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).

Picasso ceramics and mid-century modern furniture claims the spotlight at Nadeau’s Jan. 27

Pablo Picasso Madoura earthenware face plate, estimated at $5,000-$10,000 at Nadeau's.

WINDSOR, Conn. — A huge, 625-lot sale of mid-century art and furnishings is the focus of Nadeau’s Auction Gallery on Saturday, January 27. Bidding is now available at LiveAuctioneers.

Gio Ponti (1891-1979) is a giant among 20th-century designers. A Renaissance man, Ponti served as an architect, industrial designer, furniture designer and more across his amazing career. Ponti’s furniture receives strong attention from mid-century modern collectors. Nadeau’s top-estimated lot is a Ponti design for M. Singer & Sons. The walnut double dresser features industrial geometry and is one of Ponti’s more iconic designs for the American furniture retailer. It is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

The collaboration between Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and Madoura Plein Den pottery works continues to entice collectors more than 60 years after the first items came to market. This earthenware face plate is from 1968 or 1969 and carries all the standard Madoura markings, including indicating it is number 48 of a 100-piece series. It carries an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.

Gaetano Bellei (1857-1922) is a beloved Italian genre painter who had the ability to create photographic portrayals of people while capturing the human spirit in every work he produced. Three Children Behind an Opera Curtain (Modena) is an undated oil on canvas depicting mischievous children peering from behind a velvet curtain. Measuring 35 by 26in, the Bellei is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

Fewer designers had greater impact on 20th-century culture than Raymond Loewy (1893-1986). From toasters to Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotives, Studebaker cars to the Shell Oil logo, Loewy’s work touched millions. His 1965 design for Doubinsky Frères of France created this DF2000 sideboard from orange and red ABS plastic. It is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

R. Kenton Nelson (b. 1954-) is a Pasadena, California-based painter who finds inspiration in classic 1950s advertising art. Nadeau’s has two works of his, purchased apparently simultaneously for $11,000 each from Salzburg Gallery in 2005. Digging and Delving is a 2005 work depicting a detail of a classically dressed man poring through numerous books, and is estimated at $3,000-$5,000. Pitchfork is also from 2005, and carries a $2,000-$4,000 estimate.

Nadeau’s celebrates New Year’s Day with Amelia Peláez, Giorgio de Chirico and Edward Gorey Jan. 1

Amelia Pelaez, 'Figura (Cubist Figure),' estimated at $40,000-$80,000 at Nadeau's Auction Gallery.

WINDSOR, Conn. — New Year’s Day sales are an annual tradition for many auction houses — the perfect antidote to parades, college football games and hangovers from the night before. Nadeau’s Auction Gallery marks the dawn of 2024 with its own annual sale, a monster 603 lots of fine art and collectibles for just about any interest. The catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

Like many of her contemporaries, Avant Garde artist Amelia Peláez (1896-1968) would only find success in the marketplace after her passing, with her works now lovingly known as Amelias. Classically trained both in her native Cuba and in Paris at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, when she returned to Cuba in 1934, she found her country undergoing political turmoil that would eventually result in the Fidel Castro-led revolution in 1959. She turned much of her artistic focus to depictions of Afro-Cuban and peasant subjects through the lens of European Modernism.

Her Figura (Cubist Figure) from 1949 is a gouache on paper mounted to board measuring 42 by 27.75in. The sale’s top lot, it is estimated at $40,000-$80,000.

Born in Greece to Italian parents whose father was building a railroad there, Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978) would return to Italy and develop into a fine artist, where he became an influence on the emerging school of Surrealism. Two Bucking Horses is a watercolor and gouache on paper that is very much in his neoclassical style. It is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.

Looking like it just stepped out of the pages of a 1970s Playboy article on tennis culture is Tennis by Edward Gorey (1929-2000). First exhibited in the Graham Gallery in New York in 1974, the piece is estimated at $6,000-$12,000.

