South Pacific, Coral Sea, New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Caledonie), Kanak people, ca. early 19th century CE. A stunning example of a hand-carved hardwood adze with a bulbous central body exhibiting sumptuous caramel and coffee hues. Protruding from the back of the body is a tapered ovoid handle wrapped on top with braided sennet fibers; a petaloid nephrite adze blade is wedged tightly within the forked gap of the head, and additional lengths of sennet fiber cord wrap around the recessed upper body to further clamp the blade inside. Adzes like this example were among the most important tools in pre-contact Polynesia and Melanesia due to their unfamiliarity with the process of metal forging. Adzes were utilized for a variety of utilitarian and agricultural practices; however, it was the ceremonial nature of the nephrite blade that made this example truly marvelous. Nephrite was typically used with adzes meant to encapsulate the chiefly authority of the ruling individual, and their power was derived from the earth which the adze would move. Size: 5″ L x 3.625″ W x 8.125″ H (12.7 cm x 9.2 cm x 20.6 cm); 10.8″ H (27.4 cm) on included custom stand.

For a stylistically similar example, please see The British Museum, museum number Oc1934,0505.6

For another stylistically similar example, please see: Meyer, Anthony J.P. “Oceanic Art.” Koneman Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Koln, 1995, p. 443, fig. 503.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Abe Rossman collection, New York, New York, USA, acquired between 1950 and 2000

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Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (atlas)
1574
Copperplate engraving; coloured
Printed area: 40.5 x 28 (folio) cm; 15.9 x 11 in

Ortelius’ monumental work ‘theatrum Orbis terrarum’ is commonly regarded as the first modern atlas. The ‘Theatrum’ is generally considered a milestone in the history of cartography. The title page is of an allegorical nature. Seated at the top we see a female figure representing Europe, superior to all other figures. She wears the imperial crown, and carries a scepter in her right hand and a rudder in the form of a cross in her left hand. Asia is portrayed to the left, holding a container of incense in her left hand and wearing a gown beset with precious stones. To the right we see Africa, scantily clad and holding a palm branch in her hand. In foreground, on the left, America can also be found, forming perhaps the most interesting figure of this title page. She depicted to be naked and holds a cudgel in her right hand and a male human head in her left hand. Her weapons consist of a bow and arrows. Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci reported on how bows and arrows were used as weapons in America, as did Hans Staden, a German from Hamburg, who was held captive in Brazil for nine months. In 1554, he returned to Europe and he published a book about his adventures, which were later translated into Dutch and French and printed by Plantin.

From the Legendary Vladi Collection of Historical Maps which includes 280 examples of the finest quality antique maps brought to auction with proceeds benefiting MapAction, an organization that uses maps and technology to aid those in disaster-stricken areas. Each map is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the consignor.

Latex and rubber, unsigned.

6 ft. 9 in. x 6 ft. 5 in.

The artist.
John Richardson: A Scholar Collects

Max Miller (American, b. 1940), “”GREEN EYES”, oil on canvas, unsigned, gallery label verso, copy of gallerist’s statement in images, oil on canvas, 84″h x 96″w – PROVENANCE: Estate of Pentti Kouri; The Sharpe Gallery, New York – NOTES/LITERATURE: This item is stored off-site in Danbury Connecticut. Customers must make pick up / shipping arrangements directly from the storage facility. Contact the gallery for details.

USA, 1909-20
leaded glass, patinated bronze
22 h × 18 dia in (56 × 46 cm)

Impressed manufacturer’s mark to underside of base ‘Tiffany Studios New York 26876’. Metal manufacturer’s label to shade ‘Tiffany Studios New York 1558’.

Chanel White Caviar Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag, c. 1985, with gold tone chain-link woven leather double straps, the “CC” turn-lock logo opening to a white calf skin interior with two zip closure side pockets with silk lining, the exterior of the bag with a single slip pocket on the front and back, Serial # 0222291, H.- 9 1/4 in., W.- 11 1/4 in., D.- 3 1/4 in., with a certificate of authenticity from Entrupy.

attributed to Duncan Phyfe, 1815-1820, figured rosewood top with brass inlay and satinwood banding, brass inlaid edge, opening to a felt lined playing surface above a gilt bronze mounted and brass inlaid rosewood frieze, carved gilt and vert antique painted caryatid support, back with leaf carved and fluted column supports, on rosewood veneered and bronze mounted base set on carved gilt and vert antique and animal paw feet, with leaf carved knees and brass casters, interior till with early and probably original marbled paper lining, poplar, ash, and white pine secondary, 29-1/4 x 35-3/4 x 18 in.Note: This rare table is illustrated and discussed in McInnis and Leath, ?Beautiful Specimens, Elegant Patterns: New York Furniture for the Charleston Market, 1810-1840? (Chipstone, 1996) p. 149-150. McInnis and Leath note that it is one from a pair that descended in the Ravenel-Frost family. ÿBanks family members recall William purchasing the table from his Cousin, Olive Pringle Brown, who also lived in Newnan. It was said to have come from the Pringle mansion in Charleston. Among Charleston?s most prominent families, the Ravenel, Frost and Pringle families, ÿresting a web or connections and of possible histories for this table. It is also illustratedÿin Katherine Gross Farnham, ?Living with Antiques: The Gordon-Banks House in the Georgia Piedmont,? The MagazineÿAntiques,ÿ102, no. 3 (September 1972): p. 444., and in Fairbanks,ÿAmerican Furniture 1620 to the Presentÿ(New York 1981) p. 266.ÿA closely related pair of caryatid card tables attributed to Phyfe were formerly in the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art and the Warner Collection of Gulf States Paper Corporation, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were sold at Christie’s, New York, September 25, 2013, lot #101 for $255,000. One of these tables is illustrated in Peter Kenny, Duncan Phyfe: Master Cabinetmaker in New York, page 85, figure 95, with an attribution to Duncan Phyfe. However, the present table is distinguished by its expensive rosewood veneers and satinwood banding that are not found on the Westerveltÿpair.; Provenance: By descent through the Ravenel, Frost, and Pringle families of Charleston, South Carolina. William purchased the table from his cousin Olive Pringle Brown, who lived in Newnan, probably in 1968/1969. The Estate of William N. Banks, Jr., Newnan, Georgia

DIAMOND RING
Containing one oval brilliant cut diamond weighing 6.05 carats and two half moon shaped diamonds weighing approximately 2.00 carats total. Mounted in platinum.
5.35 dwt.

GIA, 2020, Report Number 2211062316, 6.05 carats, G color, SI1 clarity, Medium blue fluorescence

Property from the Collection of Norene Goldstein, Chicago, Illinois

FANCY VIVID YELLOW-ORANGE DIAMOND AND BOULDER OPAL PENDANT
Containing one pear brilliant cut fancy vivid yellow-orange diamond weighing 1.02 carats and one freeform boulder opal measuring approximately 30.00 x 20.00 mm and numerous round brilliant cut colored diamonds (origin of color not tested). Mounted in yellow gold.
Scratchmark: 18K 22K (maker’s mark) 03.
25.15 dwt.

GIA, 2002, Report number 12108093, 1.02 carats, Fancy Vivid Yellow-Orange color, SI1 clarity, Medium yellow fluorescence
Please note that the proceeds for this sale will benefit charity.
Property from a Private Collection, Madison, Wisconsin

TIFFANY & CO., DIAMOND FROG BROOCH
Containing 180 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 5.57 carats total, two round cabochon emerald eyes and a green enamel bow. Mounted in platinum and yellow gold.
Stamp: TIFFANY&CO. PT950.
16.40 dwt.
Attributed to Donald Claflin for Tiffany & Co