From Claude Conover vessels to antique portraits, Neue delivers, May 20

Claude Conover ‘Kohnal’ stoneware vessel, estimated at $3,000-$5,000
Claude Conover ‘Kohnal’ stoneware vessel, estimated at $3,000-$5,000
Claude Conover ‘Kohnal’ stoneware vessel, estimated at $3,000-$5,000

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – An 1854 Portrait of a Gentleman by British artist John Thomas Peele (1822-1897), a large Louis XV-style rock crystal chandelier, and a stoneware vessel by Claude Conover (American, 1907-1994), titled Kohnal, are a few expected top lots in Neue Auctions’ online-only Decorative Objects, Fine Art & Antiques auction planned for Saturday, May 20. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Germany: Five sentenced to prison for 100-million-euro jewelry heist

The scene outside Dresden’s Green Vault Museum on November 25, 2019, following the theft of more than $100 million dollars’ worth of 18th-century jewelry and precious objects from the German institution. Five men were convicted of the crime and sentenced to prison terms of four to six years in length; a sixth was acquitted. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Bambizoe. Shared under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
The scene outside Dresden’s Green Vault Museum on November 25, 2019, following the theft of more than $100 million dollars’ worth of 18th-century jewelry and precious objects from the German institution. Five men were convicted of the crime and sentenced to prison terms of four to six years in length; a sixth was acquitted. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Bambizoe. Shared under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
The scene outside Dresden’s Green Vault Museum on November 25, 2019, following the theft of more than $100 million dollars’ worth of 18th-century jewelry and precious objects from the German institution. Five men were convicted of the crime and sentenced to prison terms of four to six years in length; a sixth was acquitted. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Bambizoe. Shared under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

BERLIN (AP) – A German court on May 16 convicted five men for the theft of 18th-century jewels worth more than 100 million euros (roughly $107,800 million) from a Dresden museum in 2019. They were sentenced to prison sentences of between four years and four months and six years and three months, German news agency dpa reported. One defendant was acquitted.

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Fontaine’s greets spring with veritable garden of Tiffany treasures, May 20

Circa-1910 Tiffany Studios Daffodil table lamp with Twisted Vine base, estimated at $50,000-$75,000
Circa-1910 Tiffany Studios Daffodil table lamp with Twisted Vine base, estimated at $50,000-$75,000

Circa-1910 Tiffany Studios Daffodil table lamp with Twisted Vine base, estimated at $50,000-$75,000

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fontaine’s Auction Gallery will present its next Fine and Decorative Arts auction on Saturday, May 20, starting at 11 am Eastern time. It will feature more than 500 lots of 19th- and 20th-century lighting, art glass, leaded glass windows, silver, porcelain, marble and bronze statuary, paintings, American and European furniture, clocks, watches and jewelry. The auction will feature private collections from Texas, New York, Michigan, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Ohio and Massachusetts. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Palm Springs museum gains 100 new artworks from generous supporters

Antony Gormley, ‘Apart X,’ 2003. Mild steel blocks, collection of Palm Springs Art Museum, gift of Donna and Cargill MacMillan, Jr., © Antony Gormley
Installation view from So Many Songs We Have Yet to Play: Gifts of Donna MacMillan, on view at Palm Springs Art Museum through September 3. Image courtesy of Palm Springs Art Museum, photo credit Guillaume Goureau.
Installation view from So Many Songs We Have Yet to Play: Gifts of Donna MacMillan, on view at Palm Springs Art Museum through September 3. Image courtesy of Palm Springs Art Museum, photo credit Guillaume Goureau.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Palm Springs Art Museum has announced that two of its most devoted longtime supporters — Gwen Weiner and Donna MacMillan — have separately given more than 100 objects to the museum’s permanent collection.

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LA design marketplace consigns prizes to Abell auction, May 20-21

Alice Baber, ‘Storm of the Rainbow,’ estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Abell Auction Co.

 

Alice Baber, ‘Storm of the Rainbow,’ estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Abell Auction Co.
Alice Baber, ‘Storm of the Rainbow,’ estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Abell Auction Co.

LOS ANGELES – An assortment of coveted items from the design marketplace Fat Chance Los Angeles and the personal favorites of its founder, Jeff Schuerholz, will highlight Abell Auction Co.’s Fine Art, Jewelry & Fine Furnishings sale on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Bidding starts at 9 am Pacific time each day of the online auction, which features more than 500 lots. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Jasper52’s Estate Jewelry Auction glows with emeralds and garnets, May 21

Circa-1900 pin with large demantoid garnet and ruby accents, estimated at $20,000-$24,000
Circa-1900 pin with large demantoid garnet and ruby accents, estimated at $20,000-$24,000
Circa-1900 pin with large demantoid garnet and ruby accents, estimated at $20,000-$24,000

NEW YORK – A platinum and diamond necklace with 8.50 carats of Colombian emeralds; a Cartier Art Deco emerald, diamond and platinum ring; and a circa-1900 pin sporting a large apple green demantoid garnet and ruby accents will compete for top-lot status at Jasper52’s Estate Jewelry Auction. It will be conducted on Sunday, May 21, beginning at 8 pm Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Important fine art and design await at Auctions at Showplace, May 21

Albert Andre, ‘Woman in Cafe,’ estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Auctions at Showplace
Albert Andre, ‘Woman in Cafe,’ estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Auctions at Showplace
Albert Andre, ‘Woman in Cafe,’ estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Auctions at Showplace

NEW YORK – On Sunday, May 21, Auctions at Showplace will present a sale titled Important Fine Art & Design. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Bid Smart: Chiura Obata’s art deftly bridges Japan and California

A first edition woodblock print of Chiura Obata’s ‘Lake Basin in High Sierra’ achieved $25,000 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2021. Image courtesy of Ukiyoe Gallery Japanese Woodblock Prints and LiveAuctioneers.
A first edition woodblock print of Chiura Obata’s ‘Lake Basin in High Sierra’ achieved $25,000 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2021. Image courtesy of Ukiyoe Gallery Japanese Woodblock Prints and LiveAuctioneers.
A first edition woodblock print of Chiura Obata’s ‘Lake Basin in High Sierra’ achieved $25,000 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2021. Image courtesy of Ukiyoe Gallery Japanese Woodblock Prints and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Japanese-born painter Chiura Obata (1885–1975) came to San Francisco in 1903 at about age 18 and during seven decades of art-making became indelibly ingrained in the history of California art. His story is unique and multilayered.

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