Unlike canvas paintings that fade with time, KPM painted plaques retain their rich, vibrant colors and soft, glowing skin tones indefinitely. The secret? Dealer Afshine Emrani says it’s the porcelain. “The magic of a KPM plaque,” he adds,“ is that it will look as crisp and beautiful 100 years from now as it does today. If two paintings on porcelain are identical, today’s collectors will pay significantly more for the one produced on fine KPM porcelain.” Read More +
One of the most talented (and imitated) artists working in California in the 1940s and 1950s was Hedwig “Hedi” Schoop (1906-1996). She designed and modeled almost every piece in her line. Though her ceramic creations include vases, plates, bowls, ashtrays and other forms, Schoop’s figurines of men and women are the most popular with collectors. Read More +
Second only to the stunning photography, “Symbols on Chinese Porcelain” offers valuable context on why this porcelain style matters to the fine-art world, collectors and even philosophers. The book reveals the secrets of the symbols of good luck and the visual imagery of Chinese decorative elements by means of approximately 80 masterpieces of Chinese porcelain spanning 1,000 years. Read More +
Despite the frigid temperatures, Des Moines will get a little warmer when members of the Red Wing Collectors Society join up for the group’s Annual Mid-Winter GetTogether in Des Moines from Feb. 10-12, 2012. Read More +
Hundreds of select, handpicked items from three prominent Virginia estates – in Franklin, Virginia Beach and Norfolk, plus other consignments – will be sold at auction Saturday, Feb. 4. Read More +
A handy chart to determine the registration date of English ceramics produced during the Aesthetic Period from 1855 to 1900 with examples. This ‘registry mark’ is the equivalent of the American patent numbering system. Read More +
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, England — An exhibition set at the Court Barn Museum that celebrates the best of British art pottery will feature several rare Aesthetic-era items for sale. The March 24-25, 2012 event was curated by Alison Davey of AD Antiques, following 18 months collecting specifically for the occasion; no items have previously been offered for sale. Read More +
The design behind Aesthetic Movement ceramics is gaining new popularity in 2012 with a new museum exhibit and better-than-expected sales in Europe and the United States. No other medium reflects the diversity and personality of the movement than its ceramics. Objects and forms are as functional as they are unpredictable, colorful, and, well, just plain odd and very affordable. Read More +
Over 300 people were in attendance (and more than 450 registered to bid online) during Cordier Auctions’ two day antique and fine art auction, the inaugural auction in their new Harrisburg, Pa., salesroom Nov. 5-6.
Among the highlights, a lady’s Cartier Art Deco diamond wristwatch realized $21,000. Read More +
With 500-plus lots of Asian arts and antiques examples, Bonhams Nov. 15 auction of Asian Decorative Arts in San Francisco earns more than $1.1 million. One of the many surprises included a late 18th/early 19th century brush pot that sold for $17,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 to $1,500. Read More +