Bid Smart: Dipping in to the wild and wonderful world of animal-form inkwells

A pair of porcelain inkwells with agate bird finials, sold together with a carved spinach and jade standish, achieved $34,000 plus the buyer’s premium in March 2020. Image courtesy of Butterscotch Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A pair of porcelain inkwells with agate bird finials, sold together with a carved spinach and jade standish, achieved $34,000 plus the buyer’s premium in March 2020. Image courtesy of Butterscotch Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A pair of porcelain inkwells with agate bird finials, sold together with a carved spinach and jade standish, achieved $34,000 plus the buyer’s premium in March 2020. Image courtesy of Butterscotch Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — At first glance, inkwells seem like a dusty holdover from the early 20th century. In this modern age of laptops and AI-generated emails, no one needs an inkwell — but that is now the point. Yes, no one needs inkwells or fountain pens anymore, but people continue to appreciate them as beautiful, elegant objects that inspire a strong sense of nostalgia and make for a well-appointed desk. Pen shows and pen auctions are held around the United States and worldwide, and those who discover the pleasures of taking pen to paper often want vintage accessories such as inkwells.

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Maud Lewis paintings motored to $390K at Miller & Miller

Maud Lewis, ‘Black Truck,’ CA$413,000
Maud Lewis, ‘Black Truck,’ CA$413,000
Maud Lewis, ‘Black Truck,’ CA$413,000

NEW HAMBURG, Canada – A pair of paintings by the Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970) blasted through their pre-sale estimates to finish at a combined $501,500 (about $390,000), and a group of letters written by Lewis to a fellow artist and confidante hit $82,600 in an online Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction held May 14 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. All sums given in this story are in Canadian dollars.

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Vienna bronzes could win gold at Heritage auction, Feb. 25

Carl Karuba, ‘Mounted Brave with a Rifle,’ est. $1,500-$2,500. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Carl Karuba, ‘Mounted Brave with a Rifle,’ est. $1,500-$2,500. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Carl Karuba, ‘Mounted Brave with a Rifle,’ est. $1,500-$2,500. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

DALLAS – Heritage is proud to offer the Zobel collection of antique Vienna bronzes in its entirety, more than 250 examples in all, representing every genre from the American West to the Arab World, India and the Far East. Selections from this collection will be offered in a series of auctions; Heritage’s February 25 Art of the West Showcase Auction includes 16 magnificent examples. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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