Pook & Pook’s Downingtown, Pennsylvania auction gallery teamed up with acclaimed antique toy expert Noel Barrett on December 4th for a fun Christmas Antique Toy Auction. Helping Santa and his elves again this holiday season is always a treat for the staff at Pook & Pook. Many passionate toy collectors attended the preview during the week leading up to the sale. While there was no live audience in the gallery, that didn’t stop bidders from actively pursuing their picks for the holiday season on the phones, via absentee in-house bidding, or online via Bidsquare. Friday’s sale came in above the high estimated total with a 97% sell through rate. The anticipated high interest in the pre-holiday sale came to fruition – a last minute decision to eliminate in-house live bidding for safety reasons didn’t deter bidders one bit. 

The diverse offerings typical of a Pook-Barrett auction were a tradition continued with this sale. The highlight of the sale was the holiday specific offerings including a wide variety of Christmas décor that started off the sale. Numerous German composition Belsnickel candy containers, German Father Christmas toys, Christmas trees, and ornaments were scattered throughout the first third of the auction. One stern faced German composition Belsnickle candy container almost doubled its high estimate bringing $2,318. A large German painted composition Santa Claus candy container measuring 18 ½” h., which was originally purchased from the toy giant FAO Schwarz over a century ago, ho ho ho’d its way to $2,440, four times its high estimate. Waving past all expectations was a special Dresden American Flag Christmas ornament bringing $6,710, a record for a Dresden ornament? It was one of numerous Dresden decorations offered, all of which did ornamentally well. A top Yuletide piece that crossed the block was a figural milk glass Santa Claus miniature oil lamp from the late 19th c. This unusual find came in at $2,318. For buyers who didn’t want the trouble of decorating their own tree this holiday season, several fully adorned feather trees were up for auction, the top examples bringing $3,416, $2,318, and $2,196. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and all of the other reindeer were pulling a sleigh of great prices. Eight composition reindeer candy containers came in at $2,440, over four times the high estimate, and five large Dresden reindeer Christmas ornaments came in at $1,464, well over its high estimate also. And finally a Hubley cast iron Santa with double reindeer pull toy dashed all the way to $1,464.

The iconic toy for under the Christmas tree has got to be a fire truck, and the Pook-Barrett team brought an incredible one to the auction block this time around. A mechanical model of a Knox fire truck from the turn of the century came in right at the higher end of its estimate at $7,930. A striding French Roulett & Decamps clockwork leopard measuring a fearsome 26” long with key-wind and nodding head action also realized within estimate at $3,416. A real surprise in the sale was a Reason Manufacturing Company The Flying Witches game. This unique item had no comparable examples to be found so it was given a conservative estimate of $400-600. Still in its original box, this sole example sported two crepe paper and painted tin witches riding brooms revolving around a pole topped with a crescent moon. The floor bidding started at $550, but in less than two minutes had climbed to realize $3,660. A group of miniature dollhouse accessories with exquisite detail came in at six times the high estimate at $3,172. One “shocker” according to Mr. Barrett was the Bliss paper lithograph alphabet chair that sung its way past what he believed to be a generous $200-300 estimate to $2,250. Some of the bidders apparently knew their ABC’s a bit better than expected. A Marx tin lithograph Flash Gordon Signal Pistol, with the original box that was in excellent condition, shot its way to over the top estimate bringing $1,250.

The highlight of the aeronautical toy collection of the late Harry Nowak was a Kenton Flying Boat with “FOKKER” lettering on the wings and nickel-plated wing-tip pontoons. This exciting one-of-a-kind piece was bid on 23 times before it finished at $6,100. A second plane also blew the top off its estimate. A brightly colored red and teal Hubley cast iron DO-X seaplane came in at $3,500, over four times the high estimate. The cast iron automotive toys kept coming down the chimney, including a number of excellent examples also from the Bill and Stevie Weart Collection, among them a group of colorful taxicabs and a nice example of a Hubley armored motorcycle. A highlight of the Weart Collection was a scarce Hubley cast iron Truk Mixer cement truck, with revolving drum, nickel plated tank, and an integral driver, which, even restored, still brought $4,148. A boxed Fred Thompson Smith Miller diecast Mack Auto Transport car carrier, no. C131/350, with six display vehicles in original boxes brought $2,000, which, according to Mr. Barrett, is $1,000 more than the one that sold last year, sans box. Those original boxes can really drive the price up! Additional iron automotive pieces included a group of colorful and finely crafted car models by Tom Selhoff. Even more iron in the sale comes from a small group of mechanical banks highlighted by a Darktown Battery Base Ball Bank in its original box, which brought $3,904. 

As popular as ever at the Pook-Barrett auctions are Baranger motions, colorful and cleverly electric animated window displays that were rented to small-town jewelry stores from the 1940s to ’60s. Five of them crossed the auction block on December 4th! The highlight, an incredible lovebird carnival display featuring a central Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a burger stand, all with lovebird couples and a placard that reads “You can be her Love Bird – Buy that Diamond Now,” realized $8,540. In total, five of these intricate displays crossed the auction block. 

