Gallery Report: 18th century Chinese cloisonné urn soars to $126K

ATLANTA – At the start of each month, ACN columnist Ken Hall gathers top auction highlights from around the United States and beyond. The following items made headlines since last month’s Gallery Report (prices include the buyer’s premium unless stated otherwise).

Chinese cloisonné urn, $126,000, Pook & Pook

A Chinese cloisonné urn sold for $126,000 in an online-only Decorative Arts Auction held Jan. 14 by Pook & Pook in Downingtown, Pa. The 22-inch-tall urn had an estimate of just $100-$200, but bidders recognized it as a well-constructed example that stylistically resembled top imperial urns from the early 18th century. The design was auspicious, showing two large and ferocious red dragons chasing the flaming pearl of wisdom amidst heavenly clouds.

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Oskar Schindler’s wristwatch, compass on RR Auction list March 6 

Longines wristwatch belonging to Oskar Schindler, featuring a white face with gold-tone hands and time markers, silver-tone case and black leather strap. Estimate: $25,000-$35,000. RR Auction image

BOSTON – A remarkable collection of Oskar Schindler’s personal possessions will be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction on March 6. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Tate reveals upcoming exhibitions to mark women artists campaign

Magdalena Abakanowicz, ‘Abakan Red,’ 1969 © Magdalena Abakanowicz. Image courtesy of Tate

LONDON – Tate has announced five large-scale solo exhibitions of women artists currently in development, all set to open at its galleries in 2020-21. The announcement was made as part of the #5WomenArtists campaign, organized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., to coincide with Women’s History Month.

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Whitey Bulger letters fetch as much as $1,430 each at auction

A 2015 letter and accompanying holiday photo card featuring Whitey Bulger’s Alcatraz prison mugshot sold for $1,430. Image by Darin Roney, courtesy of Urban Culture Auctions/Palm Beach Modern Auctions

BOSTON (AP) – Letters written behind bars by notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger have sold for as much as $1,430 each at an auction in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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‘Fill ’er up’ at vintage petroliana online auction March 16

Hancock Gasoline salt and pepper shakers, 2,75in. tall. Estimate: $500-$1,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Once upon a time, oil companies offered more than gasoline and friendly, attentive service at their gas stations. To keep their brands fresh in the minds of customers, novel promotional items were freely distributed in the mid-20th century, which have since become collectible. Many of these items are offered in a 218-lot auction of vintage advertising that will be conducted by Jasper52 on Saturday, March 16. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

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Mormon church donates $2M to African American Museum

Exterior of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, July 20, 2016. Photo by Fuzheado, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating $2 million to the International African American Museum for the creation of a family history center.

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The Ward Brothers – decoy carvers extraordinaire

Pair of Ward Brothers Bishops Head wigeon decoys, one male and one female, sold by Copley Fine Art Auctions, Boston, Feb. 15-16, at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, S.C. (est. $125,000-$175,000). Sold for $228,000.

NEW YORK – So often greatness is born of humble beginnings, and such was certainly true of the Ward Brothers, Lemuel (1897-1984) and Steven (1895-1976), wooden decoy carvers who, over a period of decades, almost singlehandedly transformed what had been a utilitarian exercise – making handmade hunting decoys for hunters – into an art form. Their folk art masterpieces today have a place in many collections and museums. There’s even a museum named after the siblings.

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