American photographer Sally Mann is best known for her black and white photographs of landscapes and her own family members. The upcoming Contemporary Art Auction, offered by Leland Little, features an untitled 1997 landscape print from Mann’s Mother Land: Virginia Series. The tea-toned, gelatin silver print was captured with damaged old lenses and printed with the wet collodion technique.
Award-winning feminist photographer Tomoko Sawada is known for her self-portraits satirizing contemporary stereotypes. She makes use of photo booths and her studio to take portraits that resemble identification cards. The auction presents the Cover/Face series of 20 chromogenic prints by Sawada. The collection explores the influence of Western culture on beauty trends among Japanese youth. The dark tan and contrasting bright makeup shown in the photos was a popular fashion trend among Japanese women during the mid-1990s. Also showcased are works by artists such as Alex Prager, Muzi Quawson, Thomas Daniel, and Tom Fabritius. Interested collectors can explore the complete listings and register to bid online on Leland Little.
Wexler Gallery will offer the upcoming Contemporary Glass auction, featuring works from 1975 to the present. Particularly highlighted is a blown glass piece by William Morris, an American artisan who uses glass to imitate ancient stone and wood carvings. The available 1997 piece is shaped to resemble a carved wooden horse, spotted on its back and missing its head. Speaking to the style of his work, Morris has stated, “Art arrests attention, it is an important service to the soul… Glassblowing is the closest thing to alchemy that I know of.” Morris spent ten years working under Dale Chihuly before launching his own career. Several of Chihuly’s works are on offer as well, including two Seaform sculptures. One of the available pieces is made of clear glass, edged in black.
Among the lots of interest is a set of three pieces by Andy Paiko. The contemporary artist is known for his hanging sculptures and his use of glass to recreate old antiques, ranging from bell jars to absinthe fountains and reliquaries. The available triad is made of assembled glass, walnut, maple, copper, brass, poison oak seeds, and woodpecker feathers. Rounding out the sale is a lot from Chicago-based artist Joseph Ivacic. Scarab was made in 2016 and resembles two detailed spray paint cans resting on a corner shelf. Browse the complete catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare
Mario Buatta, an American interior decorator, was commonly regarded as “the Prince of Chintz.” Buatta owned a significant personal collection of decorative art, fine art, and furniture. This March, Stair presents over 1,000 items from Buatta’s collection over two days. The first session particularly features an ebonized four-light girandole mirror. The piece is made of Regency giltwood and was regilded in the 20th century.
Also highlighted in the auction is a carved wood overmantel mirror in the George II style. The 19th-century piece features shaped cresting and a flower and leaf-like pattern. Another available lot is a French landscape tapestry. This handwoven piece is embellished with birds perching on rocks before a chinoiserie pavilion. Fruits and flower heads decorate the border. A Queen Anne-style double domed black lacquer and parcel-gilt secretary from the 19th century will be offered as well. Register to bid for these items online at Bidsquare.
Alabama-based artist Joe Selby’s paintings depict ships, yachts, and the docks of Miami, Florida. One oil-on-board painting from the artist is presented in the upcoming Floridiana & Americana Auction, offered by Blackwell Auctions. The framed marine painting of a two-masted schooner is one of the largest known Selby paintings.
A noted conservationist, Clyde Butcher has been recognized as a humanitarian working for the betterment of his community. His work is designed to inspire spirituality and respect for nature: “My hope is to educate, to let people know our land is a special place and to inspire others to work together to save nature’s places of spiritual sanctuary for future generations.” One of Butcher’s large photographic prints is presented in the auction, depicting the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge. In addition to the available photographs, this sale offers a wooden sign reading “Visit Latin Quarter” from the 1950s. The hand-painted sign was hung in Tampa, directing viewers to visit YBOR CITY, Tampa’s Latin District. View the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Raja Ravi Varma, a name that resonates through the history of Indian art, will be featured in the upcoming Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art auction, offered by Sotheby’s. The available Varma painting depicts Swami Vishvamitra, a prominent sage of Hindu mythology, in a state of meditation. Varma is best known for using European techniques to represent traditional Hindu stories.
Maqbool Fida Husain’s work is among the paintings on display as well. Widely known as M.F. Husain, the artist practiced Cubism and other European styles during the 20th century. Two of the artist’s paintings are featured, titled Padmini Mohini Shankhini and Mehndi, respectively. Both oil paintings are signed in Devanagari, a left-to-right script used throughout the Indian subcontinent. Pieces from artists such as Bhupen Khakhar and Prabhakar Barwe are also listed in the auction. To view the complete catalog and register to bid, visit Sotheby’s.
