CLOSTER, N.J. – Sterling Associates’ outstanding first year as an auction house is in no small way attributable to owner Stephen D’Atri’s knowledge of the tri-state region, acquired during his many years as a full-time antiques dealer. Estates are D’Atri’s specialty, and six out of every seven days, he’s out on house calls, pursuing the fine and decorative art; furniture and Asian artworks for which his auctions have become well known. On Wednesday, Dec. 5, Sterling Associates will offer the finest estate consignments they’ve secured over the past several months in a 400-lot Winter Fine Art & Antiques Auction, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com.

Two large living estates from New Jersey were the sources for much of the merchandise in the sale. One of the consignors is 94 years old and has been a client of D’Atri’s for some 30 years.

“She had always promised that if she moved from her 5,000-square-foot home, we would receive the estate, and she kept her word,” D’Atri said. “She bought antiques over a long period of time from dealers all over the country. I think bidders are going to be very pleased with the selection.”

A second major estate is from a 10,000-sq-ft residence in Tenafly, N.J., and contains a wealth of well-chosen traditional antiques. According to D’Atri, the owner moved to Manhattan and decided to switch to “all modern decor” to suit the style of the new residence.

The auction features many superior-quality paintings, led by a circa-1900 Alfred Schwarz (German, 1867-1951) oil on canvas of a woman with many children. Another highlight is an Ernest Chiriacka (American, 1920-2010) oil-on-board depiction of riders on horseback in a snowy landscape. It came from a Long Island estate, together with a few other Chiriacka works and several Old Masters. Signed ‘E. Chiriacka,’ the 9 1/2 by 7 1/2 inch painting is presented in an ornate, old frame.

Known as a “postage stamp” painting, an 8 by 10 inch Impressionist work by John Fabian Carlson (Swedish/American, 1875-1947) is signed on the front and on verso. “With an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000, it’s a nice entry point for a new collector wanting to build a Hudson River School collection,” said D’Atri.

The auction also includes paintings by Juan Guillermo (Spanish, 1916-1968) and Jonas Joseph La Valley (American, 1858-1930). The latter artist, better known as J.J. La Valley, was a skilled painter and instructor renowned for his floral still lifes.

A wonderful selection of traditional sculptures awaits bidders, with a timeframe that spans the 19th century through the Art Deco period. Artists include Picault, Lambeaux, Moreau, Mengue and Colomera. Among the leading lots in this section are a 27¾-inch-tall Emile Laporte (French, 1858-1907) bronze of a young boy with rooster, and an exceptional Art Nouveau plaque by Henri Fugere (French, 1872-1944).

The magical Tiffany name is expected to attract interest to two lots in particular – a very unusual Tiffany glass mosaic and bronze box, and a circa-1900 Tiffany & Co. sterling silver pitcher with exquisite repousse decoration. D’Atri said he believes the 8¼-inch-tall by 9½-inch-wide pitcher may well have been a specially commissioned item. “I researched it but could not find its pattern in any books or archives,” D’Atri said.

The sale is also brimming with luxe clock sets, lamps, lighting and sconces; and French glass – most notably a collection of 50 pieces of very tasteful modern Lalique collected over a 30-year period.

The Asian art section is highlighted by superb famille rose porcelain, including a pair of monumental (54-inch-tall) 19th-century palace urns, and a very special pair of garden seats. Another important Chinese lot is the pair of folding chairs made of hardwood, possibly huanghuali.

Other lots poised for success on auction day include a handsome 18th-century Hepplewhite mahogany bookcase from an estate in Fairview, N.J., and a pair of whimsical mid-century painted papier-mache monkey parade masks made by the American Mask Manufacturing Company.

For numismatic collectors – both novices and veterans – Sterling Associates will offer 268 uncirculated New York Federal Reserve notes dated 1934. The notes will be offered in multiple lots that follow consecutive serial number order, with the exception of one lot.

Sterling Associates’ Winter Fine Art & Antiques Auction will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5, starting at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. It is structured as a hybrid auction in which previewing is available at the physical gallery, but all bidding is exclusively absentee, by phone or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com.

“The way our auctions work, all bidding is conducted remotely, but we’re very much a permanent brick-and-mortar company where anyone can come in to inspect the goods,” said D’Atri. “It will be run exactly like a live auction, but without a live audience.”

D’Atri explained that he has changed the day of the week on which his sales are held – now Wednesdays instead of Saturdays – with a start time of 5 p.m. Eastern.

“Previously, our sales were held on a Saturday, but people like to have their Saturdays off. We also decided to change the start time to 5 p.m. because it makes it much easier for West Coast bidders to participate and also works well for our many Asian bidders,” D’Atri said.

