Showcased in this African and Oceanic Art auction is a sculpted, cadaverous male figure from Easter Island. With exposed ribs and pronounced facial features, this type of wood carving is thought to have been important in religious and cultural ceremonies. It was worn by men and women with human hair cords during the mid- to late 19th century. Also included is a Lega mask from the Bwami society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These masks were thought to be hung on a specially-erected fence and surrounded by maskettes. In some initiation rites, the mask may also have been worn high on the forehead with the beard hanging in front of the face or on the side of the head.
Another item highlighted in this Bonhams auction is a large Maori hand club from New Zealand. This club is carved from greenstone nephrite jade and tapers from the circular handle to a thin round blade. The handle has a conical end with a stepped pattern and a collector’s label on one side. These clubs, likely made between 1600 and 1850, were often passed down from father to son. View the entire collection and register to bid by visiting Bonhams.
Jean-François Millet’s Laitière Normande (Norman Milkmaid) is one of the highlighted lots in the upcoming 19th Century European Paintings sale, presented by Bonhams. The work shows a milkmaid with an outstretched arm balancing a copper jug on her shoulder. It shows Millet’s fascination with the realistic imagery of the 19th-century French peasant class. As Alexandra Murphy wrote in her catalog note for a previous sale of the piece, “Millet’s deep affection for his native Normandy remained central to his work long after he settled in Barbizon.” Prior to a 2002 Christie’s auction, the painting had not seen by the public at large for nearly 90 years.
The auction offers over 80 lots of fine art pieces, including works by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Richard Paton, and Louis Ernest Barrias. Corot’s Environs d’Arras, Borde de la Scarpe is among the key lots in the sale. Considered a leader in French landscape painting, Corot is best known for his plein-air techniques. Executed between 1860 and 1865, the piece was likely based on sketches he completed before his long stay in Arras, Italy. Register to bid for any of these lots on Bonhams.
The upcoming Fine Pocket Watches Auction, offered by Morphy Auctions, presents a selection of timepieces from several notable brands. One highlight is a Marius LeCoultre 18-karat pink gold chronograph pocket watch with the moon phases and retrograde dates marked. Below the hand-decorated gold case of the pocket watch is the interior enamel dial with blued steel fleur-de-lis hands.
The origin of grande sonnerie watches dates back to the discovery of the chiming clock. Over the years, chiming clocks changed, and the grande sonnerie clocks resulted from extensive horological experiments. These clocks have a striking function and chime automatically at every quarter hour. Showcased in this sale is a late 1800s Swiss grande sonnerie watch with an engraved gold cover. The front of the pocket watch shows a cowboy on horseback chasing the two ostriches on the back. This auction also features a Touchon & Co. platinum open face pocket watch for Tiffany & Co., as well as pocket watches by Vacheron & Constantin, Gold Cooke & Kelvey, and Montandon & Co. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Morphy Auctions.
One of the leading lots at the upcoming Miami Fashionista auction, presented by Hill Auction Gallery, is a Chanel black lambskin leather “Executive” shopper tote bag. It features gold-tone hardware, protective feet, interior black lining, and one detachable makeup satchel. Another highlight is a pair of Emilio Pucci rayon bell-bottom pants designed with a swirled abstract pattern. A matching top with long sleeves is included in the lot. Pucci, a Florentine fashion designer, is best known for his colorful and geometric prints.
The auction also features two scented perfume compacts designed by Jay Strongwater for Estée Lauder. These scented prancing pony compacts from 2008 feature hand-painted 14-karat gold and colorful Swarovski crystals. Another noteworthy item is a vintage charm bracelet crafted with 14-karat yellow gold. It features seven charms, all set with green jade. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Invaluable.
The Etruscan civilization populated ancient Etruria and the neighboring territories around the sixth century BCE. It was known for its highly skilled artisans and jewelry making techniques. Etruscan jewelry is characterized by its detailed gold depictions of animals and symbols. The upcoming auction of Estate Jewelry, Fine Art, & Collectibles, presented by Kodner Galleries, features a large Etruscan-style pendant in 18-karat yellow gold. The vintage piece is embellished with figural carvings of winged goats and birds and is granulated throughout. It weighs approximately 57 grams.
Another lot of interest is a women’s Patek Philippe Flame bracelet watch encrusted with diamonds around the bezel and strap. Patek Phillipe has developed many innovations in the watchmaking industry and holds a historical record for the world’s most expensive steel wristwatch. Other lots in the auction include decorative art, furniture, and fine art. Visit Bidsquare to find more information and to register to bid.
