An American photographer and sociologist, Lewis Wickes Hine often wielded his camera as an instrument of social change. In the 1910s, the National Child Labor Committee used Hine’s documentary-style works to advocate the elimination of child labor in the United States. A rare vintage print of Lewis Wickes Hine’s Mechanic and Steam Pump from 1921 is among the key highlights of Christie’s upcoming photography auction. This image marks the artist’s shift from a hard-hitting documentary style to what he called ‘interpretive photography.’ This image of a Pennsylvania Railroad mechanic illustrates the symbiotic relationship between human civilization and mechanization.
Another noteworthy lot is Man Ray’s Le Violon d’Ingres from 1924. This image is among the most famous photographic works of the 20th century. Ray’s lover, Alice Prin, posed as the model in this image. Through this photograph, Ray pays tribute to Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’ nude paintings. The sale also offers Danny Lyon’s Cal, Elkhorn, Wisconsin from his famous Bike Riders series. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Christie’s.
Akiba Antiques’ latest Eclectic Collection of Estates Worldwide sale includes nearly 650 lots from across several categories. Featured in the auction is a René Lalique glass vase produced in the 1920s. René Lalique began making vases at the turn of the 20th century after already achieving success as a jewelry maker. Birds with spread wings, shown swooping down towards several archers, decorate this particular vase.
Decorative art collectors can also consider a 183-piece flatware set in its original mahogany display case. The set was produced in Peru by Carlo Mario Camusso’s silver company. An immigrant from Italy, Camusso eventually controlled most of the silver production in Peru by the start of the 20th century. This set contains, among many other pieces, 12 ice cream spoons, 24 dinner knives, and utensils specifically for serving cake.
Meanwhile, the highlighted fine art lots include an untitled painting by Cuban artist Amelia Peláez. Although schooled in French neoclassical art, Peláez gravitated towards abstraction and the Modernist movement in Europe. The untitled piece available in this auction has a warm color palette and a geometric pattern. Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid on LiveAuctioneers.
After joining Mauboussin as the French company’s head of watchmaking, Richard Mille began working on his eponymous watch brand in the late 1990s. His strategy was to create timepieces the same way racing cars were designed. Mille neglected production costs and focused solely on maximizing the performance quality. The upcoming auction of Estate Jewelry, Fine Art & Collectibles, presented by Kodner Galleries, offers a Richard Mille RM011 Team Romain Grosjean timepiece. The watch features an automatic self-winding movement and a rubber bracelet.
Also available in the event is an EGL diamond and 18-karat white gold engagement ring. It features a 5.06-carat emerald-cut diamond surrounded by 128 brilliant-cut diamonds. Several pieces of fine art will be featured as well, including a painting by Jean Jansem titled Seated Lady. View the full catalog or register to place a bid on Bidsquare.
Chevrolet reached a height of innovation between the 1930s and 1940s. During this time, the company created several important automotive inventions, including column shifts, V-grilles, hydraulic brakes, and independent front suspensions. Chevrolet’s 1956 Bel Air model benefitted from those developments. One of these cars will be available in Mecum Auctions’ upcoming 8-10 Houston 2021 sale. The Bel Air continues to be one of the most popular models ever produced. It features a V-8 engine, a three-speed column shifted transmission, and a two-tone finish.
A Dodge Hemi Charger R/T from 1968 is also available. It is one of the few models with an automatic transmission. A dark blue metallic hue accents the body. The upcoming timed auction also features a 1968 Chevrolet C10 pickup, a 1956 Chevrolet 150 Handyman, a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT, and a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Interested bidders can learn more about the featured lots and register to bid by visiting Mecum Auctions.
In 1967, designer Angela Cummings first collaborated with Tiffany & Co. She later started her own jewelry collection and became a leading figure for jewelry design in the 1980s and 90s. Drawing inspiration from organic shapes and nature, Cummings’ works mainly portray flora and fauna, spiderwebs, feathers, and shells. A few examples of Angela Cummings’ style will be highlighted in the upcoming New York Estate Auction, presented by Auctions at Showplace. Among them is an 18-karat multi-gem link bracelet. Executed in 2000, the piece’s links are set with a cabochon tourmaline stone, aquamarine, amethyst, and kunzite.
Another notable jewelry piece is Marina B’s Paon earrings. Marina Bulgari, the designer behind Marina B, is known for her vibrant gemstones, geometric lines, and sloping curves. Her works drew worldwide attention when renowned celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, and Grace Kelly, wore her designs to the red carpet. The offered Marina B lot is a pair of pear-shaped earrings set with round, brilliant-cut diamonds. To learn more about these items and place a bid, visit Bidsquare.
Sometimes known as the “mother of American Modernism,” Georgia O’Keeffe was also a friend and mentor to Mym Tuma. O’Keeffe gifted the younger artist many items during their decades-long friendship. Some of these items are now up for bid in the Fine Books and Manuscripts auction, offered by Bonhams. A seersucker blue wrap dress worn by O’Keeffe, made by her personal seamstress, is among the notable lots. The catalog also includes letters from Georgia O’Keeffe to Tuma as well as one of O’Keeffe’s many ram’s skulls. This one reportedly hung above the artist’s gate for 30 years.
