American, English, and Continental Silver sets the table at Jasper52 Feb. 27

Christofle six-piece sterling silver tea set, dating to the 1890s and estimated at $23,000-$28,000 at Jasper52.

NEW YORK – On Tuesday, February 27, starting at 8 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will present its next sale of American, English, and Continental Silver, featuring precisely 155 lots of masterful treasures from across the ages. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Leading the highlights is a handsome pair of early 20th-century German silver candelabra, estimated at $12,000-$14,000. Both stand slightly taller than 16in, and both are stamped ‘835’, indicating the purity of the silver on a scale that tops out at 1,000.

More spectacular still is a Christofle six-piece sterling silver tea set, dating to the 1890s and estimated at $23,000-$28,000. The set consists of a samovar (water heater) with stand, a hot chocolate server, a teapot, a water server, and a sugar bowl and a creamer pot, both with vermeil interiors, and also a tray.

Completing the highlights is an exquisite example of Judaica: a pair of early 20th-century silver rimonim, or torah finials, by Simon Zimmerman. Described as ‘rare’, each stands 14in tall and are together estimated at $4,000-$5,000.

Pair of early 20th-century German silver candelabra, estimated at $12,000-$14,000 at Jasper52.

Pair of early 20th-century German silver candelabra, estimated at $12,000-$14,000 at Jasper52.

Christofle six-piece sterling silver tea set, dating to the 1890s and estimated at $23,000-$28,000 at Jasper52.

Christofle six-piece sterling silver tea set, dating to the 1890s and estimated at $23,000-$28,000 at Jasper52.

Pair of early 20th-century silver rimonim, or torah finials, by Simon Zimmerman, estimated at $4,000-$5,000 at Jasper52.

Pair of early 20th-century silver rimonim, or torah finials, by Simon Zimmerman, estimated at $4,000-$5,000 at Jasper52.

ACN Staff

ACN Staff

Content bearing the byline of ACN staff has been researched and written by multiple members of the Auction Central News team.

Masters of 20th-century furniture design command attention at LAMA Feb. 28

Sam Maloof rocking chair, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

VAN NUYS, Calif. — Some of the most important names in 20th-century furniture design are represented in the upcoming Design Auction at Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) on Wednesday, February 28. The complete catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

The 202-lot sale is headed by this rocking chair from Sam Maloof (1916-2009). It was acquired directly from the artist in 1989 and is marked No. 45 1989 Sam Maloof f.A.C.C. ? to the underside. Described in the lot notes as being in ‘very good vintage condition,’ the chair is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

Luisa, Marchesa Casati Stampa di Soncino (1881-1957) was an Italian heiress, muse, and art patron — along with being something of a public eccentric. According to LAMA, the marquess commissioned this bench from furniture designer Carlo Bugatti (1856-1940). Featuring what appears to be Arabic script decorations and what remains of the original silk tassels, the underside provides the tell, with Casati marked there. The bench is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

The Larkin family of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania made a wise choice when they ordered this cabinet from Nakashima Studios in 1957. Now debuting at auction some 67 years after purchase, the cabinet is in fine condition and comes with a digital copy of the original purchase order. It is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

The sale includes 17 works by Jacques Adnet (1900-1984), the renowned French designer best remembered for his innovative use of leather and metal in his furniture. This sideboard cabinet is constructed of saddle-stitched leather over steel with oak and brass elements. It is dated to around 1955 and carries an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

No 20th-century furniture sale would be complete without an example from Charles and Ray Eames. The husband-and-wife design powerhouse created La Chaise for the 1948 International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. However, it was not actually produced for retail until the 1990s by Vitra in Switzerland. This example is from around 2000 and is made of lacquered polyester resin, chrome-plated steel, and oak and is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

Sam Maloof rocking chair, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

Sam Maloof rocking chair, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

Carlo Bugatti bench, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

Carlo Bugatti bench, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

George Nakashima cabinet, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

George Nakashima cabinet, estimated at $20,000-$30,000 at LAMA.