Toys for well-behaved little boys and girls permeated the auction and continued to bring strong prices across the board throughout the day. Pook & Pook with Noel Barrett is currently searching for toys made between 1850 and 1950, as well as all manner of unusual objects including advertising signs, salesman samples, unique models, coin operated devices, and early store fixtures. To consign, email photos to [email protected] or [email protected] or call 610-269-4040 to speak with an appraiser. More information about this and other sales can be found online at www.pookandpook.com. Pook & Pook is located at 463 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335.

By Pook & Pook, Inc. With Noel Barrett Antiques & Auctions LTD

While each lot in An Important Bordeaux Collection is remarkable in their own right, here are a few selections that should not be missed.

Chateau Latour 1966 (5 bottles)

For a vintage largely overlooked, “[T]he 1966 Latour remains an exemplar of the vintage, certainly one of the best, if not the best Left Bank wine of the vintage,” (N. Martin for TWA, 96 pts. 10/16). In fact, 1966 was rated four stars in Michael Broadbent’s Vintage Wine who wrote “[O]ne of my favourite vintages which I have always described as a lean, long distance runner,” with the Latour as “the slowest maturing of all the ‘66s” and “a flavoury, beautifully textured wine, with time in hand.” (10/00)

Lot 1019, Estimate: $1,800-3,000. Lot details here.

Chateau Palmer 1961 (1 bottle)

Although many seemed surprised by the breakout performance by Chateau Palmer, praise was abundant upon release for this wine, catapulting this third growth to surpass many first growths in scores and price. But after nearly 60 years, the reviews remain firm and the wine has held up to the hype. Michael Broadbent compares 1961 to 1945 as two legendary vintages. After tasting two bottles in 2016 Neal Martin for TWA predicted the drinking window to extend until 2030 and bestowed it a perfect 100 points.

Lot 1067, Estimate: $3,000-4,000. Lot details here.

Chateau Laville Haut Brion 1981 (4 bottles) & 1982 (4 bottles)

Tasted by Skinner specialists, both vintages offer up lively freshness. The wines change tempo throughout the night making them enthralling to taste over a period of time. Although, if forced to choose between the two, specialist Anna Ward would pick the 1982 with its delicate yet complex lime oil and eucalyptus notes and a glycerin-like quality. A white wine for red wine drinkers, the herbaceous savoriness balanced by salinity and fruit is very appealing and cements these as true food wines. “The thought of pairing these wines with scallops makes my stomach grumble and my knees weak.” -APW

Lot 1086, Estimate: $300-500. Lot details here.

Lot 1087, Estimate: $600-1,000. Lot details here.

Chandon de Brailles Savigny les Beaune Les Fourneaux 1989 (10 bottles)

Neither a Grand Cru nor a producer heavily traded on the auction market, this wine has everything one loves about Burgundy. Notes of warm forest floor, the bloom of fresh mushrooms and racy cranberry accentuates the others. The delicacy of this Pinot stretches into a massive beast of a wine after a few hours, proving once again just how mischievous Pinot can be. An absolute pleasure to drink.

Lot 1113, Estimate: $450-700. Lot details here.

Ceretto Barolo Prapo 1985
Bruno Giacosa Gallina de Nieve 1985
Barolo Le Rocche di Castiglione Falletto 1982

A small, but no less significant representation in An Important Bordeaux collection is Piedmont and should not be passed over. Approachable vintages and price points offers all the glories of aged Nebbiolo, which takes wing when coming from a well-maintained cellar temperature. Give these lots of Ceretto Barolo Prapo 1985 (5 bts, $400-600), Bruno Giacosa Gallina de Nieve 1985 (2 bts, $500-750) and Barolo Le Rocche di Castiglione Falletto 1982, 4 bottles ($1,600-2,000) the attention they deserve.

Lot 1117, Estimate: $400-600. Lot details here.

Lot 1119, Estimate: $500-750. Lot details here.

Lot 1120, Estimate: $1,600-2,000. Lot details here.

Pop, Modern and Contemporary Highlights Include Works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Marcel Duchamp, Banksy, and Grayson Perry

Property from an Important Private Collection

Roy Lichtenstein

Reverie, from 11 Pop Artists, Volume II (C.38), 1965

Estimate £80,000 – 120,000

LONDON – 15 DECEMBER 2020 – Phillips is pleased to announce highlights ahead of the Evening & Day Editions auctions in London. Kicking off the season and the new year as the first auctions of 2021 and comprising 272 lots in total, the Evening & Day Editions auctions present exceptional examples of Pop, Modern and Contemporary editions as well as pieces from key periods of art history.For the first time in London Phillips will present a work from the sixteenth century, offering an iconic etching produced by Albrecht Dürer in 1513, Knight, Death and the Devil, which comes to auction this January amongst a selection of works from a distinguished private collection. The Day sale will take place at 12pm on Thursday 21 January with the Evening sale following at 6pm. 

