Born in Casablanca, Morocco, goldsmith Luna Felix discovered a passion for jewelry design while working for the United Nations in New York. She started to produce jewelry using an ancient granulation technique. To achieve her intricate, beaded designs, Felix applies tiny balls of gold in linear and geometric patterns. The upcoming Palm Beach Jewelry auction, presented by Hindman, will feature several jewelry pieces from Luna Felix. An andalusite and yellow gold ring, crimson coral earrings, and a yellow gold and carnelian bead necklace are among the available lots.
The sale will highlight several other independent designers. The catalog includes 20 lots by Angela Pintaldi, an Italian jeweler known for her multistrand statement necklaces. A yellow gold modernist necklace and a triple-strand beryl necklace stand out. Bidders can also find a ruby and enamel pomegranate brooch from Evelyn Clothier. 39 mixed-cut rubies symbolize the pomegranate’s exposed seeds. The upcoming event features a moonstone and opal brooch mounted in white gold from theater and film designer Tony Duquette. An 11.0-carat diamond rivière necklace, a vintage turquoise bracelet, diamond eternity bands, and detailed pieces from Nicholas Varney will also cross the auction block. To view the complete listings and place a bid, visit Bidsquare.
Pushing the limits of her medium, Lynda Benglis revolutionized the concept of sculpture in the 1960s. Benglis entered the spotlight for her poured-latex floor works. Besides latex, many of her pieces experiment with polyurethane, beeswax, luminous paint, plaster, porcelain, glass, and paper to achieve a particular form or texture. Benglis employs abstract concepts that are often inspired by organic and natural forms. Offered in the upcoming Modern + Contemporary Art, Design & Luxury Winter 2021 sale, presented by Palm Beach Modern Auctions, is a crumpled fan sculpture from Lynda Benglis. The piece resembles a twisted handheld fan that reveals a reflective surface.
Included in the auction is Tom Wesselmann’s steel drawing sculpture, titled Monica. The nude figure is shown posing in a hat and beaded jewelry. Wesselmann was among the most prolific American Pop artists of the 20th century. Moving his focus away from Expressionism, he dabbled in classical representations of human figures, landscapes, and still lifes. Visit Bidsquare to view any of these lots or place a bid.
Sotheby’s first watches auction of 2021 will offer pre-owned pieces from Francois Paul Journe, Piguet, Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, and Rolex. Leading the catalog is an Octa Calendrier Ruthenium platinum wristwatch with an annual calendar, retrograde date, and teardrop dial. The watch comes from F.P. Journe, a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1999. The brand built its reputation on its attention to detail. F.P. Journe released this limited-edition example in 2004.
With a history of over 175 years, Patek Philipe is a leading watchmaker worldwide. This auction offers a Patek Philipe 5712GR-001 Nautilus made in 2011. The watch is made of 18-karat pink and white gold with a sapphire display back, power reserve indicator, and moon phases. Those interested in vintage watches can consider a Rolex 4099 with a stainless steel chronograph and flared lugs. This piece was made in 1938. To view the full catalog or to place a bid, visit Sotheby’s.
A letter signed by George Washington is one of the key highlights of the upcoming Fine Art & Antiques auction, presented by Simpson Galleries. Washington signed the letter while serving as Commander-in-Chief of the continental army at New Windsor. It was likely handwritten by Washington’s aide-de-camp, Tench Tilghman. The manuscript is dated “December 19, 1780” with ink on cream laid paper. This letter is presented with an etching of George Washington on rice paper by William Harry Warren Bicknell.
An oil painting by Jorge González Camarena titled Mujer Sentado (1961) is another noteworthy lot. The Mexican painter, muralist, and sculptor is known for his mural works, which occupy a prominent place in the Mexican muralism movement. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
A GIA-certified 10.35-carat loose diamond is one highlight of the upcoming Kodner Galleries auction, which highlights the jewelry and couture collection of Orianne Collins. A well-known Swiss entrepreneur, Orianne Collins married English musician and actor Phil Collins in 1999. The upcoming auction will offer a 168-carat diamond and platinum necklace set from Collins’ collection. The necklace set includes old European-cut, emerald-cut, and marquise-cut diamonds. An antecedent of the modern round brilliant-cut diamond, the old European cut was designed for carat weight instead of brilliance.
