Man’s relationship with sapphires goes back to earliest civilization. A sapphire was one of the twelve precious stones set in the Israelite High Priest’s breastplate, while in ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens wore sapphires to protect them from envy and harm. In modern times the sapphire has maintained its place at the epicenter of the precious stones market. So much so that in 1981, when Prince Charles was looking to pop the question to the beautiful Diana Spencer, he sealed the deal with a stunning blue sapphire engagement ring. On Tuesday, September 29, Skinner gives you the chance to feel like royalty when they offer Lot 647 of their Fine Jewelry sale. Produced by the iconic jewelry house of Cartier, this gorgeous necklace features a pendant set with a 30 karat cushion-cut sapphire, framed by full-cut diamonds, suspended from a...Read More

Thomas Moran was an English-born American painter of the Hudson River School with a penchant for painting the Rocky Mountains. Residing in NYC, he was chief illustrator at Scribners Monthly, a position that helped launch him as one of the premier painters of the American landscape. Lot 262 - Thomas Morans Feudal Castle Morans vision of the West was critical to the creation of Yellowstone National Park. Commissioned by the United States Geological Survey to travel to the unknown region, he produced a series of paintings and sketches that captured the nations attention and helped inspire Congress to establish Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872. Today, his work is held in the collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and is exhibited as part of the White House Collection. Barack Obama and Shimon Peres meet under the ...Read More

Over a twenty-year period, Cleveland’s Bob and Ann Friedman assembled a spectacular collection of contemporary art glass. With keen eyes, they travelled the country, amassing a beautifully curated 300-piece collection, with artists represented including David Bennett, Latchezar Boyadjiev, Emily Brock, Jose Chardiet, Dale Chihuly, William Morris, Dan Dailey, Richard Jolley, Hitoshi Kakizaki, and other category leaders. The Friedmans were true art lovers - they enjoyed the company of the artists whose work they collected, often entertaining them at their stylish Lyndhurst home. Lot 81 - William Morris Rhyton Bull On Saturday, September 26, Wolfs Gallery offers bidders the chance to savor the legacy of these inspired collectors when they offer the Friedman Collection of Contemporary Glass and Artwork for auction. Also included are a grouping o...Read More

There’s sure to be a memory or two sparked on Sunday, September 20 when Lot 6476 in Clars Auction Gallery’s September Fine Art & Antique sale goes under the hammer. A photo taken by American professional Art Rogers, it was once the center of a seminal copyright case that saw one of America’s leading artists come away with the proverbial black eye. Where it all began - eight adorable puppies wade into the cutthroat world of art The story begins in 1988, when artist Jeff Koons, deciding to create a sculpture called "String of Puppies," sent a greeting card bought in an airport gift shop to his workers in Italy. The photograph, which featured a couple holding eight German Shepherd puppies, became the model for four Koons sculptures, three of which sold for a total of $367,000 at SoHo’s Sonnabend Gallery. "String of Puppies" by Jeff Koons Upon ...Read More

Trying to operate a toy these days is enough to make your head spin. With technology often so advanced you need a degree in computer science to understand what’s going on. Well, at least that how it seems when the three-year-old next to you is playing around on his mom’s iPad. There was a time however, when toys were built with charm. Even more amazingly, there was a time when toys were built to last. On Saturday, September 19, Cowan’s Auctions offers bidders the opportunity to invest in childhood nostalgia when they stage their Cleveland Fall Auction Including Dolls and Toys auction. Lot 316 - the cast iron girl skipping rope mechanical bank The sale features a large collection of vintage toys, including wind-ups, figurines, mechanical banks, dollhouse pieces, trains, a hobby horse, plus a fantastic collection of vintage dolls from around ...Read More

Marc Petrovic, Glass Artist and Professor at Cleveland Institute of Art, and Bridget McWilliams, Director at Wolfs Gallery discuss: The Friedman Collection, contemporary glass at auction and the contemporary glass movement, its influencers and artists.

From our first Timex through to our last Rolex, man’s relationship with his watches tells the story of his life. As times passes, experience and maturity bring a greater appreciation for quality; we grow weary of our collection of assorted funky disposables and look for something a little more classical and substantial to lend weight to our appearance. On Wednesday, September 16, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers offers bidders a gilt-edged invitation to invest their hours wisely when they stage their Fine Timepieces sale. 133 lots are set to go under the hammer, with a stunning array of wristwatches, pocket watches and clocks cataloged from the likes of Cartier, Rolex, Piaget, Breitling, Jaeger LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Omega and more. Look now at the full catalog. For the man of ambition, purchasing a Rolex is a statement of stylistic intent. ...Read More

By 1976, promising Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming was looking for something to increase his physical and mental discipline. Taking the advice of mentor, Yang, he took up Tai chi, a decision that would have a profound effect on his work in the ensuing years. As his practice evolved, Ju Ming started thinking about sculpting works with a T’ai chi theme. Later that year he staged a solo exhibition at the National Museum of History, a show that proved such a success he would go on to be named one of the Ten Outstanding Taiwanese Youths of 1976. On Sunday, September 13, bidders get their chance to see what all the fuss was about when Lot 91 in Clarke Auction’s Important Fine Art, Midcentury, and Jewelry sale goes under the hammer. The powerful bronze figure is from Ju Ming’s 1984 T’ai Chi series, and comes signed and dated. What a brilliant opportuni...Read More

Wickliff Auctioneers’ Premier September Auction promises to be a real dazzler. Running over two days, it features nearly 700 lots of expertly curated pieces sure to be in high demand. Day 1 on Friday, September 11, focuses on jewelry, with names like Tiffany, Honora, Yurman, Hardy and Judith Ripka among the brands represented. Bidders will find themselves feasting on a stunning array of rings, necklaces, bracelets and more, plus pre-owned and new timepieces.  Lot 543 is expected by many to top the sale. A Tiffany & Co. diamond platinum lace necklace of quatrefoil lily link design, it contains a total of 259 white round brilliant cut diamonds. Any bidder hunting that special ring for that special someone will be looking long and hard at Lot 530, a platinum 2CT Marquis diamond ring loaded with star power. Clocks turn up everywhere these days ...Read More

The old adages about buying an engagement ring – that the groom-to-be should walk into his neighborhood jeweler and pick out the biggest ring he can buy with two months’ salary, that it should be a round brilliant cut solitaire on a platinum band, that it must be brand new because no one wants to wear “someone else’s ring” – are getting rather tired, don’t you think? For many, buying a ring at auction is a somewhat mysterious or even intimidating proposition. Others have simply never entertained the thought. We would like to shine some light on auctions, particularly our triannual Important Jewelry sales here in Chicago’s West Loop, as the ideal place to make this important purchase. Unbeatable value, a full range of style options, the possibility of owning and wearing a true antique: these are a few of the reasons we suggest including an a...Read More