PESU at Rooftop Legends, New York City. Photo by Ilana Novick
NEW YORK – Hiding quietly at the top of the former Seward Park High School building on Grand Street in Manhattan, now home to four schools, is a treasure trove of street art. Rooftop Legends, now in its sixth year, was started by Jesse Pais, a former graffiti artist himself, who partnered with New Design High School to curate a rotating series of street art murals high above the Lower East Side.
This year’s group includes PESU from Japan, whose mural includes a creature resembling what might well have been the drunken union between a bird and dragon. It has a flaming red tongue and one wide, Adderall-alert eye. Its mouth is wide open enough to suggest that it might eat you, although the teeth are squat and not sharp at all. Its colorful head feathers are alluring and add a benign touch. Perhaps it’s just excited to have visitors?
Tito Na Rua’s comic book-inspired mural, “Let’s Find Ana,” features his recurring character named Ze flying through the sky on what looks like a shopping cart. With his canine buddy in tow, Ze seeks his long-lost love, Ana. The dog and Ze are drawn mostly in orange and black, and look so determined and friendly you can’t help but root for them.
Another favorite is Toofly’s piece, which features a woman with an electric blue flower in her hair and eyes large enough to hold a lifetime’s worth of secrets.
Lucky students at the schools get the most use of the colorful space, but you don’t need to know a high school student for access. There are events, like the Rooftop Film series, which holds film screenings and live music in the space. You can find more information at Rooptopfilms.org. You can also contact New Design High School to find out when visitors are welcome. It’s worth the climb!
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ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE
PESU at Rooftop Legends, New York City. Photo by Ilana NovickFWD (unsigned), at Rooftop Legends, New York City. Photo by Ilana NovickToofly, Untitled, at Rooftop Legends, New York City. Photo by Ilana NovickTito Na Rua at Rooftop Legends, New York City. Photo via http://respect-mag.com/street-art-rooftop-legends-new-york-city-2013/
Large and heavy solid red coral sculpture depicting a maiden with children, 10 1/4 in tall. Elite Decorative Arts image. BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A color lithograph depicting the French leader Napoleon on horseback with two other men by renowned Post-Impressionist painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (French, 1864-1901) is the expected top lot in an auction slated for Saturday, July 13, at Elite Decorative Arts. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide the Internet live bidding services for the sale, which starts at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
Also offered in the auction – dedicated mostly to fine decorative arts and Chinese works – are a large and impressive Chinese carved African ivory emperor and empress, a palace-sized Chinese carved African ivory village, a Chinese carved African ivory relief bird’s vase and a heavy Chinese carved red coral maiden figural grouping.
In all, over 300 quality lots will be sold, most of them fresh to the market. Featured will be a broad and impressive array of estate jewelry, fine art, bronzes, silver and Chinese works, to include ivory, jade, red coral carvings, stone carvings, fine porcelain pieces and more. The Quantum Town Center is located at 1034 Gateway Boulevard in Boynton Beach (Ste. 106-108).
“We are quite pleased to be offering two large and very impressive collections of Chinese antiques in our July 13 sale,” said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts. “We expect Asian works to dominate the day’s action, but the Toulouse-Lautrec lithograph could well end up being the top lot of the auction. Regardless, it will be a well-rounded sale, with many great pieces.”
The color lithograph by Toulouse-Lautrec, titled simply Napoleon, is #20 in a limited-edition series of 100. In April 2012, litho #48 from the same series sold at Sotheby’s for $146,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $75,000-$125,000. The example being sold is pencil signed to the lower left, measures 22 ¾ inches by 19 1/8 inches and has been matted and framed.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec became one of France’s most popular and famous painters. He brilliantly captured the Paris night life in his flashy illustrations for the magazine Le Rire in the 1890s, earning him a reputation as “the soul of Montmartre.” The diminutive artist was known for his demi-monde paintings, prints and illustrations. All are highly sought after today.
The Chinese carved African ivory tusks depicting a standing emperor and empress are remarkable for their sheer size (41 inches tall, on a 3 ¼ inch base) as well as their beauty. The figures, carrying the Qing Dynasty reign mark, both have a slightly raised dragon and phoenix design to layered robes and bases. Please note: ivory pieces may not be shipped internationally.
A companion lot to the one just described is a massive Chinese carved and reticulated village scene carved from African ivory tusks. The longest tusk width exceeds 66 inches, and the height is 16 inches (on a 3 ¼ inch base). The scene depicts a city wall guarded by warriors and a horseman at the gate, riverside boatmen, villagers moving about, pagodas, temples and bridges.
