Considered one of Denmark’s most influential designers, Georg Jensen began training as a goldsmith at the age of 14. In 1904, the Danish silversmith started his own company, which continues to bear his name. The company created designs that possessed, according to Jensen, both functionality and beauty. The upcoming auction, offered by Greg Pepin Silver, presents a selection of silverware and jewelry pieces from Georg Jensen. A boxed set of Georg Jensen “Magnolia” silverware is among the key lots. The special-order set includes 472 pieces and is likely the largest service ever created in this particular pattern.
Another highlighted lot from the event is a Georg Jensen tureen. Embracing the style of the Art Nouveau era, this oval piece is decorated with flowers and berry details. It comes with a matching sterling silver ladle. Both pieces were designed around the end of World War I. A coral brooch from Evald Nielsen is also available. Nielsen was a leading figure behind the organizing of Danish gold and silversmith guilds. The Copenhagen silversmith was active from 1905 through 1958. Register to bid and view each of the lots on Bidsquare.
In Buddhism, Manjusri is believed to be the deity of wisdom. Mythology suggests that Manjusri, represented in a male form, carries the “Sword of Wisdom” and uses it to destroy the darkness of ignorance. A sculpture of Manjusri from China is highlighted in the upcoming Chinese Antiques & Fine Arts auction, presented by BIDIT Auctions. Shown in a sitting posture, Manjusri’s hands are placed in the dharmachakra mudra. The figure wears jewelry and head ornaments.
Also available is a sculpture of the Yellow Jambhala, considered the most popular and powerful of the Wealth Gods. He is thought to be the manifestation of Buddha Ratnasambhava, the Buddha of Giving. He is usually shown in a sitting posture with the right hand in the varada mudra. The left holds a mongoose that produces jewels to give to the needy. Another item of interest is a set of 29 Chinese tangka paintings. A tangka is a traditionally Tibetan silk painting with embroidery, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, famous scene, or mandala. Register to bid and view each lot on Invaluable.
In the era before smartphones and gift cards, many companies gave retiring employees the gift of a gold watch or carriage clock. The latter was often a symbol of the time served, but also functioned as an artistic medium. Popular between 1860 and 1900 in France, carriage clocks were decorative yet portable timepieces with handles. Featured in Bonhams’ upcoming Art of Time auction is a selection of antique carriage clocks. Some have ornate metalwork, such as a leading 19th-century example from Thomas Cole, while others bear miniature paintings in Egyptian Revival and Classical styles.
A minute-repeating wristwatch from Girard-Perregaux is also highlighted in this event. The available piece is a 1999 Ferrari model with engraved gold bridges and two subsidiary dials. Watch collectors can also find an 18-karat rose gold chronograph bracelet watch from Patek Philippe and a whimsical seven-day wristwatch from Ulysse Nardin. Exploring the concept and artistry of timekeeping, the sale includes a vintage desk compendium clock, several unusual mortar clocks from the 19th century, and a variety of gold pocket watches. Visit the Bonhams website for the complete listings.
Four paintings from rising Cleveland artist Rose Haserodt will be offered in Neue Auctions’ upcoming sale What’s Neue Pussycat? MCM Art & Design. In her own words, Haserodt’s style aims to capture “raw, awkward experiences… romantic without the romance.” The offered works from the contemporary artist show colorful, slightly disjointed landscapes and plant studies. Joshua Tree at Pensacola II, her 2018 oil painting, shows the titular tree in scattered fragments with a pile of boulders in the background. Another contemporary work available in this auction is Thomas Ackermann’s Self Portrait in a Room. A fresh take on Vincent van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles paintings, the artist places himself close to the viewer with a questioning look in his eyes.
Collectors interested in fine art will also find a screenprint from Roy Lichtenstein in this event. It shows the Oval Office of the United States White House in clearly defined lines and bold colors. The piece was commissioned by the Artists for Freedom of Expression Project during the 1992 presidential election. Modern furniture lots on offer include a Charles and Ray Eames lounge chair and ottoman set, as well as a rust-orange Italian sectional sofa. To view the full catalog and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
The works of Artis Lane, an American contemporary sculptor, draw the viewer’s attention toward social justice and spiritual truth. Her works explore “the truth that the growth of spiritual awareness is continuous,” according to the St. James Guide to Black Artists. Michelle Obama recently unveiled Lane’s sculpture of Sojourner Truth, the first memorial honoring a Black American woman, in a ceremony. A 1989 sculpture by Lane, titled New Women, will be available in Stair’s upcoming Art & Design Auction. Showing a polished bronze woman figure within a circle, the sculpture serves as a metaphor for material concepts. Also of interest is an oil painting of Coney Island by Vestie Davis from 1958. The self-taught American artist frequently painted scenes of New York City.
Sandro Chia was among the founders of the Italian Transavanguardia movement in the 1970s and 80s. In many of his works, Chia uses dynamic compositions and a vibrant palette. The painter-sculptor usually captures his subjects in moments of movement. Available in this auction is a Chia sculpture titled Kneeling Man. To view the entire catalog and place a bid, visit Bidsquare.
