Sep 17,2025 | 11:45 EDT By Casey Gresham
On September 18, 2025 at 10am, STAIR presents Recollections: The Chinese Porcelain Company, a single-owner auction celebrating the enduring taste and influence of The Chinese Porcelain Company and its founders, Khalil Rizk and Pierre Durand. Founded in 1984, The Chinese Porcelain Company quickly rose to the pinnacle of New York’s art and antiques world. With a focus on quality above all else, the gallery offered a refined mix of Old Master paintings, European furniture, Venetian glass, contemporary artisan-designed objects, and Asian works of art. Rizk and Durand’s discerning eye and flair for presentation made the gallery not just a mercantile enterprise but a world of elegance and refinement; a vision that continues to resonate with collectors today. Interior designer Robert Couturier recalls his early encounters with Khalil Rizk: “Khalil...Read More
Sep 17,2025 | 11:00 EDT By Casey Gresham
Few weaving traditions are as celebrated as those from Tabriz, one of Iran’s oldest carpet-producing cities. Located in northwestern Iran, Tabriz has been a center of rug making for centuries, dating back to the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century. The city’s workshops, often supported by royal patronage, became famous for producing rugs with exceptional artistry, intricate designs, and technical mastery. A Legacy of Craftsmanship Tabriz rugs are known for their high knot density, often exceeding 400 knots per square inch, allowing weavers to create incredibly detailed patterns. Their designs range from medallion and floral motifs to hunting scenes and even architectural or cartographic imagery. Materials vary from wool to pure silk, sometimes blended to achieve both durability and sheen. Collectors value Tabriz rugs for their combination o...Read More
Sep 10,2025 | 09:45 EDT By Casey Gresham
Turner Auctions + Appraisals presents a remarkable opportunity for collectors and history enthusiasts this September with the sale of the Edwin W. Sims Collection of Political Ephemera. Offering a fascinating glimpse into American politics and culture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the collection includes rare correspondence, photographs, campaign memorabilia, and more—many directly tied to Sims’ storied legal and political career. Who Was Edwin W. Sims? Born in 1870, Edwin W. Sims rose from small-town roots to become one of the most influential attorneys in Chicago. Appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as U.S. District Attorney for Northern Illinois, Sims became a nationally known “trust buster,” famously taking on John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil. He also played a pivotal role in shaping early 20th-century law, infl...Read More
Sep 09,2025 | 17:00 EDT By Casey Gresham
For centuries, Limoges porcelain has been prized for its refinement, artistry, and French charm. What began in the late 18th century as a royal manufactory has grown into one of the most enduring names in decorative arts. The four works featured here in upcoming sales at Bidsquare, spanning 19th-century enamels and perfume bottles to modern Fabergé collaborations, illustrate how Limoges continues to inspire collectors worldwide. From Royal Roots to Collectors’ Favorites The story of Limoges porcelain begins in the 1770s, when deposits of kaolin clay were discovered near the city of Limoges. This fine white clay gave artisans the ability to produce porcelain that rivaled Chinese and German examples in strength and beauty. With royal support, Limoges quickly became a center of porcelain production, known for both tableware and decorative piec...Read More
Sep 09,2025 | 13:20 EDT By Casey Gresham
In Brunk Auction’s upcoming sale, American & Southern on September 11, 2025 at 9am CT, three pieces by artist Winfred Rembert will be up for auction. Winfred Rembert (1945–2021) is a self-taught artist whose powerful storytelling was carved into leather. His work offers an unflinching yet celebratory record of African American life in the segregated South. A Voice Carved in Leather Born in Cuthbert, Georgia, Rembert grew up in poverty and worked long hours in cotton fields. As a young man, he was arrested during a Civil Rights demonstration, survived a near-lynching, and served years on a prison chain gang. While incarcerated, he learned to tool and dye leather; a skill that became the foundation of his art. Photo: Renan Ozturk, Courtesy Hauser & Wirth Using leather instead of canvas, Rembert developed a distinctive practice of carving, s...Read More
