Though South Africa’s 1996 constitution promised equality to all, the LGBTQIA+ community continues to suffer from violence and prejudice. Addressing this issue, photographer Zanele Muholi attempts to document the lives of South Africa’s marginalized communities. The focus of her work led the artist to become a visual activist. One of her noted works will be available in the upcoming Aperture auction, presented by Christie’s.
Standouts among the 66 lots offered in the sale include Hank Willis Thomas’ chromogenic print titled Black Power. The artist examines themes related to identity, history, and popular culture in this piece. Describing the perspective seen in most of Thomas’ work, the Portland Art Museum writes that “… he invites us to consider the role of popular culture in instituting discrimination and how art can raise critical awareness in the ongoing struggle for social justice and civil rights.” Another featured artist associated with visual art is LaToya Ruby Frazier. An acclaimed photographer, Frazier often employs a black-and-white documentary style in her work. Visit Christie’s to register to bid or view any of these lots.
In the early 1980s, Rolex decided to move away from manual winding movements and introduce a new design— an automatic chronograph movement. To develop such a model, Rolex collaborated with Swiss luxury watchmaker Zenith. In 1988, they created the first-ever automatic Daytona ref. 16520 watch with a robust case. An example of that Rolex Zenith Daytona will be available in the upcoming Watches auction, presented by Sotheby’s.
In 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 watch was launched with an intent “to push the boundaries of underwater and diving technology to its limits.” This watch was mainly designed for commercial divers. Its key features include a helium escape valve which allows helium to be released at a given pressure while preserving the watch’s case. A Patek Philippe ref. 3970E timepiece from 1992 is also showcased in the sale. The offered lot has a perpetual calendar, moon phases, and leap year indication. Those interested in this or any other lot can register to bid on the Sotheby’s website.
With its rich history of emerald mining and production, Colombia maintains a major global market for the green gemstone. According to an ancient Colombian legend, the Muisca god Are ended the immortality of a man and woman named Tena and Fura. However, Are later took pity and turned them into two cliffs. It is believed that, in the depths of the crag, Fura’s tears transformed into emeralds. A Victorian 18-karat gold and platinum Colombian emerald pendant is among the highlights of the upcoming jewelry auction, presented by Intervendue. Another noteworthy lot is an 18-karat yellow gold and platinum brooch, weighing 47.2 grams.
The auction also features a diamond and beryl ring by the Valenza-based Italian jewelry designer Palmiero. Emerald, aquamarine, and morganite gems are all varieties of beryl, a naturally occurring mineral. Another Italian piece on offer is Baraka’s 18-karat white and yellow gold choker. The sale also showcases a striking diamond and ruby ring. The gemstones are set in yellow gold. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
Under the shadow of the Vietnam War, the U.S. government decided that the military required more specialized forces to combat insurgency. This move included an expansion of Navy SEAL teams, complete with sweeping updates to the troops’ equipment and specifications. From this period came the Tornek-Rayville TR-900 dive watch, which was able to operate at depths up to 300 feet without a magnetic signature. One of the few surviving TR-900 watches will come to auction in Skinner’s timed October sale. Due to the use of promethium-147 to illuminate the watch face, most of the TR-900 watches were destroyed at the end of their usefulness. The available watch was saved from that fate and handed down through a military family.
Several other notable wristwatches are on offer, including a vintage Rolex Daytona Cosmograph ref. 6263 “Sigma” watch. This piece was manufactured around 1973 and is accented with white gold markers. Beyond wristwatches, the sale will also highlight tall case clocks, mantel clocks, and carriage clocks. Rounding out the offerings are scientific collectibles such as 18th-century amputation sets and a three-inch globe that will fit in a pocket. Find the complete catalog and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Roman Petrovich Tyrtov was the son of a distinguished Russian admiral and was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1910, though, he moved to Paris to become an artist. He changed his name to Erté to avoid bringing shame to his family. Now, Neue Auctions will offer numerous bronze works by Erté in the upcoming sale. This includes a late Erté piece depicting Zeus and Hera. Both figures are draped in long, blue robes that circle around their feet. Also available from Erté is the artist’s reimaging of Gilda from the Giuseppe Verdi opera, Rigoletto.
Work by Louis Icart will also highlight this sale. Like Erté, Icart found inspiration in Paris at the start of the 20th century. He is best known for his depictions of Parisian women. The etching Thoroughbreds by Icart shows a woman riding a horse. Her makeup and scarf provide the only color in the etching, guiding the viewer’s gaze in that direction. In Speed, Vitesse, Icart once again explores movement. Three greyhounds run forward as a woman holds their leashes, her clothes fiercely waving as they race. Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid on Bidsquare.
