Baguette-cut diamonds are rectangular, step-cut stones that were first created in the early 20th century. They have only 14 facets, which make their appearance less shiny compared to traditional round-cut ones. The diamonds gained popularity during the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods. A GIA-certified ring, featuring two interesting baguette-cut diamonds, is a key highlight of the upcoming sale at Freeman’s. Studded in 18-karat yellow gold is a round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing 5.85 carats. This center piece is flanked by two tapered baguette-cut stones that appear almost colorless with SI clarity. A striking 18-karat yellow gold and gemstone necklace also leads the jewelry listings. It is designed with a row of floral motifs, crafted with cabochon emeralds, sapphires, and rubies and adorned with round brilliant-cut diamonds.
Another noteworthy lot is a Rolex President Day-Date Spanish Calendar watch. The rare piece is an automatic one made of 18-karat yellow gold. It features a tree-bark textured hollow link bracelet with a fold-over clasp, acrylic crystal, champagne pie pan dial and engine-turned bezel. Visit Freeman’s to view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Jewelry and Watches sale.
Serab was the hub of Persian carpets in the 19th century. Originating from Serab, Serapi carpets are the most intricate and decorative Persian carpets woven in the rugged mountains of Northwest Persia. They resemble the Heriz style but with finer knotting and large-scale, spaciously placed designs. Historically, Serapi carpets have been the top choice in early American state and federal buildings. The upcoming Art Underfoot | Rugs & Carpets auction at Bonhams Skinner is kicking off with a fine, antique Serapi carpet. The central motif has deep blue and teal geometric shapes, surrounded by a sea of deep red. The outer border has off-white and lighter colors, again in diamond and other geometric shapes. The available Serapi rug was made in 1880.
An 1875 Shirvan Marasali prayer rug from Caucasus is also available in the upcoming auction. Shirvan antique rugs have striking yet simple, clear medallions. They come from Shirvan, south of the Caucasus mountain range. The locals excelled in exploring numerous variations using a limited palette of colors to maximize the effect. The available prayer rug has a backdrop of deep indigo that highlights the graphic, symmetrical ornamentation of this antique Caucasian Shirvan rug. Many Caucasian, Persian, and Anatolian pieces are being featured in the sale. Kuba rugs, refined Marasali prayer rugs, a playful Bakshaish garden carpet, and early textiles round out the sale offerings. Visit Bonhams Skinner to find more information on the upcoming Art Underfoot | Rugs & Carpets sale and browse other online auctions.
Sotheby’s upcoming Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art auction features 75 lots that span from India and Pakistan to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Leading the sale is Maqbool Fida Husain’s Bulls painting from 1961. This painting “epitomizes the very essence of Husain, modernizing mythology to deliver a secular message,” says Sotheby’s Manjari Sihare-Sutin, Vice President, Specialist, Head of Sale New York. This painting featured on the cover of 1971’s Husain, a monograph on the artist that introduced Husain to a global audience and marked a watershed moment in his career. The work depicts a bull with sharp, muscular brushstrokes. A pale blue handprint marks the animal. The auction house notes that the image evokes the Hand of Fatima and the Hamsa, symbols of luck and protection.
Additional lots of interest include a 1963 oil pastel and acrylic on canvas painting by Francis Newton Souza. Titled John the Baptist, this work reimagines the biblical preacher in a stark black outline and limited color palette. Other Indian artists with work in the catalog include Sayed Haider Raza, Amar Nath Sehgal, and B. Prabha. A woodcut print of Zarina’s Mapping the Dislocations from 2001 is also on offer. A Minimalist artist, Zarina built her career around the concepts of home, displacement, and transience. Visit Sotheby’s to view the complete Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art catalog and register to bid.
