Luigi Ghirri was particularly interested in exploring landscapes and architecture through the lens of Conceptual Art. When exploring the ideas of his surroundings, Ghirri used early color photography and filters to evoke nostalgia. A set of 33 Ghirri photographs will be offered in the upcoming Fotographia auction, offered by Milan-based auction house Finearte. The chromogenic prints come from his “KM 0,250” series, which documented various billboards and advertisements displayed in a Modena racetrack. This auction of over 250 photos includes works from Vik Muniz, William Eggleston, and Cindy Sherman.
Three of Sherman’s self-portraits are highlighted in the sale. An American artist, Sherman frequently modeled for her own work to comment on the experience of women in society. One photo shows the artist in a yellow coat with a city background behind, while another places her in the center of a busy road. In the last, she is taking a drink next to a bar window. All three were produced in 1980. Browse the full catalog for this sale and register to place a bid on Bidsquare.
American-born silver designer William Spratling came to be known as the “Father of Mexican Silver” due to his contributions to the Mexican silver industry. One of the leading lots in the upcoming Timeless Taxco auction, to be presented by John Moran Auctioneers, is an 18-karat gold beaded necklace designed by Spratling. The necklace contains alternating rock crystal, amethyst, and yellow gold beads. Another key lot designed by Spratling is a set of ebony and sterling silver cased dominoes. The ebony box with a silver Quetzalcoatl medallion holds the set of 28 dominoes.
The Collection of Cindy Tietze-Hodosh and Stuart Hodosh is highlighted in the sale. Included is a sterling silver geometric flatware service designed by Antonio Pineda, one of the major Modernist silversmiths of Taxco. Each utensil is hammered and smooth-finished with a geometric collar. The collection also showcases works of several other Taxco-based artists, including Hector Aguilar, Los Castillo, Margot de Taxco, and Matl. The auction will feature nearly all the pieces included in the Fowler Museum’s Silver Seduction exhibition. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit John Moran Auctioneers.
Although Louis Comfort Tiffany began as a trained painter, he would be best known for his contributions to glasswork and the Art Nouveau movement. The son of Charles Lewis Tiffany—the founder of Tiffany & Co.—the younger Tiffany began exploring the medium after his travels through Europe and Morocco. He focused his attention on creating lamps and glasswork for the home. Several Tiffany Studios lamps are presented in the upcoming auction presented by Clarke Auction Gallery. Among the leading lots is a floor lamp with a leaded glass shade. Patterned to resemble the laburnum tree, the shade is colored in light green, dark green, yellow, and black. It is signed at the base. Other Tiffany lamps on offer have lotus, peony, and nasturtium shades.
Several Lalique glass sculptures are also featured in this event. René Lalique gradually drifted to focus on glass throughout his career, beginning first as a Parisian jewelry designer. As the Art Deco movement unfolded in the early 20th century, he began partnering with other brands to expand his glass production. Available at auction is a 1921 Lalique sculpture of a nude woman standing with her arms lifted above her head. The figure’s hands are cupped and her chin is tucked against her chest. The piece is made of frosted glass with a wood base, which Lalique increasingly explored during the 1920s. Another Lalique statuette shows a nude woman extending her arms in either direction. Her body is draped in a flowing material.
Beyond glasswork, this auction will also include fine art from Jim Dine, several pieces of Asian art, and a Steinway & Sons Model L piano. The latter piece is in good condition and includes an attached humidifier. Browse the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Clarke Auction Gallery’s website.
Leading the upcoming Akiba Antiques auction is a set of 18 lithographs from the Olympic Centennial Suite. These pieces were created between 1991 and 1992 to commemorate the foundation of the International Olympic Committee. Intended to represent a century of artistic expression, the collection includes Abstract, Minimalist, Hyperrealist, and Conceptual art. Each piece is signed by its respective artist and bears the Olympic Rings blind stamp.
Another work of art featured in the Eclectic Collection of Estates Worldwide auction is a watercolor painting in a demi-lune frame. The 20th-century French piece shows a battle between opposing cavalry on a plain. Mountains are visible in the background. Beyond paintings, a selection of silver and flatware will be available. A 55-piece set of Reed and Barton sterling silver flatware in the ‘Francis I’ pattern is among the lots of interest. Chinese temple wall dioramas, vintage furniture, and various pieces of decorative art will also be highlighted. View the complete catalog and register to bid for these items on Bidsquare.
Artemis Gallery will present over 300 items in the upcoming Antiquities & Ethnographic Art auction. Featured is a religious Roman stone mosaic from the fourth or fifth century. This piece shows a saint holding a scepter and wearing a pendant. He stands with one leg crossed in front of the other; above his head is a Roman inscription. Likely created after the rule of Emperor Constantine—the first Roman Christian emperor—the mosaic may have been designed for a church, temple, or private Christian residence. Other religious works from around the world are also offered, including an 11th-century Indian statue of Krishna/ Vishnu. Krishna holds a lotus blossom in one hand and a shankha or sacred shell in the other. This piece was also likely intended for a temple or religious space.