Rebecca Tooby-Desmond, Specialist, Head of Sale and Auctioneer, said, “We are delighted to start a new year with our Editions auctions. Highlighting key moments from the history of Western printmaking, our sales present fresh-to-market works from a distinguished collection, with the rare inclusion of Albrecht Dürer alongside familiar modern and contemporary giants. A celebration of innovation through the ages, and with incredible variety, our auctions offer exciting opportunities to start or develop a rich collection, with the best examples from each period, curated side by side.”

A star of the Evening sale is Roy Lichtenstein’s iconic 1965 Reverie. A pioneer of the Pop Art movement, Lichtenstein was inspired by comic strips of the 1950s and 60s, German Expressionism and Art Deco. The present work is a signed screenprint traversed in unmistakable black outlines, Ben-Day dots and flat areas of vibrant colours. Additional leading lots include two screenprints in colour with diamond dust by Andy Warhol: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985and Mickey Mouse, from Myths, 1981.

Property from a Private London Collection

Andy Warhol

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, from Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985

Estimate £100,000 – 150,000

American heavyweights are also represented by Jasper Johns’ Flag I lithograph and Donald Judd’s Untitled woodcut in cadmium red with the rare application of hand-colouring.

Property from a Distinguished Private Collector

Jasper Johns

Flag I, 1960

Estimate £50,000 – 70,000

 Property from a Distinguished Private Collector

Donald Judd

Untitled, 1961-78

Estimate £35,000 – 45,000

Demonstrating his mastery of all print-making techniques, the Evening sale includes works by David Hockney from his elegant monochromatic lithograph and etching still lifes, to the iconic 1980s Pool made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book, from Paper Pools, through to his iPad illustrations of Yosemite. David Hockney made his mark as a pioneer of the British Pop movement and is known for his bright, cheerful works depicting pools and everyday scenes from his life in southern California. Following the sale of Hockney’s Nicholls Canyon in Phillips 20th Century & Contemporary December Evening sale in New York which made a world auction record as the highest price ever achieved for a landscape by the artist, Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book presents new and established collectors with the opportunity to own a distinctive work by one of the most versatile artists of the past century.

David Hockney

Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book, from Paper Pools, 1980

Estimate £15,000 – 20,000

A further highlight of the Evening sale is Allen Jones’ 1966 portfolio A New Perspective on Floors.  Since the early 1960s, Allen Jones has been a central figure of the British Pop art movement. The radical nature of his work became more distinct after he relocated to New York City in 1964. Jones’ A New Perspective on Floors depicts the female leg, an iconic and recurring theme throughout his work which connotes 1960s American advertisements and incorporates overtly sexualised visual language.

Allen Jones

A New Perspective on Floors, 1966

Estimate £15,000 – 20,000

Amongst the Modern editions to feature in this sale are a selection of works by Pablo Picasso, including two portraits of Dora Maar: Tête de Femme No. 5 and Tête de Femme No. 3 which come to auction this January from a distinguished private collection. Further Modern highlights of the Evening sale include three impressive etchings by Joan Miró and two Marcel Duchamp works, the iconic 1937 pochoir reproduction Nu déscendant un escalier No. 2, and a witty drypoint, L’Équilibre from 1958, which includes the artist’s booklet with a poem by Francis Picabia.

Property of a Distinguished Private Collector

Pablo Picasso

Tête de femme No. 5 (Head of a Woman No. 5): Portrait de Dora Maar, 1939-42

Estimate £30,000 – 50,000

Two rare-to-market Grayson Perry works continue the strong section of British works, including Animal Spirit, which Phillips will offer at auction in this large size for the first time. Also included is Perry’s first map produced in 2004, Map of an Englishman, which showcases the artist’s dissecting and investigative map series challenging British identity, religion, politics, stereotypes, and traditions through humour and irony. Map of an Englishman is juxtaposed here in an unexpected and seemingly timeless pairing alongside Albrecht Dürer’s 1513 engraving Knight, Death and the Devil. A rare 16th century offering at Phillips, Knight, Death and the Devil is an iconic tour de force of early printmaking from a distinguished private collection, alongside an exceptional selection of 20th century and contemporary editions also including, among others, Kiki Smith, Peter Doig, Donald Judd and the Modern Masters Pablo Picasso editions mentioned above and a Diego Rivera lithograph printed in 1932.