Another ivory offering is a Chinese carved African ivory covered vase with delicate and detailed relief scenes of birds of paradise amongst trees and flowers. The vase, measuring 12 ½ inches in height, includes a fitted wooden silver inlay base and a fitted silk-lined presentation box. The base is 1 ¼ inches tall. The piece boasts a total ivory weight of about 1,971 grams.
Red coral sculptures, so popular at previous Elite Decorative Arts auctions, will be on display in this sale, too. A large and heavy solid red figural group depicting a maiden with her children, and a bird holding a piece of draping cloth from the maiden’s layered robe, would make a fine addition to any collection. The piece is 10 ¼ inches tall and comes with a presentation box.
Returning to fine art, a 20th century oil painting by the Dutch artist Anton Karssen (b. 1945), depicting women traversing a coastal terrain with a boat visible, should get considerable bidder attention. The work, signed lower right, measures 16 inches in height by 22 inches tall.
An outstanding pair of garniture clock sets is sure to get paddles wagging. One is a 19th century three-piece gilded French bronze and malachite Egyptian Revival set by F. Pelissier. The clock depicts two recumbent sphinx figures with candle holders to the tops of their heads, with extended wings suspending a barrel form clock case. The two urns each stand 10 ½ inches tall.
The other is a stunning early 20th century Tiffany & Company clock garniture set having a cut crystal case, with the case and candlesticks each showing a matching scrolled floral design. The crystal is presumably French and of the quality of Baccarat or Webb. The silvered metal face has appliqué Arabic numerals and the outside of the case is marked “Patent Pending 1909.”
Also sold will be a large hand-carved Chinese white and apple green jadeite Guan Yin sculpture shown in a standing position with a crane to her right holding stalks with lotus blossoms, standing 22 ¼ inches tall; and a pair of large spinach jade form reticulated lantern urns with each having relief palace scenes throughout the body, 16 ½ inches tall, with a wooden base.
A preview will be held on Friday, July 12, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Saturday, the date of sale, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
For additional information on any item in the auction, call 561-200-0893 or e-mail them at info@eliteauction.com.
Piero Fornasetti three-tier tray of varnished and silkscreen-printed metal, circa 1950, manufacturer’s mark. Est. €3,500-5,000. Nova Ars image.
ASTI, Italy – Nova Ars, the Italian auction house that trades as E-Art Auctions, is planning an outstanding 20th Century Italian Design and Decorative Arts sale for July 11th. The auction will begin at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time / 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com.
An interesting design collection of modern Italian art in its many forms includes ceramics, furniture, lamps, chandeliers and glass works. Virtually a ‘made in Italy’ sale, it presents many of the greatest names from the midcentury period — from Munari to Mangiarotti, from Maartinelli to Colombo. Warren Platner is a distinguished American designer of the postwar era whose work fits in nicely with the rest.
Nova Ars is a specialist auction house known for its sales of top-quality Italian contemporary art and modern design. Its gallery in Asti is also a destination for those who seek to learn and share knowledge about art, design and collecting. The firm also provides valuations of personal property and appraisals. They are known for their expert team and for the personal attention they give to all Nova Ars clients throughout the valuation, consignment and auction process.
For additional information on any item in the July 11 auction, contact Valeria Vallese by emailing e.art.auctions@gmail.com or calling 011 39 328 9667353.
Piero Fornasetti three-tier tray of varnished and silkscreen-printed metal, circa 1950, manufacturer’s mark. Est. €3,500-5,000. Nova Ars image.
Alessandro Mazzucotelli wrought-iron candleholders, 1925, signed ‘AM’ in the iron. Est. €5,000-6,000. Nova Ars image.
Pietro Chiesa coffee table, 1930, ebonized wood structure, thick crystal pink glass top. Est. €6,000-8,000. Nova Ars image.
Warren Platner for Knoll ‘1725A’ armchairs, 1966, metal frame and basketwork. Est. €3,000-5,000. Nova Ars image.
Sergio Asti for Martinelli Luce Model 640 fiberglass lamp, 1968. Est. €2,000-2,500. Nova Ars image.
Oscar Niemeyer for Rio Fasem chaise lounge in black-stained ash wood. Soft-leather-upholstered cushion and headrest. Est. €6,000-7,000. Nova Ars image.