Traditional Nepalese art forms are a prominent part of Buddhist and Hindu spiritual ideologies. Especially during the Malla period, Nepalese art became famous for its metal works. It mainly involved figurines of gods and kings. The upcoming auction from Bonhams Skinner presents a goddess Tara figurine from the early Malla period. The 14th-century gilt copper alloy sculpture is notable for portraying the finesse of Nepalese art. The seated figure wears ornaments adorned with lapis and colored gemstones. The pearl-studded crown makes it a rare find among Nepalese sculptures. Its floral motif detailing, body shape, and facial expressions portray the Newari art style. Another highlight is a 14th-century Vaishravana mandala painting. The artwork depicts Vaishravana surrounded by eight men on horses. The subject of the mandala signifies the Shalu monastery rituals and teachings. The outcome is the portrayal of Vaishravana as the Shalu monastery protector. The painting is notable for combining Tibetan culture, Newari art forms, and the Yuan Imperial design.
This sale will feature a Mahapratisara stele made of blackstone from Bihar in India. The Pala dynasty stele portrays the notion of physical allure and beauty. The sensuality of the figurine is the signature characteristic of Pala sculptures. The catalog also offers carved Devi panels of polychrome wood. These 18th-century panels showcase the influence of South Indian culture through their motifs. Interested collectors can explore the complete auction catalog on the Bonhams Skinner website and register to bid in the Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art sale.
French-Vietnamese artist Lê Phổ was famous for portraying gardens and Vietnamese women with lush landscapes in the background. The upcoming Leonard Auction event presents Lys Jaunes Marguerites, an undated artwork by Lê Phổ. The available painting features a slender wooden vase filled with fresh yellow lilies and daisies. The oil on the Masonite piece showcases the artist’s Surrealist style and love for floral still-life scenes. Fine art collectors will also find an abstract landscape by a Lebanese artist, Aref El Rayess. Born in Aley, Mount Lebanon, Rayess was a self-taught artist who exhibited for the first time in 1948.
Also showcased in this sale is an Omega platinum and diamond wristwatch. The sparkling piece has a floral cover fitted with 14 marquis-cut diamond petals. Additionally, the center has four round and three pear-cut diamonds leading to a watch encased in a diamond-encrusted band. Other noteworthy lots include a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited SUV, St. Louis ‘Thistle’ compote, and a Chinese porcelain moon flask vase. Visit Bidsquare to view the complete catalog for this March Online Auction (Sale #300) event and to browse other online auctions.
Stereographs or stereoscopic photographic views were highly popular in the United States and Europe from the mid-19th through the early 20th century. These are pairs of cardboard cards portraying almost identical photographs of the same scene. The cards were viewed through the stereoscope device, which created a three-dimensional effect. Several stereoscopic cards documented World War I and the experience of front-line soldiers. A large collection of stereoscopic cards is a key highlight of the upcoming event from Public Sale Auction House. Over 420 cards portray subjects including WWI, the Spanish American War, presidential images, and Niagara Falls, New York. Another noteworthy collection of over 550 stereoview cards is available. The cards depict Native Americans, New York City, the 1900 Expo, and the White House.
The auction also features an original, colored illustration of the character Huckleberry Fink from the Sick comic book series. Signed by writer-artist Joe Simon, it’s a humorous portrayal of Fink getting the tattoo “Think” on his forehead. The character was based on Mad magazine’s mascot, Alfred E. Neuman. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Paper & Other Collections sale, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
For basketball fans, Hindman’s upcoming Grails and Goats auction will offer an unopened box of 1986-87 Fleer basketball cards (36 packs) featuring one Michael Jordan rookie card, the highest valued lot. The top card, card no. 57, features Michael Jordan in an iconic moment soaring to the basket, arm extended for a beautiful slam dunk. It is an all-original wax pack issued by Fleer with additional four Jordan stickers. This collection is said to be one of the finest examples of this storied issue to come to market. It has remained untouched since its original factory issue over three decades ago.
