With Christmas looming large, we can all get a little desperate in our search for that special outlet offering one-of-a-kind quality gifts. Let’s face it, the thrill of buying a loved one a shirt from The Gap can get a little diminished when they see it the following week on 34 different people. Good thing then that Bidsquare and Rago have teamed to hold a Holiday Flash sale. Passed lot offerings from Rago’s Great Estates, Coins & Currency and Fine Jewelry Auctions are up for grabs under a “Buy it now” format. No need to worry about getting outbid at this sale – all you have to do is just login and press BUY. Lot 1380 - $39,680 - Harry Winston diamond & gold Bypass ring The sale runs till December 22, but with lots selling fast it’s best not to dawdle! Here, we’ve shined a light a handful of personal favorites, but head over now to Bidsquar...Read More

Owners of antiques have been cautioned never to refinish their antiques lest their value be diminished, so much so that refinishing is almost a dirty word, with some people opting for the term “restoration” as it has a gentler, more elegant connotation. But is this caveat always true? Should antiques always be kept as is, even if children, pets, a household move or the ravages of time have taken their toll? Listings for antique furniture items for sale often have descriptions like “in original surface” or “untouched” and the price tag is commensurate with rarity, condition and importance. For most people, however, unless you are seeking or already own museum-quality examples, some restoration may not necessarily be a bad thing and when well-done, can enhance a piece’s beauty. The trick is doing as little restoration as needed and getting a ...Read More

Alexander Calder was one of 20th Century American sculptures most influencial figures. Going against his parents wishes that he avoid the life of a suffering artist, his career spanned over four decades and left a legacy that included a variety of sculpture, theatrical productions, jewelry, painting and printmaking. He also designed paint jobs for a commercial airline and a limited edition BMW. But it is as the inventer of the mobile, a form of sculpture named by Marcel Duchamp to mean both "motion" and "motive," for which Calder is best remembered. On Tuesday, November 15, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers offer two Calder mobiles in their Post War and Contemporary Art sale, and such is the artists continued popularity that both are sure to be in strong demand. Lot 91 - Toadstool with Feather, was created by the artist in 1948 and is a classic ex...Read More

Is there a better time than the first week of December to hold a quality jewelry auction? With Christmas trees going up and stockings in desperate need of stuffing, it’s the perfect time to present bidders with a catalog filled with the best in quality jewelry. Good thing then that Heritage Auctions is staging their Fine Jewelry sale on Monday, December 7. Featuring over 440 lots filled with a vivid array of exotic stones and designs, this is a gift-wrapped opportunity to anyone looking to snare that special piece for someone close at heart. Yellow diamonds are always a big hit with collectors, and Lot 54395 is sure to be one of the highlights of the sale. Featuring a rectangular cut-cornered fancy yellow diamond enhanced by trapeze-cut diamonds, this ring, which is already creating its share of buzz, has an estimated value of $300,000-$400...Read More

In 1998 an English friend of mine was riding his Vespa through Shoreditch in the wee hours of a Saturday morning when he noticed a strikingly painted mural on the wall up ahead. He also noticed that a large chunk of the work was painted on a piece of wood attached to the wall. Lot 285 - Girl with Balloon screenprint, and Lot 290 - Love Rat screenprint Being an enterprising type with a true appreciation of the word “free,” he pulled out his trusty screwdriver, removed the painted wood and took it home on the back of his scooter. Fifteen years later, with a few more mouths to feed, he sold the piece on for 75,000 pounds. The mural was by Banksy. Lot 292 - Pulp Fiction screenprint Banksy, the English-based graffiti artist, political activist and film director, is clearly one of the most polarizing artists of his generation. Starting out in Bri...Read More

We all know that putting together a Thanksgiving dinner is no small undertaking. Not only does it require meticulous planning and hours of toil, but there’s also guest logistics, child management and a plethora of other tasks requiring constant attention. So when time comes to serve dinner it’s important that you utilize pieces that will truly do the fruits of your labor justice. Bidsquare's online auctions are full of expertly curated collectibles more than capable of elevating the levels of "joie de vivre" at your Thanksgiving table - take a look now, and say goodbye to those disapproving sneers your mother-in-law offers every time she looks down at your cutlery! Dinner Service Time to throw out those chipped Ikea plates and send in the cavalry! This 34-piece English porcelain dinner service consists of one large serving bowl, one platter...Read More

Sailing into the sunset on an ocean liner requires luggage not only tough enough to handle the journey, but refined enough to do your shipboard entry justice. Lets face it, there’s not much point investing in expensive designer label leisurewear if you arrive dockside carting a "Dora the Explorer" wheelie. Which brings us to Lot 267 in Material Culture’s November Estates sale. A cabin trunk by French manufacturer Louis Vuitton, it has the timeless charm that calls to mind 1930s voyages to the continent – dinner at the Captain’s table, strolls on the sunbathed deck and an ocean-bound romance or two. In the world of luggage there is no brand more esteemed than Louis Vuitton. Founded in 1854 by its namesake, the company has grown into one of the world’s most valuable luxury brands, with an estimated value of around US$30 billion. Other lots in...Read More

Alexander Gardner was one of the real pioneers of early American photography. One-time manager of legendary lensman Matthew Bradys Washington salon, he was Brady’s chief photographer in the field during the early days of the Civil War. Gardner managed the famous horse-drawn photographic laboratory and took many pictures attributed to Brady. He accompanied the Union troops on their marches, their camps and bivouacs, their battles, and on their many hasty retreats during those grim early days. Alexander Gardner (left), and Lincoln at Antietam In 1866 Gardner published his Sketch Book, recognized as the "first modern photo-essay” and the first published collection of Civil War photographs. Conceived by Gardner as a post-war memento, the 100 prints represent selections from the over 3,000 negatives taken during the Civil War by himself and asso...Read More

Rago’s December Fine Jewelry sale offers a study in contrasts between Art Deco and Art Nouveau jewelry. The online auction includes extraordinary examples of the art and technique present in both styles, each of which conveys a distinct message through a characteristic vocabulary of design.

Steel heiress Cornelia Guest is parting with much of the contents of her family compound in Old Westbury, N.Y. The actress, former horse-riding champion, author, accessories and clothing designer, caterer and animal rights activist has consigned a select collection of treasured pieces to be sold through Stair Galleries on Saturday, November 14. New York socialite Cornelia Guest (left), and her parents pictured in 1952 Guest, the daughter of polo player Winston Frederick Churchill Guest and the socialite C. Z. Guest, is moving to a farm in Columbia County, N.Y., which she plans to turn into an animal sanctuary. Parting with the objects for sale, she said, “just pulls at your heart in a way that you never expect.” With a heritage such as Guest’s, it’s not surprising to see a number of offerings related to polo and horses. Lot 237 (above) is a...Read More