 Property of a Distinguished Private Collector

Grayson Perry

Map of an Englishman, 2004

Estimate £50,000 – 70,000

 Property of a Distinguished Private Collector

Albrecht Dürer

Knight, Death and the Devil, 1513

Estimate £20,000 – 30,000

Auction: 21 January 2021

Auction viewing: 14-21 January 2021

Location: 30 Berkeley Square, London

Click here for more information

The Timepieces and Innovationsthat Made Collectors Tick in 2020

“2020 has been a transformative year for the watch auction market, perhaps the most significant evolution since the emergence of the collecting category in the 1980s. We have embraced the unprecedented times to start reinventing the way we connect with the ever-growing number of collectors around the world. From the introduction of highly popular weekly sales and pioneering online auctions to the launch of a new Buy Now marketplace, this year has seen many innovations which, combined with unabated demand for exceptional timepieces, have contributed to set new benchmarks. These include online records and landmark prices for vintage pieces, independent watchmakers and exceptional pocket watches. As the year comes to a close, we look forward to continuing this journey with the watch community next year.”

Sam Hines, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Watches

Below is an overview of the key highlights, innovations and figures for this year.

THE YEAR IN FIGURES

Global Auction Sales total US$ 97.5 million so far this year, fuelled by online market transformation
Over 140 online sales realised US$ 47.4 million year-to-date – almost 8 times the number of sales and 5 times the value for 2019.

Record Year for Private Sales which havequadrupled in value and doubled in volume compared to last year.

Ever-increasing global demand
84 countriesfromacross the globe have taken part in our auctions
Strong activity from Asia, Europe, the US and the Middle East

Expanded Audience of Participants
· 50% of buyers new to the category, up 20% on last year
· Younger demographic: 40% of participants aged under 40

Confidence in Bidding Online Reaches New Heights
· 92% of the lots sold this year went to online buyers – up 60% last year
· The average price for watches sold online across all sales is up 50% compared to 2019 (now $21,000)
· Record for a watch sold online: US$ 1.5m for a Daytona JPS
· Two pioneering online sales dedicated to pocket watches (traditionally sold in live sales): 100% of the 249 lots sold for a combined total of US$ 9.1m

INNOVATIONS

Fresh Innovative Sale Formats
New online sale formats introduced this year: Watches Weekly sales (four sales a week run out of Hong Kong, New York, Geneva and London; single-lot sales to highlight the most special items; Sotheby’s Approved sales, featuring lots with an exclusive one-year warranty.

Expanded Sales Channels
The watch category has the highest number of transactions and traffic on Sotheby’s new Buy Now marketplace. Officially launched earlier this month, thisnew platform connects collectors with beautiful objects easily and quickly across the categories of fine jewels, contemporary art, collectible sneakers, watches, designer handbags, decorative objects, interiors and more. Buy Now meets the demand of our clients to buy and sell beyond the traditional auction calendar, offering a 24/7, 365-day access to an exceptional property mix of over 3,000 items.

Opening of new international gallery spaces this year with jewellery available for immediate purchase: Sotheby’s East Hampton gallery opened in the summer, followed by the launch of a 2,700 square foot gallery in Palm Beach last month. In September, a showroom also dedicated to direct purchases, was opened in our London New Bond Street galleries.

New Technology
· New, immersive digital catalogue experience showcasing a ‘digital-first’ design that emphasizes visual storytelling through video, interactive media, and other rich content formats in a way that moves beyond print media.
· Chat Function on sothebys.com piloted by the watch team, allowing clients to chat live with our specialists.
HIGHLIGHTS

TWO OF THE HIGHEST PRICES EVER PAID FOR A ROLEX DAYTONA

The most expensive watch sold in Asia in 2020
Third highest price achieved for a wristwatch in 2020
Record for an Automatic Daytona
A possibly unique Cosmograph Daytona, Reference 16516 platinum chronograph wristwatch with lapis lazuli hardstone dial, circa 1999, sold for HK$ 25.4m (US$ 3.3m) in Hong Kong in July (lot 2236, est. US$ 500,000 – 1m, pictured left).

Record for a Daytona JPS
Record for a watch sold in an online auction
Record for a wristwatch auctioned in the UK
An ultra-rare Rolex Daytona JPS reference 6264 in 18-carat gold soared to £1,215,000 ($1,545,723) in a single-lot online sale in July (est. US$ 400,000-800,000, pictured right).

HISTORIC BENCHMARKS FOR POCKET WATCHES

MASTERWORKS OF TIME – Historic Results for an Historic Collection
Concluding a year of historical results for pocket watches at Sotheby’s, the final two instalments of “Masterworks of Time” and the first online sales ever dedicated to world-class pocket watches – totalled US$9.1 million, with 100% of the 249 lots offered finding a buyer.

These results brought the final combined total for this landmark collection to US$24.9 million (est. US$ 15-27m). Unparalleled in its scope and comprehensiveness, this extraordinary ensemble of over 800 long-unseen pieces set a swathe of records in 2019-20, including for an English Watch, a timepiece by an independent watchmaker, a 17^th-century Watch and a pocket watch sold online.