Pomellato, a Milan-based luxury jewelry brand, was launched by Pino Rabolini in 1967. The Prêt-à-Porter concept (meaning ready to wear) was introduced by Rabolini to redefine jewelry as accessories that can be worn and changed at any time. The upcoming California Jewels Auction, offered by Bonhams, presents an 18-karat rose gold and color change garnet bracelet by Pomellato.
Also featured is a gold and diamond Rolex Pearlmaster wristwatch from the estate of American opera singer Jessye Norman. Since its inception in 1992, the Pearlmaster has been a popular style in the brand’s Oyster Perpetual collection. Other available wristwatches include a tri-color gold Tubogas by Bulgari and a two-tone Roadster by Cartier. Diamond and platinum bands are other highlights of the auction. A Greek-inspired sapphire, ruby, and diamond necklace by Ilias Lalaounis and a diamond bombe ring by David Webb will be presented as well. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bonhams.
The Art and Design auction, offered by Toomey & Co., will include works of decorative and fine art, furniture, jewelry, and more. Of the notable artworks in the sale are two pieces by Richard Diebenkorn. Diebenkorn was an American painter and printmaker who began his career as an Abstract Expressionist. By the late 1960s, he started to create geometric, abstract paintings. Included in this sale is a piece from his Ocean Park series during this period, titled Blue. Also up for bid is a Souper Dress by Andy Warhol, which is a dress made of Campbell’s Soup labels. Included with the dress is a first edition of The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B & Back Again), with an inscription from the artist: “To Dorothy —Andy.”
Also available in the sale is a Tiffany Studios table lamp and a selection of other Tiffany pieces. Other furnishings under the gavel include two pairs of restored lounge chairs by Gianfranco Frattini, a walnut and enameled metal armchair by Giovanni Michelucci, and a pair of upholstered armchairs by Gio Ponti. View any of these lots and register to bid on Toomey & Co.
Miniature paintings were popularized in India around the year 750, reaching their zenith during the Mughal Empire. During the reign of Akbar, Indian miniature paintings combined elements of Persian art to create a new style. The colors used in these paintings were often derived from various natural materials, including indigo, vegetables, and precious stones. The upcoming Indian and Southeast Asian Art & Fine Estate auction, offered by Whitley’s Auctioneers, will feature a 17th-century Mughal Indian miniature painting. The piece depicts a hunting scene with allegorical motifs.
Also available is a 12th-century bronze figure of Narasimha. The half-man, half-lion deity is considered the fourth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. The sculpture depicts Narasimha with the demon Hiranyakashipu in his lap. Also highlighted in the sale is a representation of Airavata and Varaha. Airavata, a divine white elephant of the Hindu faith with multiple trunks and tusks, is shown carrying Varaha, one of the principal avatars of Vishnu. View the full catalog and register to bid for these items on Bidsquare.
Established in 1879 by a Canadian silversmith, Birks marks its 140th year in business this coming fall. One of the company’s diamond rings will be featured in the upcoming Fine Jewelry Collections auction, presented by Skinner. The platinum ring is set with a solitaire brilliant-cut diamond, flanked by four baguette-cut diamonds. Included with this lot is a GIA report certifying the diamond’s E color and clarity. Another lot of interest is a white gold and jadeite brooch shaped like a butterfly. Diamonds are pave-set to form its body, which is accented with two ruby eyes.
A variety of vintage jewelry is represented in this sale, including a diamond devant-de-corsages, set with old European- and rose-cut diamonds. Styled like a large brooch, which was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, this piece would be worn on the bodice of a woman’s dress. Five pearl drops hang from its loops. An Etruscan Revival gold and diamond bracelet is also presented. The 19th century saw the archeological discoveries of Herculaneum and Pompeii, prompting a swell of interest in the ancient jewelry styles. Old mine-cut diamonds with detailed gold accents characterize the Revival style in the available lot. Browse the complete selection of jewelry and register to bid by visiting Skinner’s website.
Gianguan Auctions will offer the upcoming Fine Chinese Paintings, Ceramics, and Bronzes sale in March. Jewelry, hanging scrolls, and other decorative items across several time periods are among the available items. The Yuan Dynasty was founded and first ruled by Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan. It was during this time that Zhao Mengfu, also known as Ziang, created the pen and color hanging scroll showcased in this auction. The Emperor of Dongdan Riding depicts the emperor riding on a decorated white stallion. The scroll is signed “Ziang” with an artist seal, Emperor’s seal, and Collector’s seal.
A set of four hanging scrolls will also be highlighted in the auction. The Gathering of Scholars was completed by Zhang Daqian in 1943. Each scroll is inscribed and signed Daqian Yuan with three artist seals. A jadeite ruby and diamond ring, a Tieh-li-mu cylindrical burl brush pot, and an archaistic jade cicada pendant are included in the auction as well. View the entire collection and place a bid on Invaluable.
