Kingman paintings, silver highlight Michaan’s sale Jan. 6

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Michaan’s Auctions will conduct their monthly estate auction Jan. 6 beginning at 10 a.m. PST. The sale will feature fine art, decorative arts, Asian art and jewelry. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

Over 90 lots from 19th to 21st century artists will comprise the fine art portion of the auction. The majority of the lots are from American and European artists, with a diverse selection that includes oil paintings, lithographs, engravings, watercolors, etchings and serigraphs. Two particular works in the auction hold interesting features, almost certain to peak collector interest. Lot 089 is a collection of four works from renowned artist Dong Kingman. The ink and marker on paper collection contains images of San Francisco, titled Market Street, Renato Shoe Repair, La Beatrice & Downtown, and Santa Barbara Savings ($800-1,200). An Oakland native, Kingman emerged rapidly as one of America’s leading artists as well as a pioneer of the California Style School of painting. Since his death in May 2000, Kingman has also been honored with several major exhibits spanning his artistic career. Dated July 20-22, 1984, the pieces for auction are accompanied by certificates of authenticity as well as a letter from Monte James representing the Estate of Dong Kingman. James is regarded as a leading private art dealer with over 30 years of involvement in distinguished fine arts.

Also of note in the sale is a Jack Baker work from a private estate collection in Alameda. Overlooking the Arno, A Balcony in Florence measures 30 x 24 inches and will be offered as lot 065 at an auction estimate of $400-600. The piece was gifted to the current owner by the artist in the 1960s. The portrait is executed in layers of vibrant tones, expertly juxtaposed by shading variations.

The jewelry department features a range of outstanding pieces in the January estate auction. From the varied selection of jewelry lots is a glamorous emerald, diamond and platinum bracelet. The piece is quite substantial as it holds nine oval cut emeralds weighing a total of approximately 7.00 carats. The emeralds are then accented by an ornate setting containing approximately 220 full cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.00 carats (lot 244, $2,500-3,500). Also available is an enamel and 14K gold masonic fob of San Francisco origins featuring a double headed yellow and white gold eagle (lot 365, $600-900), a classic sapphire ring centering a 2.00-carat stone surrounded by 11 old European cut diamonds (lot 255, $300-500) and a garnet and diamond drop pendant of the Beaux Arts period. The pendant holds two pear-shape, deeply hued garnet cabochons set in a decidedly feminine, articulated mounting of 29 rose cut diamonds (lot 345, $500-700).

Also from the Beaux Arts period is a beautiful Belle Époque aquamarine, diamond, pearl and platinum necklace (lot 294, $1,500-2,000). The necklace is dated to 1910-1920 and is a prime example of the period, fashioned in an elegant Festoon style. The piece features seven aquamarines of ideal color and brilliance in three different cuts, weighing a total of approximately 7.50 carats. The stones are then enhanced by nine round cut diamonds, further accented by several seed pearls. Refined scallop work is seen throughout and the necklace remains in excellent, original condition.

The Asian department presents over 120 lots in the January estate auction including jades, furnishings, scrolls, porcelains, paintings, decorative objects and Chinese and Japanese textiles. Quite an unusual item is found in an ornamented Japanese hibachi offered as lot 527 ($350-500). The box-shaped heating device features a lidded compartment in which to put coal, alongside a vented compartment where generated heat escapes. A small, medium and large drawer are fashioned to hold supplies and further vent slices are seen on the front and back to prevent combustion. The hibachi is ornamented by stylized, gold tone floral motifs and symbols set upon a chocolate brown lacquer finish. These types of decorative hibachi boxes have often been sought out by the modern day collector for display purposes and even for use as a whimsical smoking device.

Over 60 lots of silver will be offered among the furniture and decoration department’s 200-plus lot sale, including a wide array of collectibles and furnishings. A private collection of 24 lots of exceptional silver pieces of Japanese, Scandinavian, Danish, Russian, Chinese and U.S. origins will also be auctioned in the January sale. The variety of items from the grouping is quite extensive, with an assortment that includes holloware, tea service pieces, cocktail implements, decanters, a dresser set and formal flatware. Highlighting the private collection offerings are three Japanese silver lots at a range of price points, fashioned with decorative bamboo sprays framing a full moon. Lot 582 is a four-piece silver tea service set complete with matching tea tray estimated at $8,000-10,000. Lot 584 contains a silver cocktail shaker with six matching cups and an associated flask at an estimate of $2,000-3,000. Completing the theme reflected in the highlighted lots is lot 586, consisting of a hand wrought silver cake tray and matching pie server at an estimate of $1,800-2,000. All of the pieces are in excellent condition and bear original silver stamp markings as well.

For general information call 510-740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com.

Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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