Record for a pocket watch sold in an online auction
The top lot of the ‘Masterworks of Time’ sale was the Dent ‘Ultra Complication’, one of the most sophisticated watches ever made, which eclipsed its pre-sale estimate to sell for US$ 832,240 / CHF 800,000 (Lot 34, est. CHF 300,000-500,000, illustrated right).

Record for a Tourbillon by Abraham-Louis Breguet
King George III’s Tourbillon watch – one of the most important watches created by Abraham-Louis Breguet – sold for £1.6m ($2m) in London in July. Lot 28 in the ‘Collection of a Connoisseur’ sale, the gold four-minute tourbillon watch was secretly sold to the King of England in 1808, in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars (est. £700,000-£1,000,000 (US$ 895,000-1.3m).

INDEPENDENT WATCHMAKERS HIGH IN DEMAND

Record price for a non-limited production Philippe Dufour Simplicity
Record for a 34mm Philippe Dufour Simplicity
A Number 100 platinum wristwatch, made in 2005 soared to HK$ 5.1m / US$662,700 in Hong Kong in October (Lot 2152, est. US$205,000 – 310,000, pictured right)

An F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance, circa 2002 with power reserve indication and brass movement realised CHF 239,400 (US$ 261,386) in Geneva in November (Lot 31, est. US$ 55,000 – 110,000, pictured left)

Winning watch from the Ressence and Sotheby’s #Watchagainstcovid19 Design Competition
The unique Ressence Type 1 Slim’Ayrton & Finlay’ sold to an online bidder for HK$375,000 / US$ 48,386 in Hong Kong in July, with proceeds supporting the Covid-19 Research Programme being run by KU Leuven University in Belgium (pictured right). More here.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Made in 1981, a Patek Philippe Fourth Series Ref. 2499 signed by Tiffany – only the second known – fetched US$818,600 in New York in December (lot 33, est. US$ 500,000 – 800,000). The watch came from the collection of American Collectors Barbara and Ira Lipman.

The Cartier rectangular Ecran Mystery clock, circa 1926 tripled its pre-sale estimate and sold for US$ 564,500 in New York in December (lot 93, est. US$ 100,000-200,000)

EXCEPTIONAL COMBINED SELL-THROUGH RATE OF 88%50% OF ALL SALES EXCEEDED HIGH ESTIMATES

FORMIDABLE RESULTS ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES

34 World Auction Records Across Art And Luxury

Strong Prices And Sell-Through Rates For Standout Pieces Across Luxury Categories

All Major Single-Owner Collections 100% Sold

Modern And Contemporary Art Achieved The Highest Total For Any Auction House In Asia This Year

New Price Benchmarks Set For Modern And Contemporary Masters

Christie’s Hong Kong Cements Status As A Global Platform For 20th And 21st Century Art

DIGITALLY ENGAGED GLOBAL PARTICIPATION

Global Buying From 34 Countries

Over 20% of Buyers New to Christie’s

35% YOY Increase In Online Registrants

A New Generation Of Collectors – 20% Were Millennials Buyers

Over 500,000 Global Viewers Tuned In Live To Follow Our Evening Sale

Francis Belin, President, Christie’s Asia Pacific commented, “Despite some of the ongoing challenges from the pandemic, we united with global collectors through all conceivable channels, fully leveraging our enhanced digital capabilities to establish a landmark moment in the art world. The passion and depth of bidding throughout the season was a sight to behold, as our clients responded fervently to our expertly curated sales, which continue to expand and define the future of art collecting in Asia. With the wave of auction records broken across art and luxury and the new milestones achieved for 20th and 21st Century art, we are thrilled to further cement Christie’s Hong Kong’s status as the leading international platform for global collecting.”

HIGHLIGHTS by CATEGORY

Post-sale press releases for each category can be downloaded here

The Wedgwood factory’s beginnings coincided with discovering the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the blossoming of the neoclassical style based on the architecture, art, and artifacts revealed through archaeological excavations. British travelers to the Continent in the 18th century experienced firsthand the excitement of discovery and brought antiquities, reproductions, and artwork home to adorn their residences and museums.

The collections of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan pottery of the British envoy to the King of the Two Sicilies, William Hamilton (1730-1803), were published, with Wedgwood receiving an advance copy in 1766. The lavishly illustrated folios inspired Wedgwood’s ceramic design. Factory artisans produced wares with encaustic decoration that used red enamel colors to imitate the ancient Greeks’ and Romans’ red-figure painting (patented in 1769) of humans, mythological activities, and highly stylized ornamentation. The forms often paid tribute by imitating their antique predecessors. Vessels used to store, mix, or serve wine and water; amphorae, kraters, hydria, and more.

700 Artworks Spanning 800 YearsStar Works by Botticelli and Rembrandt from New York auction in January to join line-up*Exhibition Opens 5 December*34-35 New Bond Street, W1A 2AA

With Sotheby’s poised to re-open the doors once more onto its galleries in New Bond Street in London, this winter season’s series of Old Master and Treasures sales will showcase works by some of history’s most famous artists, including Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt. From paintings to prints, to sculpture and drawings, these artworks will go on view alongside unique and extraordinary objects encapsulating the history of patronage and collecting over the centuries.

