Miniature portraits after Lucas Cranach the Elder soared at Nadeau’s

Four miniature watercolor and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder from the collection of Lord Michelham, which sold for $47,500 ($60,800 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

WINDSOR, Conn. – Among the most contested lots at Nadeau’s January 1 sale was a set of miniature watercolor and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553). Once thought to be from the 16th century, they are now dated to the 19th century. Nonetheless, estimated at $3,000-$5,000, they hammered for $47,500 and sold for $60,800 with buyer’s premium. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

The subjects, mounted in two carved giltwood frames measuring 8 by 12in, are familiar images from the Cranach oeuvre. Two of the portraits depicted the reforming theologians Martin Luther and John Calvin, and the other two showed Johann the Constant and Johann the Steadfast, electors of Saxony and important figures in the early Lutheran church. Cranach and his workshop produced many formulaic printed and painted portraits of the subjects, with whom the artist was well acquainted. However, they were also much-copied in the Victorian era.

This quartet (one signed at the upper right and dated 1543) carried a label to one of the frames for a Christie’s sale of the collection of Lord Michelham – a reference to Herbert Stern, 1st Baron Michelham (1851-1919). A British financier, philanthropist and a member of the Stern banking family, his spectacular homes in London and Paris were filled with an impressive collection of works of art. As big spenders, Michelham and his wife, Geraldine (1882-1927), enjoyed a privileged relationship with the art dealer Joseph Duveen. Two sales from his collection were held by Christie’s after Michelham’s death: a sale at Strawberry Hill House in May 1926 and another at 20 Arlington Street, London in November 1926. These pictures could have been part of one of these sales.

Another lot that sold well above its estimate was a Cartier Art Deco desk clock. The epitome of inter-war glamour, it was estimated at $3,000-$5,000 but hammered for $52,500 ($67,200 with buyer’s premium). Housing a movement by the European Watch and Clock Co, the deluxe case combined a dial of French hallmarked 18K gold, mother of pearl and blue enamel and a geometric frame of polished nephrite and lapis lazuli. Bidders were alerted to an old stapled repair to one of the lapis pillars, but were undeterred.

A Tiffany Studios oil lamp in the Moorish style took $45,000 ($57,600 with buyer’s premium) against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. A trip to the Middle East was de rigueur for European and American artists of the mid- to late 19th century, and Louis Tiffany’s travels to Algeria and Spain from December 1875 to February 1877 were a major source of inspiration for his art. The Moorish influence is particularly evident in the firm’s earliest leaded glass lamps dating from the 1890s.

Also offered with an estimate of $10,000-$20,000 was a 6ft 3in high bronze by the Argentinian-born abstract sculptor Alicia Perez Penalba (1913-1982). Although untitled in the catalog, this large-scale cast by the Susse Fondeur, Paris is known as Voyageur des Nuits (Night Traveler). Conceived in 1958, a decade after Penalba had made France her home, it was made in an edition of nine. This patinated and gilt cast on a roughly hewn marble base came for sale from the New York estate of Israeli artist and sculptor Dina Recanati (1928-2021). The bronze hammered for $37,500 ($48,000 with buyer’s premium).

Four miniature watercolor and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder from the collection of Lord Michelham, which sold for $47,500 ($60,800 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

Four miniature watercolor and gouache portraits credited to a follower of the German court painter Lucas Cranach the Elder from the collection of Lord Michelham, which sold for $47,500 ($60,800 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

Cartier Art Deco gold, mother of pearl, enamel, nephrite and lapis desk clock, which sold for $52,500 ($67,200 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

Cartier Art Deco gold, mother of pearl, enamel, nephrite and lapis desk clock, which sold for $52,500 ($67,200 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

Tiffany Studios oil lamp in the Moorish style, which sold for $45,000 ($57,600 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

Tiffany Studios oil lamp in the Moorish style, which sold for $45,000 ($57,600 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

'Voyageur des Nuits (Night Traveler),' a 1958 bronze sculpture by Alicia Perez Penalba, which sold for $37,500 ($48,000 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

'Voyageur des Nuits (Night Traveler),' a 1958 bronze sculpture by Alicia Perez Penalba, which sold for $37,500 ($48,000 with buyer’s premium) at Nadeau's.

