Contemporary Knots and Passionate Portraiture: Selections from Skinner Auctions

Jan 19,2017 | 19:00 EST By Jessica Helen Weinberg

Contemporary Knots and Passionate Portraiture: Selections from Skinner Auctions

Whether it rotates around a metal axis or hangs heavily on a wire, is made up of thousands of painted dots or only a handful of gestural strokes; this selection of artworks all exist in their individual glory, as well as a dynamic group of diverse styles, time periods and artistic introspection.  Skinner Auctions upcoming Fine Paintings & Sculpture sale on January 27 includes important Russian paintings, 17th and 18th Century Dutch works, 19th-Century American Landscapes, 20th-Century as well as Modern and Contemporary art. The following selection reflects the spirit of this catalog and its spectrum of distinguished artists.  Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin, Tour de Collioure, Oil on canvas, C. 1920 A mass of small, visible brush strokes dance around the landscape like a harmonious school of swimming sardines; Henri-Jean Guillaume depicts a mid...Read More

Designs Born on the Delaware

Jan 19,2017 | 14:10 EST By Jad Attal, Rago Specialist in 20th/21st Century Design

Designs Born on the Delaware

The Delaware River Valley, with its lush rolling hills and verdant forests, has long attracted artists and designers of the highest caliber. Situated along the Delaware River, Rago Auctions has enjoyed the privilege of seeing hundreds of exemplary works by these artists and craftsmen pass through their auction house. Rago’s Modern Design auction on January 22 continues this tradition, offering for sale over 50 works by Delaware Valley Modernists including George Nakashima, Phil Powell, Paul Evans and Wharton Esherick. Rago Auctions sat down with their 20th/21st Century Design Specialist, Jad Attal, to discuss a few of his favorite pieces. Lot 1012 – George Nakashima, Fine Minguren Coffee Table, Nakashima Studio, New Hope PA, 1987 Lot 1012 exhibits nearly every feature of a great George Nakashima creation. Made of rare and desirable English ...Read More

The Pleasure of Picasso

Jan 19,2017 | 09:00 EST By Bidsquare

The Pleasure of Picasso

Say what you like about Picasso, but you could never deny he was prolific. Widely regarded as one of the most influencial artists of the 20th Century, the diminutive Spaniard tried his hand at pretty much everything, from painting to sculpture, to printmaking and ceramics, even stage design and poetry. He co-founded the Cubist movement, invented constructed sculpture, co-invented collage, and produced a wide variety of styles that he continued to develop and explore throughout his life. Which all makes him infinitely collectible, for with so much inventory covering such a broad range of genres, Picasso remains attainable for fans at all price points. And that brings us to Friday, January 27, when Skinner Auctions stage their Fine Prints & Photographs sale, where a stunning array of Picasso pieces, including tiles, plaques, plates and vases ...Read More

Someone Pinch Us: George Ohr Takes Over at Rago Auctions!

Jan 15,2017 | 10:05 EST By Jessica Helen Weinberg

Someone Pinch Us: George Ohr Takes Over at Rago Auctions!

The first piece of advice I’ll give you is, you should probably move out of his way. The broad shouldered man hammering down the street with a wheelbarrow full of clay, rocking a marvelous 18-inch mustache, is none other than George Ohr - the self proclaimed “Mad Potter of Biloxi.” Should you wish to see where this strange, determined fellow is going, simply follow the river soaked tire tracks through the dusty streets of Biloxi, Mississippi into the year 1900. George Ohr, Wedging Clay in his Studio, Biloxi, MS; Wiki Tree.com He'll lead you to a five-story, hot pink, pagoda covered in haphazard signs, shouting out, “Get a Biloxi Souvenir, Before the Potter Dies, or Gets a Reputation!” or “Unequaled unrivaled—undisputed— Greatest Art Potter on the Earth!” Inside is George Ohr, America’s first studio potter, laboriously refining, shaping and ...Read More

Strike Gold with Morphy

Jan 12,2017 | 08:00 EST By Bidsquare

Strike Gold with Morphy

Aahhh gold. Everybody loves gold. Its bright and shiny, feels good in the hand, and is worth lots and lots of money. When paper wealth crumbles, as its likely to do every so often, theres gold standing tall, anchoring the economy, propping us up until the powers that be sort out their mess. No wonder its so beloved by Libertarian types, who fill backyard trenches and hidden compartments with as much of the stuff as they can get their hands on. Gold rules - gold is forever. On Thursday, January 19, bidders get the chance to build a cache of their own when Morphy Auctions stage their Premier Gold Rush sale. Sprinkled in amongst the 472 lots on offer is a mouth-watering array of gold bars and nuggets sure to dazzle. Whether you’re a wily investor, an Ayn Rand desciple or just looking for expensive paperweights, what a great place to go for gol...Read More

