Charles Sorlier (1921-1990), after Marc Chagall, ‘Carmen.’ Estimate $10,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Lofty.
NEW YORK – Lofty.com is proud to announce its first-ever online auction, which features a trove of fine and decorative arts and goes live on the Internet at 2 p.m. Eastern / 11 a.m. Pacific on Friday, Dec. 6. More than 24 lots, all viewable online and drawn from a dazzling spectrum of periods and disciplines, await connoisseurs and collectors of furniture, paintings, jewelry and other decorative arts. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
“At Lofty, we are thrilled to be making our auction debut on LiveAuctioneers,” said Mark Lurie, founder of Lofty. “With the holidays in full swing, we’re glad that Lofty is giving buyers even more to celebrate, thanks to low estimates that make it easy and affordable to purchase outstanding, one-of-a-kind gifts.”
Launched in 2013, Lofty is an expert-vetted online store for valuable fine arts, antiques and collectibles. Every Lofty item is reviewed and evaluated by Lofty’s scrupulously selected network of specialists.
Among the top highlights of Lofty’s premier online auction kicking off on Dec. 6 are:
Still Life with Flowers, a beautiful mid-20th century oil on canvas painting in cheerful yellow, chartreuse and magenta hues by the German artist Anna Sophie Gasteiger (1878-1954), is Lot 14 (estimate $2,000-$2,500).
Two remarkable midcentury jewelry sets made and designed by the Surrealist Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli will also be offered in the holiday auction: a demi parure including a bracelet and matching pin, and a costume brooch with ear clips. The signed bracelet and pin demi parure, Lot 19, dates to the 1950s and features elegant multicolor jewel tone drops dangling from a whimsical offset gold tone knot design (estimate: $400-$500).
The Elsa Schiaparelli costume brooch and ear clip set is also signed and is composed of iridescent golden glass stones set in an a classic circular arrangement. These were created between the 1940s and 1950s, and are Lot 18 (estimate $350-$450).
Lot 13 is a fine silver Navajo squash-blossom necklace, circa 1950s-1960s, set with 18 natural coral cabochon stones. The magnificent naja pendant measures 3 1/2 inches in diameter (estimate: $800-$1,000).
A rare Charles Sorlier (1921-1990), after Marc Chagall (1887-1985), color lithograph, Carmen, created for the Metropolitan Opera, New York, 1967, is Lot 7. The work is signed “Chagall” and editioned “140/150” at lower right (estimate: $10,000-$12,000).
A watercolor on paper by the American artist Paul Sawyier (1865-1917), Landscape of a House with Well and Pond, appears to be in the original period frame. Signed lower right, this work is Lot 8 and the estimate is $7,000-$8,000.
A 20th century oil on canvas painting by another American artist, Ella Fillmore Lillie (1884-1972), Woman and Children Bathing at the Water’s Edge with Mountains, is Lot 9. The painting is signed lower left and framed (estimate: $700-$900).
An English 19th-century rosewood and brass writing desk on stand is Lot 5. The rectangular box is hinged at the top and opens to reveal a fitted interior and writing surface on a conforming stand raised on straight legs with H-stretcher (possibly later). The desk, which has a $500-$600 estimate, is fitted with brass mounts and includes a key.
Lot 20 is a beautiful Peruvian sterling silver tea and coffee service, circa 1940s. The set comprises a coffee pot, teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, strainer and stand, three tiny bowls, and a tray, each piece stamped “INDUSTRIA PERUANA PLATA STERLINA 925 CAMUSSO.” The entire service weighs approximately 145 troy ounces, and was purchased in Panama during the 1940s (estimate: $3,000-$4,000).
Portrait of a Young Gentleman, Lot 12, is a traditional oil on canvas painting by an artist from the British School, circa 1830s. The work, which supposedly depicts a young John Buckingham, is unsigned, and is fitted with an oak period frame. The consignor inherited this work from her mother, who probably purchased it during a trip to England (estimate: $300-$400).
Simon Bull (English, b. 1958) painted Lot 10, The Gifts You Give, a colorful floral still life done in acrylic. This work is circa late 20th century, and is framed (estimate: $800-$1,000).
A pair of Chinese portraits of an emperor and empress painted in the early 20th century, comprise Lot 4. The frames and portraits are carved from one piece of wood, which is overlaid with gesso and decorated with lacquer, gold leaf and polychrome details. The emperor appears to be Tui-Tsung of the Tang Dynasty, and the backs are finished with black lacquer (estimate: $400-$600).
For more information, contact support@lofty.com, or call our office at 646-679-6510.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Gilt, painted and carved wood standing Buddha. Estimate: $250-$350. Image courtesy of Lofty. Charles Sorlier (1921-1990), after Marc Chagall, ‘Carmen.’ Estimate $10,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Lofty. Paul Sawyier (American, 1865-1917), landscape. Estimate $7,000-$8,000. Image courtesy of Lofty. Navajo coral squash blossom necklace. Estimate $800-$1,000. Image courtesy of Lofty. Elsa Schiaparelli bracelet and pin demi parure. Estimate $350-$450. Image courtesy of Lofty.
