European artists step into auction spotlight at Heritage, Dec. 8

Asgrimur Jonsson, ‘Parti fra Husafelli (Scenery from Husafelli),’ estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Asgrimur Jonsson, ‘Parti fra Husafelli (Scenery from Husafelli),’ estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Asgrimur Jonsson, ‘Parti fra Husafelli (Scenery from Husafelli),’ estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

DALLAS – The Thursday, December 8 Fine European Art Auction at Heritage Auctions is the largest sale of European art the house has offered in more than 15 years. Comprised of paintings, drawings and Old Master prints, the sale is richly diverse in subject matter, media, national schools, period, style and price point. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Medieval ring found in English field sells for $45K at Noonans

The Lady Brook medieval gold and diamond ring, £38,000 (about $45,000). Image courtesy of Noonans
The Lady Brook medieval gold and diamond ring, £38,000 (about $45,000). Image courtesy of Noonans
The Lady Brook medieval gold and diamond ring, £38,000 (about $45,000). Image courtesy of Noonans

LONDON – An exceptionally fine ring discovered by a metal-detectorist in an English field and  believed to be the wedding ring given by Sir Thomas Brook to his wife Lady Joan Brook for their marriage in 1388 sold at Noonans in its November 29 Jewellery and Watches auction for a hammer price of £38,000 (about $45,000). It was bought via a commission bid but saw interest on both the telephone and internet as well.

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British Museum reportedly in talks with Greece re: Elgin Marbles

Part of the group of ancient Greek sculptures known as the Elgin Marbles, aka the Parthenon Sculptures, photographed on display at the British Museum in August 2006. On December 3, a Greek newspaper claimed that museum officials and the Greek prime minister had conducted secret talks regarding the possible return of the sculptures. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Urban. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.
Part of the group of ancient Greek sculptures known as the Elgin Marbles, aka the Parthenon Sculptures, photographed on display at the British Museum in May 2014. On December 3, a Greek newspaper claimed that museum officials and the Greek prime minister had conducted secret talks regarding the possible return of the sculptures. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Carole Raddato. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Part of the group of ancient Greek sculptures known as the Elgin Marbles, aka the Parthenon Sculptures, photographed on display at the British Museum in May 2014. On December 3, a Greek newspaper claimed that museum officials and the Greek prime minister had conducted secret talks regarding the possible return of the sculptures. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Carole Raddato. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

LONDON (AP) – The British Museum has pledged not to dismantle its collection, following a report that the institution’s chairman has held secret talks with Greece’s prime minister regarding the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles. The report by the Greek newspaper Ta Nea is the latest twist in the long-running dispute centering on the ownership of the ancient sculptures, which originally stood on the Acropolis in Athens and have been part of the British Museum’s collection since 1816.

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Tate St Ives exhibition celebrates art and life of Barbara Hepworth

Barbara Hepworth, ‘Curved Form (Trevalgan),’ 1956 © Bowness. Courtesy of the British Council Collection. Photo © The British Council

 

Barbara Hepworth, ‘Curved Form (Trevalgan),’ 1956 © Bowness. Courtesy of the British Council Collection. Photo © The British Council
Barbara Hepworth, ‘Curved Form (Trevalgan),’ 1956 © Bowness. Courtesy of the British Council Collection. Photo © The British Council

ST. IVES, England – Tate St Ives is currently presenting a landmark retrospective on the iconic British artist Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975). Encompassing almost 50 sculptures as well as rarely seen drawings, paintings and archival materials, Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life celebrates one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century and the special significance of St Ives within her work. The show continues through May 1, 2023.

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Plein-air masterpieces win attention, strong bids at John Moran

John Marshall Gamble ‘Poppies and Lupine Near Sta. Paula,’ $34,375
John Marshall Gamble ‘Poppies and Lupine Near Sta. Paula,’ $34,375
John Marshall Gamble ‘Poppies and Lupine Near Sta. Paula,’ $34,375

LOS ANGELES — On November 15, John Moran Auctioneers presented the autumn rendition of its California and American Fine Art sale. Leading the auction was a work by William Wendt, followed by a Theodore Earl Butler painting. Other highlighted artists included John Marshall Gamble, Colin Campbell Cooper, Margaret Keane and Christopher Blossom.

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Historic diving helmets explore auction waters at Nation’s Attic, Dec. 10

US Navy Morse Mark V prototype diving helmet dating to July 1916, the second-oldest known, estimated at $15,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Nation's Attic and LiveAuctioneers
US Navy Morse Mark V prototype diving helmet dating to July 1916, the second-oldest known, estimated at $15,000-$25,000
US Navy Morse Mark V prototype diving helmet dating to July 1916, the second-oldest known, estimated at $15,000-$25,000. Courtesy Nation’s Attic and LiveAuctioneers

WICHITA, Kan. – One of the oldest known US Navy diving helmets highlights Nation’s Attic‘s Diving Into History auction, scheduled for Saturday, December 10. Other historic antique diving helmets in the auction include a so-called Widow Maker from World War II; a helmet made in 1900 that a diver wore when constructing the Golden Gate Bridge; and a helmet used at Pearl Harbor to dive the USS Arizona. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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