Alongside these 700 artworks spanning 800 years, two paintings from our sale of Old Masters in New York in late January 2021 will be unveiled in our London galleries as part of the pre-sale exhibition. Sandro Botticelli’s Young Man Holding a Roundel – the ultimate Renaissance portrait and a true beauty of the ages, and one of the greatest Renaissance paintings remaining in private hands – is estimated to sell in excess of $80 million.

It will be joined by Abraham and the Angels, a rare biblical scene by Rembrandt measuring just 6½ by 8⅜ inches (16 x 21cm) – a profoundly beautiful, gem-like painting on panel from 1646 that stands among the finest works by the artist ever to come to auction. The masterpiece was studied for months by the late British artist, Lucian Freud, a few years before his death, with the intention of making an etching inspired by the painting. Freud abandoned the print, remarking that he could not improve upon what Rembrandt had done. Last appearing at auction in London in 1848, when it sold for £64, this small-scale masterpiece is now returning to the block with an estimate of $20-30 million.

Visit Sothebys.com for opening times.

London Old Master Evening Sale, 10 December

The Evening sale of Old Masters on 10 December offers a strong selection of 17^th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, including masterpieces by the titans of the Golden Age. David Teniers the Younger’s The Wine Harvest is one of the largest and finest works he ever painted and, from the collection of the Viscounts Gage, it comes to the market for the first time in well over 200 years (est. £3,000,000-5,000,000).

The sale features two early works by the great Jacob van Ruisdael, the most important and influential Dutch landscape painter of the 17^th century, including his moving, early masterpiece Landscape with a cottage and stone bridge under a cloudy sky which last appeared in 1840 (est. £800,000-1,200,000). Offered alongside River landscape with farmhouses and a dovecote upon a high bank by pioneering naturalistic artist, Jan van Goyen, the works featured in the sale form an encyclopedic survey of 17^th-century Dutch landscape painting and beautifully evoke the changing light and atmosphere of the Netherlands at different times of the day. The sale is further distinguished by Jan Steen’s wonderfully optimistic The Dancing Couple (est. £1,000,000-1,500,000).

Unusually, this season’s sale will also feature British portraits from each of the 16^th to the 19^th centuries by masters including Sir Thomas Lawrence (Portrait of Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor, est. £150,000-200,000), respected as the finest portrait painter of his day; Hans Eworth, whose portrait of Joan Thornbury (est. £400,000-600,000) includes a memento mori vanitas unusual of English art in this period; a magnificent portrait of the Earl of Chesterfield painted by Sir Peter Lely (est. £150,000-200,000) at the height of his career, and a painting of Thomas Orde in Rome on the Grand Tour by Pompeo Batoni (est. £300,000-400,000), which is considered among the finest of the artist’s portraits.

Treasures and Decorative Arts

Turning to our annual Treasures sale on 10 December, now in its eleventh edition, an exciting array of pieces includes a Regency bookcase from Devonshire House incorporating a concealed door through which George IV used to go through to visit his mistress Mrs. Fitzherbert in the next room, and a highly important and rare Fabergé varicolored gold-mounted nephrite desk set formerly in the collection of the King of Egypt.

Leading a group of historical Nelson related objects is a fine painted silk hatchment from the Vice Admiral Viscount’s state funeral carriage, which was made in 1805 and glimpsed by the public on 9 January the following year, when the coffin carrying the body of the nation’s hero made its way from Admiralty to St Paul’s Cathedral with an escort of 10,000 soldiers (est. £30,000-50,000).

A special single-owner sale, A Treasury of Vertu on 10 December offers 37 lots that together tell a veritable history of the gold box, and the limitless inventiveness of goldsmiths, lapidaries and enamellers. Hailing from an impressive private collection, these precious objects have in many cases only been known to academics through literature and illustrations in sale catalogues of the most prestigious historical auctions. The sale includes a menagerie of snuff boxes, from black Jasper boars and turtles to colourful carved hardstone beetles and ladybirds attacking an onyx fly.

Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art

The selection of outstanding sculptures on display in the galleries is led by Willem Danielsz. van Tetrode’s dramatic and ambitious bronze, Neoptolemus and Astyanax, directly inspired by a monumental antique marble from the Farnese collection (Treasures sale, est. £400,000-600,000). Autograph bronzes by the artist are rarely seen on the market, making the appearance at auction of this exceptional example – depicting an episode from the Trojan Wars – a luxury object fit for a collector of sophistication and erudition.