Roland Arkell

Roland Arkell

Roland Arkell is editor of Auction Central News and deputy editor at Antiques Trade Gazette. He has been writing about all aspects of the art and antiques market for more than 25 years.

Gallery Report: Loie Hollowell painting crests $1M at Clars

ATLANTA – At the beginning of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and across the wider world. Here’s the May 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Loie Hollowell painting, $1.05 million, Clars Auction Gallery

A painting by Loie Hollowell (American, b. 1983), titled Point of Entry (Blood-Orange Moon Over Orange Sac), sold for $1.05 million at a Modern + Contemporary Art + Design sale held March 25 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Also, a 1961 drawing by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), titled Etudes VII (d’apres Manet), brought $150,000, and a double-sided oil on canvas painting by Maria-Mela Muter (Polish/French, 1876-1967) changed hands for $106,250.

Winchester cartridge board, CA$70,800, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A Winchester cartridge board dating to circa 1884 sold for $70,800 in an online-only Petroliana & Advertising Auction held April 23 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a circa-1905 Carhartt’s Overalls single-sided porcelain corner sign achieved $25,960, and a Canadian Ford V8 dealer double-sided porcelain sign from the 1930s realized $15,340. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Marble sculpture of a woman, $21,250, Ahlers & Ogletree

A classical early 20th-century Continental School semi-nude marble sculpture of a woman sold for $21,250 in a two-day Spring Estates & Collections auction held April 9-10 by Ahlers & Ogletree in Atlanta. Also, an Untitled Abstract oil painting by Syd Solomon (American, 1917-2004) realized $20,000, and an oil on canvas by Henri Hecht Maik (French, 1922-1993), titled Le Reveille du Hibou (The Awakening of the Owl), achieved $20,000.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse motorcycle, $222,000, Bertoia Auctions

A circa-1932 Tippco (Germany) Mickey and Minnie Mouse motorcycle tin wind-up toy sold for $222,000, a new world record auction price for any Disney toy, at the sale of the Monique Knowlton antique toy collection held March 11-12 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, N.J. Also, a Masudaya (Japan) Machine Man Robot made $72,000, and a Bandai (Japan) Flying Spaceman ‘Superman’ friction cycle in the original box rose to $57,600.

B. Prabha painting, $37,500, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

An oil on canvas by B. Prabha (India, 1933-2001), depicting three women dressed in white and yellow, sold for $37,500 at an auction held April 4 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, R.I. Also, a religious painting by Mahadev Dhurandhar (India, 1867-1944), depicting a man laying down his bow and arrows at the feet of Shiva, changed hands for $31,250.

Crystal ball casket magic apparatus, $36,000, Potter & Potter Auctions

Jonathan N. Hofzinser’s Crystal Ball Casket illusion, created circa 1860, sold for $36,000 at Part 2 of the Ken Klosterman magic collection held March 26 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a color lithograph from around 1920, titled Rostrum The Last Word in Magic, commanded $26,400; and Alexander’s Sawing a Woman in Half illusion, made by F.G. Thayer of Los Angeles in 1921, finished at $24,000.

Chinese food vessel, $487,500, Hindman

A Chinese archaic bronze ceremonial food vessel from the mid-Western Han dynasty sold for $487,500 at an auction of Chinese and Himalayan Works of Art held March 29 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, a semi-translucent apple green jadeite tripod censer and cover realized $287,500; a translucent grayish-celadon jadeite covered vase rang up $81,250; an archaistic bronze wine jar and cover garnered $40,625; and a carved yellow jade covered vase went for $20,000.

Wesco Model 212 gas pump, $38,400, Morphy Auctions

A West Coast Equipment Company (Wesco) Model #212 gas pump, professionally restored in Hancock Gasoline livery, sold for $38,400 at an Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana auction held March 29-30 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Buick Authorized Valve in Head neon porcelain sign in complete, original condition realized $27,600, and an Edsel Automobiles double-sided porcelain neon dealership sign went for $24,000.

Lincoln’s pocket knife, $519,000, Heritage Auctions

A custom pocket knife in its original presentation box, given to Abraham Lincoln on June 16, 1864 by Alfred B. Justice for attending the Great Central Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia, sold for $519,000 at a Lincoln and His Times Auction held Feb. 12-13 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, the key to Box No. 7 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, earned $495,000; and a bust of Lincoln by Chicago artist Leonard Volk attained $399,000.

