Most observers will primarily appreciate lots in the Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art auction offered by Discover African Art as pieces of art. However, it is important to remember that artwork from this part of the world, in particular pieces from the Kingdom of Benin and the Edo Empire, usually served functional tasks such as documentation of a historic event or a ritual object. For some pieces, it is clear what purpose they once served, while others are shrouded in mystery.
Now, lots in the Sub-Saharan African Tribal Art auction serve modern clients as pieces of decorative art. One noteworthy lot is a bronze bust from the Kingdom of Benin. The bust is a detailed depiction of a woman’s face, hair, upper arms, and chest. Bronze heads are among the most iconic forms of art from the Kingdom of Benin (part of modern-day Nigeria). Other pieces in this auction with high estimated values are cast in bronze, including a Nigerian giraffe and a Benin aquamanile. An aquamanile is a jug used for storing water, typically shaped in the form of a human or animal. This particular aquamanile depicts three leopards, two soldiers, and has flower designs throughout.
Other pieces have a less obvious functional purpose such as the unusual Pende Mbangu figure, a featured lot in this auction. The Pende are an ethnic group in the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. The figure is hand-carved with a unique two-toned sculpture technique. Potential buyers of this piece should take into consideration, though, the cracking on the head and body. View and register to bid for any of the pieces online on Bidsquare.
Historic and elegant furniture are the clear highlights of Hindman’s upcoming Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts and Silver Online Only auction. The available items track the development of dominant decorative styles, particularly in Britain and America, as well as their historical roots in ancient and pre-modern works.
Furniture is not the only appeal of the sale, however, with respectable proportions of fine art, sculpture, rugs, and fine silver. Key lots include a Boulle marquetry mantel clock, a set of British colonial style armchairs, and a quirky anatomical bust made of Italian marble. Additional points of interest in this sale include several silver table articles shaped like fruits and vegetables, as well as detailed needlepoint decorative art pieces.
A consistent pattern of quality defines Hindman’s strong return to the Bidsquare platform. With starting bids ranging from $30 to $1,500, this auction is strategically accessible for collectors of all levels of engagement. View the complete catalog and register to bid online.
The upcoming Estate Jewelry, Art & Collectibles auction offered by Kodner features a broad selection of fine jewelry and collectibles. High quality gold and diamond jewelry pieces stand out, including a radiant, cut diamond engagement ring and several vintage platinum and diamond bracelets. Several decorative art pieces from the American artist Dox Thrash are also highlighted, as well as collections of vintage costume jewelry and 20th century furniture pieces. With starting bids ranging from $25 to $100,000, this auction has items for every collection. View the complete catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
By the last quarter of the 19th century, the American era of cowboys and Indians and the open West was coming to a close. An artist, Frederic Remington lost much of his savings trying to be a cowboy in Kansas. But he still told tall tales of the frontier and gladly documented the era’s last years and helped it transition from reality to legend. “I knew the wild riders and the vacant land were about to vanish forever,” Remington once wrote, “Without knowing how to do it, I began to record some facts around me, and the more I looked the more the panorama unfolded.”
Interpretations of the Wild West from the generation (or, in some cases, multiple generations) after its decline are included in the auction. Among the most notable pieces is Frederic Remington’s “Casuals on the Range”, an oil painting of frontiersman and Native American not fighting but communicating. Depicting more of Native American life is Laverne Nelson Black’s “Taos”. Originally from Wisconsin, Black spent his summers traveling west, particularly to Taos, New Mexico, to sketch Native American subjects; Howard Terpning’s “Paints” (1976) of Native Americans prepared for combat on horseback. Terpning grew up fascinated with the American West but only dedicated himself to the subject after a successful career designing movie posters, most notably Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Sound of Music (1965).
Included, also, is Mian Situ’s “Golden Spike Ceremony”, a commemoration of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Situ began painting scenes from this era to better depict Chinese Americans involved in the Gold Rush and the building of the First Transcontinental Railroad. The Fine Western & American Art auction, an annual event presented by The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, is a diverse collection of fine art representing numerous artists’ interpretation of cowboys, Indians, and the Wild West. Interested collectors can register to bid on Bidsquare.