The auction’s expected top lot is this Chinese Qianlong jade censer, executed circa 1736-1795, est. $15,000-$25,000. Crescent City Auction Gallery image. NEW ORLEANS – An 18th century Chinese Qianlong celadon jade censer with a pre-sale estimate of $15,000-$25,000, items from the living estate of iconic New Orleans artist and photographer George Valentine Dureau (b. 1930) and an untitled glazed ceramic sculpture by Lynda Benglis (Am., b. 1941) are all part of a huge weekend auction planned for July 13-14.
The auction will be conducted by Crescent City Auction Gallery, in the firm’s gallery located at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. Start times both days will be 10 a.m. (CST). Over 1,200 lots will be offered, to include fine art, antique clocks, Chinese objects, Persian rugs, period American and European furniture, antique lamps and lighting and decorative accessories.
The Chinese censer is the expected top lot of the auction. Executed circa 1736-1795, the piece features a central band across the bowl, with the lip carved with a bat. The other side shows relief tassels, framing Chinese characters within. The censer is two inches tall and 6 ¼ inches in diameter. Similar ones have sold at Sotheby’s and elsewhere for much more than the estimate.
George Dureau has been called the quintessential New Orleans artist. The 83-year-old artist-photographer was a French Quarter fixture for years, but now Alzheimer’s Disease has forced him into a local nursing home. The auction of his estate items, in fact, will help defray some of his medical costs. A group called “Friends of George” has spearheaded this effort.
The auction will contain items that Dureau used professionally and personally. These include an American Southern walnut tester bed, a cypress refractory table, a pair of Mid-Century Modern Bertoia diamond chairs, a large carved wooden statue of a winged horse, Bentwood dining chairs, pottery pieces and photo props that Dureau used in his picture-taking.
In the auction’s fine art category is a piece by Lynda Benglis, a Louisiana-born sculptor who now lives and works in New York. She is best known for her wax paintings, poured latex sculptures, knot-shaped “environments,” fountains and graphics. The work being sold is a glazed ceramic with gray and purple luster. It is a signed artist’s proof, 17 inches tall (est. $10,000-$15,000).
Other artworks to be sold include a 1992 oil on canvas by James Michalopoulos (La., b. 1951), titled Lumus, signed and framed (est. $2,500-$3,500); an early 20th century patinated bronze sculpture by Pierre Henri Leon Varnier (Fr., 1826-1890), titled The Stalking Indian, 14 ½ inches tall, signed (est. $2,500-$3,500); and a 1973 watercolor on Masonite by Noel Rockmore (NY/La., 1928-1995), signed, titled Man Beneath Coney Island Boardwalk (est. $1,500-$3,000).
Antique clocks worth noting will include a late 19th century three-piece Louis XV-style bronze clock set, with the clock face and movement marked Tiffany & Co. (N.Y.), with a pair of matching five-light candelabra on relief support urns (est. $900-$1,500); and a French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock, made circa 1820 by Hunziker (Rue Debussy, Paris), with the right side showing a figure of a winged Eros, the left his swan form bow and arrows (est. $1,500-$2,500).
Additional clocks will feature a three-piece marble and patinated spelter clock set made circa 1900 of The Eagle Seller by Samuel Marti, with urn garnitures (est. $1,200-$1,800); a fine French gilt bronze mantel clock (circa 1830), with the movement signed “Pons” with a large relief figure of a saint in prayer (est. $1,200-$1,800) and a 19th century French three-piece bronze and black marble clock set by Japy Freres of Paris, with matching coupes (est. $1,400-$1,800).
The American furniture category will be led by a gorgeous circa-1860 carved rosewood marble-top center table attributed to Alexander Roux, with white ogee-edged tortoise-top marble on a base with a shaped deep relief floral carved skirt (est. $5,000-$8,000); and a carved laminated rosewood settee (circa 1860), attributed to John H. Belter, in the Rosalie With Grapes pattern, having an arched back with fruit and flower carved crest (est. $1,000-$2,000).
French furniture pieces will feature a handsome 19th century elaborately inlaid satinwood and rosewood Louis XV-style cylinder desk with a cantilevered front that opens when the tooled leather writing surface is pulled forward (est. $3,500-$5,500); a 19th century Louis XV-style carved oak marble-top sideboard, signed Gouffe of Paris (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a circa-1790 Louis XV-style inlaid cherry sideboard with three parquetry inlaid drawers (est. $1,200-$1,800).
