Jewelry, watches kick off Susanin’s major auctions May 21-22

CHICAGO – An original gouache painting done around 1930 by the French painter Maurice Utrillo, an engagement ring set boasting a 3.28-carat, prong-set emerald cut center diamond, and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe Calatrava men’s watch with original alligator band are a few expected top lots in back-to-back auctions planned for May 21 and 22 by Susanin’s Auctions. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Start times both days are 10 a.m. Central.

The Tuesday, May 21, auction will contain nearly 600 lots of fine jewelry, timepieces, paper currency, numismatics and costume jewelry, while the May 22 Spring Premiere Auction will feature more than 400 lots of furniture, decorative arts, fine art, Asian arts and collectibles.

The diamond and platinum engagement ring set (above) and the Patek Philippe watch are the probable superstars of Day 1. The diamond in the ring set boasts J color and VVS-1 clarity. The four bezel set baguette diamonds surrounding the central diamond have G-H color and VS-1/VS-2 clarity. The platinum band contains nine baguette diamonds. The set is estimated at $15,000-$20,000.

The handsome Patek Philippe 18K yellow gold Calatrava men’s watch features a silver opaline dial and gold time markers, a 324 automatic 29-jewel movement, an 18K yellow gold safety release clasp, Patek Philippe certificate and the original box (plus the aforementioned alligator bracelet). The watch, one of several Patek Philippes in the sale, should realize $8,000-$12,000.

Other Patek Philippe watches will include a men’s Ellipse model with an 18K rose gold cushion-shape case (below); and an 18K yellow gold lady’s Ellipse watch with quartz movement and blue enamel dial. Each is estimated to bring $4,000-$6,000.

A diamond and platinum ring having one 3.12 carat prong-set round brilliant diamond flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds should rise to $10,000-$15,000; while an Art Deco diamond and platinum bracelet with baguette diamonds is expected to knock down for $8,000-$12,000.

The fine jewelry spans the English Georgian period, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, retro and mid-century to contemporary. Signed pieces by Bassani, Buccellati, David Webb, David Yurman, Gavello, Jose Hess, Kieselstein-Cord, La Triomphe, Peter Brams, Sydney Garber, Tiffany & Co. and others are certain to appeal to all tastes and budgets.

In addition to Patek Philippe, timepieces by many other renowned makers will come up for bid. Costume and silver by names like David Andersen, Fabrice, John Hardy, Hobe, Kai-Yin Lo, Lalique, Los Castillo and Spratling will also be in the sale, as will a fine selection of American, Danish, Israeli and English numismatics and paper currency.

The Day 2 catalog is packed with mid-century and Continental furniture, decorative arts (including Moorcroft, Lalique and Steuben), Asian ceramics, bronzes and inro, plus a session of nearly 200 lots of fine art from many noted, listed artists.

The painting by Maurice Utrillo (French, 1883-1955), titled Rue de Mont-Cenis a Montmartre, is a candidate for top lot of the two days overall, with an estimate of $50,000-$70,000. The vibrant and colorful figural street scene is signed lower right and inscribed “Montmartre.” The work’s provenance dates back to 1963, when it was sold by the Galerie Paul Petrides in Paris to Jacob Polak of Sarasota, Fla. A Galerie Paul Petrides certificate of authenticity is dated July 1, 1963.

The fine art category will feature an oil on panel by Ivan Pavlovitch Pokitonov (Russian/Ukrainian, 1850-1923), titled Ruelle a la Panne Pres D’Ostende, signed (est. $20,000-$30,000); and a woodblock print in colors by Gustave Baumann (German/American, 1881-1971), pencil titled Hoosier Garden along the lower margin (est. $10,000-$15,000).

An oil on panel Still Life with Flowers, Strawberries and a Cherry, by Anthony Oberman (Dutch, 1781-1845), artist signed, should command $8,000-$12,000; and an oil on copper panel attributed to Ambrosius Bosschaert II The Younger (Dutch 1609-1645), titled Still Life with Tulips, Roses, a Caterpillar and Two Flies, has an estimate of $5,000-$7,000.

A hand-colored aquatint rendering of a Mocking Bird (circa 1827-1838), by John James Audubon, Plate XXI from Birds of America, is expected to reach $5,000-$7,000. Also, an acrylic on canvas by Raymond Siemanowski (American, 1938-2006), titled Verdi Garden and the White Ghost, has an estimate of $2,000-$4,000.

An untitled figural oil on unstretched canvas by Predag Pedja Milosavljevic (Serbian, 1908-1987), signed and dated “1965” and large at 63 inches by 52 inches, should rise to $4,000-$6,000; and a color lithograph dated to 1971 by Joan Miro (Spanish, 1893-1983), titled Japanese Woman, signed and numbered 46/150, should breeze to $1,500-$2,000.

This sale also features a lovely collection of Chicago World’s Fair posters, architectural elements, inkwells and fountain pens.