Bold Viking jewelry in Feb. 28 auction ready to wear

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Viking warrior’s ring, 10th century, gilt bronze, size 9 1/2. Estimate: $375-$500. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Viking warriors roamed northern Europe from the eighth to late 11th centuries. While gaining much notoriety as raiders, they were also farmers, traders and explorers, and the craftsmanship seen in their jewelry demonstrates considerable artistic skill. Jasper52 will present an online auction of nearly 100 lots of authentic Viking and medieval jewelry on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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‘Fortune Teller’ anchors Caravaggio installation in Mexico

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Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio (Italian, 1571-1610), first of two versions of ‘The Fortune Teller,’ created 1594 and 1595.

MEXICO CITY (AP) – The celebrated painting “The Fortune Teller” by Caravaggio is going on display in Mexico City in what curators describe as a multi-sensory exhibit that brings the public into the Italian baroque master’s world.

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Centuries-old Alutiiq translation guide found in Alaska

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Alutiiq dancer in traditional dress. Public domain image

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) – A centuries-old primer for Russian to Alutiiq was found during a routine check of a Kodiak museum’s artifacts.

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New bidders battle Milestone’s regulars at $750K militaria sale

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Archive of uniforms, jackets, accessories, medals and career memorabilia of World War II Army Air Force P-39 pilot Joseph Scherer of Cleveland, Ohio. Sold for $12,000 against an estimate of $3,000-$4,000. Milestone Auctions image

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – A motivated crowd and relentless Internet bidding drove the total to $750,000 at Milestone’s Jan. 27 Historic Military & Firearms Auction held at the company’s suburban-Cleveland gallery. The 668-lot sale included many World War II and Nazi rarities with extraordinary provenance, as well as Civil War uniforms and paraphernalia; Native-American relics, and a virtual armory of antique weaponry. Absentee and Internet bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Gianguan Auctions showcases finest Asian treasures March 10

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‘Four Panel Painting of Poet Li Bai,’ hanging scroll, ink and color on paper, signed ‘Daqian,’ 37¼ × 13½ in. Estimate: $10,000-$100,000. Gianguan Auctions image

NEW YORK – Collectors of Chinese works of art will find Gianguan Auctions’ pre-Asia Week sale on Saturday, March 10, an exploration in connoisseurship. The properties include rare examples of devotional art, historic calligraphy, traditional and modern paintings, ceramics and carved jades. Additionally, highly personal items such as Chinese stone seals, carved jades and Tibetan prayer beads are being offered. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Storage gets creative, thanks to changing decor trends

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This paint-decorated Austrian armoire has a surprisingly modern look, but it’s dated 1816. Inside its doors, there’s plenty of hanging and storage room. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers and Cottone Auctions

NEW YORK – Storage pieces are not what they used to be. Changes in home design and technology mean that boxy, old-fashioned armoires, dressers and china hutches are being re-purposed or are making room for cabinets, shelving and sideboards in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles.

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KKK robe turns up during Baltimore auctioneer’s house call

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Whether you bid online or live at a gallery, the gavel rules, and it pays to be prepared before raising your paddle.

Gavel typical of those used by auctioneers when presiding over sales

BALTIMORE (AP) – David Allen, owner of A&M Auctioneers and Appraisers, never quite knows what’s going to turn up from the old homes and shops of the Eastern Shore.

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Man who died in Yellowstone was looking for buried treasure

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Topographical map of Yellowstone National Park showing mountain ranges

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – A 53-year-old Illinois man who fell to his death in Yellowstone National Park last year was looking for a supposed hidden cache of gold and jewels that has inspired thousands to hunt in vain across remote corners of the Western U.S., according to a report by park authorities.

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Picasso plate draws attention to Michaan’s sale March 10

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Joan Miro (Spanish 1893-1983), ‘L’Adorateur de Soleil, 1969,’ color etching, aquatint and carborundum. Estimate: $8,000-$10,000. Michaan’s Auctions image

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Fine art lithographs, etchings and prints are excellent choices for those just starting a collection and for collectors eager to acquire big names at accessible prices. Joan Miro, Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso are among the big names at Michaan’s in March. Some of their works, from the estate of Frances and Jean Lagomarsino, will be sold at the monthly Gallery Auction on Saturday, March 10, to benefit the University of San Francisco. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Always appropriate pearl jewelry offered in Jasper52 sale Feb. 27

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Top quality Tahitian South Sea pearl necklace, 33 round pearls, 13-14 mm, of natural peacock colors, 18 in. long. Estimate: $5,500-$6,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Jackie Kennedy once said, “Pearls are, indeed always appropriate” – though she didn’t mean just for celebrities, queens and first ladies. Every woman deserves to wear pearls. Everyone will have the opportunity to acquire them at a Jasper52 online auction devoted to the queen of gems on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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