In Mahayana Buddhism, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva or Universal Virtue is considered to be the Sūtra (string or thread) of meditation and the practice of repentance. Possessing divine powers, the body of the Universal Virtue is described as having infinite size. The second part of the upcoming Christmas Exclusive Chinese Fine Art Selection sale, presented by Ocean Star Auctions, will feature a gem-inlaid statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Made of gilt bronze, it measures 57 centimeters in height. A three-legged incense burner, designed with gem-inlaid bronze, is also notable. Another available incense burner is made of Hetian jade with ring ears. The use of incense has been integral to traditional Chinese culture since the Neolithic age.
The sale also features a pair of square pots with covers and double ears. The pots are designed with gold and silver inlaying bronze. Made with kallaite and turquoise, a pair of beast ornaments is another striking lot in the catalog. To view the complete listings and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
In the mid-20th century, the manufacturing company Gay Frères proved its versatility by making bracelets for most of the major watch brands, from Rolex to Patek Philippe. According to Hodinkee, Gay Frères understood early on the “nuances that distinguish a bracelet that pairs well with a dress watch from one that pairs well with a sports watch.” Representing Gay Frères in Sotheby’s Watches II auction is an 18-karat gold Rolex President bracelet from the late 1960s.
Another Rolex piece available in this auction is a reference 5513 Submariner. Originally produced in 1962, what distinguished 5513 Submariners from other examples was the lack of a certified chronometer. The watch available in this auction was produced in 1977, during what is considered to be the late stages of vintage Submariners.
Patek Philippe collectors can consider the reference 5196 Calatrava from 2014. Reference 5196 is the successor to the original Calatrava reference, 96, and is designed to be a dress watch. Despite being produced in 2014, this wristwatch is intended to remind wearers of mid-century watch design. Register to bid in this event on Sotheby’s website and stay up to date on more upcoming sales with Auction Daily’s auction calendar.
Sotheby’s first partnered with the Sassoon family in 1970 to offer a Judaica sale featuring their collection. Five decades later, the auction house will continue its partnership with the family to present a December auction of notable Jewish manuscripts and ceremonial objects. Among the leading lots is a parcel-gilt silver and enamel Torah shield from the late 18th century. Crafted by Elimelekh Tzoref of Stanislav, this shield was likely designed for a private patron who would display the piece above the Torah scroll in a home synagogue. It has striking symbolic details, including leafy scrolls and animals surrounding the crowned Tablets of the Law.
This auction will bring 68 lots from the Sassoon Judaica collection. Many hold personal significance for the family. A silver-cased Torah scroll and Haftarah scroll, for example, was given directly to Flora Sassoon from Rabbi Joseph Hayyim of Baghdad. These scrolls were passed down through the generations for over a century before reaching the auction block.
Among the key written works in the event is a 19th-century miniature Torah scroll that measures under three inches high. The scroll comes with silver-gilt finials, a gilt Torah pointer, and a silk mantle with matching fringes. A daily prayer book owned by R. Joseph Hayyim with annotations and an 11th-century Hebrew-Arabic dictionary will be available as well. Browse the complete listings and register to bid on the Sotheby’s website. Find more information about the Sassoon Judaica collection on Auction Daily.
A polychrome mask of Ai Apec highlights Artemis Gallery‘s upcoming Variety Sale. A god of the pre-Inca civilization, Ai Apec was the main deity of the Moche culture. Ai Apec was known for his ability to transform into other beings. The available mask portrays the deity with long fangs, coffee bean-shaped eyes, and a Tumi-shaped headdress.
Among the fine art pieces on offer is Hippolyte Victor Valentin Sebron’s painting titled Niagara Falls, The Horse Shoe. A French artist, Sebron was best-known for his detailed landscape and cityscape scenes. Executed in 1852, the available work shows Niagara Falls rendered in pastel colors. An 18th-century New Mexican traveling trunk is also on offer. Made of rawhide leather, the box features Aztec-inspired geometric decorations, iron hinges, and a lock on the front. Interested collectors can register to bid for this auction on LiveAuctioneers.
A Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace from the 1950s is available in the upcoming auction of Fine Jewelry, presented by Alex Cooper Auctioneers. The mid-century platinum ornament is swag-collared and features 16 round, brilliant-cut diamonds. Movable swags on the necklace boast 34 marquise diamonds. The piece comes in a stamped and original VCA soft necklace folder.
