Bonhams will present its John Steinbeck: The Mary Steinbeck Dekker Family Collection sale in late October. A massive archive of correspondence between Nobel Prize-winning American writer John Steinbeck (1902 – 1968) and his close family members leads the auction. It consists of 377 letters and postcards, most autographed. About a quarter are typed (particularly some of the later letters) by the giant of American letters. The archive includes Steinbeck’s letters to his younger sister Mary Steinbeck Dekker and her husband Bill, a World War II pilot who disappeared over Italy in July of 1943. In the letters, they discuss both personal and professional milestones over the decades. The collection also includes assorted ephemera, two typescripts, and a note on the necessity of the title East of Eden. There are approximately a thousand pages of various sizes from New York, Salinas, Mexico, and Europe, dated May 26, 1937 to October 21, 1964.
Following closely behind is an autographed manuscript by John Steinbeck from around 1948. It is his daybook recording of his 1947 journey through Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia with Robert Capa, a Hungarian–American war photographer and photojournalist. It is a complete record of the trip that would become A Russian Journal, including a synopsis and beginning of an unpublished work, The Popular Candidate. Book enthusiasts can find over 100 lots of books and manuscripts by Steinbeck from his sister’s collection. View the catalog of the John Steinbeck: The Mary Steinbeck Dekker Family Collection sale by visiting Bonhams.
Farber Auctioneers and Appraisers will present a curated selection of jewelry and timepieces this October. Leading the catalog is a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona wristwatch. This 18-karat gold Zenith Daytona is powered by a self-winding El Primero movement manufactured by Zenith. Rolex included Zenith movements in its Daytona watches from 1988 to 2000, when Rolex finally developed its own in-house chronograph movement. The offered wristwatch has a Zenith caliber 4030 movement and its original yellow gold bracelet. Also available is a Rolex Yacht-Master 40 wristwatch with an 18-karat yellow gold setting and bracelet. Designed for sailing and water sports, this watch features a rotatable graduated bezel, allowing the wearer to measure time intervals.
Notable among jewelry lots in this auction is an 18-karat gold, turquoise, diamond, opal, and lapis lazuli pendant necklace. The pendant features radiating gemstones and an intricate setting. A mid-century 23-carat diamond and platinum necklace and earrings set is also available. With a total weight of 20 carats, the necklace features a mix of round, emerald, and marquise cuts. Additional jewelry lots in this sale include a Mario Buccellati 18-karat gold, ruby, and diamond cocktail ring; an Hermès 18-karat gold tassel bracelet and necklace set from the 1960s; and a pearl torsade necklace designed by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Visit Bidsquare to browse the full catalog and register to bid in this October Jewels and Timepieces event and other online auctions.
Assorted works of fine Asian art, including porcelain, paintings, sculptures, and household objects, will be available in Freeman’s October Asian Art auction. Among the top lots is a 1948 painting by Chinese artist Zhang Daqian. Today known as one of the most prolific and famous Chinese artists of the 20th century, Zhang got his start by copying the works of old masters. These forgeries were highly respected for their technical skill, and Zhang would eventually blend ancient Chinese painting techniques with elements of the Western avant-garde. The available ink and color on paper contains two seals in the upper left and an additional seal in the lower right. It depicts a scholar meditating with trees appearing in the background.
A selection of important porcelain is available in this auction, including a Chinese blue and white porcelain jar from the 15th/16th century, or possibly later. The ovoid jar is decorated with a scene of immortals playing games and performing tasks. An elaborate border rings the short neck and base. Beyond Chinese art, the catalog includes works from various other Asian cultures. This includes a Japanese export silver tea and coffee service manufactured by Arthur & Bond in Yokohama. The pieces show fierce dragons twisting in high relief. Bidders can also consider a large Mandalay-style Burmese Buddha figure, assorted Vietnamese ceramics, and several Tibetan thangkas. Visit Freeman’s website for more information on this Asian Art sale and to register to bid.
