The World’s Greatest Shooting Gallery Target Auction, offered by Dirk Soulis Auctions, contains a selection of items from the Tucker Collection, including furniture and accessories, folk art, Americana, and early 20th-century iron shooting gallery targets. Most of the latter still retain their original paint. One of the targets up for bid is the ‘Rowdy’ target by Mangels, which is the only known example to exist. The large size and complexity of the target indicate that it was a centerpiece that would anchor a gallery display. The shooting gallery game would have contained only one light-up target like this one, which contributes to its rarity. Also in the sale is a companion clown target of similar size.
Up for bid is a set of scale-model canvas banners from the 1930s, each touting acts and attractions form a real-life traveling railroad circus. These models, created by toy companies and craftsmen, were originally complete with tents, wagons, and the available banners. They were meant to be displayed on vertical wood posts near the circus. One of the banners in this sale is dated ‘5-9-31.’ Other items on offer include a wide variety of shooting gallery art, vintage hardware storage boxes, colorful round pantry boxes, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
The simplicity of white porcelain caught the eye of Korea’s aristocracy and upper class in the 15th century. Demand became so high for the porcelain that makers eventually sprouted up across the peninsula. Several examples of these pieces are available in the upcoming Fine Japanese and Korean Art auction, presented by Bonhams. This includes a porcelain moon flask from the 16th or 17th century. These flasks gained their shape by fusing two dishes with clay and then sculpting the base and mouth. Another example available in this sale is decorated in an iron underglaze with flowers.
Among the lots representing Japanese culture is a complete suit of armor from the Edo period. Tatami gusoku was a type of armor used by the samurai. As the word tatami, or “to fold,” suggests, such armor was designed to fold up for easy maneuverability. This example includes several key embellishments, including yak hair on the helmet and a family crest unique to the wearer. Those interested in this or any other item can register to bid on the Bonhams website.
An Imperial folding fan from the Qianlong period will be offered in the upcoming Chinese and Southeast Asian Works of Art auction, presented by Hindman. The fan was created for the Qianlong emperor of the 18th century by three artisans of the Imperial cabinet: Ji Yun, Liang Shizheng, and Qian Weicheng. Liang painted the calligraphy of ten classic Tang verses chosen by the emperor, which describe vignettes of spring. The decorative piece also bears an inscription of the Imperial poem “Hanchun Shi” by Ji Yun beside a landscape painting. It depicts birds perched on begonia branches.
Another key lot is a 15-volume set of Dong Qi Chang’s calligraphic ink rubbings. Dong was among the most influential Chinese calligraphy masters in history. During his lifetime, Dong produced several noted calligraphic styles and theories. Also included is an illustrated research collection on ancient bronzes. This edition can be traced to the Yuan dynasty (1271 – 1368 C.E.). Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Ed Ruscha is a multi-talented American artist known for his word paintings. As a child, Ruscha wanted to become a cartoonist and received training from artists such as Emerson Woelffer and Robert Irwin. In the1970s, Ruscha, along with fellow artists Jenny Holzer and Barbara Kruger, began incorporating written phrases in his art. During this post-Pop Art period, he also invented Boy Scout Utility Modern– a squared-off and all-caps typeface. Explaining the inspiration for his famous word paintings, a combination of Pop and Conceptual Art, Ruscha states, “I like the idea of a word becoming a picture, almost leaving its body, then coming back and becoming a word again.” The upcoming Revere Auctions event presents a text-based lithograph from Ruscha, titled Cold Beer Beautiful Girls. The words, printed in white, fade into the background.
Also showcased is a porcelain bowl by the prominent potter and painter Adelaide Alsop Robineau. To pursue her interest in art, Robineau started training under William Merritt Chase and later went on to study ceramics under Charles Binns. The available flambé piece features her experiments with glazing techniques and her mastery in ceramics. The auction also offers works by Andy Warhol, Konstantin Korovine, Rudolf Weber, and Jaehyo Lee. Interested collectors can view the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Giorgio Morandi was an Italian painter and printmaker best known for his still lifes of bottles, jars, and boxes. In 1918, he was associated with the Metaphysical art movement, founded by Italian artists Giorgio de Chirico and Carlo Carrà. In this style, Morandi intended to depict everyday objects with a dreamlike composition. The upcoming Prints & Multiples sale, presented by Finarte, showcases an etching by Morandi. It shows two objects placed on a cloth-covered table.