The gallery is located at 70 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 07624. The live gallery preview will be held from 10-6 Nov. 28 through Nov. 30 inclusive; 10-5 on Dec. 1, 10-7 on Dec. 4, and 10 a.m.-12 noon on auction day, Dec. 5. The gallery is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For information on any item in the auction, call 201-768-1140 or e-mail info@antiquenj.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

#   #   #

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

CHESTER, N.Y. – William Jenack Estate Appraisers and Auctioneers will conduct its next fine art and antique auction on Sunday, Dec. 2, beginning at 11 a.m. EST. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding for the 350-lot auction.

Just in time for the gift-giving season Jenack will be offering a collection of Lladro figures from a large private collection, many being some of the largest figures made by the company and retired. Of the more than 40 lots to be offered will be “Fishing with Gramps,” “Garden of Dreams” and “Hindu Children.”

In the furniture genre there will be a mix of period and contemporary pieces to be sold. Among them will be a few lots of Anglo-Indian including a diminutive carved mahogany rolltop desk with a pullout work surface; bookcase and an interesting satinwood inlaid chest on stand. Also in the offering will be a contemporary dining room suite with marble top on stand and six fully upholstered side chairs, along with several other lots of antique and vintage furniture and accessories.

Beyond the Llardro figures for the collector Jenack will be selling many lots of Bryer’s Choice Ltd. caroling figures including “Salvation Army.” Several lots of costume jewelry and a few collectable timepieces are to be had. Hummels, hats, toys and dolls will all be looking for new homes.

Artwork as with most of Jenack auctions will be one of the strongest categories of the sale. Among the works being offered are a colorful abstract by Andre Lanskoy (French/Russian 1902-1976), a stark winter landscape by Karl Daubigny (French 1846-1886), oil on board, landscape with cottages by Lorenzo Delleani (Italian 1840-1908) and an oil on canvas by savant artist Alan Streets. In the print mediam is a limited edition poster by Alexander Calder, Humanite, #185/200, signed and circa 1969.

The sale will be rounded out by Chinese art and ceramic, carpets, bronzes, lamps, chandeliers, porcelain, pottery and other decorative accessories.

For details phone 845-469-9095 ext. 24.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Fall – Winter season begins at Michaan’s Auctions with the Fine Works of Art Auction scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1, featuring over 130 lots of European and American paintings, works on paper, prints, photography and sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries. LiveAuctoneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

Of the European offerings, Alexander Van Rappard’s Cavaliers is a rare opportunity to acquire a highly prized and rare work of art by this Dutch artist who died at the age of 34 (lot 2001). Other exceptional European lots include number 2006, a plein air oil painting by Max Slevogt, one of the finest German Impressionists of the early 20th century. The piece features an outdoor view of his sumptuous home and gardens at Slevogthof Neukastel. Lot 2004 by Hugo Kauffman depicts a tour de force rendition of figurative realism. Lot 2005 by Willy Sluiter offers the collector an opportunity to acquire one of the few works of art available by this early 20th century Dutch artist. A true gem is also found in a small red conte drawing of a nude female by renowned French Impressionist Pierre Renoir (lot 2014).

From the Russian Federation are three works of art by living artist Viacheslav Vasilevich Kalinin (b.1939) along with an early modern work by avant garde artist Alexander A. Osmerkin depicting his future wife E.T. Barkova. From the selection of American works is a rare view of the Pittsburgh steel mills by Jewish painter Aaron Gorson (lot 2024) and a recently discovered pair of illustrations by Harrison Fisher. Six works of art deaccessioned by the Tiffany Garden Museum in Matsue, Japan are included in the sale as well. Featured are high quality works of art by Lilla Cabot Perry (lot 2028), James Whistler (lot 2029), John La Farge (lot 2030), Robert Blum (lot 2031), Thedore Wores (lot 2073) and an exceptional large landscape by Arthur Wesley Dow (lot 2032).

A curious work on paper is seen in an early Edward Hopper drawing of his friend and work associate Walter Tittle, titled The Illustrator. The piece was drawn in 1918 when the two artists shared an office at the New York Tribune Co. Of the Western offerings is a fine William Gollings (lot 2046) depicting two wolves at night stalking the horses of a Native American encampment. From the Pacific, an exceptional watercolor is seen by Millard Sheets of the Tahitian mountain Moua Puta (lot 2047). The painting represents one of the artist’s most desirable subjects. Lot 2048 by J.D. Strong Jr. depicts Hawaiian natives launching their outriggers from Diamond Head. Other exceptional watercolors include five works by Jade Fon, an early Sydney J. Yard and a highly collectable view of Magestic Oaks with Poppies by Percy Gray (lot 2060). A vintage Californian piece features a large format view of Tomales Bay by George Demont Otis (lot 2078).

