The upcoming Post War and Contemporary Art auction presented by Hindman Auctions will feature items from several 20th-century artisans. Leading the sale is a sculpture carved in 1982 by Carl Andre. His work was inspired by the concepts of simplicity and minimalism. Andre designed sculptures with factory-cut wood, bricks, and other raw industrial materials. His flat sculpture available in this auction measures 42 by 6 inches and is made of alternating copper and aluminum.
Also among the featured lots of this sale is an oil painting by Miyoko Ito, a Surrealist painter. Deep color tones are a key element of this piece, titled Sea Changes. This painting comes to auction from a corporate art collection. In an interview, Ito explains her commitment to art and painting as “…a part of life, like breathing.” Available in this auction are the works of Harry Bertoia, Roger Brown, Leon Golub, and others. Browse the entire collection and register to bid online on Invaluable
Ansel Adams described his life as “colored and modulated by the great earth gesture.” In love with nature from a young age, the 20th century photographer mostly captured the scenery of the Western United States. Some of his photographs, including Clearing Winter Storm and Moon and Clouds, will be available in the upcoming Prints and Multiples auction offered by Hindman Auctions.
Another notable piece available in the sale is an engraving by Jackson Pollock. In this untitled work, drypoint scribbles are associated with free gestures and abstract forms. Pollock was a leading figure of Abstract Expressionism in the art world. He described the nature of his technique in an interview: “It doesn’t make much difference how the paint is put on as long as something has been said. Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement.” Other artists such as Pablo Picasso and Tom Wesselmann will also be featured in the auction. Browse the entire collection and register to bid online on Invaluable
As the holiday season kicks in, Sotheby’s will present signed jewels, gemstones, and antique jewelry in the upcoming ‘Magnificent Jewels’ auction. The event is headlined by pieces from the collections of Nenetta Burton Carter, Charlotte Ford, and Mary Duncan Sanford. Also available is jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., amongst others. Leading the December sale is the “Indian Blue” ring. The main stone on this ring is a 7.55 carats cushion-cut diamond, flanked by two shield-shaped diamonds.
Especially featured is a pink argyle diamond bracelet featuring over 200 diamonds by New York-based jeweler Carvin French. Located in a remote region of Western Australia, the Argyle mine is the world’s premier source of pink diamonds. The mine is set to close permanently in late 2020 which makes the world’s supply of diamonds from this source finite. The sale will also offer 16 pieces from silent-film actress Mary Duncan Stanford. Also highlighting the sale is a 1.38-carat red diamond ring. Australia’s David Michael jewels will make their auction debut with three handcrafted pieces. The auction also features vintage jewelry by surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Browse the full catalog and register to bid on Sotheby’s.
The upcoming Modern Masters: Chefs-d’œuvre d’une Collection Privée auction by Sotheby’s will present art and design by European artists such as Marcel Coard, Alberto Giacometti, Jean-Michel Frank, Gustav Miklos, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand, and more.
Highlighted in the sale is the Chaise Longue ‘aux Skis’ by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Designed in 1929 as part of a Studio-Chambre suite commissioned by the then-heir to the Indore Kingdom of India, Yashwant Rao Holkar II. Only two models of Chaise Longue ‘aux Skis’ are known to exist. The whereabouts of the alternate model are unknown, making the present lot the only recorded example of the chaise to date.
The collection also features work by Alberto Giacometti, which is the result of over ten years of collaboration with the designer and decorator Jean-Michel Frank. Their collaboration gave rise to works such as the “Aigle” vase. Made in 1934, the key component of the vase is the inclusion of an abstract bird, which gives the vase its name. Some historically notable owners of these vases include Countess Mona von Bismarck and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. To view the complete collection and register to bid, go to Sotheby’s.
Based on the reference 5020, which was also known as the ‘TV’ screen due to its particular cushion-shaped case design, Patek Philippe produced a variant, the reference 5021. These watches were made with pavé-set diamond bezel and lugs, chaton-set diamond marker, and black lacquer dials. So far, only two examples of the 5021 have resurfaced in the market. One of which is the leading lot of the Important Watches auction by Sotheby’s.
Another highlight of the sale is a Paul Newman Daytona chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, circa 1967. Produced for a limited time between 1965 and 1969, Rolex regarded reference 6240 as an experimental watch. It was the first water-resistant Daytona. The ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona offered on sale retains its original screw-down pushers, known as “millerighe” pushers, the Paul Newman exotic dial, characterized by its square markers in the chronograph scale and subsidiary dials, as well as the alternating patterning of the coloration. Additional lots include a collection of vintage and modern timepieces from manufacturers such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, Swiss and more. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Sotheby’s.