The sale also offers a painting, titled Atlantic, by Italian Transavantgarde sculptor, painter, and muralist Mimmo Paladino. The artist played a major role in the development of the Transavantgarde movement, which elevated the concept of figuration. Executed in 1987, the offered lot was created with the linocut printmaking technique. The auction of 180 lots also includes Bruno Munari’s painted wood piece titled Composition and a 1977 sculpture by François Morellet. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
1981 represents an important period in the career of Helen LaFrance, an often-overlooked African American painter of the late 20th century. Her work shows the influence of the disappearing lifestyle and culture of the rural American South. Beyond themes of rural life, she paints many religious concepts and floral studies with a bright palette. One offered 1981 oil painting from LaFrance will be featured during the second session of the upcoming American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts sale, presented by Cowan’s Auctions.
Among 312 lots, the event will present examples of 17th-century furniture in the William and Mary style. This particular style of furniture was popularized during the reign of William III and Mary II of England. It is characterized by soft curves and spirals, which turned away from the prevailing Mannerist style. The featured mid-Atlantic furniture is made of grain-painted cherrywood. Alongside furniture, the upcoming auction will also offer a range of porcelain, toys, stoneware, and collectibles. Visit Bidsquare to browse the full catalog and register to bid.
Founded in 1886, Newcomb College was the first women’s coordinate college within an American university. The school, which was famous for its pottery, provided an opportunity for women to acquire industrial skills during the postwar period. The embroidery curriculum, introduced later, offered a quality standard similar to the college’s pottery program. The upcoming Revere Auctions event presents a Newcomb College embroidered linen Arts & Crafts sewing bag. The embroidery on the linen base depicts a landscape scene of forested hills in simple stitches.
Another highlight of the auction is a steel patio table from Sol LeWitt. The geometric pattern table with a center plaque features a concentric semi-circle design in shades of blue, gray, and red. Also showcased is a Cartier 1.7-carat brilliant-cut yellow diamond ring and a Prairie School Arts & Crafts hardwood chair by George Mann Niedecken. Those interested in the auction can also consider a selection of Lalique glassware, Rhead pottery wares, Sir Richard Burton books, and Indonesian Javanese Golek puppets. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
American painter John Whorf was an acclaimed watercolorist of the 20th century. Whorf’s father, who was also an artist, introduced his son to commercial art and graphic design. Later in his life, Whorf was influenced by Charles W. Hawthorne’s bold style of painting. This September, the Spanierman Works on Paper auction, presented by Rago, will highlight Whorf’s work. Titled Summer Morning, one watercolor on paper piece portrays the busy streets of Times Square with a vibrant palette.
The auction also presents the sketchbook of Theodore Robinson. Also an American painter, Robinson was popular for his Impressionist landscapes. He was also considered one of the first Americans to take up the Impressionist style. The works in his sketchbook were completed with graphite on paper. Within the pages, bidders can observe a man riding a horse and a man on a one-wheeled cart. The sketchbook holds an inscription and is dated 1888. For more information, visit Bidsquare.
Chinese jewelry dates back to the Neolithic age. The Lungshanoid people, situated at the Yangtze river, first started making jade jewelry for talismanic rituals. The Chinese jewelry making process has undergone multiple changes over time and has historically featured intricate motifs and symbols. The themes of these jewelry pieces often involve animals, phoenixes, dragons, and flowers. The upcoming Bonhams auction presents a mid- to late Qing dynasty gold phoenix headband. The deeply arched headband has intricate lotus adornments and phoenixes set with ruby cabochons and pearls.
Another highlight of the auction is a bronze garment hook from China’s Warring States or Western Han period. The bronze cast hook has a silver and turquoise inlay. The crest features a mythical winged bixie and has gilt bronze hooks on the ends. Interested collectors can also find a Song dynasty gold perfume holder and silver lotus bowl, as well as a selection of carved jade jewelry. For more details, register to bid online on Bonhams.
Doyle will feature the estate of Leon Amar in the upcoming Special Collections auction. A dominant figure in the design world, Amar’s career began at a Parisian global design firm in the 1960s. Amar eventually became Duke’s Vice President of the Southeast Asian Art and Culture Foundation and opened a museum of Thai and Burmese art at Duke Farms. In 1991, he married the twice-widowed philanthropist Charlotte Igoe in Palm Beach, where they shared their love of art. In the auction are several works by Dietz Edzard, a German Impressionist and Modern painter. Highlighted is an oil painting from Edzard titled Auto Portrait No. 5. The piece is dated 1913 and signed by the artist. The self-portrait shows the artist posing with a painter’s palette and brush.
A George II inlaid walnut longcase clock is also included. This clock features a dial with mask spandrels and is signed “John Ellicott, London.” It has a matted center with a date aperture and a five-pillar two-train movement with anchor escapement. The clock comes with a concave-sided cresting about the arched cornice that was added later. Other items in the event are a set of three inked papers from Wu Zuoren, an oil painting of a girl and her horse by Suzanne Eisendieck, a Marasali Shrivan prayer rug, and a collection of fashion books. Visit Doyle to view the entire collection and to register to bid.