The upcoming event also features a 16.0-carat diamond cluster pendant that doubles as a pin. It has 20 round diamonds, 43 marquise-cut diamonds, and 36 baguette-cut diamonds set in white gold. Finger rings studded with rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and other gems are available as well. Sterling silver pieces and collectible coins round out the auction catalog. Visit Bidsquare to view the full listings or register to bid.
A painting from Jacopo Vignali, known as one of 17th-century Florence’s leading artists, will be highlighted in Bonhams’ upcoming Old Master Paintings event. Completed around 1624, this oil on canvas work depicts the story of David and Goliath. In the painting, David is shown holding Goliath’s severed head. “The theatrical elegance of his simple composition illustrate[s] not only Vignali’s particular style but also the broader trends within Florentine painting at the time,” Bonhams explains in the lot description.
Also presented in this live auction is an oil painting by Italian artist Francesco Salvator Fontebasso. He was considered one of the most important painters of Venice. Primarily a decorator of churches and palaces, the artist was known for his works both in fresco and on canvas. Offered in this event is Fontebasso’s oil painting titled The Family of Darius Before Alexander. To view the complete catalog and register to bid, visit Bonhams.
Wrapping up 2020 is Akiba Antiques’ upcoming End of the Year Sale. A pair of Van Cleef & Arpels half-hoop earrings from the Mystery Set series is among the leading lots. The earrings feature calibré-cut rubies set in 18-karat gold. The patented Mystery Set design allows the gemstones to be arranged without any visible metal prongs.
Alongside jewelry and antiques, the sale offers fine art from artists such as Bernard Séjourné (1947-1994), René Portocarrero (1912-1985), and Bernard Buffet (1928-1999). Séjourné was a Haitian artist whose works paid tribute to his culture. One of his paintings was featured on Mouton Rothschild’s 1986 label. Common motifs in the artist’s work included women with long necks, tropical flowers, and seashells. Available in this sale is a signed oil-on-board painting by Séjourné that depicts a female silhouette. Find a mix of jewelry, furniture, decorative art, Herend porcelain, and Persian rugs in this upcoming sale, and place a bid on LiveAuctioneers.
The Cuban artist collective known as Los Carpinteros dismissed individual authorship to embrace the ideals of artisans and laborers. To Los Carpinteros, art is always a collaborative effort. Several of the collective’s works are up for bid in the upcoming 20 | 21 Art auction, offered by Rago.
Also in the sale are two works by English sculptor Ralph Brown, one of which depicts a woman standing in the wind. It is inscribed: “Display no more, in vain, the lofty banner! For see! Where on the tier before ye lies the pale, the fall’n, the untimely sacrifice to your mistaken shrine, to your false idol, Honour!” This sculpture is from an edition of five and was issued by Pangolin Editions.
Another English artist represented in the sale is Damien Hirst with a heart-shaped “spin painting.” Hirst has created many spin paintings since he first experimented with the technique in the early 1990s and has often suggested that they be displayed while continuously rotating. Other artists in the sale include Harry Calahan, Martín Ramírez, Jan Yoors, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Cartier has been designing and manufacturing luxury jewelry since 1847. The French conglomerate is known for its extravagant jewelry and watch settings using quality materials and stones. Available in this upcoming Walking in Jewelry Wonderland auction, offered by Intervendue, is a Cartier platinum and diamond ring. This piece features a 12.4-carat round diamond and comes with a certificate.
Since 1856, the Swiss watchmaker Eterna has been known for its timepieces. Found in this auction is an 18-karat yellow gold Eterna-Matic alarm wristwatch. This watch features a brown leather band with a black watch face and gold numbers. Other items on offer include a platinum tennis necklace with 22.83-carat diamonds, Bulgari clip earrings, a white gold, sapphire, and diamond flower bracelet, and a cameo pendant with a woman’s face. Visit Bidsquare to view the whole catalog and register to bid.
Legendary watch designer Gérald Genta presented his design for the Royal Oak to Audemars Piguet in 1970, eventually executing the design two years later. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 1992, Audemars Piguet made a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. The upcoming Santa Fe Art Auction event offers one of these Royal Oak special edition watches. The available timepiece is accompanied by an AP Royal Oak green box and a certificate of origin. The auction also highlights a 1976 Rolex GMT-Master red and blue “Pepsi” watch.
A Corum limited edition Golden Bridge platinum skeletonized wristwatch will be on offer as well. The Golden Bridge model, which features a 45-component movement, was designed in the 1970s by Vincent Calabrese. Corum patented Calabrese’s design and unveiled the Golden Bridge on their 25th anniversary at the 1980 Baselworld fair. The auction also offers a selection of fountain pens from Cartier, Montblanc, and Krone. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