Also offered will be a 19th century French Empire carved mahogany ormolu-mounted marble top server, with gray marble over a frieze drawer with a relief bronze ormolu mount of Zeus, flanked by other figures (est. $1,500-$3,000); and a Georgian-style carved mahogany breakfast bookcase (circa 1900) on a plinth and massive at 88 ½ inches tall (est. $1,500-$2,500).
Rounding out the list of expected top lots are a pair of early 19th century French Empire patinated and gilt bronze four-light candelabra (est. $2,000-$4,000); a mid-20th century Persian silk Tabriz carpet, with silver thread, 2 feet 4 inches by 4 feet 4 inches (est. $3,000-$5,000); a 19th century French bronze and mother-of-pearl inlaid burled walnut gilt bronze mounted cave de liqueur, or lockable liquor box having 4 decanters and 16 glasses (est. $2,500-$3,500); and a pair of 19th century Louis XV-style gilt bronze mounted marble-covered urns (est. $2,200-$3,200).
Previews will be held from Friday, July 5, through Friday, July 12, from 10-5 (except on Sunday, July 7, when the gallery is closed). A late evening preview, lasting until 8 p.m., will be held on Wednesday, July 10. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.
For additional information on any item in the auction, call 504-529-5057 or email info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.
The auction’s expected top lot is this Chinese Qianlong jade censer, executed circa 1736-1795, est. $15,000-$25,000. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
Untitled glazed ceramic sculpture by American artist Lynda Benglis (b. 1941), artist’s proof, est. $10,000-$15,000. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock, made circa 1820 by Hunziker of Paris, est. $1,500-$2,500. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
American carved rosewood marble-top center table (circa 1860), attributed to Alexander Roux, est. $5,000-$8,000. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
Pair of early 19th century French Empire patinated and gilt bronze four-light candelabra, est. $2,000-$4,000. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
Mid-20th century Persian silk Tabriz carpet woven with silver thread, 2 feet 4 inches by 4 feet 4 inches, est. $3,000-$5,000. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
Three-piece Louis XV-style bronze clock set, with face and movement marked Tiffany & Co., est. $900-$1,500. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
An artwork by one of America’s premier self-taught artists is the circa 1939-1942 color on cardboard painting titled ‘Blue Cat’ by Bill Traylor (1854-1949). Sold for $37,500 at Slotin’s May 5, 2007 auction. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Slotin Folk Art. NEW YORK (AP) – The American Folk Art Museum in New York City has received a $1.6 million grant for a traveling exhibition of works from its collection.
The Henry Luce Foundation grant for the five-city national tour was made as part of the museum’s 75th anniversary initiative.
The exhibition will showcase 100 works by self-taught artists. It’ll open in New York in May 2014 and then travel over the next three years. The five locations will be named soon.
“Self-Taught Genius: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum” will feature drawings, paintings, carvings, quilts and other media.
The museum said the exhibition will examine art by the self-taught as an enduring American art form. It says the objects reflect the challenges and triumphs of an emerging nation and its evolving national identity.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE
An artwork by one of America’s premier self-taught artists is the circa 1939-1942 color on cardboard painting titled ‘Blue Cat’ by Bill Traylor (1854-1949). Sold for $37,500 at Slotin’s May 5, 2007 auction. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Slotin Folk Art.
Stetson Cowboy hat worn by Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Brian Lebel’s Old West Auction.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – As the Lone Ranger might say: “Hi-yo silver!” – and lots of it.
The Daily News of Los Angeles says an auction of items owned by TV’s Lone Ranger brought in more than $62,000.
Denver-based Old West Show & Auction held the auction over the weekend for Lone Ranger gear owned by Clayton Moore, who played the masked lawman in the late 1940s through the 1950s. He died in Calabasas in 1999.
The auction items included a white Stetson, which went for $7,000; a powder blue suit, boots and kerchief that sold for $27,500; a hand-tooled, silver-studded gun belt for the same price; and a single silver bullet that went for $500.
They were put up for auction by Moore’s daughter, Dawn Moore.
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – A group raising money to build a museum celebrating the Coast Guard and honoring its history said Monday it has raised $100,000.
The National Coast Guard Museum Association said it hopes to raise $1 million by Labor Day with support from a group of donors called the “Barque Eagle Society,” named for the Coast Guard’s sail training ship that is based at the Coast Guard Academy in New London.
Planners say they’ll build the museum in downtown New London.
Plans call for a four-story, 54,300-square-foot building with four floors of interactive exhibits, event space and lecture rooms. The Eagle is set to be docked at a nearby pier as an attraction.
The museum’s cost is expected to be $80 million to $100 million, with $20 million from the state.
Backers say they hope to break ground in May 2014.
With donations of $1,000, $5,000 or a three-year commitment of $15,000, members of the “Barque Eagle Society” will receive a limited edition painting of the Barque Eagle on canvas by Coast Guard artist Tony Falcone.
John Johnson, treasurer of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, said donations will help hire architects, engineers, site planners and traffic consultants.
Donald A. Kimball, a retired Word War II Coast Guard veteran from Stonington, was the 100th donor and will be honored with other First 100 contributors, with a bronze plaque inscribed with his name and placed at the entrance to the museum.
Kimball, a fourth generation Coast Guard veteran, donated $1,000 in memory of this grandfather, who was skipper of a three-mast vessel in 1918.
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Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cropped screenshot of Lorne Greene from the television series Bonanza. Episode: ‘Showdown’ (1960).
RENO, Nev.—Several pieces of memorabilia from the long-running hit TV series Bonanza are going up for auction in Nevada, including the branding iron used in the iconic Western’s opening credits.
The family of Canadian star Lorne Greene is selling a number of the deceased actor’s personal items and much of his memorabilia from the show at an auction Saturday in Reno. The sale was arranged by Greene’s son, Chuck, who lives at Lake Tahoe.
The Ottawa-born actor died in 1987 at age 72. From 1959 to 1973, he played Ben Cartwright, the patriarch of the Bonanza family, whose sprawling, 1,000-square-mile Ponderosa Ranch was set in the high Sierra between Tahoe and Virginia City.
Jeff Pilliod, who owns the auction house handling the sale, said he got excited as soon as he heard from Chuck Greene’s personal assistant that the actor’s son had decided he had too “much stuff.”
“When you have a name to match with the auction, it adds a lot more . . . to it,” said Pilliod, owner and auctioneer of Anchor Auctions and Appraisals.
“And Bonanza was very, very popular,” he told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Chuck Greene’s assistant, Sky Richarde, said they picked Pilliod as the auctioneer partly because of the local ties. Chuck Greene lives near the site of a replica ranch that operated as a tourist stop at Incline Village from 1967 to 2004.
Chuck Greene “still has a lot of his father’s stuff,” Richarde said. “He needed to not have so much stuff and he wants the public to have access to these things that were his father’s.”
The family earlier donated some of Lorne Greene’s documents to the University of Southern California for research purposes, she said.
One of the auction’s highlights is the branding iron that appeared during each episode’s opening credits, burning up the Old West-style map of the ranch and surrounding frontier.
Also up for sale are awards, photos of Lorne Greene at the Reno Rodeo and large personalized belt buckles, including one he received in 1962 from the owners of the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City with an inset of an 1884 Liberty silver dollar.
Lorne Greene also starred in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica but is best known for his role in Bonanza. His TV sons were played by Dan Blocker (Hoss), Pernell Roberts (Adam) and Michael Landon (Little Joe) during the first run of the popular series seen by an estimated 400 million people in 80 countries.
The show, which was filmed mostly in Los Angeles and partly around Lake Tahoe, helped put Nevada on the map worldwide, said Guy Rocha, retired Nevada state archivist and historian.
“People throughout the world saw this area depicted on TV and thought of Bonanza and the Cartwright family,” Rocha said. “There were generations raised on the show.”
Pilliod said he has reached out to fan clubs of both Bonanza and Battlestar Galactica, as well as museums he believes might have interest in displaying some items. He said he has even sought out fans in Europe and Asia, where Bonanza remains popular today because of the allure of the Old West there.
“We hope for a busy weekend,” Pilliod said. “We have already had quite a bit of interest, so we’re looking forward to it.”
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Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE
Cropped screenshot of Lorne Greene from the television series Bonanza. Episode: ‘Showdown’ (1960).
An exceedingly rare and important soapstone figural carving,18th century, dated by inscription to 1750. Sold for $2,235,000. Record price for soapstone carving sold in a US Auction house. Michaan’s image.
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Michaan’s Fine Asian Works of Art Auction held on Sunday, June 23, 2013 realized over $4,670,000, making it the San Francisco Bay Area company’s highest grossing event ever. LiveAuctioneers.com provided the Internet live bidding services for the sale.
