Two Great Themes of Art Nouveau

Sep 29,2016 | 18:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Two Great Themes of Art Nouveau

Frank Maraschiello at Rago discusses Art Nouveau in the upcoming 20th Century Auction taking place October 15th. The sale features rare Art Nouveau works by Agathon Léonard, François-Raoul Larche, Julien Caussé, and Louis Chalon. Watch the video below to see highlights and how these works illustrate two great themes of Art Nouveau: organic form and nature, and the female form.    

Three Reasons I Love Victorian Earrings

Sep 26,2016 | 16:00 EDT By Kaitlin Shinnick, Senior Specialist, Fine Jewelry

Three Reasons I Love Victorian Earrings

To most people the Victorian Era is known for the industrial revolution, social reform, and the Pax Britannica. For me, all those run a distant second to the Victorians greatest achievement: earring design. Victorian earrings are everything that I love about antique jewelry. Here are the three reasons why: 1. Motifs Victorians were endlessly inventive with their design motifs. If you can think of a subject matter, I could probably find you a pair of Victorian earrings. Flora, fauna, people, places, ancient civilizations - all could be found dangling from the ears of Victorian ladies. My favorites have always been the Ancient Egyptian inspired earrings. I especially love the ones that incorporate scarab beetles. In Skinners September 27 Fine Jewelry auction is a wonderful pair (Lot 195) that has both micromosaic and gold scarabs in each earr...Read More

Horst Rechelbacher, Founder of Aveda Corporation, Committed Environmentalist and Passionate Collector

Sep 23,2016 | 13:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Horst Rechelbacher, Founder of Aveda Corporation, Committed Environmentalist and Passionate Collector

A pioneer in plant-based personal care and aromatherapy, Horst M. Rechelbacher was a dynamic entrepreneur who excelled in several lifetimes of pursuits including artist, organic farmer, author, speaker and passionate collector. Born during WWII in Klagenfurt, Austria, Horst worked from the age of 14 in a small neighborhood salon. Undiagnosed dyslexia pushed him to become a creative thinker with a unique perspective for problem solving, leading him to become a hairdresser’s apprentice. Horst Rechelbacher Throughout the 1950s he won countless Junior Hairdressing Championships in Europe, followed by international awards that brought him to New York, Chicago and Minneapolis in his early twenties. After a traumatic car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Horst opened a salon to pay accrued hospital bills. One salon soon became three. In tandem, ...Read More

The Guitar That Held the Family Jewels

Sep 22,2016 | 10:00 EDT By Bidsquare

The Guitar That Held the Family Jewels

It would be easy enough, when viewing Lot 155 in Material Culture’s September Estates sale, to see nothing more than a 150-year-old guitar. Made by C.F. Martin between 1855 & 1866 in a New York Parlor style, and sold with its original coffin case, the piece is blessed with the timeless appeal and elegance that handcrafted instruments always seem to possess. Its no secret they get better with age. But a quick glance at the portrait being sold with the guitar offers insight into the instruments tragic and colorful past. Pictured is the original owner, Johnnie Campbell, who left his family plantation in Jackson, TN to fight with the Confederate Army in their battle to secede from the Union. That same year Campbell, just 16, was giving water to a Union soldier when he was struck and killed by a bullet from his own side. Yet the Martin guitar st...Read More

Absolutely Brilliant!

Sep 16,2016 | 16:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Absolutely Brilliant!

In the last quarter of the 19th Century America was experiencing a period of unprecedented prosperity and growth. Despite increased wealth and a steady stream of European craftsmen entering the country in order to provide goods and services, there was still significant bias for goods fabricated across the Atlantic. This tide changed after the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where makers of American cut glass showcased elaborate sets of cut glass in every conceivable shape, and with patterns quite different from their European counterparts. Record numbers of attendants arrived in Chicago by rail and were soon convinced that they should join their affluent neighbors in purchasing sets of cut glass from a domestic maker. True cut glass is hand decorated and consequently very expensive. It took time to make, which created great dema...Read More

Vintage Toys This September

Sep 16,2016 | 10:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Vintage Toys This September

