Born in St. Louis, Bessie Potter Vonnoh enjoyed a thriving career as a bronze sculptor in the late 20th century. She received early support in her career from Lorado Taft, a Chicago-based artist who employed Vonnoh as a studio assistant. She went on to create acclaimed works for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the Smith Memorial Arch in Philadelphia. Vonnoh was best known for her petite statues that explored feminine subjects in domestic settings, opening a window to the daily life of American women in her time. The upcoming Inspirational Masters sale from 500 Gallery will feature one such statuette by Bessie Potter Vonnoh. Titled Girl on a Swing, the bronze garden sculpture is dated 1906 and features delicate details along the swing rope and the girl’s face.
Another notable lot in this auction is an abstract nude composition attributed to Lee Krasner. This oil on canvas was signed in pencil on the back by the acclaimed Abstract Expressionist painter. Though her work is often linked to that of her husband, Jackson Pollock, Krasner emphasized more formal elements than many of her contemporaries. She fully embraced change throughout her career, often adopting and discarding new styles based on her interests and evolving emotions. Other notable lots in this auction include works attributed to Kazuo Shiraga, Georges Braque, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Pablo Picasso. Visit Bidsquare to find more information on the Inspirational Masters sale and browse other online auctions.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales wasn’t just a beloved royal but also a fashion icon. She was known for her impeccable and demure styling choices. Princess Diana loved dressing up in garments designed by Catherine Walker, Zandra Rhodes, Amanda Wakeley, and Bruce Oldfield, among others. The upcoming Julien’s Auctions sale offers Princess Diana’s scarlet metallic jacquard chiffon gown. The gown was worn on various occasions, including the world premiere of Hot Shots in London on November 18, 1991. The glittering red gown was designed by British fashion designer Bruce Oldfield. This lot is accompanied by a paper doll book featuring charity auction dresses.
A haute couture evening dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy is also available. This vibrant flamingo-pink-silk-satin-organza piece was worn by Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the popular film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Givenchy, a French aristocrat and fashion designer was famous for his innovative styles like sack dresses, higher hemlines, and versatile separates. Other notable lots include a pair of matching wedding rings exchanged by Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, an original special effects flying saucer spaceship miniature from the movie The Day the Earth Stood Still, and a Mark XLII helmet prop worn by Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3. View the complete catalog of this LEGENDS: HOLLYWOOD & ROYALTY sale and register to bid by visiting Julien’s Auctions.
The latest Legacy Gallery – 19th & 20th Century Art sale from 500 Gallery will showcase fine art across all genres. Leading this auction is a still-life painting by Hungarian artist Gyorgy Korga. Noted for his paintings of still lifes, Gyorgy Korga was among a group of Eastern European painters who challenged abstract art with the use of ultra-realism and detail in the mid-to-late 20th century. The artist created an effect of Surrealism with his paintings, despite their extreme detail and clarity. The available work is an oil painting with Asian imagery on canvas. Presented in a frame with a gallery label on the reverse, the work is signed lower right.
Another top lot in this sale is Karen Moss’ Doll with Horse, a painting on heavy cold-pressed paper in watercolor. In the artist’s work, ideas drive the composition, not specific styles. The materials selected for each project or exhibition are determined by the concept. Moss draws inspiration from a wide variety of sources, including travel, flea market finds, history, social issues, natural sciences, and exploration. Bidders can also consider a colored lithograph after Abraham Rattner’s Autumn. As a brilliant colorist and Modernist painter, the artist depicted nature in vibrant, bold colors. Color palettes of red and yellow characterize the semi-abstract work. To view the complete catalog of the Legacy Gallery: 19th & 20th Century Art sale and to find other online auctions, visit Bidsquare.
From making an elephant disappear to escaping a Chinese water torture cell upside down, Harry Houdini would make the impossible possible. He did the unexpected, the audacious, like jumping into the icy water of the Hudson River while handcuffed. Houdini is the most famous American escape artist, illusionist, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts. Houdini was born Erich Weisz (1874 – 1926) in Budapest to a Jewish family. They moved to the United States to live the American dream but found themselves in dire poverty. This led to Houdini leaving school and becoming a trapeze boy and an escape artist. His pseudonym is a reference to his spiritual master, French magician Robert-Houdin. A Harry Houdini, King of Cards color lithograph poster (circa 1898) used by Houdini as a young circus and dime museum performer is leading the Vintage & Modern Magic sale from Potter & Potter Auctions. The poster features a bust portrait of the young magician at the center and vignettes depicting his facility with a deck of cards above and below. It is an iconic magic poster and one of the first color lithographs used to advertise Houdini’s turns in dime museums and circus shows before his ascendance to fame as a handcuff king and escape artist.