This summer, North American Auction offers an exploration into the Early Western & American Indian collection; with some vibrant items and some that conjure up bizarre stories. Pawnee Missouri War Tomahawk, an item being featured in the auction, has sixteen human teeth tied onto its brass chain, dating to circa 1850. Collectors may also look forward to encounter iconic items ranging from Tanzanite platinum ring said to have belonged to George Northup’s Wyoming Centennial Medallion to a very rare Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial Drum from circa 1900. In between early pieces of Navajo jewelry and peculiar American Indian antiquities, the auction remains true to its title- the largest sale of this summer. Do visit Bidsquare to bid online.
The upcoming Ancient/ Ethnographic/ Americana auction offered by Artemis Gallery features a wide variety of antiquities from all corners of the globe. The common thread of these items lies in their cultural and historical significance, with items heralding from ancient Greece, Indonesia, Alaska, and many more. Decorative arts such as vases and vessels, jewelry and textiles, and household items are highlighted in this auction. In particular, a third century Roman bowl made of pure silver, a meteorite from the famous Campo del Cielo site in Argentina, and several African masks from the Bassa people stand out. View the complete catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
Celestial art and furniture, fused at their finest as décor items, can be found in abundance in the Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts and Silver auction by Hindman. Comprising over 500 lots, the Hindman auction features everything from a 17th-century Flemish mythological tapestry depicting Diana the Huntress to Meiji era, Japanese Imari Porcelain Jar.
Intricate marquetry of three aligned drawers, painted to show various courting couples in both interior and exterior scenes on a late 19th Louis XVI Style gilt and porcelain mounted Secrétaire stands tall as the highest estimated item. Attributed to Giovanni Maffezzoli (1776-1818) is an Italian Neoclassical commode with notable marquetry depicting classical and gothic structures. Other beauties include a Luigi Garzi, an Italian oil painting that depicts St. Catherine of Sienna, a cherishable portrait of a young boy with his basket of oysters by Gustav Dittenberger (1794-1879), of many.
And no fine furniture and art auction would be complete without a grand piano in mahogany from Steinway and Sons. Bid starts at $100 and goes up to $40,00 in this massive collection of fine furniture, decorative art, and silverware. Don’t want to miss out? Register online on Bidsquare.
The Antique & Modern Furnishings auction presented by Rafael Osona Auctions is primarily a collection of fine art, decorative art, and a notable array of jewelry. Among the pieces of jewelry with the highest estimated value is a South Sea, Tahitian, and pink freshwater pearl necklace held together by a 14k yellow gold and diamond clasp. Artworks of historical significance represent Nantucket, an island off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts like a Robert Stark Jr. painting “Red Sail”. Stark Jr. was a modernist known for his coastal scenes and his red-sailed catboats. He was also the founder and director of Nantucket’s oldest gallery, the Stark Gallery. Another painting by the water, albeit situated halfway across the world, is John Lochtefeld’s painting “Venice”, depicting the city’s famous canals. A carousel pig with European roots was crafted by Gustave Bayol, a French artist who was considered the foremost carousel maker in his country. You can view these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.
Explore the breadth of post-war and contemporary art in the upcoming July First Open auction offered by Christie’s. Featuring works on paper, photographs and sculpture from many well-known artists of the twentieth century, this summer auction presents pieces appropriate for new collectors and seasoned art veterans alike. Anchored by Ed Ruscha’s The End #8, the auction also offers several pieces by Andy Warhol including Hammer & Sickle, the vibrant colors of Martin Wong’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, and Sam Francis’ rich figuration in several untitled works. View the remaining lots and register to bid at Christie’s today.
To be able to touch a part of the history, being offered by Ross Auction, is quite an experience. The auction is accompanied by pieces of unique antiquities. Finely carved Cast Iron Bust and rare Majolica Figural Busts are influential sculpture models from the Victorian era. Among the items lies Santa Clara Pueblo; the craftsmanship of a very well-known artist in the field of pottery, Maria Martinez. Needlepoint tapestry in the ornate frame that dates way back to 1872 along with decorated 2-gallon crock are some of the valued items being featured in the auction. Check out July Eclectic Antique Auction on Bidsquare for a selection of truly peculiar and rare pieces.