Of all the fascinating categories out there in the collectibles market, none bring as much fun and enjoyment to their owners as vintage toys. With their irresistible blend of charm and nostalgia, they take us back to a time when manufacturers built things to last (yes, even toys!). No wonder then, that demand for vintage toys continues to be strong at auctions all over the world. On Saturday, September 24, Potter & Potter Auctions offers toy buffs a golden opportunity to add to their collections when they hold their Toys, Advertising & Coin–Op sale. Over 500 lots are set to go under the hammer, from a catalog that includes a wide assortment of motorcycle and automobile toys, mechanical and still banks, vintage ray guns, board games, pinball machines, fortune telling machines and vending machines, advertising signs, counter displays, slot ma...Read More

Pook & Pooks September Decorative Arts

Sep 10,2016 | 19:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Pook & Pooks September Decorative Arts

Collectors are set to break out of the summer slowdown with Pook & Pook’s two-day September Decorative Arts sale. Offering a combined total of over 1,200 lots, this two day sale is chock-full of a variety of unique items that are accessible to enthusiasts on any budget. This is an online only sale exclusive to Bidsquare, so kick back in the comfort of your own home and join the online auction! Lot 55 - four pieces of teepee pattern spatter, including a sugar bowl, a blue saucer, a red and a green plate  Wednesday, September 14 kicks off with a bang when over sixty lots of spatterware go under the hammer. A broad term for pottery with colors that look spattered or sponged onto its surface, it was first crafted in England around 1780, and is usually called spongeware in European circles. Country and folk items are set to shine in this auction...Read More

Autumn Asian Art Auctions

Sep 08,2016 | 16:50 EDT By Anthony Wu, Asian Art Specialist and Consultant

Autumn Asian Art Auctions

Next Week’s Asia Week events in New York City mark the unofficial start of the Fall Asian art season. With numerous sales occurring at the international auction houses, every collector, dealer and Asian Art lover is searching for the hottest new market trend. Not to be outdone, September marks the beginning of the Asian Art season for many American regional auction houses. Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina will be holding their Asian Art sale September 15-16. This auction includes 700 works of art from China, India and South East Asia. Of note is their extensive collection of Japanese artworks formerly from Commander USNR (Ret.) Wayne S. and Mrs. Lydia B. Shiver.  A Pair of Shrine Temple Carved Wood Shi-Shi Lions Japanese in Brunk Auctions September 15, 2016 auction This grouping contains porcelain, ceramics, woodblock prints and ...Read More

Diamonds and Sapphires in September at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Sep 05,2016 | 11:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Diamonds and Sapphires in September at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

When it comes to staging quality jewelry auctions, no name in the business is held in higher regard than Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Year in and year out, the Chicago-based auction house stages anticipated jewelry sales, with buyers from all points of the globe bidding on prized lots. Leslie Hindmans latest jewelry offering is set to kick off on Sunday, September 11, when they launch their two day Important Jewelry sale. Over 1,300 lots are set to go under the hammer. Below weve focused our attention on Day 1 of the sale, but rest assured, the catalog is strong from top to bottom, both Sunday and Monday, and competition is sure to be fierce.  Lot 67 promises to be one of the real highlights of the sale - a platinum and diamond graduated line necklace. Comprised of 88 exquisitely cut European diamonds, this vision of timeless elegance will d...Read More

Rich Artistic History in African Art at Leland Little

Aug 30,2016 | 17:00 EDT By Bidsquare

Rich Artistic History in African Art at Leland Little

Leland Little Auctions’ Fall sale is set down for Friday, September 9, and with nearly six hundred lots ready to go under the hammer, including jewelry, fine art, modernism, fine silver, Asian art, couture, Antique furniture and ceramics & pottery, demand is sure to be strong. Of special interest however, especially for collectors of indigenous art, are the 143 lots of African art sure to kick off the sale with a real bang. On offer is a stunning range of pieces from countries across Africa. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or looking to get started, this is a gilt-edged opportunity to savor the rich artistic history of the planet’s oldest continent. Africa’s history is the history of civilization, be sure to take a look! Lot 63 is comprised of two stunning bronze masks attributed to the Senufo people, a tribe of about one and a half mil...Read More