The auction highlights several hand-signed books by Andy Warhol, including a numbered edition of 25 Cats Name[d] Sam and One Blue Pussy. This was supposed to be an edition of 190 copies, but it is thought that only 150 were ever printed. The catalog includes hand-colored etchings by John James Audubon, painted clay and wood-mounted animal sculptures by Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) from the “Seuss System of Unorthodox Taxidermy,” a letter signed by Napoleon Bonaparte, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid at Bonhams.
The American sculptor Harry Bertoia was a prolific metal worker known for timeless art pieces. The artist initially worked at the Evans Product Company and later designed furniture for Knoll. Around the 1950s, Bertoia decided to dedicate his time to art and began creating sculptures from wood and metal. The upcoming Abington Auction Gallery sale presents a kinetic sculpture titled Willow by Harry Bertoia. The available gathered steel wire sculpture draws inspiration from the weeping willow trees at Bertoia’s property.
Also showcased is Louise Nevelson’s Sky Gate XXXVI monochromatic wooden sculpture. Nevelson was an intuitive sculptor who adopted the techniques of collage to assemble her wooden works. Nevelson’s signature monochrome works transform everyday objects into mysterious compositions. The coats of black paint offer grandeur to these mundane wood castaways. The auction also highlights a Florida landscape by Albert Ernest ‘Beanie’ Backus. The available oil painting features the artist’s knowledge of flora and fauna and his talent for capturing light.
Haitian street life paintings by seminal Haitian artist Philome Obin will be on offer as well. Obin’s paintings often portray dynamic interactions between people of different social classes. These personalities dwell amid the vibrant houses, cathedrals, blue skies, and mighty green mountains of Obin’s paintings. The Early Spring sale will also present Lalique Bacchantes crystal vases and sculptures, Baccarat Massena glasses, Chinese famille rose porcelain, Louis Vuitton trunks, and a Purvis Young shoe shine box. Interested collectors can explore the entire listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Mirroring the curves of the human body, Chinese meiping vases usually included a thin neck juxtaposed against a rounded shoulder. Traditionally, the vessels carried plum tree blossoms. Highlighted in Freeman’s upcoming Asian Arts sale is a meiping produced sometime during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor (1722 – 1735). The vase’s decorations, which include thrashing waves and the flowing bodies of dragons, accentuate the meiping’s curves.
Chinese vase collectors can also consider a yuhuchunping produced during the Ming dynasty. While meipings are known for their pronounced shoulder, yuhuchunpings have a distinctive pear shape. On this yuhuchunping, viewers will notice a prominent lip at the top of a long and narrow neck. Floral decorations circle this yuhuchunping, all coated with what Freeman’s calls a “sea-green glaze.” Bidders will also find a densely-decorated folding screen from the 17th or 18th century. Countless citizens and immortals gather to meet an emperor who stands in the middle of the screen. This piece is a Coromandel screen and was likely designed for export to Europe. Coromandel works got their name from India’s Coromandel Coast, where they often began their voyage. Register to bid and view each of the lots on Bidsquare.
Also known as greenware, celadon is a jade green glazed pottery that originated in China and was very popular in the Zhejiang province. Because it resembles highly-valued jade, celadon is considered a classic style. A celadon jade dragon seal is a key highlight of the upcoming Asian Art and Antiques sale, presented by Artspire Auctions. The seal measures 10 centimeters in length, 9.8 centimeters in width, and 9.2 centimeters in height. Another notable lot is a circular Chinese copper-inlaid gold mirror with a mythical beast carved on the reverse. Ancient Chinese magic mirrors originated during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 24 CE). The reverse sides of the mirrors were cast in bronze (copper being the primary metal in the alloy). These mirrors seem to turn transparent when bright light falls on their shiny surface. The light reflects from the mirror to a solid surface, projecting the patterns on the mirror’s back.
The sale also features a gilt bronze figure of Tara, the female manifestation Avalokiteśvara (the bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas). Tara is also called Jetsun Dölma in Tibet and Guanyin in China. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
When the Stickley brothers opened their furniture companies in the 1880s, they had a simple philosophy in mind. They worked toward simplicity and honesty in design, inspired by the Flemish phrase ‘Als Ik Kan’ (to the best of one’s ability). This approach emphasized quality craftsmanship, sturdy joinery, and plain surfaces. It also set the foundation for the broader American Arts and Crafts movement, which emerged in the late 19th century. California Historical Design’s upcoming arts and crafts sale will highlight several notable furniture items from the various Stickley companies. A strap-hinge cabinet made between 1905 and 1907 leads the catalog. Produced by Leopold and John George Stickley, this piece features the original finish.
Several other Stickley furniture items are available, including a pencil-post divan made by Gustav Stickley. Arts and crafts furniture collectors can also find a set of eight side chairs from the Stickley brothers, made around 1907. Due to their age and limited availability, these chairs rarely come to auction as a set. Beyond the Stickley items, the sale includes pieces by Charles Limbert, the Roycroft arts and crafts community, and others.
A double-gourd vase from Teco leads the ceramics offerings. Founded in 1885, the American Tera Cotta Tile and Ceramic Company (Teco) was best-known for its smooth, matte green glazes. The available pot has an hourglass shape with four curved handles. The catalog will also present fine art by Charles Warren Eaton, Florence Lundborg, and Carl Oscar Borg. View the full listings and place a bid on Bidsquare.
