Georgia O’Keeffe’s relationship with sculptor Juan Hamilton began in 1973, when O’Keeffe was 85 years old and Hamilton was 27. Hamilton recalls his first meeting with O’Keeffe: “Right behind her, there was this large, broken Indian pot with a skull inside, a human skull,” said Hamilton. “I remember thinking, Gosh, that’s just how I feel—like a bare skull and a broken pot.”
Pieces from the collection of Juan Hamilton are available in the upcoming Passage auction, presented by Sotheby’s. Included are works from O’Keeffe, her ex-husband and 20th-century photographer Alfred Stieglitz, and Hamilton himself. Nature Forms- Gaspé by Georgia O’Keeffe is among the event’s highlighted pieces. The painting was inspired by two trips to the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec she took in 1932, partly to have time away from Stieglitz. She recounts, in a letter to home, the mingling of colors and elements at the Gaspé Peninsula that would eventually become a focal point of Nature Forms- Gaspé. “There is a waterfall rushing down to the sandy beach at one end,” she wrote, “and at the other end another fall that comes down in fine spray over rich green moss.”
Representing Stieglitz’s photography is a picture of Georgia O’Keeffe with her hand on the wheel of a car. Despite not having a driver’s license, O’Keeffe would drive in the summers through rural New Mexico in her black Ford sedan. The picture focuses on the juxtaposition between O’Keeffe’s hand and the tire, examing the divide between what is human and artificial. One of Hamilton’s works available in this auction is a lacquered stoneware piece titled War. Hamilton transitioned from working with clay and bronze to this stone project during his time with O’Keeffe. He partially credits his technique to his former profession, restoring adobe houses in New Mexico. View each of the available lots and register to bid on the Sotheby’s website.
The 15th and 16th centuries in Germany marked the German Renaissance period. A painting titled The Magdalen Reading, belonging to a 16th-century German school, is one of the leading lots in the upcoming Interiors @1600 sale, presented by Freeman’s Auction. Another leading lot is a painting titled Scene in the White Mountains by Christopher H. Shearer (1846–1926). The American artist was known for his large landscape paintings.
The auction also showcases a pair of Nayarit painted terracotta figures of a pregnant woman and a standing male musician, likely created between 100 BCE and 250 CE. Another lot of interest is a set of two small Continental reliquaries. One of these is a French reliquary with two velvet Sacred Hearts, surrounded by gilt quillwork and eleven labeled relics. The other is an Italian reliquary with a painted version of the Passion of Christ, encased by a columned altarpiece and presented in a brass shadowbox frame. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Freeman’s Auction.
The Rare Books Signature Auction, offered by Heritage Auctions, includes a selection of over 450 books, documents, and related pieces of decorative art. This sale features The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention (later known as The Federalist Papers). This version of The Federalist is a first-edition copy and was personally gifted by James Madison to James Maury, who was an early United States diplomat.
Also up for bid is a first-edition copy of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. The book of poetry was originally released in 1855 as a set of 12 poems, published anonymously. Whitman would later build on the original poems and add more to the collection. The available lot is bound in green cloth with gilt floral decorations. Inside the front cover is a portrait of the poet, printed directly on heavy paper.
There are many religious works presented in this sale, especially those from the Mormon church. One example is A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, selected by Emma Smith. She was Joseph Smith’s wife, and this collection of hymns is said to have been directed by revelation. Also in this sale are early copies of Key to the Science of Theology, Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, and The Book of Mormon. View any of these lots and register to bid on Heritage Auctions.
Morphy Auctions will present the upcoming Toys, Dolls, & Figural Cast Iron auction, offering over 1,200 lots over two days. A key piece on the first day is a Felix the Cat platform toy from 1926. The character, first created by Otto Messmer during the silent film era, made his debut in Feline Follies before rising to become a pop culture figure. This toy is made of three Felix characters of lithographed tin, all following two red mice. Other highlighted pieces on the first day include a J&E Stevens cast iron mechanical bank and a vintage chronometer bank.
The auction’s second day will feature an antique Japanese robot toy with its original box. The “Mechanical Mighty Robot” is painted in red, yellow, and light blue. When wound, the toy walks and produces sparks inside its chest plate. Several automatons from Gustav Vichy are also under the gavel. An automaton of the “man in the moon” stands out. Originally designed around 1899, a papier-mâché round head rests on a man’s body. The piece is still in working condition: the figure’s eyes blink, the head turns from side to side, and one arm moves up and down. View the complete catalogs for both days of this auction by visiting Morphy Auctions .
Fine art pieces from contemporary artists are highlighted in Wright’s upcoming 20th Century Art auction. Works from László Moholy Nagy, John McLaughlin, and Edward Clark are among the items showcased. A portfolio of six lithographs from Moholy Nagy, including a cover page and colophon page, is among the featured lots. Each print is on heavy, woven paper and depicts abstract, geometric shapes.