A poignant aspect of the Old Master Sculpture and Works of Art auction (24 November – 5 December)are the lots which have been returned to the heirs of Jewish collectors whose collections were stolen by the Nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s. The sale includes two works owned by one of the greatest 20^th-century art collectors, Jakob Goldschmidt – whose 1958 auction of Impressionist pictures at Sotheby’s in London remains one of the defining moments of art market history – including a beautiful Italian Renaissance relief attributed to Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439-1501) of the Madonna and Child among Clouds, made circa 1480-90 (est. £40,000-60,000).

Originally serving as a container for holy water, an extremely rare Romanesque situla from the first half of the 12^th century, thought to be among the earliest examples of its kind, once formed part of the collection of Emanuel Vita Israel, one of the foremost Jewish art collectors in Amsterdam (est. £30,000-50,000).

Small Wonders: Early Gems and Jewels

A sale of Small Wonders: Early Gems and Jewels (27 November – 10 December) is distinguished by an exceptional 13^th-century cameo representing the ascension of the prophet Elijah to heaven (est. £120,000-180,000). One of the most significant medieval glyptics to have appeared at auction in a generation, and one of a handful of 13^th-century engraved gems with Hebrew inscriptions carved in the court of Frederick II, King of Sicily and Holy Roman Emperor, this enchanting and mysterious cameo was previously recorded in the Imperial Treasury of the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperors.

Old Master Prints

Our inaugural Old Master Prints sale (26 November – 7 December) comprises several of most sought-after graphic subjects by Albrecht Dürer, Hendrick Goltzius and Rembrandt. Property from an Important Private American Collection includes four of Dürer’s most revered prints, subjects that are also considered to be incontestable masterworks of Renaissance printmaking: St Eustace, Melencolia I, St Jerome in His Study, and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. St Eustace (est. £300,000-500,00), Dürer’s largest engraving, is also one of his most coveted – since its execution in 1501, it has been held up as an exemplar of the artist’s virtuosity as a printmaker. (Available to view by appointment until 7 December.)

VIEW FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

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An important documentary Du Paquier two-handled ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1735-40
Fine European Ceramics Including the Heinrich Rothberger Collection
3 Dec 2020
London, New Bond Street
An important documentary Du Paquier two-handled ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1735-40
The Heinrich Rothberger Collection, featuring an impressive selection of fine antique porcelain – stolen by the Nazis in 1938 and only returned to the family from 2003 onwards – was 100% sold at Bonhams’ Fine European Ceramics sale in London on Thursday 3 December. One of the highlights of the sale was an extremely rare Vienna model of an elephant, circa 1750, which sold for £121,500 against an estimate of £10,000-15,000. The 26-lot collection made a total of £979,309.

Other highlights of the collection included:
• A Du Paquier food warmer and cover, circa 1730. Sold for £169,000. Estimate: £50,000-70,000.
• A Du Paquier Tobacco Box and Cover, Circa 1730. Sold for £112,750. Estimate: £20,000-30,000.
• An Important Documentary Du Paquier Two-Handled Ecuelle, Cover and Stand, Circa 1735-10. Sold for £112,750. Estimate: £100,000-150,000.
• A Du Paquier Armorial Vase, Circa 1730-35. Sold for £106,500. Estimate: £60,000-80,000.
• A Du Paquier Bourdaloue, Circa 1735. Sold for £106,500. Estimate: £30,000-50,000.

Bonhams Director of European Ceramics, Sebastian Kuhn, said; “Heinrich Rothberger had a wonderful appreciation of Viennese porcelain and assembled an astonishing collection. The long struggle to obtain restitution is an all too familiar story, yet this at least is one which has a very positive outcome. The appearance on the market of these remarkable pieces clearly excited collectors, and we are very pleased they achieved such impressive results – with many far exceeding their estimates.”

All lots were acquired by either museums, institutions, or important private collections, with important pieces now finding a new home at The Princely Collections, Liechtenstein.

Click here to read Philippe Sands’ piece about the Rothberger Collection in Bonhams Magazine

The 213-lot Fine European Ceramics Sale as a whole made a total of £1,703,153

An Extremely Rare Vienna Model of an Elephant, Circa 1750. Sold for £121,500. Estimate: £10,000-15,000.

Other highlights of the Fine European Ceramics Sale included:

• A Very Rare Meissen Underglaze-blue-ground Beaker and Saucer, Circa 1722-23. Sold for £62,750.
• A Very Rare Meissen ‘chinoiserie War-chess’ Set, Late 18th Century. Sold for £37,750.
• A Meissen Figure of St. John Nepomuk, Circa 1731. Sold for £56,500.

