The upcoming Akiba Antiques The Final Touch sale will particularly highlight a Cartier nail ring composed of 18-karat rose gold with diamond insets. First created as a bracelet, the Juste un Clou (Just a Nail) design originated in 1970s New York. The design emphasized boldness and a commitment to pure form, creating a perfect circle by joining a nail’s head to point. The available nail ring features small divets near the circular head. Also notable in this sale is a selection of couture and fine watches. Leading these items is an Owen Barry lambskin and leather overcoat with a fur accent around the neck and cuffs. The British luxury leather manufacturer is particularly renowned for its handbags, accessories, and outerwear.
A large Manuel Mendive mixed media painting will come to auction this October as well. Executed in 2000, this work is titled El Pajaro Azul and depicts a bird-tree creature hovering above rippling waves. Bright blue cloth forms the body of this creature, while sewn-on shells and fabric scraps give it depth and texture. Rounding out the catalog are antique swords, fine vases and pottery from Lalique, and French Louis XV-style wood furniture. Visit LiveAuctioneers to view the complete catalog and register to place a bid.
The Apollo 11 mission with Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, Jr. was a massive moment in space history. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon. However, in most of the images, he’s either partially visible or appears as a reflection; Armstrong had the camera with him and hence most of the photos show Buzz Aldrin. There is only one clear image showing Armstrong with his back to the camera. This historic photograph by Aldrin is a key highlight of the upcoming vintage photographs auction, presented by Wright. Printed in 1969, this is a large format vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based matte Kodak paper. It is a frame from the panoramic sequence taken by Aldrin from the rim of Double Crater.
Another noteworthy image available in the sale is The Blue Marble, the first human-clicked image of the full Earth. The iconic photo was shot through an 80mm lens. It is attributed to Harrison Schmitt, who photographed most of the images of Earth on the way to the Moon. Based on the mission transcripts, there is also a possibility that Ronald Evans clicked it. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Wright.
The most unifying factor of this upcoming single-owner auction of Native American artifacts, offered by Bonhams, is the interests of the featured collector, Roy H. Robinson. Though Robinson and his family were established residents of New Mexico, his collection highlights the artistry of Native peoples across the country. This includes a diverse selection of weavings such as a group of twined bags by the people of the Great Lakes region, several early finger-woven sashes from the Eastern Woodlands, and over 100 weavings from the American Southwest.
Additional lots of note from the sale include a Lakota fully beaded dress that was likely once worn by Jenny Yellow Elk Woman; a Diné classic child’s serape with cream, indigo blue, and lac-dyed red yarns; and a Flathead spontoon tomahawk with beaded drop attributed to Many Bears. Collectors can also consider illustrated drawing books, examples of Lakota and Apsáalooke beadwork, historic pottery and jewelry, moccasins, dolls, pipes, bowls, musical instruments, and weapons. View any of these lots and register to bid by visiting Bonhams.
Henri-Théodore Fantin-Latour made a name for himself in 19th-century England for his flower still lifes. He worked in a soft, Impressionistic style that drew lessons from the Old Master paintings hanging in the Louvre. An oil on canvas painting by Fantin-Latour depicting the Greek transformation myth of Daphne and Apollo will soon come to auction with NY Elizabeth. Using dark shades and tight brushstrokes, Fantin-Latour depicted a brief moment of contact before Daphne transformed into a laurel tree at the river’s edge.
This sale showcases fine examples of British fine art from across the centuries. Styles represented in the catalog range from Impressionism and Classicism to stern portraits and sweeping landscapes. Collectors interested in religious art can consider a 17th-century Dutch painting showing the marriage of the Virgin Mary. Its style closely resembles the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens. Joseph stands in the center of the frame, accompanied by a white-clad Mary, while cherubs toss down flowers from above. Additional lots of note include a 19th-century portrait of Irishman Henry Gordon Evans by Frederick, Lord Leighton, a Russian Impressionist twilight scene by Alexandr Moravov, and a circular portrait of two young girls by English painter Frank Salisbury. To view the complete catalog and browse other online auctions, visit Bidsquare.
Yoruba and Dogon tribal sculptures are available in the upcoming Connoisseur’s Collection: African Tribal Art sale, presented by 500 Gallery this October. The Yoruba people, one of Nigeria’s three main ethnic groups, are renowned for being among Africa’s most skilled craftspeople. A sculpted House Post with Queen created by the Yoruba people in the early 20th century is available in the sale. The wooden carving is made to be placed as a stand at an entryway. The main figure is a queen surrounded by children and musicians seated on a decorated stool. The bottom half shows guards standing at the front and back holding a staff as if both welcoming guests and guarding the occupants.
Another artwork available in the upcoming sale is an African tribal Dogon equestrian sculpture. It was carved by the Dogon ethnic group of the central plateau region of Mali. The 19th-century carved hardwood sculpture depicts two riders on a horse. As horses have been scarce in Dogon country, the equestrian monument is used as a symbol to represent powerful individuals or those who aspire to achieve such status. Find many other tribal artworks, browse online auctions, and register to place a bid on Bidsquare.
Several Patek Philippe and Omega watches, including a Patek Philippe Nautilus and an Omega Seamaster, will be offered in the upcoming Watches auction, hosted by Rago. Patek Philippe is considered one of the most esteemed and prominent watch manufacturers in the world. Among the most notable watches produced by the Swiss company is its Nautilus line. These luxury sport timepieces were created by Gérald Genta in 1973, made their first appearance in 1976, and are still being manufactured today.