Also available is a striking one-sheet color lithograph with a central bust portrait of Servais Le Roy in a gray coat and blue necktie, with his left hand pressed against his cheek and index finger pointed against his temple. It is a 1908 lithograph of Le Roy by National Printing & Engraving. Servais Le Roy was one of the first magicians to perform the Asrah levitation. He would cover Talma, his partner, lying on a couch with a sheet, making it look like she was rising into the air, pass a large hoop over her floating body, and finally pull away the sheet to reveal that she had vanished. Le Roy is credited with developing other respected tricks and illusions like the Palanquin operation magic and the Costume Trunk. View the complete catalog of this Vintage & Modern Magic auction and register to bid by visiting Potter & Potter Auctions.
A Hopi Native American, Charles Loloma was an influential artist renowned for his jewelry, painting, ceramics and pottery. He used materials such as gold, gemstones, sugilite, pearls, and diamonds, unlike other Southwestern Native jewelers who worked only with turquoise and silver. Loloma was greatly inspired by various cultures, particularly the Egyptians. An 18-karat gold “Katsina” mosaic cuff bracelet by Charles Loloma is a key highlight of the upcoming auction, presented by Bonhams. It features a tapering form with inlaid mosaic, lapis lazuli, coral, and Lone Mountain turquoise, with gold spacers. It is stamped on the interior with a maker’s mark. Another Loloma lot of interest is an 18-karat gold mosaic bracelet also designed in a tapering shape with inlaid coral, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and gold spacers.
An oil on canvas painting by a Navajo contemporary artist, Tony Abeyta, leads the fine arts listing. Titled The Golden Canyon, the painting depicts a Neo-Modernist landscape in Abeyta’s Abstract Expressionist style. He uses bold hues for representing the earth, sky, and light. Abeyta was commissioned to make an original image for the National Museum of the American Indian’s inauguration. Visit Bonhams for more information on each of these lots and to register to bid in the upcoming Modern Native American Art and Jewelry sale.
French street artist Mr. Brainwash, also known as Thierry Guetta, specializes in provocative and distinctive pop art styles. Born in Paris, the artist moved to Los Angeles with his siblings and father at the age of 15. Guetta was hugely influenced by art icons Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, whose styles are often reflected in his works. Batman vs. Superman, an original mixed media artwork on paper with silkscreen acrylic and spray paint by Mr. Brainwash, is a key highlight of the upcoming sale from Dane Fine Art. Belonging to a rare limited edition, this artwork was rendered in 2018. Also available is Spaceship Spin Painting, an artwork from British artist Damien Hirst. It is an original acrylic on paper executed in 2009. Hirst creates his spin paintings by placing his canvases on a spinner and pouring the paint as they turn.
Spanish Catalan painter Joan Miró’s drypoint original etching in colors with embossing on arches wove paper is another notable lot. Titled Personatges Solars, the rare work from a limited edition of 50 was published by Editorial Gustavo Gili Barcelona. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Affordable Art Sale: Day 1 of 2, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Les Tulipes Rouges et Blanches is an oil on canvas by Lê Phổ (1907 – 2001) available in the upcoming Art + Design Auction, offered by John Moran Auctioneers. It was created in Findlay Galleries, Chicago, IL, in July 1966, signed by the artist on the lower right. Lê Phổ was a multi-cultured Vietnamese painter. Born in 1907 in Hanoi in an elite Vietnamese family, Lê Phổ received Chinese literature and French education. In the 1930s, he earned a scholarship to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the instruction of Victor Tardieu, a friend and companion of Henri Matisse. Lê Phổ had several distinct styles of painting, including nostalgic Vietnamese landscapes, the artist’s French Romanet period, and his Findlay period, which was perhaps his most recognizable. After Lê Phổ moved to America, his works caught the attention of Wally Findlay, an American gallerist and owner of Findlay Galleries. Lê Phổ produced oil on canvases that depicted Vietnamese women surrounded by lush landscapes.