Brian Donnelly, who works professionally as KAWS, is an American artist whose figurative cast sculptures bridge the distance between fine and commercial art. KAWS formerly worked as a freelance animator for 101 Dalmatians. He also worked as a night graffiti artist, and these illegal paintings created a framework for his craft. The upcoming Christie’s event presents multiple sculptures and paintings by KAWS. One highlight is an untitled, hand-painted Companion resin sculpture. KAWS made his first toy— a vinyl figure called the Companion– in 1999 with Bounty Hunter, a Japanese clothing company. The artist’s signature cast figurine is similar to Mickey Mouse and has ‘x’s in place of eyes.
The auction will also showcase contemporary works influenced by the spontaneity, satire, and expertise of graffiti. Presented are interior scenes and still life paintings by the multi-genre artist Jonas Wood. Through one oil painting on offer, Wood reveals his multidimensional painting style. Explore the catalog for works of artists such as Invader, Banksy, Katherine Bernhardt, and Cleon Peterson, and register to bid on the Christie’s website.
The upcoming Antiquarian Auctions sale includes vintage books and manuscripts. Also offered are several artistic works, portraits, photographs, and other ephemera of interest to the book-minded collector. Leading the auction are original typescripts of articles and items related to Winston Churchill (also known as “Churchilliana”). One item of interest is a typescript written by Churchill for a Hearst newspaper article. The piece comments on George Bernard Shaw and Lady Astor’s visit to Moscow and their interactions with Joseph Stalin. The article offers a scathing criticism of the visit (Churchill describes Shaw as “the World’s most famous intellectual Clown and Pantaloon”) and includes handwritten corrections.
Beyond Churchilliana, there is also a limited edition print of Franz Kafka’s Dreams, Diaries, and Fragments by Four Winds Fine Art. Just over 100 of these prints were created, and the available lot includes etchings by Robert Andrew Parker. The 12 plates are all inscribed by the artist, and this set was once in Parker’s personal collection. Further items in the sale include original photographs and postcards from the march of Pancho Villa, an early golf instruction manual, an original stick-figure drawing by Jean Cocteau, and more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Antiquarian Auctions.
Phillip Ratner has developed expertise in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, painting, etched glass, tapestry, drawing, and graphic arts. Most of his works focus on stories from the Old Testament of the Bible. Drawing inspiration from these stories, Ratner founded the Israel Bible Museum in Safed, Israel, and later in Bethesda, Maryland. The second day of the upcoming Unreserved auction, presented by Rago, will include a glass panel by Ratner. In the piece, a dragon can be seen playing the harp.
Bringing together the works of noted artists such as Paul Jasmin, Alfred Porteneuve, and René Lalique, this sale will offer over 500 lots with no reserve. A leading item in the event is a Martigues centerpiece from René Lalique. Starting his career as a Parisian jewelry designer, Lalique gradually shifted his focus to work with glass. His sculptures gave rise to a technique that rendered contrast between clear and frosted glass. Beyond glasswork, this auction will also include fine art from Robert McLeod, several pieces of Asian art, and a 1960s Italian chandelier. Browse the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Alberto Gironella was a Mexican painter known for his contributions to Surrealism. Gironella initially wanted to be a writer. However, after failing to land a publisher for his novel, he decided to try his hand at painting. As a self-taught artist, his art used a combination of Surrealist and Baroque portraiture. The upcoming sale, offered by John Moran Auctioneers, presents Octavio Paz, a collage on paper piece by Gironella. The work shows the Mexican poet Octavio Paz holding a copy of his famous book, titled Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz o las Trampas de la Fe. The collage was created as a memento for Paz, who was a close friend of the artist.
Also highlighted is an Amarres Disco sterling silver flatware service from William Spratling. A prominent 20th-century silversmith, Spratling launched multiple silver workshops in the conventional mining town of Taxco to reestablish the silver industry. The Amarres Disco flatware service has wire banded shafts, impressed flat discs, and ball tips. Jewelry by Mexican silver artist Matilde Eugenia Poulat, popularly known as Matl, will also be presented. Every piece of Baroque-style Matl jewelry is handcrafted and often elaborately set with turquoise or coral. This auction also offers silverware by the Modernist Mexican silversmith Antonio Pineda, artworks by Arnold Belkin and José Luis Cuevas, and Enrique Ledesma jewelry. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on John Moran Auctioneers.
Known for his use of simple forms, Karl Springer’s work also often explored unusual or exotic materials. In the 1960s, Springer was discovered by the Duchess of Windsor, who then became his first collector. Shortly after she helped launch his career, he opened a showroom in New York City and later in Miami, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. A set of four dining chairs designed by Springer will be offered on the first day of the Unreserved Day Sale, presented by Rago. This 1984 set features two armchairs and two side chairs.
A 1979 custom room installation by Paul Evans is also among the leading lots of the auction. Evans was a central figure of the American Studio Furniture movement of the 1960s. Influenced by youth culture, he built custom pieces for celebrities such as the ventriloquist Shari Lewis and the singer Roy Orbison. Dating back to 1979, the available piece is accented with polished stainless steel. Collectors will also find sculptures from Neil Noland, an oil painting from Frederick Wardy, and a pair of modern suspended chandeliers in the catalog. View the full listings and register to bid on Bidsquare.
