Bid Smart: Sitting pretty – garden furniture with vintage charm

This Carlos Cortes faux bois garden bench achieved $7,500 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2021. Image courtesy of Vogt Auction Texas and LiveAuctioneers.
This Carlos Cortes faux bois garden bench achieved $7,500 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2021. Image courtesy of Vogt Auction Texas and LiveAuctioneers.

This Carlos Cortes faux bois garden bench achieved $7,500 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2021. Image courtesy of Vogt Auction Texas and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Outdoor spaces have long been a key feature of homes. These crucial features provide a welcome respite from sitting behind the computer, delivering fresh air and, if the sun cooperates, a dose of Vitamin D. Entertaining friends and family outdoors is important, too, prompting a need for appropriate seating. A few thoughtfully chosen, well-placed pieces of garden furniture can transform a humble patch of green into a refuge.

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Apollo Art Auctions offers spectacular ancient art & antiquities, Jan. 29

Important over-lifesize marble portrait of a Severan lady, possibly Empress Julia Domna, circa early 3rd century AD. Realistic details to face and wavy, center-parted hairstyle. Height: 555mm (21.85in). Provenance: Private collection of London doctor; previously with a London ancient art gallery; acquired from old Suffolk, UK collection, 1980s. Formerly in 19th century English collection (based on restoration techniques and information provided by vendor). Exhibited at Olympia Antiques Fair, June 2022. Accompanied by ARS professional historical report. Estimate £100,000-£200,000 ($122,150-$244,300)

LONDON – Apollo Art Auctions will launch its new season of gallery events with a January 29 sale generously laden with ancient fine art, antiquities and rare coins. Bidders who are unable to attend in person may bid remotely by phone, online or absentee, and everyone can enjoy the visually stunning auction catalogue online. With its exceptional photography and authoritative descriptions of rare art and artifacts, the auction book takes the reader on a virtual journey of the greatest civilizations of the world, traversing Classical Europe, Egypt and the Near East, and both southern Asia and the Far East.

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Apollo Art Auctions unveils superb ancient art & antiquities, Nov. 13

Roman Imperial marble bust likely depicting Empress Julia Domna, wife of Septimus Severus late 2nd century AD. Size: 320mm (12.6in) high; 2.45kg (5lbs. 6oz). Provenance: property of a London doctor; New York private collection; Gorny & Mocsch, Munich; an old Bavarian collection. Estimate: £15,000-£30,000 ($17,415-$34,830). Image provided by Apollo Art Auctions, London
Roman Imperial marble bust likely depicting Empress Julia Domna, wife of Septimus Severus late 2nd century AD. Size: 320mm (12.6in) high; 2.45kg (5lbs. 6oz). Provenance: property of a London doctor; New York private collection; Gorny & Mocsch, Munich; an old Bavarian collection. Estimate: £15,000-£30,000 ($17,415-$34,830). Image provided by Apollo Art Auctions, London

LONDON – Apollo Art Auctions, the connoisseur’s choice for authentic, expertly vetted ancient art and antiquities, takes pleasure in announcing highlights of its November 13 gallery auction. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Robots and space guns were unstoppable at Morphy’s $1.5M toy auction

From Masudaya’s (Japan) famed Gang of Five robot series, a circa-1960 Machine Man Robot accompanied by original graphic box with inserts. One of very few known examples, it was discovered in the attic of the original owner’s home. Sold near the top of its estimate range for $84,000

DENVER, Pa. – It was playday but it was also payday for those hoping to acquire rare robots and space guns at Morphy’s August 9-10 Toys & Collectibles Auction. The sale took in $1.5 million, with big-ticket items that included a boxed Machine Man Robot, a whimsical Electroman Robot, and an Italian robot-man gumball machine that prompted ferocious bidding before landing at six times its high estimate. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

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Everard to auction fine art from distinguished Savannah citizens, June 1-2

Style of Porfirio Salinas (Texas, 1910-1973), ‘Blue Bonnets,’ oil on canvas. Estimate $2,500-$3,500; starting bid $1,500

SAVANNAH, Ga. – On June 1-2, 2022, Everard Auctions will present a diverse selection of fine and decorative art, featuring property from the Estate of Murray C. Perlman of Savannah, Georgia. Perlman was a prominent Savannah resident who supported numerous organizations dedicated to local historic preservation, including the Historic Savannah Foundation. He was also an owner and partner of Savannah Galleries in historic downtown Savannah, which started selling fine American, English, and French antique furniture in 1968. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Sundials combine science and art to beautify your garden

A 19th-century Dutch copper and brass armillary sundial sold for $3,000 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2020 at Westport Auction. Image courtesy of Westport Auction and LiveAuctioneers.
A 19th-century Dutch copper and brass armillary sundial sold for $3,000 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2020. Image courtesy of Westport Auction and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Centuries before watches and cell phones took over the task of keeping track of the time, people could roughly discern the hour by looking up at the sun. Alternately, they could look down to mark the sun’s passage across the sky, which could be tracked by where it cast its shadow on the ground. This fact gave rise to the sundial, a scientific instrument that lends itself to decorative beauty and lush garden settings.

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The art of the garden: ideas for exterior decorating

A monumental bronze Beaux Arts garden fountain sold for $32,000 plus the buyer’s premium in March 2021 at New Orleans Auction Galleries.
A monumental patinated bronze Beaux Arts garden fountain, standing 8ft tall, sold for $32,000 plus the buyer’s premium in March 2021 at New Orleans Auction Galleries.

NEW YORK — Antiques have never been solely for interior use. Avid gardeners have long incorporated antiques and artful objects into their gardens to create focal points and add character, history and texture. A large garden in suburbia isn’t necessary to pull off this look; even city or apartment dwellers can use antiques to create appealing gardens in small spaces.

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