Following Westminster dog show, Bonhams boasts best Dogs in Show & Field fine art auction in years

Pierre-Jules-Mene-bronze-setter-on-point

After the Westminster Kennel Club dog show judging Feb. 14, 2012 attention moved to the Bonhams annual Dogs in Show & Field: The Fine Art Sale. “This was the best Dogs in Show & Field sale we have had in years and I am delighted with the results,” said Alan Fausel, Bonhams vice president and director of fine art. Read More +

KPM Plaques: As Konigliche Porzellan reclaims post-crash highs, a fresh wave of fakes hurts collectors

KPM porcelain plaque maiden

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 +

Vendors say sales remain strong at San Francisco Antiquarian Book, Print & Paper Fair 2012

IF

For 24 years, the San Francisco Antiquarian Book Print and Paper Fair has drawn bibliophiles together to refine their collections. The fair was Feb. 4-5, 2012. The report from Fair exhibitors was positive. Rosemarie Rustico of San Francisco’s W C Antiques described the first day as “killer busy.” The second day was a bit easier (Super Bowl XLVI might have had something to do with that). Read More +

Book Review: Symbols on Chinese Porcelain demystifies culture, artistry and nature

Symbols on Chinese Porcelain: 10,000 Times Happiness

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 +

Today’s artists are still being inspired by Hugo Brehme photography

Taxco, Oro print Hugo Brehme photography

Mexican artists may have been introduced to modernity through photography, and one of the foremost Mexican photographers of the early 20th century, Hugo Brehme (1882-1954), has been cited as an influence on the country’s best known artist from the period, Diego Rivera. Brehme was a German immigrant imbued with the European Romantic tradition, which sought the sublime essence of nature and reveled in the beauty of ancient ruins. Read More +

Noted antiques dealer David Horst to head Americana division at Morphy Auctions

David Horst Americana Morphy's Auction

Pennsylvania antiques dealer David Horst has joined Morphy Auctions as chief consultant to the company’s Americana department. Horst will handle consignments and cataloging of all Americana and folk art auctioned by Morphy’s. Horst developed a specialty in stoneware and ceramics, with a particular expertise in mocha spatter and gaudy Dutch; as well as Pennsylvania German antiques of all types, including painted furniture. Read More +