In the latest Asian Art auction from Brunk Auctions, over 300 quality lots will come under the hammer. Among the top items is a seated wooden figure of Guanyin from the late Qing dynasty. Guanyin is a Buddhist deity, revered for enlightenment, who lives in the material world for the salvation of all mankind. This carving of the seated Guanyin represents the gradual evolution of the male bodhisattva Avalokitesvara to the female bodhisattva Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), during the spread of Buddhism into China. Another notable work in the catalog is a Tibetan seated White Tara figure. White Tara symbolizes serenity, compassion, and healing power and is seen as a navigator between earthly existence and enlightenment. This White Tara is depicted in padmasana on a double-lotus base rimmed in beads, with her hands raised in mudras. The gilt bronze figure is likely from the 18th century.
Beyond sculptures, bidders can consider a 1908 China (Chihli) “Dragon Dollar” coin struck in Kuang Hsu’s 34th year (1908). A well-preserved coin, this piece exhibits good detail and very little evidence of wear. Additional lots of interest include a painting in Chinese ink and watercolor, a pair of Chinese porcelain hat stands, and a Chinese famille rose porcelain lidded teapot from the mid-to-late Qing dynasty. Visit Bidsquare to view the Asian Art Auction and browse other online auctions.
Derived from the French word “marteler” (meaning “to hammer”), martelé is a hand-wrought line of silver created by the Gorham Manufacturing Company between 1897 and 1912. Each martelé piece would be handcrafted by an artisan solely from start to finish. It was considered a significant expression of the Art Nouveau style in America. The upcoming sale, offered by Leonard Auction, will feature a seven-piece Gorham martelé sterling silver hand-hammered beverage set. It consists of a two-handle tray, a tilting hot water kettle and burner, a coffee pot, a tea pot, a creamer, a lidded sugar and a waste dish. The Art Nouveau floral-styled pieces are hallmarked and stamped on their undersides. Another striking sterling silver lot is a Mount Vernon Sheraton flatware service. The massive set of 390 items includes dinner, tea and fruit knives, dinner and luncheon forks, tablespoons, teaspoons, and ice cream spoons.
A noteworthy sculpture by Arman also leads the listings. The 1991 artwork is an accumulation of lined-up paintbrushes with their multi-colored strokes. These are embedded in polyester resin and have an acrylic stand. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming October Online Auction (Sale #307), visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Established in 1733 by colonists led by James Edward Oglethorpe, Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia. Known to be America’s first planned city, Savannah originally had 24 squares, of which 22 squares now exist. A rare and important map of Savannah attributed to Peter Gordon is a key highlight of this upcoming sale, presented by Everard Auctions and Appraisals. It features the original squares with the Savannah River and Hutchinson Island in the foreground. The engraving bears the caption, ‘A View of Savanah as it Stood the 29th of March, 1734’. Further, it says ‘To the Honble the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America, This View of the Town of Savanah is humbly dedicated by their Honours, Obliged and most Obedient Servant, Peter Gordon, Vue de Savanah dans la Georgie’.
The sale also features an oil on canvas painting by German artist Edmund Osthaus (1858 – 1928). He was renowned for his depiction of dogs and hunting-related topics. The available lot was rendered by Osthaus in 1894. It showcases an English setter with a pheasant. Among furniture, a pair of Philip & Kelvin LaVerne occasional tables leads the listings. Made in 1965, the tables highlight figural and architectural scenes. Philip and his son Kelvin created innovative and limited-edition art pieces as a team. To view the complete catalog of the Fall Southern Estates and Collections: Session I sale and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
A wide range of fine art, furniture, jewelry, and decorative art items will be available in Case Auctions’ upcoming two-day sale. Among the top lots from the first session is a continental sterling silver breakfast tea and coffee service set comprising 56.56 ounces of flatware. The five-piece set includes a small oval tray, petite tea and coffee pots, creamer, and open sugar bowl. All the pieces are manufactured by the Bremen-based Koch & Bergfeld, one of the oldest operating silver manufacturers in the world. Other notable lots from the first day of the event include a 14-karat yellow gold and enamel compact and lipstick holder from Tiffany & Co. and two pairs of Hermès sneakers.
