This turn of the 20th century bed hardware consists of a stamped steel hook imbedded in the side rail and held in place by two steel dowels. The hooks enter a slot in the post and engage two more steel dowels implanted in the post.
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. – I was in college when the rack monster got a firm grip on me. In high school, while living at home, I had led a fairly sedate existence, keeping regular hours and getting lots of sleep. Between school, work and a steady girlfriend my life was, well, ordinary. But when the time for college rolled around it was party time. Any time. All the time. Not all the time, of course, because I did actually have to study a little but sleep – “rack time” as we called it – came after whatever was last on the priority list.
Pang Jiun (b. 1936), ‘Wild Chrysanthemums,’ Estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Michaan’s image
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Michaan’s June 20 Fine Asian Works of Art auction brings an outstanding modern work to the marketplace in Pang Jiun’s oil on canvas titled Wild Chrysanthemums at an estimate of $40,000-$60,000.
Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
Appearing as a snapshot of an unassuming arrangement of largely yellow chrysanthemums bursting from a cylindrical vase upon a red mat, the piece delights with a natural spontaneity. Acquired directly from the artist in 1982, the piece is signed and dated upon the lower right, measuring a square 23 by 23 inches.
Jiun was recognized as a Shanghainese art prodigy, graduating from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing at 18 years of age. Jiun is known for painting in a modern Western style that echoes with Chinese elements, widely collected by institutions and private buyers alike. Some of the most prestigious recognition bestowed on him during his career includes the 21st Century Award for Lifelong Achievement from the International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England in 2004 as well as being listed as one of their top 100 artists of the world in 2007.
Wild Chrysanthemums will be joined at auction by a Ding Yanyong ink on paper titled Bamboo, Orchid, and Chrysanthemums (below) as well, with this highlight carrying an estimate of $5,000-$7,000.
Artfully and skillfully crafted interior pieces of superior materials at auction include a pair of slight huanghuali cabinets of the Republic period, measuring approximately 24 1/2 x 18 x 12 3/4 inches (est. $10,000-$15,000). Acquired in Tianjin, China during the Republic period, the finely crafted furnishings are uncomplicated in form as they are largely unadorned, letting the natural beauty of the huanghuali wood take precedence.
Also available is a four-panel wood screen, inset with meticulously painted porcelain plaques (below). Each panel holds four plaques of differing landscape scenes and shapes, finely and richly painted in famille rose enamels (est. $8,000-$12,000).
A pair of framed hanging porcelain plaques by Chen Baochang is listed at an estimate of $4,000-$6,000 as well, with the traditional landscape scenes bearing poetic descriptions and seals of the artist (lot 9196).
Decorative vessels will provide bidders with a variety of beautiful pieces at sale, with highlighted lots crafted of fine porcelain and bronze. Exceptional porcelains include a charger of iron red double dragons (lot 9189, est. $4,000-$6,000) a large “phoenix tail” vase of layered glazes resulting in desirable color striations (below, est. $3,000-$5,000).
Large flambé glazed ‘phoenix-tail’ vase. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Michaan’s image
A large bronze censer with a Xuande mark circa the 18th/19th century (est. $4,000-$6,000) and yet another censer with ornate elephant motifs and openwork details (below, $3,000-$5,000) are also highly collectible pieces.
Bronze ‘elephant’ censer and cover. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Michaan’s image
Also among the bronze sale section will be a significant and dramatic model of an embracing Paramasukha-Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi, with the assembled deities fitting into a pierced stand (lot 9125, est. $5,000-$7,000).
For more information on Michaan’s 2016 June Fine Asian Works of Art auction as well as additional fine sale offerings from the June 13 auction, contact Michaan’s at 510-740-0220 or email info@michaans.com.
William Henry James Boot (1848-1918), ‘Elvington Hall and Church, Yorks (From Sutton-on-Derwent).’ Gray’s image
CLEVELAND – Gray’s Fun Summer Auction on June 15 ranges from intricate traditional oil paintings and bold contemporary works, to a stunning collection of gold pocket watches and ends with a selection of furniture.
Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
Opening with traditional oils, lot 2 is by William Henry James Boot, titled Elvington Hall and Church, Yorks (above). An English born artist, William traveled and depicted the landscape from Europe and North Africa, as well as his homeland.
Another skilled landscape is lot 16 by Stanislav Chimienski, titled Warsaw in Winter.
Several modern works include lot 63, a group of three large prints by Ausmith, containing two star prints and one circle. An outstanding serigraph by Victor Vasarely makes up lot 61, titled Los Angeles (below). Born in Hungary, Victor was widely known as the leader of the op-art movement.
Victor Vasarely (1906-1997), ‘Los Angeles.’ Gray’s image
The auction then moves into the jewelry and pocket watch collection. Some highlights are lot 109, a James Stoddart, London, yellow gold Railroad Timekeeper, and lot 110 a rose gold Chronograph Minuet Repeater (below) that chimes periodically. The 9K chain has an 1879S $5 gold Liberty head, half eagle coin.
A 14K rose gold Chronograph Minuet Repeater pocket watch. Gray’s image
Fine jewelry follows the watches, including a dazzling gold and diamond starfish form brooch, lot 129.
A Tiffany Studios patinated bronze harp table lamp (below) leads the auction into decorative items and furniture.
Tiffany Studios patinated bronze harp table lamp. Gray’s image
Lot 215 is a large French Deco-style floor screen. The imagery depicting birds and trees in fresh pinks, yellows and blues is hand painted on a silver-finish paper that is laid onto all eight of the wood panels.
Lot 262 is another standout in furniture, a 19th century Dutch colonial ebony and mahogany cabinet (below). The intricate ebony details give this piece a bold look and classic beauty.
Nineteenth century Dutch Colonial ebony and mahogany cabinet. Gray’s image
For more information and images please contact Serena Harragin at 216-226-3300.
U.S. Airmail ‘inverted Jenny’ 24-cent 1918 issue. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK (AP) – An “inverted Jenny” stamp stolen in 1955 is finally being returned to its rightful owner.
The 1918 stamp, which features an airplane printed upside-down, will officially be handed over to the Philadelphia-based American Philatelic Research Library during the World Stamp Show in Manhattan on Thursday.
Considered America’s most famous stamp, it surfaced at a New York auction house in April. The auctioneer, Spink USA, says it was submitted by a man who had inherited it.
It was one of four Jennys taken from a 1955 stamp convention. Two others were recovered in the 1980s and ’70s.
The 24-cent stamps fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars today.
A spokesman for the stamp show says the unidentified man who inherited the Jenny will receive a reward offered by a stamp dealer.
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