A Chanel tweed sleeveless dress is among the couture offerings. The dress features a gold-tone zipper with a double ‘C’ monogram, two front pockets, and scarab buttons. A portion of the auction proceeds will be donated to Orianne Collins’ Never Give Up Foundation, which offers help to individuals with disabilities. To view more items from Orianne Collins’ collection and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
Jack L. Gray was a marine painter well-known for his depictions of skiffs and fishing boats. Born in Nova Scotia, Gray was the only son of a civil engineer. As a child, the artist loved painting ships and sea scenes. He went on to learn painting at the Nova Scotia College of Art. Gray’s marine scenes are famous for their realistic nature, sense of depth, and earthy color palette. The upcoming Rafael Osona Nantucket Auctions event presents an important marine scene by Jack L. Gray. Titled Steam Trawler At Sea, the oil painting depicts a fishing trawler in the middle of the ocean.
Another highlight is a wood carousel pig by Gustave Bayol Carousel Company. Gustave Bayol was a prominent woodcarver who learned his craft from his father, a cabinetmaker. Initially involved in ornamental carving, Bayol later switched to making carousel horses. His carousels were among the most popular in France. The available wood carousel swine features a lolling tongue, a saddle cloth, and blue ribbons.
The auction also features oil landscapes of Nantucket by Illya Kagan. The artist’s paintings are known for their fluid nature and reflect Kagan’s love for Nantucket. Jewelry by Simon G., Reed and Barton sterling silver flatware, an ivory and baleen cane, and an antique transit in a fitted box round out the listings. Interested collectors can explore the full catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Before Arthur Joseph Gerber Jr. became involved in photography and art collection, he served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force. Gerber wrote a memoir titled The Art Gerber Story during the later years of his life. The book described his interest in ancient hunting artifacts, photography, and travel. The upcoming sale, presented by Cowan’s Auctions, offers numerous artifacts from the Art Gerber Collection. The event is the third and final auction featuring his collection.
The catalog features several key pieces from the Ohio Valley. One of the highlighted lots is “Snowy” and “Little Snowy,” a pair of Mississippian anthropomorphic effigy figures made of aragonite. This particular type of aragonite is believed to be unique to Wyandotte Cave, Crawford County, Indiana. A quartz saddle bannerstone, bone hook beads, loose beads, strung bracelets, and partial atlatl hook will also be available. Interested collectors can view more items from the Art Gerber Collection or place a bid on Bidsquare.
This February, Sotheby’s will bring a selection of diamond jewelry pieces to auction. The live event will especially highlight a pair of Palmiero earrings. Growing up in a small Italian town known for its goldsmithing tradition, designer Carlo Palmiero developed an early interest in jewelry. In 1979, he started a company that still bears his name. Palmiero’s work draws inspiration from the nature and culture around him. “I do not believe in a ‘muse,’ but I believe in curiosity and in my ‘child’s’ eyes that creative artists never lose, even when they are 100 years old!” he once said. The available Palmiero earrings feature an openwork design and pavé-set round diamonds.
Among the key lots is a 14.80-carat cushion-cut diamond ring. This piece comes with a full GIA report that states the polished diamond is D color and internally flawless. Collectors can find a variety of styles in this auction, from pear-shaped cuts to oval and emerald cuts. Those interested in any of these diamond jewelry pieces can register to bid on Sotheby’s.
Palm Beach Modern Auctions will offer its Editions & Photography sale in mid-February of 2021. The event particularly highlights fine art prints, multiples, and photographs. Among these is a signed Mel Bochner Kvetch monoprint. Bochner is known for mixing word art with photographs from his studio. This style is evident in the available linguistic-based piece, with words and phrases related to the word “kvetch.” Other prints and multiples from the sale include a Pablo Picasso lithograph, several works by Robert Rauschenberg, and a piece by Salvador Dalí.
Though the sale leans heavily on print editions, there are also some book collections, fine photographs, and original works. Eve Arnold, a photographer for Magnum Photos, took many iconic pictures of Marilyn Monroe. An available monochrome print of Monroe is from a limited edition and is numbered 49 of 49. Other photos in the sale include a semi-clothed candid of Elvis Presley during his Army health exam. This photo is signed, though the photographer is unknown. There are also photos depicting Italian architect Ettore Sottsass, the Twin Towers, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Doyle will offer Tabriz, Hereke silk, and Nichols Chinese carpets in the upcoming Rugs and Carpets auction. These carpets and rugs date back to the 19th and 20th centuries and come from Persia, Turkey, China, and North India. A Tabriz carpet is among the key lots. This carpet, coming from Northwest Persia during the last quarter of the 19th century, showcases a central scalloped pendant medallion within an ivory palmette and leafy vine border. The carpet measures approximately 21 feet by 14 feet.
A Hereke silk carpet from West Turkey is also available. This late 20th-century carpet features a central polychrome pendant medallion with a palmette and leafy border. It measures approximately nine feet by six feet. Another item highlighted in the auction is a Nichols Chinese carpet made around 1925. This midnight blue carpet shows three floral sprays. View the entire collection and register to bid at Doyle.
