When each Greek city-state was separate in the eighth century CE, military power and weaponry were necessary for sustained independence. At the beginning of the Greek Archaic age and end of the Bronze period, Greeks began wielding new styles of swords. Among them was a central European-style iron sword designed with a leaf-shaped blade and straight crossguards. A Greek sword in this style from the late Archaic age is one of the key lots of the upcoming Ancient Jewelry, Weaponry, and Coins Sale, presented by Pax Romana Auctions. The auction house notes that the piece may have belonged to an elite soldier, perhaps a hoplite or a Spartiate.
A Byzantine gold cross set with emerald, likely produced between 900 and 1200 CE, is also highlighted. This piece has a repeated heart-shaped design. The center of the cross is set with emeralds, and teardrop-shaped pendants hang from the bottom. Another lot of interest in this auction is a Viking four-plate iron helmet. In depictions dating between the eighth and 11th centuries, Viking warriors appear in simple helmets made of iron or leather. The available tenth-century artifact is a Spangenhelm-style helmet made of several pieces of riveted iron that form a bowl shape. Browse the full catalog for this sale and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
This June, Showplace Antique + Design Center’s upcoming New York City Estate Auction will feature Chinese porcelain, Hermès silk scarves, vintage jewelry, and more. The sale will also offer contemporary furniture, including the works of Jorge Zalszupin, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Guiseppi Scapinelli. A leading lot of the sale is a pair of Brazilian-style tables from Jorge Zalszupin. Born in Poland, Zalszupin moved to Brazil after World War II, seeking a fresh start. While there, he had the opportunity to embrace a new approach to furniture and meet people who were reshaping the country and inventing Brazilian Modernism. Zalszupin would later combine his European history with Brazilian Modernism while creating his furniture. Today, he is recognized as one of Brazil’s most important 20th-century designers.
Beyond furniture, the sale also includes a notable Rolex Oyster wristwatch. Launched in 1926, this particular watch was the first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch in history. The watch was worn by a young English swimmer named Mercedes Gleitze while crossing the English Channel in 1927. This example has a stainless steel case and a stationary bezel. The auction also brings a 14-karat white gold double link necklace. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
In ancient Rome, images of both mortal and divine children were common. Children appear on Roman tomb monuments, imperial state art, and furnishings of the home. Parents would commission portraits and statues of their deceased children as a remembrance. One of the highlighted lots in the upcoming Ancient Artifacts, Coins, & Islamic Art Sale, presented by Palmyra Heritage Gallery, is a marble statue of a young Roman boy. Made in the first century CE, the statue shows a young boy holding a large bunch of grapes in his left hand.
Miniature paintings first came into use in India around 750 CE during the Palas reign. The colors used in these small paintings were often derived from natural sources such as indigo, vegetables, and precious stones. Two Indian miniature paintings are available in this auction, including one depicting a noblewoman attended by a younger woman. The scene is painted on a blue pigment background. The sale also offers a variety of Egyptian ceramic articles, ancient coins, Islamic art, and Roman jewelry. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
In the upcoming Americana event, Pook & Pook brings to auction over 450 fine and decorative art pieces, as well as furniture. A work by Hudson River School painter Sanford Robinson Gifford, titled Indian Summer on the Hudson River, is available. Gifford’s family moved to Hudson, New York when he was still a child. He found mentors in landscape painting at an early age and pursued it for the rest of his life, even while serving in the National Guard during the Civil War.
Decorative art available in this sale includes a 19th-century gemel jug used for mocha. Gemel jugs are two separate containers that are heated in a way that joins them together. This allows users to carry two separate liquids in the same vessel. The jug available in this event is decorated with an earthworm pattern. Bidders can also consider a Benjamin Franklin flask produced by Kensington Glass Works. Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid on Bidsquare .
Established in 1973, Comme des Garçons is a Japanese fashion brand founded by Rei Kawakubo in Tokyo and Place Vendôme in Paris. The name of the label was inspired by Françoise Hardy’s song “Tous les Garçons et les Filles.” One of the key lots featured in the upcoming Summer Fashion and Accessories auction, presented by Hindman, is a Comme des Garçons soft sculpt dress from 2014. Another highlight from the Japanese fashion label is a brown-green cotton khaki and worsted wool military-style jacket. It is paired with a matching bubble skirt. This sale also features a Hermès natural sable Birkin handbag, designed with polished silvertone metal hardware and accompanied by a Hermès box, rain bag, and dust bag.