A collection of furniture pieces by the renowned American woodworker George Nakashima (1905 – 1990) is also available in the sale. One notable lot by Nakashima is a set of three Conoid lounge chairs. These were designed between 1980-85 in Pennsylvania. Each chair is signed and dated to the underside in marker: Nakashima / II / Sept 12, 1991. Each sculptural carved walnut chair has a blonde hickory spindle back, cantilevered over just two legs, and set upon two horizontal, tapering feet. These chairs were made for Eleanor Koffler in 1990 directly by Nakashima, whose furniture creations are highly prized by collectors. The sale will also offer decorative art, pop culture, and 20th-century collectibles. View the complete catalog of the Art + Design Auction and find other online auctions by visiting Bidsquare.
Chinese artist Zhang Daqian is considered one of the most influential Chinese artists of the 20th century. He began painting at the early age of 12. Born in 1899 in Sichuan province, Zhang learned painting from his mother and elder siblings. He drew inspiration from individualistic masters such as Bada Shanren (1626 – 1705) and Shitao (1642 – 1707). He is also famous for his splashed color and ink paintings that he produced during the second half of his life. One such painting attributed to Zhang Daqian, titled Persimmon, is a key highlight of the upcoming Linwoods Auction sale. Characteristic of his style of art, this framed painting displays Zhang’s versatility in traditional Chinese painting styles.
Another noteworthy item leading the listings is an impressive nine-panel ‘dragon’ Huanghuali screen. It features finely carved dragons and several ornate details. An antique Chinese Huanghuali painting table from the Qing dynasty is striking as well. The table’s top is inset with two floating panels framed by an edge of three raised bands. It stands strongly on solid circular supports. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Asian Works of Art and Chinese Paintings Summer Sale, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
Bracket clocks are antique-style portable table timepieces originally made during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were initially small weight-driven pendulum clocks mounted on a bracket on the wall to support their hanging weight. They were made of wood and adorned with brass inlay, ormolu mounts, decorative varnish, and tortoise shell veneer. Each timepiece was usually fashioned as an ensemble of complementing components– the clock and its decorative shelf. The upcoming August Collection sale, presented by Five Star Auctions, will feature one such monumental 19th-century French automation musical jeweled bracket clock. It is heavily ornamented with 24-karat gold plating, and has a white porcelain dial with black painted Roman numerals and a sweep second’s hand. It is a three-leveled timepiece with nine beaded spinning cones, three waterfalls to the sides, ducks and flowers. Another noteworthy monumental 19th-century lot is a pair of Raingo Frères figural bronze torchères. The company is renowned for crafting striking candelabras, sculptures, and timepieces.
A vintage Austrian Viennese enamel cabinet also leads the listings. It is decorated with more than 100 hand-painted enamel plaques and medallions. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming 5 Star Auctions August Collection sale, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut created a sensation when it was launched in 1997. It offered something unexpected and modern with its youthful new look. Its case was a rounded octagon inspired by the sea creature Nautilus. The Aquanaut sported a “tropical” composite black strap ultra-resistant to wear, salt water, and UV radiation. The strap was made of a new composite material by Patek Philippe. An 18-karat rose gold Patek Philippe Aquanaut with tropical black rubber strap is leading the upcoming 2336 | Fine Watches Auction, presented by NY Elizabeth. It has a 40mm case size with automatic movement. Watch collectors can also consider a titanium Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual calendar.
Dates and days are essential, according to Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex and Tudor. The Rolex Day-Date is instantly recognizable because of its unique design. Since its launch in 1955, the Day-Date was the only watch with a semi-circular window at 12 o’clock displaying the day of the week in full. It is the only watch with a specially-designed President bracelet available in gold or platinum. The auction offers a selection of women’s watches as well, including an 18-karat white gold Rolex Day-Date. It has a 36mm case with automatic movement. Other notable watch brands represented in the sale are Audemars Piguet, Vacheron, Omega, and Tag Heuer. View the complete catalog of the 2336 | Fine Watches sale and find other online auctions on Bidsquare.