From its beginnings in 1847, Cartier has been noted for its signature designs and motifs. The company’s founder, Louis-François Cartier, was an acclaimed French craftsman. In the early 1920s, the brand that was once recognized as a jewelry house began to include watches as well. Cartier’s watches have been worn by Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, and Andy Warhol, to name a few. Highlighted in the upcoming Fine Jewelry and Watches sale, presented by Hampton Estate Auction, is a Divan watch from Cartier. The seven-inch long leather band has a rectangular-shaped case surrounded by diamonds.
Another available lot is a mother-of-pearl watch from Chopard. Founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the company made a mark by revolutionizing the design of timepieces. Chopard made it possible to float a diamond between sapphire glasses for the first time. The offered watch features diamonds encircling the case and 18-karat gold set on the buckle. Among the 429 lots in the sale is a diamond pendant shaped like the letter P and an Academia chronograph watch from DeWitt. Visit Bidsquare to register and view any of these lots.
At the 2005 Baselworld Show, Patek Philippe launched ref. 5078— a minute repeater watch— to update its ref. 3979. Its double-gong chiming mechanism marks the hours, quarter hours, and minutes. The ref. 5078 was initially offered in a platinum case with a white enamel dial, but in 2010, the brand introduced the black lacquered dial as well. The upcoming Essential Collection auction, presented by Christie’s, highlights a 2010 Patek Philippe ref. 5078. The black lacquered metal dial watch comes with a platinum tang buckle and Patek Philippe black strap.
Another highlight of the auction is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak concept watch. Launched in 2002 to mark the 30th anniversary of the original Royal Oak model, this concept watch was built to demonstrate several futuristic updates. The Royal Oak concept watch became the first and the only to feature an alloy case. The available 2018 example has a titanium and ceramic body with a black skeletonized dial. Also showcased are timepieces from Greubel Forsey, De Bethune, F.P. Journe, Urwerk, Rolex, and Bulgari. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Christie’s.
A 1944 film, Double Indemnity drew inspiration from a murder case that the press referred to as the “dumbbell murder.” The movie was based on the true story of Queens resident Albert Snyder’s death, plotted by his wife and her boyfriend. With Billy Wilder as the director, this movie features co-stars Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck with many other characters. Double Indemnity’s poster, which will be featured in the upcoming TCM Presents: Little Treasures auction, features the two stars with scenes from the film above and below them.
A Golden Globe Award for the movie Spartacus can also be found in this Bonhams auction. Based on the 1951 novel by Howard Fast, the film centers on the life of a rebellious slave who eventually becomes a gladiator. According to the auction house, until 1970, the picture was Universal International’s most profitable. A celluloid film stock of Maleficent from Walt Disney Studios is also available. Maleficent was portrayed as an antagonist in Sleeping Beauty. The lot captures a large image of Maleficent as she ties up Prince Phillip. Browse the complete auction catalog and register to bid on Bonhams.
Gold was first discovered in South Africa in 1886. Three years later, the country was a world leader in gold exports and Paul Kruger, the South African president, established its national mint. South Africa’s gold Krugerrand would be released in 1967 as a means to promote private gold ownership after the legacy of British colonialism. Several examples of the Kruggerand will be offered in the upcoming Summer Estate Antiquities Auction, presented by A-1 Auction LLC. Many of these pieces were produced in the early 1980s and show a side view of Kruger’s head on the front.
This sale will highlight several items from Tiffany Studios, including a floor lamp with an arrowroot shade. The leaded glass lamp measures 61 inches tall from floor to heat cap. Also notable is an early Tiffany oil lamp with a pearl-hued glass shade. Fine art is represented in this auction as well. Featured are works from Míla Doleželová, a Czech painter who captured the lives of 20th-century gypsies, and Art Deco designer Erté. For more information, visit Bidsquare and register to bid.
Ginny Williams was an avid art collector and dealer who revolutionized private and institutional art collection. An artist herself, Williams had an eye for detail, and her vision helped launch a successful career for many of her fellow women artists. The upcoming Ginny Williams Collection Evening Sale, offered by Sotheby’s, will commence a series of auctions throughout 2020 from Williams’ collection. Joan Mitchell was among the artists whose works dominate Williams’ collection. One highlight is a 1956 oil on canvas titled Liens Colorés. After completing school in 1947, Mitchell traveled to Paris. It was here that she composed Liens Colorés, a prominent example of her early style. The complicated brushstrokes, unobstructed flow of colors, and balancing white passages are notable features of this painting.
Also showcased is an early example of Robert Rauschenberg’s juxtaposed abstract work. This piece indicates the economic and industrial development of the southeastern United States. Transposing three-dimentional objects onto a flat surface, this piece was made with newspapers, oil, and fabrics. The auction will also present works from Lee Krasner, Ellsworth Kelly, and Donald Judd. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Sotheby’s.