Notable from leading painter and pioneer of the Bay Area Figurative School, David Park, is Spring from 1952 (lot 2083).

Works on paper include a fresh pair of Marc Chagall’s Le Cirque from the Teriade Edition (lots 2088, 2089) and prints by Joan Miro, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Roy Lichtenstein, Louis Nevelson, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring and an exceptional monotype by Elizabeth Murray.

For the first time Michaan’s Auctions offers photography, featuring prints by Stieglitz, Steichen, Imogen Cunningham, Ansel Adams, Ruth Bernhard, David Plowden, Bruce Davidson, W. Eugene Smith and four early prints from Brett Weston.

For more information please visit our website or call the front desk at 510-740-0220.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – On Dec. 7, 8 and 9, Rago Arts and Auction Center will hold its annual holiday season Great Estates, Jewelry, Silver, Coins and Currency auctions. Friday’s sale features Russian, American and Continental silver, and rare U.S. and foreign coins and currency. The Estates auction on Saturday brings a wide variety of property to market, including furnishings, fine art, porcelain and pottery, rugs, militaria, ephemera, tribal items and Asian antiques. Sunday’s annual Fine Jewelry and Couture auction features historical revival, Asian, and gem jewelry, estate diamond engagement rings, timepieces, fur coats and designer handbags.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding all three days. The auction will begin at noon EST each day.

“We have been asked to represent some truly exceptional pieces this December,” said Miriam Tucker, a partner at Rago’s. “Our specialists have chosen well, based on aesthetic merit, rarity, quality of construction. All the property is fresh to the market. And we’ve worked hard to make sure that the estimates are attractive, whether for pieces worth hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars.”

Friday’s sale begins with over 200 lots of silver, including a selection of Judaica, and concludes with 67 lots of coins and currency.

Featured is lot 126, a pair of sumptuous Birds on Branches gilt compotes designed by Eugene Soligny for Tiffany & Co., 1884, which are depicted in Magnificent Tiffany Silver by John Loring, page 136. Historically significant, lot 6 is a nine-piece silver desk set by Mikhail Ivanov, St. Petersburg, which was originally presented to a chief engineer of Trans-Siberian Railroad in 1896, estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

Over 60 lots of Asian items are in Saturday’s lineup. Featured is lot 694, an 18th century Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup, which is finely carved in relief with swirling vines and mythological creatures and Kylin, estimated at $35,000-$55,000. Lot 707 is a Chinese ceremonial dagger, which is silver mounted with cabochon coral and turquoise, estimated at $1,500-$2,000.

The sale includes paintings dating from the 18th century to the 20th century. Featured is lot 567, an oil on panel by William Powell Frith, R.A., The Love Token,” from Sir Walter Scott’s The Bridge of Lammermoor, estimated at $8,000-$12,000; and lot 628, a watercolor of roses and lilacs by Raoul de Longpré, estimated at $4,000-$6,000. Notable also is lot 530, a bronze of a mounted cossack with a woman by Vasili Grachev, estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

Collectable glass pieces in the sale include items by Durand, Galle, Lalique, Tiffany, Steuben, Murano, Zsolnay and Waterford, etc. A notable lot of glass and porcelain is lot 525, an Italian micromosaic plaque, Lotta Impari, by Silvio Secchi, from the mosaic studio of the Vatican, estimated at $15,000-$25,000.

In the selection of porcelain is lot 531, an Alexander III Imperial Russian porcelain plate of a military scene, with a mark of Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St. Petersburg, dated 1886, estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

Another highlight selling Saturday is lot 682, a narwhal whale tusk in typical spiral form with good off-white color, mounted on a display stand from the early 20th century, estimated at $12,000-$15,000.

A selection of clocks includes lot 661, a French bronze and marble mantel clock, estimated at $3,500-$5,500.

Jewelry will sell Sunday. The catalogue opens with a session of historical revival jewelry including: lot 1001, an Egyptian revival enameled gold fringe necklace attributed to Marcus & Co., 1925-1930.

For the gentlemen, there are watches, cufflinks, and even a Super Bowl ring. Lot 1127 is a Super Bowl XVIII ring presented to Kenny King, Los Angeles Raiders running back, estimated at $3,000-$5,000. A notable wristwatch in the sale is lot 1128, a beautiful Patek Philippe nautilus wristwatch, estimated at $8,000-$10,000.

The sale includes lots of Asian interest including lot 1183, a jeweled nephrite brooch, and lot 1327, a jade and diamond ring.