Another lot of interest is a Chanel beach robe. Designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the Spring/Summer 1994 collection, the robe is made of cotton terrycloth and covered in the Chanel logo. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
The Salmagundi Club, the oldest art organization in the United States, was founded in 1871. This association is known for its biannual auctions that raise funding for its programs and the maintenance of its historical building. The upcoming Salmagundi: Spring Auction, offered by Capsule Auctions, is the center’s first online sale. It will present not only works of contemporary art but also some pieces from its archives, each professionally framed. The Salmagundi’s members have included William Comfort Tiffany, Gustave Wiegand, Emil Carlsen, William M. Post, and Childe Hassam.
Over 150 works will be available, predominantly photographs and paintings. Many appear at auction for the first time. Highlighted is Sugar House Autumn by Antonio Cirino, an artist known for his depictions of landscapes, villages, and coastlines. Also offered is Lou Lalli’s limestone model of Pandora, the first human woman created by Hephaestus. Explore the entire catalog and register to bid online by visiting Capsule Auctions.
Just months before his death, Kurt Cobain appeared on the now-famous MTV Unplugged performance of 1993. Cobain performed eight original Nirvana songs and six additional covers before a live audience. The show was alternately called his greatest work and “his last self-portrait.” Appearing in the upcoming Icons & Idols sale, offered by Julien’s Auctions, is Cobain’s Martin D-18E guitar used for the MTV show. The guitar has several personalized modifications, including recuts allowing Cobain to play left-handed and an added Bartolini 3AV pickup. Another notable instrument in this sale is Prince’s stage-used blue Cloud guitar. It was created specifically for the artist and used during his Purple Rain Tour between 1984 and 1985.
More than 800 lots will be available in this auction, spread over two days and four sessions. Several items owned by crossover artist Johnny Cash are highlighted, including the 1990 Mercedes-Benz sedan that he drove until his death. Outfits worn by Elvis Presley, Madonna, and Michael Jackson stand out, as well as handwritten lyric sheets from the Beatles and a journal kept by Jim Morrison of the Doors. To view the complete listings, visit Julien’s Auctions.
Though commonly confused, American Western art mostly captures cowboys as the subject matter, while Native American art is an expression of life and tradition for the Native community. In the upcoming American Western Artwork and Native American Artwork auction, a selection of paintings, pottery, and sculptures representing both artistic movements will be available.
Featured in the auction is an oil painting by Thomas Hill. This 1880 work shows a group of Native Americans between canyons with blue skies and a waterfall in the background. The signed and dated painting comes in a decorative frame. Also highlighted in this Altermann Galleries & Auctioneers auction is a bronze polychrome sculpture by Dave McGary. The piece, titled Blessing of the Bear, Masterwork, shows two Native men in ceremonial poses. It is inscribed Dave McGary 2003 2/40 on the walnut base and includes the artist’s thumbprint. A black carved clay pot from Christ Martinez is also included. This pot features feather ornamentation and measures ten inches by 11 inches. It is signed by the artist on the underside. To view the entire collection and to register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
Tiffany Studio’s Art Nouveau lamps were first made in 1893 by Tiffany designer Clara Driscoll. These leaded glass lamps were handmade by the company’s skilled artisans through the copper foil method. The upcoming Art & Antiques sale, presented by Cottone Auctions, highlights a leaded glass and patinated bronze pomegranate table lamp by Tiffany Studios. Other available designs from Tiffany include a jewel and feather table lamp and a three-light lily lamp.
Also featured is a Chinese court crown made from metal and kingfisher feathers. The Chinese art of making jewelry and decorative arts from kingfisher feathers is called tian-tsui. The style was reserved for Chinese royalty, and its use came to an end in the 1940s at the time of the Chinese Revolution. Also showcased are glassware items and sculptures from Steuben, an American luxury glass brand. The auction offers Louis XV-style ormolu furniture, various timepieces, Gorham and Georg Jensen silverware, and bronze sculptures as well. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Cottone Auctions.
When Gérald Genta, a designer for Patek Philippe, created the first sketch for the Nautilus watch in a restaurant, he intended the timepiece to be a water-ready sports watch. His creation has since been worn by the likes of Drake, Trevor Noah, and Mark Wahlberg. Featured in the upcoming Estate Jewelry, Fine Art, & Collectibles Auction, offered by Kodner Galleries, is a white gold Nautilus watch in new condition. It has a slate-gray dial with a self-winding movement, which harnesses energy from the wearer’s natural motion.
Beyond the jewelry pieces, this auction also includes a selection of fine and decorative art. Leading these items is a silkscreen on paper piece from Russian-born American painter Ilya Bolotowsky, who was known for his abstract paintings. He was inspired by the Mondrian art approach, known as Neo-Plasticism, which focuses on the most basic elements of painting. Explore the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare.
