction, offered by Hindman. The seats are numbered 3 and 4. Bidders may note that the number 3 seat includes a piece of chewed gum stuck underneath. For the baseball card collector, the sale includes a fresh to market 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie card graded by PSA as Authentic. The card was forgotten in a scrapbook for over six decades, so the only damage or alteration is due to the tape residue at the corners.
Another featured item up for bid is a baseball signed by two of game’s most recognizable stars, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. This ball is a 1930s Spalding Babe Ruth Special with red and blue stitching. Cy Perkins, the players’ teammate, also signed on the bottom. The lot includes a full letter of authenticity from James Spence Authentication. Also in the sale is a barnstorming program signed by Willie Mays, Don Newcombe, George Grove, Ernie Banks, Sam Jones, Joe Black, Gene Baker, and Hank Aaron. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