Sep 05,2025 | 09:00 EDT By Casey Gresham
Few names in British ceramics carry the prestige and enduring appeal of Royal Doulton. For more than two centuries, the company has been synonymous with fine craftsmanship, innovative design, and artistic excellence. Today, Royal Doulton pieces are cherished by collectors worldwide, celebrated for both their beauty and their rich history. The History of Royal Doulton The story begins in 1815, when John Doulton, along with partners John Watts and Martha Jones, established a pottery business in Lambeth, South London. Initially producing utilitarian stoneware such as drainpipes and storage jars, the company soon distinguished itself for quality and innovation. By the mid-19th century, under the guidance of John’s son Henry Doulton, the firm embraced artistic pottery, collaborating with designers and artists to produce decorative wares that app...Read More
Sep 04,2025 | 09:00 EDT By Casey Gresham
Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) occupies a singular place in the history of art as one of the most important American painters and printmakers associated with the Impressionist movement. Celebrated for her sensitive depictions of women and children, Cassatt brought a uniquely personal perspective to subjects often overlooked in 19th-century art, capturing domestic life with tenderness, dignity, and modern insight. Cassatt’s Artistic Journey Born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, Cassatt studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before moving to Paris, where she would spend much of her life. In France, she became closely associated with the Impressionists, especially Edgar Degas, who encouraged her interest in printmaking. While her paintings are widely known, Cassatt’s prints include etchings, aquatints, and lithographs that reveal her e...Read More
Sep 03,2025 | 13:00 EDT By Casey Gresham
Few names in the decorative arts inspire the same reverence as Lalique. Born from the vision of René-Jules Lalique, the house has long stood at the intersection of artistry and innovation. His journey from jeweler to glassmaker not only helped define the look of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, but also gave collectors objects that feel both timeless and alive. Today, Lalique remains one of the most sought-after names at auction. Each piece whether a vase, figurine, or bowl, carries with it a legacy of design brilliance. René Lalique began his career in the late 19th century as a jewelry designer whose creations captured the spirit of Art Nouveau. Unlike his contemporaries, he used enamel, glass, and horn alongside precious stones, elevating artistry above material value. His necklaces and brooches featuring dragonflies, orchids, and peacocks were...Read More
Aug 29,2025 | 09:05 EDT By Casey Gresham
Art has the power to transform neighborhoods, spark dialogue, and inspire the next generation. Few organizations embody this belief more deeply than CITYarts, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing monumental public art projects, especially murals, to communities across New York City and beyond. Since its founding, CITYarts has empowered artists and youth to collaborate, creating works that celebrate diversity, resilience, and cultural identity. This summer, CITYarts continues its mission with the CITYarts Summer 2025 Benefit Art Auction, hosted on Bidsquare. Proceeds from the sale will directly support upcoming projects and educational programs for 2025–2026, ensuring that murals and public art initiatives continue to enrich neighborhoods and nurture creativity in the years ahead. Image: Shakespeare Steps, 1165 Shakespeare Ave, Bronx, NYC 2024;...Read More
Aug 28,2025 | 12:00 EDT By Casey Gresham
In the 1950s, a group of young African American artists in Florida began painting the state’s lush landscapes; royal poinciana trees in bloom, dramatic coastal skies, glassy wetlands, and golden sunsets. Collectively known as The Highwaymen, these painters created a body of work that is now celebrated as one of the most significant movements in American regional art. At the time, opportunities for Black artists were limited. Shut out of galleries and mainstream art markets, the Highwaymen forged their own path. They painted quickly, often completing works in a single sitting and sold them along Florida’s highways, outside businesses, and door-to-door. Their bold colors and expressive brushwork captured the state’s natural beauty in a way that appealed to tourists, locals, and businesses alike. Though initially dismissed as “roadside art,” t...Read More