Sports fans will find numerous collections of cards of their favorite players. Among them is a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card no. 253. This offering has been certified authentic by SGC. Mickey Mantle’s first appearance on a baseball card in striking, vibrant colors showcase his youth and potential as The Commerce Comet. Mantle, a young boy from a financially poor background in Oklahoma, became one of the greatest and most beloved baseball players. He could run from home plate to first base in 2.9 seconds and could hit a ball 540 feet—the longest home run in Major League history. Visit Hindman auction for more information on the upcoming Grails and Goats sale and to place a bid.
John Constable was an English landscape artist whose style emulated the Romantic tradition. He was the first English artist to paint out in the open instead of working indoors. He also pioneered a technique to paint foliage in intense green hues. In the formative years of his journey, Constable painted in a happy mood, which reflected in his vibrant strokes. However, in the later years, the same motifs were executed with drooping brushwork, manifesting his dejection. Blackberry Paysage, attributed to John Constable, is a key highlight of the upcoming 500 Gallery sale. The painting is an oil on paper mounted to board. Another noteworthy oil painting on panel, titled Two Faces, is attributed to Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. The German Expressionist painter and printmaker was one of the founders of the Die Brücke artist group.
Also of note is an oil on canvas painting attributed to Chile-based Abstract Expressionist Roberto Sebastián Antonio Matta Echaurren. Also known as Roberto Matta, the artist was an influential figure of the 20th century. The available painting exemplifies his Surrealist style. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Connoisseur’s Collection: March Sale, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.
From an early age, Louis Icart (French, 1888 – 1950) showed the potential of a great artist. Icart learned the techniques of 18th-century French masters like Jean-Antoine Watteau, Claude Monet, and Odilon Redon. Icart’s most famous paintings depict women in a sublime, sensual, and graceful way, often alongside pets. The facial expressions in his paintings are full of passion, dismay, or surprise. An oil on board painting by Louis Icart, titled Une Cigarette, is available in the upcoming Spring Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art. Dane Fine Art will also offer Flower Black and White by Andy Warhol, French Village 1 by Julian Opie, and Marilyn Monroe by Mr. Brainwash in this sale.
I Hate Art That Hangs From Ceilings by Walter Robinson is a notable acrylic on canvas work in the catalog. In the painting, a figure hangs by the neck on a rope from the ceiling alongside some hanging art, justifying the morbid title. The gray interior of the room contrasts with the colorful art and furniture in it. Robinson is a Neo-pop painter who captures commercialism and kitsch in the postmodern era. The artist wants his viewers to steer away from hard-wired, socially constructed responses and rather have individual responses to his art. Visit Bidsquare for more information on the upcoming Spring Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art and to browse other online auctions.
A rare Guan vase from the Southern Song dynasty (China, 1127 – 1279) will lead the upcoming J. J. Lally & Co. auction at Christie’s. This small, pear-shaped vase has a tall, cylindrical neck. It is pale-bluish-green suffused with a network of golden-brown crackles. Its dark body is revealed where the glaze runs thin, like the lipped mouth rim. Kiln factories producing Guan potteries were established in the Southern Song court around 1127. Their crackled glazes, created accidentally, distinguishes the surviving examples of Guan pottery. The finest examples have grey-blue glazes on thin bodies, with wide crackles, followed by a greener glaze with a denser crackle, like the available one.
A rare imperial gilt-bronze ritual bell from the Bian Zhong Kangxi period (circa 1713) is another key lot in the sale. Heavily cast in barrel form, the bell is decorated in high relief with horizontal bands of bosses alternating with the Daoist Trigrams flanking four vertical panels. One panel notes the reign date Kangxi wushier nian zhi, or ‘made in the fifty-second year of Kangxi.’ The flat top is surmounted by a suspension handle formed by two dragons. Zhong bells were developed in the Zhou dynasty (1046 – 256 BCE) and used in traditional ceremonies and special events. Visit Christie’s to find more information on the upcoming J. J. Lally & Co. sale and to register to bid.