Jacques Adnet sideboard cabinet, estimated at $10,000-$15,000 at LAMA.

Jacques Adnet sideboard cabinet, estimated at $10,000-$15,000 at LAMA.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Cassandre, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Mucha star at Swann Feb. 29

Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron), 'Cycles Brillant,' estimated at $15,000-$20,000 at Swann.

NEW YORK — Nearly 350 lots of vintage posters from the biggest names in Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Soviet governmental art will delight bidders at Swann’s on Thursday, February 29. The leap-year catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

So iconic in Finland that it was made into a postage stamp in 2006 is Bil-Bol, a 1907 poster that has murky origins. Based on the Finnish epic poem of Kalevala, the artwork depicts a nude maiden being whisked away by a determined suitor in an automobile. Many collectors have attributed this poster’s commission to an automobile dealer, but the most likely explanation is that it was designed by artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) for Swedish baron Carl Cederström. He founded Sweden’s first car company, Bil-Aktibolaget, better known and trademarked as Bil-Bol. The poster carries an estimate of $40,000-$60,000.

The sale includes a phenomenal nine posters by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901). Estimated at $40,000-$60,000 is L’Estamp Originale, one of 100 signed copies by the artist in support of the art publication of the same name, published by André Marty. The publication’s goal was to highlight the upcoming generation of new artists, and Toulouse-Lautrec was featured in issue no. 1 with his cover art showing his muse Jane Avril standing in the Ancourt & Cie. printing shop while his favorite printer Père Cotelle is hard at work.

One of the giants of the Art Nouveau movement was Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), the Czech painter, illustrator, and graphic artist whose most iconic designs were collected in 1902 in Documents Décoratifs, a portfolio of 72 color plates. So revered was Mucha that art schools routinely taught from this publication. It is difficult to find a complete example of this work, as many have been broken up and sold off as individual plates. The portfolio is estimated at $15,000-$20,000.

A.M. Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron, 1901-1968) was a French poster and type designer, two skills brought together beautifully in Cycles Brillant. This 1925 Art Deco masterpiece was created very early in Cassandre’s career, showing his powerful use of the cycle’s angle to affect the type and the viewer’s eye. The poster has an estimate of $15,000-$20,000.

Venereal disease has long been a public health issue, as seen in this prewar “She May Be … A Bag of Trouble” design ripped from a pre-code Hollywood one sheet. Created by an artist known only as Christian, the poster features an underline of VDgraphic-40, leading Swann to attribute a 1940 origin date, though it may actually indicate number 40 in a series of health warning pieces. The poster is modestly estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

Akseli Gallen-Kallela, 'Bil-Bol,' estimated at $40,000-$60,000 at Swann.

Akseli Gallen-Kallela, 'Bil-Bol,' estimated at $40,000-$60,000 at Swann.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 'L'Estampe Originale,' estimated at $40,000-$60,000 at Swann.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 'L'Estampe Originale,' estimated at $40,000-$60,000 at Swann.

Alphonse Mucha, 'Documents Décoratifs' 72-plate portfolio, estimated at $15,000-$20,000 at Swann.

Alphonse Mucha, 'Documents Décoratifs' 72-plate portfolio, estimated at $15,000-$20,000 at Swann.

Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron), 'Cycles Brillant,' estimated at $15,000-$20,000 at Swann.

Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron), 'Cycles Brillant,' estimated at $15,000-$20,000 at Swann.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Rose Tarlow’s keen eye and fine designs beautify elite spaces

A pair of Rose Tarlow yellow velvet Lambertus chairs achieved a robust price of $7,000 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2021. Image courtesy of Andrew Jones Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Tastemaker Rose Tarlow has had her finger on the pulse of California design since the 1970s, when she opened an antiques store in Los Angeles. She makes combining antiques and eclectic items look effortless, a service she offers through her interior design and furnishings business, now called Rose Tarlow Melrose House. She and her team create unique pieces that embrace color, texture, proportions, and above all, style and personality.

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