An oil on masonite piece by John McLaughlin is also included in the sale. McLaughlin, a California-based artist, was a self-taught Abstract painter who blended the styles of Zen painting, Constructivism, and hard-edged Minimalism. Also highlighted is a Harry Callahan gelatin silver print mounted on aluminum. Callahan spoke of his work, “If you choose your subject selectively — intuitively — the camera can write poetry.” For more information and to bid for the mentioned items, visit Wright’s website.
Thrilling Mysteries was one of many pulp magazines Ned Pines published in the early 20th century. The debut issue featured stories such as “The Cat People” and “Army of the Maimed.” A copy of the first issue of Thrilling Mysteries is available in the upcoming Pulps, Posters, Lithographs, & Prints auction, presented by Weiss Auctions.
Interested book collectors will find two first edition volumes by Charles Dickens among the lots. One of these is Dickens’ first novel, The Pickwick Papers. Dickens wrote and published the novel in monthly installments from March 1836 to November 1837, during which time he also got married, had his first child, and began working on Oliver Twist. Another featured book is a 1514 copy of The Book of Hours. This style of prayer book first appeared in the 13th century and often included customized illustrations unique to each wealthy patron.
Rounding out the featured lots is the second volume of Spanish painter Joan Miró’s lithographs. The volume comes in a clamshell box and is #72 of a limited edition press run. Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid on Invaluable.
Joshua Kodner presents the upcoming Bidsquare Exclusive Jewels auction, featuring a collection of jewelry, watches, and estate pieces. The sale will feature several emerald items, including a pair of emerald and diamond earrings. The step-cut emeralds are accented by marquise-cut diamonds, all set in platinum.
A Ceylon no-heat sapphire ring is another highlight of the auction. Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon prior to 1972, contains some of the oldest sapphire mines in the world. The no-heat sapphire does not require high temperatures to enhance its color, thus increasing its value. A Hermès bracelet bangle from the Collier de Chien collection is another key piece. Collier de Chien is one of the brand’s marquee motifs. In 1923, Hermès was commissioned to design a collar for a client’s bulldog. It soon became so popular that it was refashioned into a women’s bracelet. View the full catalog for this auction and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
The second day of the Fine Art, Antiques & Jewelry auction hosted by Elstob & Elstob Auctioneers offers antiques and fine art. Lots range from a Mouseman oak chair and a 48-key Wheatstone concertina to a painting of a Russian icon and a 1942 German Nazi aluminum bomb fuse.
Highlighted is a set of circular paintings depicting the life and passion of Christ by Dutch painter Cornelis Engebrechtsz. The seven oil paintings in five frames present The Flight into Egypt, The Lamentation, The Presentation, The Crucifixion, The Entombment, Christ Bearing His Cross, and Christ in His Temple. Each panel is approximately 7 centimeters in diameter. Also included is a large, carved oak mantel clock. This late 19th-century clock is designed with a wooden dial and Roman numerals. A hound dog stands over carved foliage at the top of the clock, with a dead hare near the bottom. Visit Bidsquare to view the entire collection and register to bid.
The first day of the upcoming Fine Art, Antiques & Jewelry auction, presented by Elstob & Elstob Auctioneers, offers a selection of decorative art, Asian works of art, jewelry, and more.
Showcased in the auction is a pair of Chinese gold dragon bangles that come in a Tiffany & Co. box. These bangles are each shaped like a coiled dragon with a detailed head and open mouth. A diamond and platinum ring is also included in the sale. This ring shows three brilliant-cut diamonds that are claw-set in a pierced mount and together weigh approximately 2.37 carats. Highlighted in the auction is a matching pair of Edwardian silver table pheasants. One is marked Boaz Moses Landeck, Chester 1908, the other John George Piddington, London 1907. They each have detachable heads and hinged wings.
A set of Gubelin gentleman’s diamond cufflinks, a Cartier Tank Vermeil watch, and a set of three picnic decanters can also be found. To view the entire catalog and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.
The upcoming Living Contemporary auction, offered by Rago, features a collection of mid-century furniture, folk art, fine art, industrial ephemera, and vintage advertising signs. Among the highlights of the sale are works by German-American graphic artist and designer Tommi Parzinger. The 20th-century designer was considered a key creator of the Hollywood Regency look. Parzinger often used clean lines in his works that involved costly, labor-intensive materials and complex techniques such as brass work and lacquer. His furniture caught the attention of the New York elite, and he soon started catering to Hollywood clients such as Marilyn Monroe. One of his cabinets will be available in this sale.
Also highlighted is a sculptural painting by Dustin Yellin. His three-dimensional photo collages, which he describes as ‘frozen cinemas,’ embed paint and printed images between laminated glass to create visual illusions. The available piece, titled Strawberry Skull, shows a skeletal view of the head through many layers of resin, acrylic, and ink. Other notable lots include a wall shelf with a cabinet by George Nakashima. Designed for Ezra Stoller, this custom shelf features one natural edge and a two-door cabinet concealing one shelf. Explore the full listings for this auction and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
