Pieces include oil paintings, etchings, watercolors, lithographs, ink drawings and serigraphs. Featured in the April offerings is a serigraph on paper by Leroy Neiman titled McRory’s Whiskey Bar (lot 047, $2,000-3,000). The scene depicts a packed bar full of revelers, merrily taking delight in the festivities of the pub. Neiman’s signature style is apparent as the use of bold, saturated colors further bring a palpable energy to the image. Popular the world over for his lively and vibrant paintings of sporting events and leisure activities, his work has been revered by millions. Before his passing in 2012, Neiman was bestowed with over 20 significant awards and citations, including the Victor Award and the ASAMA’s Sport Artist of the Year in 2006.
The Jewelry Department’s April lots comprise a spectrum of gemstones, including ruby, sapphire, opal, blue topaz, peridot and emerald. A variety of jade pieces will make an appearance as well, with bangles, a brooch, rings, a pendant, necklaces and a suite of a bracelet and drop necklace. Diamond offerings are highlighted by a special collection from a private Danville estate. This exciting jewelry grouping consists of eleven lots to be auctioned in April, eight of which are quality diamond pieces. One of the grandest is a diamond and platinum ring centering an emerald cut diamond weighing approximately 4.25 carats. The center stone is then surrounded by 12 full-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.40 carats. The stones are all set in platinum (lot 246, $10,000-15,000).
A unique custom-made necklace is another noteworthy piece from the estate collection. The piece contains authentic gold samples recovered from the Atocha, a now- famous Spanish ship that met its demise in 1622. Gold particles that were recovered from the Atocha’s treasure trove were melted down and blended to create the necklace, which is a replica of an original wedding chain found on the ship. The 18K gold neck chain is fashioned with 106 continuous, interlocking links, forming a symbol of the bonds of marriage. A certificate of authentication dated Jan. 2, 1992 from Shreve & Co. jewelers accompanies the piece (lot 143, $3,500-4,000).
Asian works of art will hold many categories of decorative and collectible objects in April. Jades, blanc-de-chines, paintings, woodcuts, furniture, export porcelains, jewelry and scrolls are a few of the offered items. Japanese items are also handsomely represented with a folding screen, collectible metal works, bone decorations and Imari objects as some of the available lots. A featured Asian highlight is found in a collection of five jade and hardstone archers’ rings, to be offered as lot 305 at an auction estimate of $400-600. Three rings do not bear any decorative carvings and display a variation of stone qualities. Examples are found in a delicately veined jade, a semi-opaque jade and a mottled hardstone ring. Of the carved pieces are a richly toned, coffee brown jade ring that displays continuous studio marks and an agate piece of a dragon among swirling clouds.
Interesting offerings are seen in many different categories from the Furniture and Decorations Department. Notable service pieces are found in a Victorian sterling four-piece coffee and tea service (lot 453, $3,000-4,000) and a Towle Old Lace sterling flatware service for 12 (lot 456, $1,200-1,500). International selections are seen in a Chinese Art Deco carpet (lot 792, $800-1,200), a Perepedil Shirvan rug (lot 790, $500-700) and a Persian kilim (lot 789, $300-500)
From a Bay Area estate collection are 14 portrait miniatures in the April sale. Depictions are varied and include collectible images such as a military serviceman (lot 494, $600-800), a gentleman at his writing desk and a lady at her tea table (lot 493, $600-800), a man of period styling (lot 495, $500-700) and a folk oil on board portrait of a lady (lot 502, $500-700). These miniatures were used to express sentiments and keep memories of loved ones near. For example, they often served as a snapshot of the time, as soldiers and sailors kept portraits close by while they were on duty
For general information call 510-740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