Rago will present a Patek Phillipe Nautilus (Ref. 3800/1) men’s wristwatch in this auction. The watch has a 37-millimeter 18-karat yellow gold case with a cream-colored dial attached to an 18-karat yellow gold bracelet. The watch features an automatic movement, a centrally located second hand, and a date function. More luxury watchmakers, such as Omega, Rolex, Breguet, and Bulova, will also be represented in the sale. Visit Rago for a comprehensive catalog and to place a bid.
The post-Civil War period witnessed growth in American church construction and refurbishing. Louis Comfort Tiffany established the Ecclesiastical Department at Tiffany Studios during this period. The department dealt with increasing church ornamentation orders utilizing leaded glass for windows. The upcoming Freeman’s auction presents three windows by Tiffany Studios for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The highly-valued Passionflower, Iris, and Mock Orange landscape window consists of two arches, vent panels, and a rounded window. The opalescent glass window features an exquisite color balance. It also depicts extensive textures and leaded ripples. The other two memorial windows are titled Boy Christ in the Temple and The Good Samaritan.
Another highlight of this sale is a Minguren I coffee table by furniture maker George Nakashima. Nakashima’s furniture is notable for showcasing the organic beauty of wood. Nakashima often selected wood pieces revealing grain structures, burls, and knots. The available coffee table from the Minguren series utilizes buckeye maple burl and American black walnut. The Minguren furniture collection celebrates the Japanese artisans who invented the style. The auction also presents a Conoid dining table and six dining chairs. These pieces utilize single boards, and their designs complement the wood structure. The auction also offers Lucie Rie and Jennifer Lee stoneware, Harry Bertoia sculptures, and Samuel Yellin wrought iron studies. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online by visiting Freeman’s.
In 1984, British actress Jane Birkin was on a flight from Paris to London. Coincidentally, she was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, Executive Chairman of Hermès. When the contents spilled from her bag in the overhead compartment, she complained of its inadequacy. Dumas instantly sketched a rectangular roomy hold-all with a glossy flap, saddle stitching and space for baby bottles. That’s how the famous Birkin bag was born. A shiny black and orange H Niloticus crocodile Birkin 30 with ruthenium hardware is a key highlight of the upcoming auction at Christie’s. This supple-yet-textured bag is one of the limited pieces produced by Hermès annually. The 30 cm (w) by 22 cm (h) by 15 cm (d) Birkin comes with a dustbag. Another noteworthy Hermès bag is a vert anis ostrich sellier Kelly 32 with gold hardware. Comprising a shoulder strap, the bag is designed with clean, structured lines.
A pair of white gold aquamarine earrings from circa 1955 leads the jewelry listings. The tops are fashioned with calibré and pear-shaped aquamarines, round and baguette-cut diamonds, and round and cabochon-cut sapphires. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Christie’s.
American pop music culture surged in popularity and reached its creative pinnacle in 1975. In that year, music artists including John Denver and Michael Martin Murphey delivered a string of hits. Murphey’s song “Wildfire” became the highest-charting pop hit in the USA. Julien’s Auctions is now offering a black Yamaha acoustic guitar that carries Michael Murphey’s handwritten ‘Wildfire’ lyrics. Enclosed in a hard black case, the song title comes in large block lettering with the exclusive signature of the artist. The song lyrics in gold marker are engraved on the upper and lower bout of the guitar body.
Another lot of interest is an Epiphone acoustic guitar with handwritten ‘Peter Pan’ lyrics by country pop singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. “Peter Pan,” the third single from Ballerini’s debut studio album The First Time (2015), was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song remains the biggest-selling single of Ballerini’s career. A sheet of lyrics of Walker Hayes’ hit song “Fancy Like,” signed and handwritten by Hayes, and a white George Strait Signature Resistol cowboy hat with handwritten lyrics for “Blue Clear Sky” by songwriter Bob DiPiero are other interesting items on the sale. Visit Julien’s Auctions to browse the full catalog and register to place a bid.
Herend’s famous fishnet porcelain first started as an experiment. By the 1830s, the Hungarian porcelain company was well-established as a trusted partner of the European royalty. The company soon counted Queen Victoria among its patrons. In 1858, an artist at Herend noticed a fish scale design on a Chinese plate and wondered if the pattern could also effectively represent feathers on a rooster figurine’s breast. While it was an imperfect match, the “fishnet” look quickly exploded in popularity, becoming one of Herend’s most iconic designs. A notable Herend signed fishnet elephant figurine is among the top lots of SJ Auctioneers’ upcoming autumn sale. Collectors of glass and porcelain can also consider a signed Steuben Aurene art glass vase and glasswork from Daum.
A selection of vintage and antique toys also leads the listings. These items include a Lionel train set with four add-on cars and a Dinky Toys gift set of five colorful racing cars. The available Lionel set is a 384e Blue Comet inspired by the real-life Blue Comet passenger train operated between the New York metropolitan area and Atlantic City in the 1930s. The Dinky cars set includes a reproduction box and a helpful reference book. To view the complete auction catalog and place a bid, visit LiveAuctioneers.