The second session particularly highlights antique art and jewelry. Among these lots is a set of five monumental French Belle Epoque period carved giltwood room panels. The wall panels showcase a peacock perched atop a flower-filled urn, flowers, birds, and related subjects. Collectors can also consider a ladies’ platinum ring featuring a pear-shaped diamond. The center stone weighs approximately 2.92 carats. This lot comes with a matching platinum wedding band and a separate platinum ring set with 13 square baguette diamonds. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Fall Fine Art & Antiques Auction – Day 1, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
A red poppy oil on canvas painting attributed to Georgia O’Keeffe is a leading lot of the upcoming Fall Master Pop Modern Art Discovery Mix sale, presented by 500 Gallery. Signed on the back, this painting may have been a study for a larger work. O’Keeffe was a firm believer in the Modernist movement, and she was skilled in using color, composition, and abstraction to communicate emotion and ideas. The available work depicts a poppy from directly above. Peach and yellow petals radiate from the black center, contrasted with a gray background. Also notable is an abstract nude composition attributed to Lee Krasner.
Several abstract artworks are presented in this 500 Gallery event. These include a swirled abstract composition attributed to Japanese artist Kazuo Shiraga. A member of the avant-garde Gutai Art Association, a postwar artists collective, Shiraga was known for his performance art. Many of his paintings were created by applying paint to paper and canvas using his feet. “I want to paint as though rushing around a battlefield, exerting myself to collapse from exhaustion,” Shiraga stated about his practice. Collectors can also consider an abstract composition in the manner of Hans Hartung, an acrylic painting of bricks by Martin Wong, and a winter landscape attributed to Fairfield Porter. Visit Bidsquare to view the full Fall Master Pop Modern Art Discovery Mix catalog and browse other online auctions.
Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1923, William Anthony Slaughter served in the Air Force during World War II. However, his passion was ministry. He served various congregations in Texas and during his ministry days, he also found his calling in art. At the age of 49, after spending 19 years in the clergy, Slaughter decided to retire as a Lutheran minister and pursue painting full time. He illustrated several Texas landscapes, portraying streams with live oaks and bluebonnets in a realistic manner. Oak Tree and Bluebonnets, an oil on canvas work by Slaughter, is a key highlight of the upcoming auction from Vogt Auction Texas. It is a detail-oriented depiction that represents nature, replete with bluebonnets, almost as it would be visible to the naked eye. Found in the southwestern United States, the purple-blue colored species is known as the state flower of Texas.
Two oil paintings on canvas by another Texas-based artist, James Robinson, also lead the listings. Both artworks are characteristic of Robinson’s style of combining the effects of color, lighting, and action to create a compelling visual impact. Visit Vogt Auction Texas to view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Texas & Western Art sale.
An Italian Mannerist architect, Sebastiano Serlio was part of the team instrumental in the building of the Palace of Fontainebleau. Well ahead of his time, Serlio worked on a series of books that contained illustrations along with text. He conceived and gave a numerical order to his books, which varied from the order in which they were published. Remarkable copies of Serlio’s Terzo libro and Regole generali di architecttura, printed on large blue paper, are key highlights of the upcoming sale from Sotheby’s. The copies were most likely carried by Serlio from Venice to France for binding and presenting to a patron. The paper stock is watermarked with an anchor inside a circle, surmounted by a star. It was printed by Francesco Marcolini, who produced special copies of Serlio’s publications on blue paper.
Another noteworthy publication in the catalog is Hypnerotomachia Poliphili by Francesco Colonna, an Italian Dominican priest and monk. It is considered an influential book of the French Renaissance era. The first edition of the first French translation of this famed work is elaborately illustrated with woodcuts and 14 new subjects. Visit Sotheby’s to view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. Magnificent Books and Bindings sale.