Another lot of interest is a mummified Nile perch. The fish was sacred to the goddess Neith and was likely preserved during Egypt’s Third Intermediate Period or later. Ethnographic art from Africa and Oceania will be included as well, including several decorated human skulls from the Asmat people of West Papua. One is covered with wood, feathers, shells, and beads, while the other is dominated by a boar tusk. A 115-pound piece of the Campo del Cielo meteorite is also included. Browse the complete catalog and register to bid on Bidsquare.
A glass bowl, vase, or plate with its sides sheared, making the object devoid of functionality, is a trademark style observed in the works of glass artists Michael David and Kit Karbler. Their collaboration first began with the establishment of their Denver studio, Blake Street Glass Studio, in 1980. Schwenke Auctioneers presents a glass bowl sculpture by David and Karbler in the upcoming Leap Day Fine Estates Auction. The clipped edges of the glass bowl are colored in several layers with a muted surface.
The auction also highlights several first edition books by American poet Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by Whitman first published in 1855. Throughout his life, Whitman kept revising the collection, producing multiple editions over the years. Good-Bye, my Fancy! was the second annex to the deathbed edition of Leaves of Grass. Also offered is a selection of jewelry, Tiffany & Co. silverware, fine art, Mid-Century Modern furniture, and ceramics. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
In 1824, The Macallan distillery became one of the first licensed whiskey distilleries in Scotland. To this day, the company continues to operate in the same location, a plateau near the river Spey. Available in the upcoming Auction of Wines of Collection, Daily Use, and Distillates, offered by Morton Subastas, is a highland malt whiskey from the Macallan, aged 52 years. The bottle is individually numbered and comes with its own wooden case.
Representing France in this auction are several bottles of Hennessy cognac and Échezeaux wine. Hennessy produces over 40% of the world’s cognac in the spirit’s birthplace. Like The Macallan whiskey, the Hennessy cognac available in this auction comes with its own case. Among several Échézeaux lots is a collection of six bottles from 1998. The wine comes from La Romanée, a vineyard in Burgundy. Authors Remington Norman & Charles Taylor describe wines from La Romanée as “powerful yet delicate with fine depth, silky tannins, and a long finish.” View each of the lots and register to bid for this event on Bidsquare.
When Mattel unveiled the first Barbie doll at New York’s Toy Fair in 1959 as “Barbie the Teen-Age Fashion Model,” it took the world by storm. The upcoming Jewelers Vault & Luxury Estate Finds auction, presented by Whitley’s Auctioneers, will offer several collectible Barbie dolls. Featured is the 40th-anniversary collector’s edition of Barbie. The 1999 doll wears a black bodice with silver glitter, reminiscent of her original 1959 striped bathing suit. In her hand, she holds a bouquet of 40 pink roses.
Beyond collectibles, the sale will also feature jewelry, watches, and sculpture. A George Rodrigue poster for the Humane Society of Broward County, Florida is highlighted. Produced in 1999 for an animal benefit, this limited-edition poster is among the few hand-signed by the artist. The poster shows his signature Blue Dog motif. Also included is a Lalique glass figurine of a nude woman on her knees from the late 20th or early 21st century. Browse the full catalog for this auction and register to bid on Bidsquare.
This March, the Antique Toy Collection Auction will be presented by Lewis & Maese Antiques & Auctions. As suggested by the name, the sale will include a collection of antique toys, including a Steiff store display automaton. This automaton depicts animals such as a monkey, rabbit, and 14 other creatures. The movements of the toy are described by Invaluable: “The Rabbit potter works the rotating potter’s wheel as the monkey associate kneads the clay… the upper monkey stokes the kiln fire as the kiln opens and closes.”
Another available lot is an antique wooden toy carousel. The piece was hand-carved and hand-painted by an Italian immigrant. Flickering Christmas lights, moving animals, and music when switched on are some of the features. In addition, a 1930s Lionel Blue Comet train set will be offered. Created around 1937-39, this piece is said to be the latest version of the Blue Comet set with light blue paint. To browse the full catalog, visit Invaluable.
The upcoming Fine Books and Manuscripts auction, offered by Bonhams, will include a variety of works from government, literature, entertainment, religion, science, medicine, and more. Of the available government documents is a copy of the articles of impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Compiled by clerk Isaac Strohm and signed and stamped by House clerk Edward McPherson, the document includes the 57 autographed “Yea” votes. Among these votes was that of Benjamin F. Wade, who would have served as President had the Senate trial resulted in Johnson’s removal.
There are several offerings from the world of science in this event, such as the annotated galley proofs of The Meaning of Relativity by Albert Einstein, in the original German. This galley was used for producing the English translation, with extensive annotations throughout. The annotations were added by at least three people, including Ilse Einstein, who was his stepdaughter and secretary.
From popular culture, there are original drawings and manuscripts by Shel Silverstein, including The Giving Tree. Also offered are three lots of original handwritten Elton John songs by Bernie Taupin (“Candle in the Wind,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)”). Other notable lots at auction include a signed portrait of Abraham Lincoln, a photographic album from the early days of the Johns Hopkins hospital, signed portraits of Charles Darwin, an early copy of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and more.
Though the majority of the lots for sale are documents, there are a few notable exceptions, such as the props of Harry Houdini. One such prop is a steel crate with a hinged lid, which appeared in the 1953 Houdini film. Another is a milk jug that was on display for two decades at the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bonhams.