Saul Steinberg, a Romanian cartoonist, used pen-and-ink to critique and examine 20th-century civilization. Steinberg’s work titled 12 Biographies / A to B is a notable example of the artist’s style. This illustration is among the featured lots of the upcoming Illustration Art auction offered by Swann Auction Galleries. Of this drawing, he wrote: “Life is seen here like a voyage from (birth) A to the end, B.”
Another key item in the collection is a painting by Theodor Seuss Geisel—best known as Dr. Seuss. The watercolor painting is set atop a heavy black background to draw attention to the central image. Throughout his career, Seuss was only able to publish in black and white. This particular work represents the first and largest color project of his career. Another highlighted lot is a piece from Jo Mielziner. He is described as “the most successful set designer of the Golden era of Broadway.” His work, The Red General, depicts a set design for a 1929 play. Paintings and illustrations from Charles Schulz, Edward Gorey and others will also be available. View each of these lots and register to bid on Invaluable
A selection of vintage military swords is featured in the upcoming Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria auction offered by Morphy Auctions. One sword available in the sale is a saber used in 1939 for the establishment of the small, elite organization known as the Topographical Engineers. The saber is a modification of an 1833 dragoon officer’s sword and was designed for field service.
Of the rare militaria available in this auction, an Army of Tennessee Confederate battle flag is highlighted. The lot in question was discovered near Bristol, Virginia, and its design indicates that it made in 1862 by sailmaker and ship’s chandler Henry Cassidy of New Orleans. Other items available in the sale include military helmets, cannons, uniforms, knife collections, early U.S. flags, and much more. View any of these lots and register to bid on Invaluable
The upcoming Lapidary Works of Art, Gemstones and Minerals auction offered by Bonhams will feature a wide range of gemstones, decorative items, rare natural pearls, and much more. Leading the collection is Buccellati’s historical amethyst geode and a silver sculpture titled ‘The Garden of Eden.’ Designed by goldsmith Mario Buccellati in the 1950s, the 72 pieces tell the story of the book of Genesis.
Among the highlights of the sale are a ‘1000 carats club’ emerald-cut aquamarine and a pair of rock crystal and gold boxes. The latter was created by designer Robert Lualdi. The collection also includes ‘100 carats club’ gemstones that are too big to mount in jewelry but can be kept as cabinet specimens. Also included in the sale are lapidary works of art with highlights from Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio. View each of these lots and register to bid online on the Bonhams website.
In the 20th century, Henri Cartier-Bresson introduced a new style of photography that helped establish photojournalism as an art form. According to Magnum Photos, he explained his approach in these terms: “For me, the camera is a sketchbook, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity. It is by an economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression.” A photograph captured by Cartier-Bresson’s lens is featured in the upcoming auction offered by Doyle.
Besides the work of Cartier-Bresson, this photography sale will also present items from Richard Prince. One of his photos depicts a cowboy with his lasso from Prince’s Cowboys and Girlfriends series. Other available items include Substrat 2 I by Thomas Ruff. This photograph pushes the boundaries of photography by capturing abstract forms rather than reality. To bid for the above-mentioned items and more, visit Doyle.
From The Wizard of Oz to Gone with the Wind, 1939 was a notable year in cinematic history. The upcoming TCM Presents…1939 auction, presented by Bonhams, offers film memorabilia related to that year’s productions. Some lots, such as a pair of gloves worn by Kermit Eller in his portrayal of Darth Vader, come from later eras in Hollywood.
Among the highlighted lots is a test wand used by Glinda in wardrobe shots for The Wizard of Oz. Billie Burke, the actress who portrayed Glinda, kept this particular wand after filming to take holiday photos with it. She then returned the prop to MGM, where it was auctioned and held in a private collection for decades.
Representing Gone with the Wind in this auction is a contract from author Margaret Mitchell selling the film rights to her novel. Also available is a final shooting script for the film, gifted by producer David O. Selznick to one of the film’s stars, Leslie Howard. Selznick signed the script with the following message: “For Leslie- / with the profound / (but probably futile) / hope that he’ll / finally read it! / Xmas, 1939.” Register to bid for this auction on Invaluable
