ALAMEDA, Calif. – Chihuly glass, Cartier jewels and Buccellati sterling silver shone brightly at Michaan’s July 8 sale of fine art, furniture, collectibles and jewelry. Sell-through at this monthly event, known as the Gallery Auction, was excellent. The list of top lots went far beyond the realm of well-known artists and designers, extending to Navajo blankets, rare books and European dolls. Absentee and Internet bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
Over 91 percent of the jewelry offered was sold, with the glittering Cartier Panthere pendant (above) fetching $2,280, and a diamond solitaire ring (Lot 58) realizing $13,200. Collectors bid up the Victorian diamond lavaliere necklace (Lot 13) to $1,440 from estimates of $400-$600. Charm bracelets from several estates sold very well such as the gold coin bracelet that made $3,900 (below).
Fine wristwatches included the women’s 18K gold Rolex Oyster (Lot 123) which brought $3,900.
In the decorative arts, modernist designs continued to create excitement at auction. A notable example from the July Gallery sale was a pair of Giacometti-style 1978 gilt bronze andirons made in Italy and retailed by the Horchow Collection. The set sold for $11,400 – double the low estimate.
Further proof of modern design’s auction momentum is the strong upward trend for modern silversmiths. Buccellati’s Milano 127-piece sterling flatware service (Lot 611) brought $9,000.
A two-piece glass basket set by Dale Chihuly, Lot 326, earned $3,600.
The Expressionist painting Black and White Sheep, by Louisa Matthiasdottir, sold very well at $11,400.
Another favorite of Michaan’s bidders, Asian art, saw many noteworthy sales in July, such as the the splendid Edo Period Japanese folding screen that sold for $5,700.
Many fine snuff bottles sold very well, including the lot of four in agate, 19th century, which sold for $4,200.
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