From Louis Vuitton to Louis XV

Jan 06,2017 | 17:10 EST By Bidsquare

From Louis Vuitton to Louis XV

There was a time, back before jets started circling the globe, when the romance of travel was delivered via sea voyages and trans-continental train journeys. And doing it well, in a style that brought the comforts of home along for the ride, meant travelers needed quality high-end luggage they could truly depend on. Sturdy, hand-crafted designs that could stand the rigors of being dragged over long distances for extended periods of time. On Friday, January 13, Skinner offers bidders a chance to do some luggage time travel when they stage Session II of their January European Furniture & Decorative Arts sale. Nestled in amongst 394 expertly curated lots on offer is a stunning range of vintage luggage sure to catch the eye of anyone with even the smallest travel bug. Talk of high-end luggage always begins with Louis Vuitton. Lewis Vuitton foun...Read More

A Visit Through The Old Print Shop: Q & A with Robert Newman

Dec 28,2016 | 16:00 EST By Jessica Helen Weinberg

A Visit Through The Old Print Shop: Q & A with Robert Newman

I turned the windy corner onto Lexington Avenue, anchoring my hat down and redirecting my scarf that blew itself straight out in front of me. Deciding to challenge the crosswalk signals, I shuffled to the other side at the 10 second mark and skipped onto the curb; I don’t want to be a minute late for my appointment with Robert Newman, the President of The Old Print Shop! Jutting out like a cast iron limb, the carved, black and white sign hanging from the facade of the building, filled me with the comforting thought that I would soon be sheltered from the cold and surrounded by the home and hearth of antiquities and rich conversation. Although the current location opened in 1925, The Old Print Shop was founded in 1898, by Edward Gottschalk, where it ran in the back of Wanamaker’s between 9th and 10th streets on Fourth Avenue. It was eventual...Read More

Five Things To Know About Ben Hur

Dec 07,2016 | 18:00 EST By Bidsquare

Five Things To Know About Ben Hur

When it comes to the golden age of Hollywood, no film stands taller than the historical epic, Ben Hur. Made with a record budget on the largest sets ever seen with thousands of extras, it went on to claim a record 11 Academy Awards and become, behind Gone With the Wind, the second highest grossing film to that time. On Friday, December 16, DuMouchelles takes a trip down Hollywoods memory lane when they offer props from the 1959 production of Ben Hur in their Antique Furniture & Fine Arts sale. And, with the less than enthusiastic response greeting this year’s high-tech remake, we thought it a good time to fill you in on few interesting facts concernng the groundbreaking MGM blockbuster. Lot 3 - a Roman style chariot - a great way to pick up your coffee of a morning... Fact 1: Charlton Heston was no where near director William Wylers first c...Read More

Business Booming at Shapiro Sale

Dec 04,2016 | 23:00 EST By Bidsquare

Business Booming at Shapiro Sale

Isador Kauffman is considered the most important Jewish artist of the 19th Century. Born in Hungary, he studied in Budapest and at Vienna’s imperial Academy of Imperial Arts. Kauffman was devoted to his art, with an especial fascination with his Jewish roots, and in 1894 began taking annual summer trips through Eastern Europe, attracted by regions where Jewish life and Jewish feeling vibrated most strongly. The life and work of Isador Kauffman comes under notice on Saturday, December 10 when Shapiro Auctions sell Lot 250 in their Important Fine Art & Antiques sale. Titled A Business Secret, it shows the artist’s mastery of line and color, and his keen eye for costume, interiors and architectural details. Note the painting will be sold at end of auction, no earlier than 5:25 PM NY Time, in order to sell after Shabbos ends in New York.  The s...Read More

Busquets Case

Nov 28,2016 | 09:10 EST By Bidsquare

Busquets Case

In its essence, Art Noveau was a reaction to the academic art of the 19th Century. Named for Siegfried Bings Maison de lArt Nouveau gallery and shop in Paris, it was inspired by natural forms and structures, particularly the curved lines of plants and flowers. It shaped art, architecture and applied art, and was big till around 1910, when it was gazumped by Art Deco. Among the leading proponents of Art Noveau furniture was the Catalan Joan Busquets. Trained in Barcelona at the Llotja School and in his familys upholstery and decorating workshop, Busquets took up the international Art Nouveau style just before 1900. For ten years he was one of the most prolific cabinetmakers of Catalan Art Nouveau, before abandoning it to reproduce styles from the past. On Friday, December 2, Rago will offer 11 lots by or attributed to the great Spanish craft...Read More