Phillips’ New Now Auction will Feature 10 Works to Benefit the Yinka Shonibare Foundation

Artists Who Have Donated Works Include Claire Barclay, Olafur Eliasson, Antony Gormley, Chantal Joffe, Jason Martin, Conrad Shawcross, Yinka Shonibare, David Shrigley, Wolfgang Tillmans and Kara Walker

Marking the Final Auction of the Year, the Works will be Offered in London on 15 December

Left

Yinka Shonibare

Bird, 2019

Estimate: £40,000 – 60,000

Right

Antony Gormley

STAY 1 (MEME) II, 2018

Estimate £60,000 – 80,000

LONDON – 2 DECEMBER 2020 – Phillips has partnered with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation to offer a selection of works in the London New Now auction on 15 December. Proceeds from the sale of these works will directly benefit the Foundation which focuses on hosting and supporting artist residencies, education, and professional development programmes in the UK and Nigeria. Ten contemporary artists including Claire Barclay, Olafur Eliasson, Antony Gormley, Chantal Joffe, Jason Martin, Conrad Shawcross, Yinka Shonibare, David Shrigley, Wolfgang Tillmans and Kara Walker have generously donated works to be offered at auction in aid of the Foundation. The selection notably includes rare to market works such as  Antony Gormley’s 2018 STAY 1 (MEME) II and Yinka Shonibare’s 2019 Bird which comes from Shonibare’s body of quilt works which have never before been shown in London and will be launched in the New Now auction this December.

Simon Tovey, Head of New Now, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, said “Phillips is very proud to partner with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation to present this unique selection of works in the New Now auction on 15 December. The proceeds raised from the sale of these works will aid fundraising and strategic support for artist residencies, education, and professional development programmes in Lagos, Nigeria, amongst other initiatives. It is remarkable to think about how much the world has changed over the past year and how much we have learned to support one another. For the art market we hope that this is a new chapter where there is a greater engagement and perhaps an even bigger sense of community. We look forward to presenting collectors with the opportunity to participate in this important initiative to engage with this exceptional selection of rare works.”

Yinka Shonibare, CBE (RA), said “We are delighted to have such a well-established and important auction partner supporting the Foundation and deeply grateful to the contemporary artists that have joined us in our efforts by generously donating their work. It is our hope that the New Now auction this December will raise much needed funds to support emerging African and African Diaspora artists, giving them the valuable time, space and logistical support to develop their work amongst local and international peers and mentors in the UK and Nigeria.  International exchange has a very strong value, especially in a world where there’s a great deal of conflict. We believe that going to see other cultures, and being creative with other cultures, is really a very positive way forward. It can be a true vehicle for social change. The selection to be offered in the  New Now auction this December marks a significant first stage in our partnership with Phillips as we look ahead to future collaborations in support of the artist residency project.”

Auction: 15 December 2020

Auction viewing: 9 – 15 December 2020

Location: 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX

Join Us Monday, December 7, 2020

7PM ET

Join us for a lively conversation between Swann Director of African American Art, Nigel Freeman, and the artist Bisa Butler, whose recent exhibitions and exceptional body of work make her one of the most exciting young artists to gain prominence in the last few years.

About the Speakers

Bisa Butler

Formally trained, Bisa Butler graduated Cum Laude from Howard University with a Bachelor’s in Fine Art degree. It was during her education at Howard that Butler was able to refine her natural talents under the tutelage of lecturers such as Lois Mailou Jones, Elizabeth Catlett, Jeff Donaldson and Ernie Barnes. Butler then went on to earn a Masters in Art from Montclair State University in 2005. While in the process of obtaining her Masters degree Butler took a Fiber Arts class where she had an artistic epiphany and she finally realized how to express her art. “As a child, I was always watching my mother and grandmother sew, and they taught me. After that class, I made a portrait quilt for my grandmother on her deathbed, and I have been making art quilts  ever since.”

Bisa Butler was a high school art teacher for 10 years in the Newark Public Schools and 3 years at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey. Butler’s work is currently the focus of a solo exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, the second stop of a traveling exhibit which began at the Katonah Museum of Art. The Toledo Museum of Art is also currently exhibiting Butler’s work in a group show. She is represented by the Claire Oliver Gallery of New York. Butler’s work has been acquired by many private and public collections including The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, The Nelson-Adkins Museum, The Kemper Museum of Art, The Orlando Museum of Art, The Newark Museum, The Toledo Museum of Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Photo by Bolu Gbadebo.

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Nigel Freeman

Nigel Freeman is the director of the African-American Fine Art department at Swann Auction Galleries. He founded the department in the fall of 2006, and since then has set numerous auction records for important African-American artists, including John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Beauford Delaney, Sargent Johnson, Hughie Lee-Smith, Faith Ringgold and Carrie Mae Weems. Many were the result of significant institutional purchases. The department has also held the single-owner auctions of the estate of Dr. Maya Angelou and the collections of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Johnson Publishing Company, Swann’s first white glove auction. Swann is the only major auction house with a department dedicated to African-American Fine Art.

Outside of Swann, Nigel is a print appraiser on the PBS television show Antiques Roadshow. He has lectured on the subject of African-American art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, the Studio Museum in Harlem and the South Side Community Art Center in Chicago. He has also been interviewed by such magazines as The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Art+Auction, Art and Antiques, The Art Newspaper and on the BBC and National Public Radio.

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