Colored gem jewelry in the sale includes lot 1422, a 7.5-carat sapphire diamond ring, estimated at $12,000-$18,000.

Other exceptional pieces include lot 1057, a moonstone and diamond bracelet designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany; lot 1425, an Oscar Heyman sapphire and diamond pansy brooch; lot 1426, an emerald and diamond ring by Vedura; and lot 1430, a large diamond platinum brooch by Van Clief, New York.

The sale concludes with a session of furs, designer handbags and bijoux.

For details call Rago Arts and Auction Center at 609-397-9374.

Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

The event will feature iconic items from films and television shows including American History X, Austin Powers, Batman and Robin; Batman Begins, Boogie Nights, Casino Royale, Click, Die Another Day, The Empire Strikes Back, The Exorcist, The Fifth Element, Forrest Gump, Jerry Maguire, The Main Event, Monster, Yentl, Star Wars, Star Trek, Terminator 3, Titanic, and Under Capricorn.

Items include:

· James Bond’s (Daniel Craig) knife from Casino Royale and several items from Die Another Day, including James Bond’s (Pierce Brosnan)’s gun and M’s (Judi Dench) trenchcoat

· Forrest Gump’s (Tom Hanks) hero screen-used braces

· Jerry Maguire’s (Tom Cruise) screen-used baseball cap worn during the famous “Show me the money!” scene at his desk

· Yentl’s (Barbra Streisand) waist jacket

· Roller Girl’ “Lolita” heart-shaped glasses from Boogie Nights

· Michael Jackson items, including the 2040 Spaceship that performed in during the opening of the HIStory Tour; stage worn Swarovski crystal glove from Thriller era, personal items including signed albums, sunglasses and Thriller-style jacket.

· The “magic” universal remote from Click

· Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamel’s) hand casting with saber from The Empire Strikes Back

· Sulu’s (George Takei) tunic from Star Trek (1966)

· Captain Kirk’s miniature robot from Star Trek The Motion Picture (and Star Trek 3: In Search of Spock)

· Regan MacNeil’s (Linda Blair) “devil’s tongue” from The Exorcist

· Batman’s (George Clooney) “Ice” Cowl from Batman and Robin

· Tom Hank’s screen-used ice skate he used to knock out his tooth in Cast Away, along with the screen-used tooth and the necklace he fashioned for it

· Austin Powers’ (Mike Myers) screen used plates for his “Shaguar”

· A “Human Shrunken Head” from Alfred Hitchcock’s Under Capricorn

· Mini-Me’s (Verne Troyer) hairless cat screen used in Austin Powers. (Cat is signed by Verne)

· Arnold Schwarzenegger’s screenused shotgun from Terminator 3

· The screen-used handgun used by Charlize Theron (Aileen), to kill her victims in Monster

· Ed Norton’s screen-used handcuffs from American History X

· Four blankets from all four classes used in Titanic

· A full-size screen-used head (with flying goggles) of one of the Mangalore’s from The Fifth Element

· Ducard’s (Liam Neeson) screen-used sword from Batman Begins

Absentee bids can be placed online through LiveAuctioneers.com until the Hollywood Auction goes live at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET) on Saturday, Dec. 8. For additional information on any item in the sale, call 310-322-PROP or 888-761-PROP.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com

#   #   #

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

BEVERLY, Mass. – On Nov. 24, Kaminski’s will auction important Persian items from the estate of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, Prime Minister of Iran from 1951-1953. Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.

Included is an early Persian manuscript, a book of poetry by Jami, Yusuf and Zulaikha, dated A.H. 971-AD 1563-64, with beautifully painted pages. The book bears a 19th-century owner’s seal impression at the end of the colophon, of Muhammad Hasain.

There are two notes stating that the manuscript is in the hand of Baba Shah Isfahani. Baba Shah was regarded as one of the best calligraphers in Nasta’liq script. The second note is by Ghulam Riza (perhaps the famous Qatar calligrapher) and the other by Abu’L Fazl Al-Savaj, a doctor and scholar of the period, of Nasr al-Din Shah. The book of poetry was originally the property of Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh, Prime Minister of Iran and was received from the estate of his granddaughter, Mossoume Mossadegh, following her death. It was purchased by the present owner from Mossadegh’s widower and is valued at $15,000-$30,000.

There is also an ancient Persian sword with leather and brass scabbard, 30½ inches in length with a Persian poem inscribed on it, valued at $10,00-$20,000; and a hand painted early Qur’an, having floral and bird cover estimated at $5000-$10,000, both with the same provenance.

For additional information on any lot in the auction, call 978-927-2223.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

#   #   #

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE