August 15, 2013 - Auction Central News

Grace Kelly exhibit debuts Oct. 28 at Michener museum

Grace Kelly, posing for 'Life' magazine in 1954. © Philippe Halsman/Magnum Photos.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – With fanfare befitting a princess, the official media conference announcing the James A. Michener Art Museum as the only U.S. destination for “From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly- Beyond the Icon” was held Thursday at the Hotel Monaco in the heart of Grace Kelly’s hometown, Philadelphia.

Details of the James A. Michener Art Museum’s presentation were unveiled and the costumes and designer garb to be shown were highlighted, as well as the personal letters and memorabilia including film clips and archival documents collected throughout Grace Kelly’s life. Visitors to the exhibition will be immersed in the world of Grace Kelly and discover the life and legacy of the Oscar-winning American actress and Princess of Monaco.

“The opportunity to bring together a comprehensive exhibition that focuses on the depth and breadth of Grace Kelly’s life is an important acknowledgment of her impact on so many facets of the 20th century,” said Lisa Tremper Hanover, director and CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum. “Throughout the years, interest in Grace—her compassion, her radiance, her dignity and her individuality—has never waned. Her hometown of Philadelphia is eager to honor this spirit.”

A panel of Grace Kelly experts was on hand to discuss everything Grace including Tremper Hanover, who provided an overview of the exhibition and items that will be displayed.

Kristina Haugland, associate curator of costume and textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and author of Grace Kelly: Icon of Style to Royal Bride and Grace Kelly Style, addressed Grace Kelly’s iconic style and provided a perspective on her influence on the world of fashion.

The highlight of the day was the concluding special message from His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. He spoke of how delighted he is to have the exhibition at the James A. Michener Art Museum, not far from where his mother grew up. “Those of us who were fortunate enough to know my mother—her family and friends—knew her to be a genuine, warm and loving woman—a woman who always put her family first. I hope that through experiencing this exhibition you will be able to glimpse the real Grace Kelly—the woman beyond he icon, my mother.” His passion and respect for his mother’s legacy were the impetus for the North American tour for this exhibition. The exhibition is produced by the Grimaldi Forum Monaco and the McCord Museum, based on a display at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

For more information, visit www.michenerartmuseum.org or call 215-340-9800.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

Brannell New York beige silk shirtwaisted dress with brocaded dots. © Consulate General of Monaco New York.

Ateliers du Palais de Monaco: (detail) red lame coat with mink collar. © Consulate General of Monaco New York.

Helen Rose: (detail) costume from the musical comedy film 'High Society'; full length white jersey boudoir robe. © Consulate General of Monaco New York. — Helen Rose: (detail) costume from the musical comedy film ‘High Society’; full length white jersey boudoir robe. © Consulate General of Monaco New York.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show set for Nov. 7-10

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th and Arch streets) for its 37th annual show from Nov. 7-10 with its preview party gala on Nov. 6. This premier show and sale of craft raises funds for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and offer patrons the chance to view and purchase one-of-a-kind museum quality pieces.

Presented by the museum’s Women’s Committee and the Craft Show Committee, the show hand selects each artist from a highly competitive jury process where over 1,000 artists apply. The 2013 show will feature 195 of the finest and most dynamic craft artists in the United States, in the following mediums: basketry, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, precious and semi-precious jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper and wood.

“I am honored to serve as the 2013 chair,” notes Laura Rothrock, “guiding a team of over 100 dedicated volunteers. Our mission to raise funds for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and promote craft artists remains unchanged after 37 years. Nearly $11 million has been raised over our history to fund programs and projects encompassing all aspects of the Museum.”

In addition to announcing the 2013 show’s new and returning artists, the show will also invite artists from Lithuania to participate in the show’s guest artist program. A special feature of the show that began in 2001, the guest artist program selects and highlights craft from a single country selected each year. Countries that have participated include Japan, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Israel, Korea and more. The guest artists will offer patrons the opportunity to see, buy and experience craft made by 23 of the finest contemporary Lithuanian craft artists. All work is one-of-a-kind and handmade by the artists.

The 37th annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is the leading fundraiser for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Proceeds from the Show are used to purchase works of art and craft for the permanent collection, fund special exhibits and education programs, and support conservation and publication projects. For the complete list of artists and details visit the Show’s new website at www.pmacraftshow.org.

Dismantling of exotic Beijing rooftop villa under way

The elaborate rooftop villa is said to resemble a classical Chinese landscape painting. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Artingstall & Hind Auctioneers.

BEIJING (AFP) – A Beijing resident who built an elaborate villa and rock garden atop a 26-storey apartment building started dismantling the structure Thursday after neighbors complained, state media reported.

Authorities in the Chinese capital issued an order for the demolition on Monday, saying the structure was illegal and must be removed within 15 days, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The owner of the 8,608-square-foot structure, Zhang Biqing, agreed Wednesday to begin tearing it down, the report said, after police and urban management authorities explained that it posed a risk to the public.

Xinhua said city officials provided technical guidance Thursday to ensure the building’s structural soundness amid the dismantling as well as to make sure water and electricity did not pose a hazard.

Officials ordered that a protective fence be set up around the building so falling objects would not hit passing pedestrians and vehicles.

Reports this week drew wide attention to the huge house among what looked like a pile of rocks dotted with trees on top of the apartment building.

Neighbors had reportedly complained about the villa, saying they feared it could collapse on top of them.

The rocks, said to be imitation shells rather than solid stone, have trees and bushes growing among them, as in classical Chinese landscape painting.

Poking out from between them, sections of the villa underneath can be seen—a blue-framed window here, a balcony under a curved roof there.

Houses standing on top of multistory buildings have been seen before in China, where a rising property market is making land more and more expensive.

A developer in central China built 25 luxury villas on top of a shopping mall, which became migrant workers’ residences after authorities declared them illegal, Chinese media reported earlier this month.

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Great values await bidders at Ancient Resource sale Aug. 25

Rare pottery vessel from ancient Troy, Yortan Culture, Western Anatolia, circa. 3500-2600 B.C. Ancient Resource Auctions image.

GLENDALE, Calif. – Ancient Resource Auctions’ latest Discovery auction catalog is now online. The auction takes place Sunday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. Pacific. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

These Discovery auctions feature a great, inexpensive selection of well-provenanced and authentic ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, pre-Columbian artifacts and Grand Tour pieces. It will be will be an “Internet-only” auction.

The Egyptian collection features a fine collection of both ushabtis and scarabs. Greece is represented with many fine examples of pottery—South Italian and Attic—as well as many figural representations. Ancient Rome is highlighted by an impressive selection of glass and bronzes, and the Near East features a fine rhyton as well as many goddess figures.

No lot in this auction starts at over $400 and the vast majority open in the $100-$150 range.

“Buyers at our Discovery auction tell us that they shop it to either fill in that niche in their collection, add to an all ready esoteric assortment or to buy for resale. Whatever the reason, there is something for every collector at this sale,” said Gabriel Vandervort of Ancient Resource Auctions.

“Some photos are still missing, and many lots will be added, but these will be filled in shortly so keep checking the catalog for updates,” he added.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Amlash terracotta rhyton in the form of a horned ram, northern Iran, circa 1350-1000 B.C. Ancient Resource Auctions image.

Greek footed cup, Magna Graecia, circa fourth century B.C., 4 inches high. Ancient Resource Auctions image.

Roman glass two-compartment cosmetic container, Eastern Mediterranean, fourth century, 4 7/8 inches high. Ancient Resource Auctions image.

Minoan terracotta figure of a siren in bird form with a female face, circa 500 B.C., 3 1/2 inches high x 4 inches long. Ancient Resource Auctions image.

European Neolithic basalt ax, circa 2900-2100 B.C., 8 3/8 inches long. Ancient Resource Auctions image.

Public input sought for Motor City’s top buildings exhibit

A likely contender in the poll of Detroit's most celebrated buildings is the 1928 Fisher Building, designed by architect Joseph Nathaniel French of Albert Kahn Associates. Image by Mikerussell at en.wikipedia.

DETROIT (AP) – The Detroit Historical Society is asking the public to help create an upcoming museum exhibit about the Motor City’s landmark buildings.

The Detroit Historical Museum is creating an exhibit entitled “Detroit Decides: Our Most Celebrated Buildings” that is scheduled to be unveiled Feb. 1. The exhibit will feature three buildings that signify the spirit of Detroit as nominated by people in the Detroit area.

“Along with straight facts about each of the three buildings, the exhibit will primarily focus on stories and memories of Detroiters, demonstrating a real history of those buildings that represent the spirit of Detroit,” Tobi Voigt, chief curatorial officer of the Detroit Historical Society, said in a statement.

Nominations end Aug. 30. They may be made at the Detroit Historical Museum near the museum’s store or on the Detroit Historical Society’s website. The results will be announced in October to encourage more story submissions for the top three buildings.

The exhibit is planned for the Allesee Gallery of Culture, which opened in November as part of the Detroit Historical Museum’s $12 million renovation. Focusing on 1900 to the present, the gallery spotlights cultural icons and artifacts that hold significant meaning to Detroiters.

___

Online:

http://www.detroithistorical.org

AP-WF-08-14-13 1418GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Talks fail in lawsuits over oldest US synagogue

The Touro Synagogue in Newport, R.I. Image by Swampyank at en.wikipedia. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) – Mediation has failed in lawsuits between the oldest U.S. synagogue and the country’s first Jewish congregation over ownership issues.

Lawyers for the leaders of New York City’s Congregation Shearith Israel and Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island tell The Associated Press they were unable to agree during mediation overseen by a federal judge. The lawsuits will now move forward.

The dispute started after leaders at Touro agreed to sell a set of Colonial-era Torah finial bells for $7.4 million to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.

Leaders of the New York congregation opposed the sale, saying it owns Touro and the bells.

The lawsuits center on who owns the synagogue, a National Historic Site that is visited by tens of thousands of people every year. Touro was established four years after Congregation Shearith Israel was established in 1654 in New York.

In 1822, the last Jewish resident left Newport, and Touro fell into disrepair. Some items, including Torah scrolls and possibly the bells, were transferred to the New York congregation.

Touro reopened in the late 1800s, and in 1903, the Newport congregation signed a $1-per-year lease to rent Touro from Congregation Shearith Israel.

Congregation Shearith Israel opposes the sale of the bells, saying it violates religious practice and will remove ownership of the bells from the Jewish community. The New York congregation also seeks to remove the Newport congregation from practicing at Touro, saying it is violating the terms of the lease.

Touro’s leaders say Congregation Shearith Israel is only a trustee for the Newport synagogue and can’t dictate what is done there.

Touro this year is celebrating its 250th anniversary. On Sunday, it will hold its annual reading of a now-famous 1790 letter George Washington wrote to the Jewish community in Newport affirming the new nation’s dedication to religious tolerance, saying it “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan will be the keynote speaker.

AP-WF-08-13-13 1735GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Detroit museum promises fight to protect its art collection

Detail of a Diego Rivera fresco at the Detroit Institute of Art. Image by Carptrash (talk). This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

DETROIT (AP) – The director of the Detroit Institute of Arts says the museum will take legal action if needed to block any potential sale of works from its collection as part of Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy filing.

Graham Beal tolds The Detroit News Tuesday that he would sue, noting that such litigation could take years.

International auction house Christie’s said last week it will appraise some pieces in the museum’s collection. That comes as federal judge considers a state-appointed emergency manager’s request to push the city into the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

The DIA is considered one of the top art museums in the country. The city purchased many of the pieces in the collection years ago during more prosperous times, and art could be considered assets in a bankruptcy.

___

Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/

AP-WF-08-14-13 1149GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Plaques, statue salvaged from N.H.-Maine Memorial Bridge

Bronze plaques from the original World War Memorial Bridge are currently on display at the Discover Portsmouth Center as part of the ongoing 'Bridging the Piscataqua' exhibit that continues through Oct.13. Image by John Phelan. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – Three plaques, a monument and eagle statue once part of the original World War Memorial Bridge connecting New Hampshire and Maine have been restored at a cost of about $300,000.

For now, the iron plaques are being shown at the Portsmouth Historical Society. They will end up near the new Memorial Bridge, which was official opened on Aug. 8.

The Portsmouth Herald reports the smallest plaque from the 1920s recognizes the American Bridge Co. and original bridge designer J.A.L. Waddell. The medium-sized plaque recognizes local dignitaries and engineers

The largest plaque features the many politicians and engineers who helped to make the bridge a reality.

___

Information from: Portsmouth Herald, http://www.seacoastonline.com

AP-WF-08-14-13 1034GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Statue of Fort Wayne’s namesake staying put downtown

A statue of Gen. 'Mad' Anthony Wayne stands in Freimann Square, downtown Fort Wayne, Ind. This work has been released into the public domain by its author, FTSKfan, at the wikipedia project.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) – A statue of Fort Wayne’s namesake will be staying put with a new plan to improve its visibility in a heavily wooded downtown square.

The nonprofit Courthouse Preservation Trust is offering to spend up to $100,000 in private money to enhance the setting for the bronze statue of Revolutionary War Gen. Anthony Wayne.

Mayor Tom Henry had announced plans for moving the statue to the nearby Courthouse Green, but accepted the group’s offer just before the City Council was to vote Tuesday on a resolution opposing the move.

The Journal Gazette and the News-Sentinel report preliminary plans for the statue’s current site include removing and pruning some trees and installing lighting.

AP-WF-08-14-13 1046GMT

Sign up for daily highlights by email