First sold at Christie’s as part of its December 1995 dispersal of items from the estate of Frank Sinatra is this 84in-tall model of New York’s Empire State Building. The model can be seen next to Ol’ Blue Eyes in an interview sequence for an HBO special on his life. Returning to market from a private collection, the model is estimated at $6,000-$12,000.

Strong fine art and furniture offerings propel Nadeau’s sale to $504K

Arpana Caur, ‘End of Night,’ $7,680. Image courtesy of Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
Arpana Caur, ‘End of Night,’ $7,680. Image courtesy of Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
Arpana Caur, ‘End of Night,’ $7,680. Image courtesy of Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery‘s June 10 Spring Outdoor, Mid Century, Art, and Furnishings auction performed notably well. The sale, which featured nearly 650 lots, had a 91% sell through rate, totaled $504,439 and produced solid results in all categories. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Chinese bronze vessel from prince’s collection could rule at Nadeau’s, May 6

Detail of Han-type inlaid archaistic bronze vessel with provenance to the Prince Kung collection, estimated at $100,000-$200,000
Detail of Han-type inlaid archaistic bronze vessel with provenance to the Prince Kung collection, estimated at $100,000-$200,000
Detail of inlaid archaistic bronze vessel with provenance to the Prince Kung collection, estimated at $100,000-$200,000

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery will hold an American Antiques, Chinese, Continental, and Jewelry Spring Auction on Saturday, May 6. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Chagall, Dali, van der Rohe boosted prices realized at Nadeau’s Jan. 28 sale

Marc Chagall, ‘Daphnis et Grathon,’ $8,400. Image courtesy of Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
Marc Chagall, ‘Daphnis et Grathon,’ $8,400
Marc Chagall, ‘Daphnis et Grathon,’ $8,400. Courtesy Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery‘s Midcentury, Modern Art & Contemporary Sale, held on January 28, totaled $484,740. This midwinter event featured nearly 600 lots, had a 93% sell through rate, and produced strong results across all categories.

Continue reading

Jewelry, watches and Calder tapestry led Nadeau’s New Year’s Day sale

Platinum ring centered on a 10.07-carat pear shape diamond, $66,000
Platinum ring centered on a 10.07-carat pear-shape diamond, $66,000

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery saw success at its signature January 1 New Year’s Day sale. After spirited and competitive bidding, it realized $2,664,825, with a 96% sell through rate and rock-solid results across all category. This was Nadeau’s tenth consecutive New Year’s Day Sale that surpassed the seven-figure mark.

Continue reading

Nadeau’s greets 2023 with maximum sparkle, Jan. 1

Pear-shape 10.07-carat diamond set in a platinum ring, estimated at $40,000-$60,000
Pear-shape 10.07-carat diamond set in a platinum ring, estimated at $40,000-$60,000
Pear-shape 10.07-carat diamond set in a platinum ring, estimated at $40,000-$60,000

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery will conduct its annual New Year’s Day sale on Sunday, January 1, starting at 10 am Eastern time. This event features premier estates from the New England and the mid-Atlantic regions, including property from a private New York collection that is being sold to benefit charitable foundations. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

No neigh-sayers here: Nadeau’s auction trots to $550K

Undated hand-carved outside row carousel horse, $6,400
Undated hand-carved outside row carousel horse, $6,400
Undated hand-carved outside row carousel horse, $6,400

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery held its Annual Major Fall Americana and Chinese Auction on October 22 and saw great success. The 496-lot auction had a 90% sell through rate and totaled more than $550,000.

Continue reading

Chinese bronze vessel trounces estimate, achieves $128K at Nadeau’s

Chinese bronze ding ritual vessel, $128,000
Chinese bronze ding ritual vessel, $128,000
Chinese bronze ding ritual vessel, $128,000

WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery‘s April 30 sale had a 94% sell-through rate, with strong results across all categories.

Continue reading