Cartier Art Deco desk clock, $359,100, Doyle

A circa-1925 Art Deco desk clock by Cartier sold for $359,100 at an Important Jewelry auction held April 12 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a natural pearl necklace with a platinum and Fancy Intense blue diamond clasp found a new owner for $226,800; a jade bead necklace with a gold clasp earned $201,600; a platinum and diamond ring slipped onto a new finger for $195,300; and an antique gold, sapphire and diamond horseshoe brooch changed hands for $138,600.

Huanghuali armchairs, $948,000, Freeman’s

A pair of Chinese huanghuali armchairs from the late Ming to Qing dynasty sold for $948,000 at an Asian Arts auction held April 13 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, two Chinese blue and white porcelain panels went for $403,200; a Chinese Qing dynasty famille rose-decorated Butterflies and Blossoms vase with the four-character Yongzheng mark achieved $189,000; and a Chinese Qing dynasty creamy-white jade carving of a bear realized $107,100.

Handwritten Beethoven letter, $251,240, RR Auction

A four-page letter handwritten by Ludwig van Beethoven, dated Sept. 24, 1815 and penned in German to his librettist, the court poet Friedrich Treitschke, sold for $251,240 in an online auction held April 13 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, a notice of insurance claim for Lee Harvey Oswald, a proof of death certificate obligating the insurance company to pay Oswald’s mother $863 for her son’s demise, brought $79,436; and a Marilyn Monroe-signed photograph, taken in 1953, earned $28,895.

Tom Brady rookie card, $4,800, Cordier Auctions

A 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady rookie card #236, graded PSA 9, sold for $4,800 in sports card and comic book auctions held April 3 and April 10 by Cordier Auctions in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Also, a copy of Detective Comics #225, the first issue of Martian Manhunter (1955) hit $4,080; a copy of Detective Comics #233, the first issue of Batwoman (1956) brought $3,120; a 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card #164 made $3,360; and a 1980 Topps Baseball unopened wax box realized $2,250.

Popeye and Olive Oyl toy tank, $105,000, Milestone Auctions

A Linemar (Japan) battery-operated Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank with its original box sold for $105,000 at an Antique Toy Spectacular held April 9 by Milestone Auctions in Willoughby, Ohio. Also, a Linemar battery-operated Popeye and Row Boat with its original box earned $13,200; a Chein tin wind-up Popeye Overhead Puncher with its original box rang up $11,400; and a Chein tin wind-up Popeye Heavy Hitter with its original box rose to $11,400.

Saturn V digital computer memory module, $71,335, RR Auction

A Saturn V Launch Vehicle digital computer memory module sold for $71,335 in an online-only Space Exploration Auction held March 10-April 21 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, Gus Grissom’s prototype pressure suit from Project Gemini went for $64,850; Dave Scott’s Apollo 15-flown CSM update checklist achieved $58,885; Alan Shepard’s Project Mercury spacesuit glove changed hands for $43,923; and Jack Swigert’s Apollo 13-flown flag earned $52,878.

Hughie Lee-Smith painting, $365,000, Swann Auction Galleries

Aftermath, a circa-1960 painting by Hughie Lee-Smith (American, 1915-1999), sold for $365,000 – a new record for the artist – at an African American Art auction held March 31 by Swann Galleries in New York City. Also, a 1982 dry pigment work by Ed Clark, titled Spatial Image III, commanded $341,000; an untitled (Atmospheric Effects Series) acrylic on paper by Alma Thomas from 1971 made $209,000; and an untitled circa 1958-1959 oil painting by Beauford Delaney hit $137,000.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Cartier clock, heart-shape diamond ring deliver glittering results at Doyle

Circa-1925 Art Deco desk clock by Cartier, $359,100
Left: Circa-1925 Art Deco desk clock by Cartier, $359,100; Right, Heart-shaped diamond ring weighing 5.02 carats, $37,800
Left: Circa-1925 Art Deco desk clock by Cartier, $359,100; Right: Heart-shape diamond ring weighing 5.02 carats, $37,800

NEW YORK – Doyle enjoyed marked success in back-to-back auctions of Important Jewelry on Tuesday, April 12 and Fine Jewelry & Luxury Handbags on Wednesday, April 13.

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