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Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’

Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’ finest art specimen at Bruneau & Co. May 4

Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’
Neo-expressionist painting by Hunt Slonem (American, b. 1951), titled ‘Butterfly’s’ (2003), 30in. x 40in., done in Slonem’s unmistakable sgraffito technique. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. Bruneau & Co. image

CRANSTON, R.I. – Just over 350 quality lots pulled from estates and collections across New England will highlight a Spring Fine Art & Antiques Auction planned for Saturday, May 4, by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

The cataloged auction will come up for bid starting at noon Eastern with a wide variety of Asian arts, decorative arts, paintings, furniture, jewelry, collectibles, primitives, sterling silver and porcelain, among many other items.

“I’m sure Asian arts and jewelry will take the spotlight during this auction,” said Kevin Bruneau, president and auctioneer of Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers. “From the lacquered screen to the palace size famille rose vases, I’m sure bidders will see many lots that will pique their interest.”

Travis Landry, a Bruneau & Co. specialist and auctioneer, added, “Contemporary art is certainly going to be an auction all-star category this time around. It’s awesome to be able to handle an original Hunt Slonem painting (above) and I’m sure the Dan Corbin sculpture will attract keen attention.”

The painting by Hunt Slonem (American, b. 1951) is a bright and colorful neo-expressionist work titled Butterfly’s (2003). It carries an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. The composition of blue, red green and yellow butterflies among foliage over a white background, 30-by-40 inches, was executed using Slonem’s unmistakable sgraffito technique.

The post-modern figurative female sculpture by Alabama artist Dan Corbin (b. 1947) is expected to realize $1,500-$2,500. The reclining nude with a polychrome painted design was molded and sculpted of Bauxite. The torso is inset with three bullets and wrapped with sheet steel. The upper thigh is inset with a figure and also wrapped in metal. The work is signed, “Dan Corbin ’97.’”

Other fine art highlights include two oil on canvas paintings by George Loftus Noyes (1864-1954), two oil on canvas paintings by Robert Nisbet (1879-1961), a watercolor rendering of seaweed gatherers by C. Myron Clark (1858-1925) and a large and impressive oil on canvas illuminated seascape painting by the Massachusetts artist George Loring Brown (1814-1889).

Fine estate jewelry items are expected to dominate the day’s list of top lots. They’ll be led by a dazzling platinum, tanzanite and diamond pendant necklace (below) from Orianne Collins Jewellery (U.S.). The contemporary necklace, on a platinum rope chain, boasts an oval, brilliant cut natural 18.97-carat tanzanite stone set within a round brilliant cut diamond floret (est. $15,000-$25,000).

Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’
Platinum, tanzanite and diamond pendant necklace from Orianne Collins, having a brilliant cut, 18.97-carat tanzanite stone set within a round brilliant-cut diamond floret. Estimate: $15,000-$25,000. Bruneau & Co. image

Another necklace will also get paddles waving. It’s a high-style platinum, emerald and diamond cocktail necklace, also by Orianne Collins (est. $12,000-$18,000). The necklace features 23 oval mixed cut natural emeralds (12.15 tcw), surrounded by oval diamond set bezels connected by diamond set linkage a concealed twin safety clasp, all on a 17¾-inch platinum chain, marked.

Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’
Platinum, emerald and diamond cocktail necklace by Orianne Collins, featuring 23 oval mixed cut natural emeralds (12.15 tcw), surrounded by oval diamond set bezels. Estimate: $12,000-$18,000. Bruneau & Co. image

Another jewelry lot to watch is the contemporary 18K white gold, yellow sapphire and diamond ring (est. $5,000-$8,000). The 3.44-carat rectangular cushion cut prong yellow sapphire is surrounded by a two-tier diamond set rectangular bezel, supported by a diamond set under gallery and split shoulder band. The diamond setting is 0.64 tcw. The marked ring is a size 7.

Asian objects will be highlighted by a Chinese circa 1910 carved lacquer jade malachite coral screen, 84 inches tall with each panel 25 inches wide (est. $10,000-$15,000). The four-panel room divider screen with hand-decorated central landscape panels is elaborately hand-painted throughout with an appropriate color selection.

Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’
Chinese circa 1910 carved lacquer jade malachite coral screen, 84in. tall, each panel 25in. wide, with elaborately painted hand-decorated landscape panels. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000. Bruneau & Co. image

Also going up for bid is a pair of palace-sized Chinese famille rose porcelain Republic vases, each one 37 inches (on the stand, 47 inches), large and well potted, with an opposing court scene. They’re being offered as one lot (est. $2,000-$3,000). Other Asian delights will include an exceptional Japanese gilt and silvered room divider screen and a large and fine cinnabar and cloisonné box.

One lot that defies category but is certainly worthy of mention is an Italian bronze chess set by Giuseppe Vasari (Italian, 1934-2005). The 18-inch-square, white and blue marble game board features an ornate foliate silvered apron supported by figural mermaid feet with gilt and silvered medieval figural game pieces, the tallest being 5¾ inches in height (est. $2,000-$3,000).

Hunt Slonem ‘Butterflies’
Bronze chess set by Giuseppe Vasari (Italian, 1934-2005), white and blue marble game board, silvered medieval figural game pieces. Estimate: $2,000-$3,000. Bruneau & Co. image

Decorative arts will feature a bronze sculpture of a woman by William Ludwig (Louisiana, 1935-2001), while the furniture category will offer a fine selection of period 18th and early 19th century American pieces, continental chairs and cased pieces, mid-century décor and an ornate Tiffany & Co. flame mahogany grandfather’s clock. In all, 351 lots will cross the auction block.

For details contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers at info@bruneauandco.com or 401-533-9980.

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