Half of the day’s gross was attributable to another phenomenon: lot 3080. An exceedingly rare and important soapstone figural carving centering Qing dynasty imperial porcelain kiln supervisor Tang Ying was far and away the star of the auction.
Expectations ran high for the work of art, with a presale estimate of $100,000-150,000. As bidding commenced for the piece, people rose from their seats amongst a standing room floor audience of well over 100 attendees, while all phone banks were busy with calls. Two online bidding stations managed the activity as calls poured in from around the world. Heavy floor and phone bids pushed the selling price to $2 million, closing with a victorious phone bid and a round of applause. The carving broke auction records as it captured a final price of $2,360,000, making it the highest-selling Asian soapstone carving ever auctioned in the United States, as well as Michaan’s highest-single selling lot to date.
Asian Art Specialist Harry Huang remarked that the sale “…greatly exceeded my expectations. I believe that this work of Tang Ying will continue to be a powerful force in the world marketplace. I also think that this auction speaks volumes on the explosive state of the current Asian antiquities marketplace; what appears to be its very bright future is a thrilling prospect for Michaan’s Auctions.”
Categorically, fine jade carvings dazzled at auction, with a substantial list of successes. Two jade double-gourd-form pendants performed amazingly well, as they sold for over 53 times their high estimate (lot 3027, $1,500-2,000). The pendants closed at $106,200, garnering expressions of elation and awe. The pair of pendants topped a lengthy list of 15 additional carved jade lots to sell from over 5 times to over 33 times projected high values.
Additional honorable mentions from the astounding jade sales included two phoenix plaques at $64,900 (lot 3014, $2,000-3,000) and two figures of pigs at $50,150 (lot 3074, $1,000-1,500). Three jade lots also managed to realize a price of $44,250 each, greatly exceeding their estimates. The shared figure was seen in groupings of two rectangular white jade pendants (lot 3008, $2,000-3,000), four animal carvings (lot 3020, $1,500-2,000) and three white jade bird carvings (lot 3033, $4,000-6,000).
Chinese paintings were another section of the auction to hold top performers. A new international record was established by a hanging scroll titled “Mountainous Dwellings” by Li Yin (lot 3217, $25,000-35,000). The piece realized $112,100, the highest figure ever achieved at auction by a Li Yin work. Rounding out the impressive lots in the category was a collection of fan paintings and calligraphy by various artists that sold for $76,700 (lot 3218, $30,000-50,000), a hand scroll after Li Tang depicting figures on horseback for $56,050 (lot 3206, $3,000-5,000) and an anonymous album of three paintings realizing a price of $50,150 (lot 3209, $2,000-3,000).
A 14th century album of 12 paintings attributed to Wang Yuan (lot 3210, $6,000-8,000) and a landscape hand scroll in the style of Wen Boren (lot 3212, $4,000-6,000) each brought $47,200. In addition to the substantial figures that these painting selections brought, the section proved to be a formidable platform in obtaining solid numbers for lesser-known artists. Examples are found in an ink and color on paper hand scroll after Xu Longjiu (lot 3208, $5,000-7,000, sold for $10,620) and Zhong Hui’s album of 10 paintings sold as lot 3225 ($1,200-1,800, sold for $5,900).
Handsome figures were also seen across other Asian art disciplines. A Tibetan cloisonné enamel ewer and cover from the Qianlong period surpassed its $20,000-30,000 estimate at $53,100 (lot 3150). Multiple ceramic offerings saw fruitful numbers, as evidenced in a pair of famille rose porcelain plaques (lot 3310, $5,000-7,000, sold for $32,450), a famille rose vase of the Guanxu mark and period that sold for over 13 times its high estimate (lot 3292, $1,500-2,000, sold for $26,550), yet another famille rose offering in a pair of 19th century vases (lot 3294, $3,000-5,000, sold for $26,550) and a pair of enameled-porcelain plaques signed “Zou Guojun” (lot 3311, $4,000-6,000, sold for $26,550). A pair of hardwood armchairs with marble insets was another lot to realize $26,550. It sold for over eight times the projected high value (lot 3178, $2,000-3,000).
Numerous private collection offerings in the auction produced excellent sell-through numbers, as did the entire sale, which had a more-than-84% sell-through. A largely jade-based, private San Francisco collection saw a 100% sell-through of its 44 lots, as did a prominent collection once owned by Senator Theodore Francis Green. A collection of Chinese silk fan paintings from the Reynold Tom Collection sold out as well, as did the entire painting collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Tom.
