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A top lot was a bronze titled the 'Birth of Venus' which realized of $24,780. The unusual and striking work depicted a Daum glass female deity emerging from a deconstructed, four-piece bronze shell of her likeness. Michaan's image

Daum ‘Birth of Venus’ breakout star of Michaan’s auction

A top lot was a bronze titled the 'Birth of Venus' which realized of $24,780. The unusual and striking work depicted a Daum glass female deity emerging from a deconstructed, four-piece bronze shell of her likeness. Michaan's image
A top lot was a bronze titled the ‘Birth of Venus’ which realized of $24,780. The unusual and striking work depicted a Daum glass female deity emerging from a deconstructed, four-piece bronze shell of her likeness. Michaan’s image
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Michaan’s auction event Dec. 8, encompassing fine art, furnishings, decorative arts and jewelry, held some of the most outstanding property seen on their auction room floor all year. LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.

A top lot from the sale was seen in an astonishing bronze titled the Birth of Venus (lot 3284, est. $5,000-$7,000). The unusual and striking work depicted a Daum glass female deity emerging from a deconstructed, four-piece bronze shell of her likeness. A San Francisco collector, who attended the auction live, was the high bidder paying $24,780, well over three times the high estimate.

Elizabeth Dalton, Michaan’s department specialist, said, “Of the 12 Daum Nancy lots in the fine auction, this piece was undoubtedly the pinnacle of the collection. It is both timeless and modern in its artistic value; a wonderful piece that I was honored to have in my portion of the sale.”

Additional successes from the furnishing and decorative arts category were an Aaron Willard Federal mahogany tall case clock (lot 3124, est. $20,000-$30,000, sold for $23,600), a Russian icon of Saint George and the Dragon (lot 3102, $1,000-$1,500, sold for $14,160) and a Evgeni Alexandrovich Lanceray bronze group of oxen pulling a cart (lot 3157, $4,000-$6,000, realized $10,030).

Jewelry lots sparkled at auction, with a top seller evidenced in a circa 1940s House of Boucheron ruby and gold brick link bracelet (lot 3340, $2,500-5,000). Forty-two square cut rubies of a total weight of approximately 10 carats were cleverly mounted into the 18K gold piece, appearing as three-dimensional steps laying fluidly upon the wrist. A New York-based bidder battled it out for the bracelet, eventually securing it for $23,600. Rounding out jewelry’s top three lots were a diamond and platinum wedding ring set (lot 3383, $13,000-$18,000, sold for $21,240) and an Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring from a French aristocratic estate (lot 3360, $6,000-$9,000, sold for $10,030).

Honorable mentions were seen in highly anticipated fine art lots as well. Exceeding high estimates were a considerable oil painting by Mel Ramos titled Greek Architecture (lot 3059, $10,000-$12,000, sold for $15,340) and collectible woodblock prints by Gustave Baumann (lot 3028, $8,000-$10,000, sold for $12,980 and lot 3029, $6,000-$9,000, sold for $10,620).

For general information please call Michaan’s Auctions at 510-740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com. Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd St., Alameda, CA 94501.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.


ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE


A top lot was a bronze titled the 'Birth of Venus' which realized of $24,780. The unusual and striking work depicted a Daum glass female deity emerging from a deconstructed, four-piece bronze shell of her likeness. Michaan's image
A top lot was a bronze titled the ‘Birth of Venus’ which realized of $24,780. The unusual and striking work depicted a Daum glass female deity emerging from a deconstructed, four-piece bronze shell of her likeness. Michaan’s image
Estimated at $13,000-18,000, this diamond and platinum wedding ring set sold for $21,240. Michaan's image
Estimated at $13,000-18,000, this diamond and platinum wedding ring set sold for $21,240. Michaan’s image
This woodblock print by Gustave Baumann sold for $12,980. Michaan's image
This woodblock print by Gustave Baumann sold for $12,980. Michaan’s image