Francesco Londonio was a Baroque-style painter and engraver known for his pastoral paintings. The Italian artist learned his craft from prominent figures such as Giovanni Battista Sassi and Ferdinando Porta. Londonio’s countryside scenes often featured farmers and livestock engaged in daily activities. Pastoral scenes by Londonio were prime subjects of his paintings and were often sought by prosperous Italian families. The upcoming Showplace auction presents an Italian micromosaic pastoral plaque created in Londonio’s style. The available 19th-century rustic landscape depicts farm animals encircling a farmer and his wife. Also featured is a Post-Impressionist oil painting by Allen Tucker portraying trees and clouds in his signature style.
Showcased in the auction is a Simpson, Hall, & Miller partial flatware set. The “S” monogram Stratford pattern was introduced by the silver manufacturer in 1902. Other highlights include an 1879 bronze sculpture by French artist Charles René Saint-Marceaux, Yves Saint Laurent jewelry, and Louis XVI furniture. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Inspired by nature’s ability to weave itself into a knot, the smooth and twisted metal of Gizmo seems to achieve the poetic harmony that sculptor Gino Miles aims for in his work. Like many of his monumental and abstract pieces, this stainless steel sculpture can be turned and rotated, challenging the viewer’s perceptions. The artist states that this piece is one of his strongest designs. Gizmo, along with other metalworks, woodworks, and paintings, will be available in the upcoming ArtsThrive: Art Exhibition & Benefit event, hosted by the Albuquerque Museum Foundation.
Albuquerque Rail Yards by painter Aaron Richardson is another featured piece. Richardson is a contemporary painter who lives and paints in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This hyperrealistic depiction of the city’s rail yards shows sunlight streaming through colored glass windows into an empty industrial interior.
This auction brings together new and seasoned collectors and artists. Bidders will see works from artists selected through a juried review process. Proceeds from this 30th annual sale will fund Albuquerque Museum’s educational programs and exhibitions. Visit Bidsquare for more information on the lots.
When painter Harry Hoffman visited the Bahamas for the first time in 1916, he became interested in underwater scenes and seascapes. He developed a special glass-bottomed bucket to see his underwater subjects more clearly and used his Impressionist brushwork to recreate it on canvas. His expeditions to the Galápagos Islands, British Guiana, and Bermuda inspired some of the most noteworthy paintings of his career. One of Hoffman’s signature landscape paintings is mounted on a folding screen and available for sale in the upcoming Ahlers & Ogletree auction.
Period antiques and fine art from the United States, the U.K., and Europe will be showcased as well. This includes a Flemish tapestry mounted on linen. The 18th-century textile uses the Baroque style in a genre scene of boys playing in a courtyard. An 1872 landscape painting by George Hetzel and a 134-piece set of sterling silver flatware in the “Anglia” pattern by Italian brand Pampaloni will also be available in the event. View or bid for these lots and more on Bidsquare.
Featured in this Larsen Gallery event is a cabinet by Paul Evans, an American furniture designer. Evans was made famous for his contributions to the American Craft Movement of the 1970s. The piece in this auction is a 1969 Argente cabinet. Made of aluminum, slate, lacquered wood, leather, and steel, the piece has two adjustable shelves on the right side and four drawers on the left. It is signed and dated by the artist on the inside edge.
A painting by American Pop artist and poet Jim Dine is also highlighted in this auction. The 2008 acrylic, watercolor, and charcoal painting is titled Main Street #5. This work shows a heart in a variety of yellow, green, red, blue, and orange colors. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in the upper left corner. Other items include works from Jasper Johns, James Michalopoulos, Edward Sheriff Curtis, and Kevin Sloan, to name a few. View the entire catalog and register to bid by visiting Bidsquare.
Artist Edvard Munch was active between the 1880s and 1940s. In his early years, Munch became a central figure in the Symbolist movement and later in the Expressionist style. He believed that rather than basing art on reality, it must convey an emotion or idea. Describing his expressive works, he said, “In common with Michelangelo and Rembrandt I am more interested in the line, its rise and fall, than in color.” One of his lithograph pieces will be highlighted in Sotheby’s upcoming online Important Prints & Multiples sale.
This event explores contemporary and Modern art spanning the 20th century. Leading the auction is a silkscreen painting by American Pop artist Andy Warhol depicting Marilyn Monroe. Drawing inspiration from American commercial culture, the lot exemplifies Warhol’s challenge to traditional art. Also offered is Pablo Picasso’s La Minotauromachie. This etching shows a young girl with a candle who illuminates a mythological minotaur. Between the two figures are a bullfighter and a horse. Explore the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Sotheby’s.