Michaan’s Auctions Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Bradley acknowledged the impact and scope of the sale. “This Asian auction has established itself as the largest and most significant event in our company’s history thus far. The sale of the Tang Ying carving was the largest single sale I have presided over in my career. It has been a thrilling and exciting time to say the least.”
An exceedingly rare and important soapstone figural carving,18th century, dated by inscription to 1750. Sold for $2,235,000. Record price for soapstone carving sold in a US Auction house. Michaan’s image.
Li Yin (Early Qing Dynasty),Mountainous Dwellings.Sold for $112,100. World record price the artist. Michaan’s image.
Two jade double-gourd-form pendants. Sold for $106,200. Michaan’s image.
Two jade figures of pigs, Han Dynasty.Sold for $50,150. Michaan’s image.
After Li Tang (1066-1150), Figures on Horseback, Qing Dynasty. Sold for $56,050. Michaan’s image.
Tibetan cloisonne enamel ewer and cover, Qianlong mark and mark of the period.Sold for $53,100. Michaan’s image.
Pair of hardwood armchairs with marble insets. Sold for $26,550. Michaan’s image.
L. Prang & Co. print of the 1887 painting ‘Hancock at Gettysburg’ by Thure de Thulstrup, showing Pickett’s Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg. Restoration by Adam Cuerden of scan from original in US Library of Congress.
YORK, Pa. — The eyes of the world are on Gettysburg, for the next two weeks.
Rightfully so, many say, given that the fight there 150 years ago was a turning point in the Civil War.
But before the Confederates reached Gettysburg, many came through York, leaving an impact that is still felt today.
The Fiery Trial: York County’s Civil War Experience, opening to the public at the York County Heritage Trust on June 29, focuses on life in York leading up to and during the Civil War, including the two days the Confederates occupied the town.
Victoria Allen, assistant librarian at the trust, said each piece in the exhibit has importance.
From the two John Brown pikes, which belong to the trust, to the telegraph equipment loaned to the trust by the Morse Telegraph Club, Inc., on display in a special interactive portion of the exhibit, The Fiery Trial is designed to allow visitors to connect with the past.
“To me, to hold that (pike) and think that John Brown held it, is amazing,” said Daniel Roe, director of education at the trust.
Allen added, “History’s awesome when you can connect to it.”
For her, the discovery of one piece included in the collection brought particular joy.
In the back corner of Gallery IV, the Glatfelter Gallery — one of two spaces that house the exhibit — on a shelf not much bigger than a shoebox, behind a pane of plastic glass, museum visitors will find a letter about the size of a postcard. The half sheet of lined, white paper dated June 27, 1863, is proof of a unanimous vote of York City’s Committee of Safety to authorize they “surrender the town, peacefully” to the Confederates.
The letter acknowledges the Committee of Safety, charged with making decisions that would keep the citizens safe during conflict, believed York to be “defenseless,” Allen said.
Before she found the letter, Allen said she sometimes joked with her colleagues at the trust that A.B. Farquhar, the businessman who first made contact with the invading Confederates, rode his horse out to greet them and surrender the town. There are many people who think the surrender was a cowardly act.
“This has been a controversy for 150 years,” Allen said about whether York should have surrendered.
But the letter has given her something to think on.
In June 1863, “there were no troops here,” Allen said. The local militias were comprised of men “too old or too young” to defend the town.
“There was no choice,” Allen said. “They weighed their options and knew they had nothing on their side.”
The document doesn’t answer all the questions about the surrender.
But it might start a conversation among visitors to the museum.
Cindy Brown, collections manager, pointed out several pieces of clothing that will be included in the exhibit.
“Life didn’t stop during the Civil War,” she said, pointing out a formal rich, gold ball gown. “The South had cotillions and the North had a social life.”
The Fiery Trial offers a broad look at life for York’s residents in 1863, she said, as she encouraged people to come out and see it.
“It’s a little smaller here and a little quieter” than what’s happening in Gettysburg for the 150th, Brown said. “But we have quite a story to tell.”
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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE
L. Prang & Co. print of the 1887 painting ‘Hancock at Gettysburg’ by Thure de Thulstrup, showing Pickett’s Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg. Restoration by Adam Cuerden of scan from original in US Library of Congress.
