Michaan's To Hold July Estate Auction
Alameda, CA (PRWEB) July 01, 2015 -- Michaan’s Auctions will hold a July Estate Auction, a preview of which will take place on July 4, 5, and 10, as well as July 11, the day of sale.
Michaan’s fine art offerings will present a range of choice artworks in a variety of mediums. Classic sketch portraiture of a lovely young blond girl is found in Mary Cassatt’s circa 1904 drypoint print “Sara Smiling” (lot 301, $1,500-2,000), contrasted by two Olympic serigraphs by Leroy Neiman, executed in signature blotches of pulsating colors that reflect the energy and excitement of sport (“Olympic Pole Vaulting,” lot 287, $600-900 and “Olympic Boxing,” lot 288, $600-900). A mind-bending Salvador Dali lithograph is listed as “Les Mysteres de l’alchimiste” (lot 285, $600-800), alongside two “Fantasy Head” sculptures by Grace Goodrich (lot 327, $400-600 and lot 328, $400-600).
The oil paintings feature pieces by Jack Laycox, with a marine abstraction titled “Sails At Sorrento” (lot 262, $500-700) as well as another abstraction in a forest scene deemed “Autumn Snow” (lot 263, $500-700).
However, this month’s fine art highlight is found in an oil painting by James Everett Stuart (California 1852-1941) titled “Knight’s Island, Alaska” (lot 259, $2,000-3,000). A lush forest precedes the depiction of a majestic mountain cloaked in low-lying fog, with moss-covered boulders in flowing waters at the forefront of the scene. The piece has an approximate sight measurement of 24 by 20 inches and is framed in an ornate, whitewashed, hand-carved wood frame of nature motifs. Stuart’s lush and appealing nature scenes drew many admirers during his career, including within the homes of his fellow Bohemian Club members. The highly collectible, plein air landscape artist worked from his San Francisco studio for approximately 30 years prior to his death at 88. He painted more than 5,000 works during his lifetime, with attention garnered for his landscape, Native American life and portrait pieces. His work has been exhibited by numerous historical societies and has also hung in The White House. Also available from the artist in the sale is “Yosemite Falls” as lot 258 at an auction estimate of $1,500-2,500.
Jewelry highlights seem sure to delight, with a selection of whimsical brooches on the auction block. Included in the department’s picks are a butterfly of diamond, turquoise and 14-karat yellow gold (lot 085, $300-500), a duck of diamond, sapphire and 14-karat gold (lot 031, $600-800) and a feather depiction in garnet, diamond and 14-karat white gold (lot 146, $600-900).
However, a 14-karat yellow gold bangle bracelet is also bound to delight with its 43 full-cut diamonds sparkling in quite a glamorous setting. The bracelet, of a total approximate carat weight of 4.50, centers a single diamond encircled by three-tiered diamond halos in an open work mounting of scalloping and miniature leaf motifs. This decoration is slightly oval in form, measuring approximately 1 ¾ inches in height by 1 ½ inches in width. This central adornment is then accompanied by diamond-accented scrollwork upon approximately ¾ of an inch of the bangle on each side. The bracelet will be presented on Saturday, July 11 as lot 079 at an auction estimate of $2,000-3,000.
The Asian section includes, but is not limited to, decorative items, furniture, textiles and various artworks. One such artwork in the sale is an Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956) woodblock print circa 1925 titled “Manchu Lady” at an estimate of $1,000-1,500 (lot 187). The finely-printed piece comes from a private San Francisco estate collection and remains in wonderful condition. Depicted as traditional-style portraiture, a wealthy woman is shown seated in front of landscape art. She wears an ornately embroidered robe as well as a headpiece secured by two jade hairpins. Her accessories are numerous, with a jade element ruyi scepter, two decorative wallets and jade jewelry of earrings, a bangle and a ring finishing her esteemed ensemble. “Manchu Lady” is quite a rare print from the artist, as it is part of a single production venture within the first edition China series published by Watanabe (1925-1936). Keith, a self-taught British artist born in Scotland, personally touched up the color by hand on each of these pieces, giving them a one-of-a-kind, somewhat dimensional quality. She then finished the print with two pencil signatures upon the lower right-hand side. Keith came to be influenced by the Japanese culture upon her travels and then nine-year residence there. This exposure became the catalyst for a succession of Japanese-inspired artworks held within her catalog. Her woodblock prints continue to be desired for their artistic qualities and rarity, as some were produced in editions of only 30 or 50 copies.
An auction collection of 10 lots of Meissen porcelains highlights European collectibles at sale. Featured in the decorative Meissen lots are a pair of lidded jars (lot 490, $1,000-1,500), a pair of cherub duo figurines (lot 488, $600-800), a depiction of a young boy climbing a tree trunk with an approaching maiden wearing a chapeau (lot 489, $600-800), Father Time with a crouching angel (lot 487, $500-700), two figures of children with floral bouquets (lot 520, $300-400) and a cobalt blue porcelain vase with snake handles (lot 486, $300-400).
Meissen service pieces will also be sold, spotlighted by a pair of figural dessert stands and two salt dishes (lot 482, $800-1,200). Perfect for the service of assorted delights from truffles to tea sandwiches, the two double-tiered dessert stands bear all over cobalt blue hand paintwork. Latticework cutouts are upon each of the platforms, with one topped by a boy figure holding a wreath and the other of an adorable young girl. Two accompanying salt dishes serve as playful resting places for a figure of a seated young man and young woman, who each sit upon the center of the porcelains.
Additional Meissen service pieces at sale are found in three lots of Blue Onion pattern table articles, each at an estimate of $500-700 (lots 483, 484, 485). The illustrated auction catalog will be posted online at http://www.michaans.com when it becomes available. For general information, please call (510) 740-0220 ext. 0 or email info(at)michaans(dot)com. Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd St., Alameda, CA 94501.
About the company:
Michaan’s Auctions is a leading full-service auction house on the West Coast. Specializing in the appraisals and sale of antiques and fine art, Michaan’s has specialists in the fields of furniture and decorative arts, modern, contemporary art, European and American paintings and prints, jewelry and Asian works of art.
Established in 2002, Michaan’s Auctions holds up to 30 sales each year attracting a broad base of buyers and consignors from all over the world. With one of the largest facilities in Northern California and the Bay Area’s lowest buyer’s premium, Michaan’s offers buyers and sellers the opportunity to preview and bid on many unique and desirable properties. Some of these pieces realized world record prices. In 2005, A.D.M. Cooper’s oil painting, Three Graces 1915, sold for a record $21,060 and an Eduard Gaertner oil, German City Street Scene 1831 sold for $266,000.
Michaan’s has built its reputation on its ability to accept single items, groups or entire estates with its “no risk consignment policy” free of hidden fees and charges. Michaan’s specialists are dedicated to staying current on the latest issues and developments in the market and are committed to providing personalized and professional attention throughout the entire auction process.
For a full listing of upcoming auctions or to view a complete catalog, please visit http://www.michaans.com.
Talesa Eugenio, Michaan's Auctions, http://www.michaans.com/, 510-740-0220, [email protected]
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