London’s Apollo Galleries to host top-tier Nov. 21 Ancient Art & Antiquities Auction

Ancient Egyptian sculpted gilt wood and bronze ibis, circa 664-32 BC, Late Period to Ptolemaic Period, of a type often formed as coffins for mummified ibises. Size: 190mm x 250mm. Provenance: private London collection; ex Attal collection, Austin, Texas; via family descent from great uncle, initially acquired in first half of 20th century. Estimate £10,000-£20,000

LONDON – After 10 years as a recognized leader in the field of ancient art and antiquities, London’s Pax Romana has rebranded as Apollo Galleries. Adopting the name of the Greek god of the sun – and everything under the sun, including art, knowledge, music, poetry and truth – Apollo Galleries hopes to be every bit as multifaceted in its worldly domain as Apollo was in his divine realm. Secured by a deep investment in its future, the company has expanded its elegant two-floor gallery directly opposite The British Museum, increased its roster of managers and expert consultants; installed new scientific equipment for in-house object analysis, and launched new divisions, including Ancient Interiors and Wearable Ancient Jewellery. The firm will be hosting regular events and lectures, and producing informative videos while also hosting a year-round slate of exceptional specialty auctions.

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Spitler painted chest could reach $120K at Jeffrey S. Evans, Nov. 18-20

Johannes Spitler paint-decorated blanket chest, est. $80,000-$120,000
Johannes Spitler paint-decorated blanket chest, est. $80,000-$120,000
Johannes Spitler paint-decorated blanket chest, est. $80,000-$120,000

CRAWFORD, Va. – Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is pleased to announce its 41st Semi-Annual Premier Americana Auction to be held November 18-20. The three-day event features nearly 1,200 lots, including two important single-owner collections of folk art and Americana as well as a large selection of excellent material from various individuals, estates, and institutions. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Variety of art genres found favor at Neue auction

Constantin Kluge, ‘Place de la Madeleine,’ $9,840
Constantin Kluge, ‘Place de la Madeleine,’ $9,840
Constantin Kluge, ‘Place de la Madeleine,’ $9,840

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – An oil painting by the Japanese-American artist Kikuo Saito (1939-2016), a colorful Parisian street scene by Constantin Kluge (French, 1912-2003), and a large stoneware vessel by Claude Conover (American, 1907-1994) all finished well above their high estimates in Neue Auctions’ online-only Fine Art & Antiques auction on October 30.

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Birds of America set to soar at PBA Galleries Nov. 18 sale

Complete first octavo edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America, est. $60,000-$90,000
Complete first octavo edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America, est. $60,000-$90,000
Complete first octavo edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America, est. $60,000-$90,000

BERKELEY, Calif. – PBA Galleries will hold an auction of Rare Books with Science, Medicine and Natural History on November 18. The sale features more than 240 lots of rare and important books, manuscripts and related materials, with a large portion focused on medicine, science, and natural history. In addition, there is a significant collection of works by or about Winston S. Churchill; important early printings of the classics of literature and history; striking illustrated and color plate books; and gripping accounts of travel and exploration. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Eber Native American & Southwestern collection earns nearly $1M at Hindman

Fritz Scholder, ‘Indian with Blue Aura,’ $200,000
Fritz Scholder, ‘Indian with Blue Aura,’ $200,000
Fritz Scholder, ‘Indian with Blue Aura,’ $200,000

DENVER – The collection of important Native American and Southwestern Art collector Marilyn Eber nearly tripled its presale estimate at Hindman, selling for $953,344. The November 3 auction saw enthusiastic bidding on 226 lots of artwork by contemporary Native American artists, modern and historic beadwork, modern pueblo pottery and Native American jewelry.

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Polaroid photographs: instant gratification for collectors

Wearing a fright wig, Andy Warhol pioneered the art of the selfie in a Polaroid that brought $16,000 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2021 at Rago Arts and Auction Center. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center and LiveAuctioneers.
Wearing a fright wig, Andy Warhol pioneered the art of the selfie in 1986 in a Polaroid that brought $16,000 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2021 at Rago Arts and Auction Center. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Described as the Apple of its time, the Polaroid company gave the world instant photography. It was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1937 by Edwin Land, who hit upon the notion of using a polarizing filter in cameras to cut down on light glare, an invention that produced photographs that did not require a darkroom and fully developed in mere minutes. Land called these filters Polaroids, and later, the public applied the name to the photographs themselves. Even after the advent of 35mm film, which produced crisper and higher-quality images, Polaroid fans preferred the instant film’s speedy results and distinctive look. After Polaroid phased out its early peel-apart instant films, users no longer needed to shake the image to help it dry faster, but the ritual lived on because it was fun.

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