1stdibs (www.1stdibs.com), an online global marketplace for rare and desirable objects, announces its purchase of Online Galleries, the prestigious U.K.-owned online services provider to the arts and antiques trade. Read More +
European Fine Art
Godward classical painting, ‘Waiting for the Procession,’ may top $600K
Bonhams New York auction of European Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture will feature 158 lots comprising a broad range of works by Old Master and 19th century artists from Europe, Eastern Europe and the UK. Read More +
Unterberger’s ‘Canal in Venice’ may bring $250,000
The top lot in Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers Oct. 24, 2012 sale may be “Canal in Venice” by Franz Richard Unterberger. Also available are pieces from the Cape Ann School, American Impressionists, European and American Modern and Abstract artists, 19th century European artists, Orientalist artists and more. Read More +
How political unrest reinvented America’s antique furniture design
The political unrest in 19th century Germany had a profoundly positive effect on American furniture construction and design for the next 50 years. A large number of German craftspeople made their way to America in the 19th century, but four in particular stand out in the furniture field: John Henry Belter, George Hunzinger and Gustave and Christian Herter. Read More +
Olympian serving as honorary chair of San Francisco Antiques Show
Olympic gold medalist skier and avid sailor Jonny Moseley serves as Honorary Chair of the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show this year. With its nautical theme inspired by the America’s Cup, which will be hosted in San Francisco in October 2013, the show features decorative and fine arts relating to the ocean, boating and travel. Read More +
Sun rises on Lichtenstein pair at Heritage; paintings may bring $600,000
Roy Lichtenstein’s 1964 ink and graphite on paper masterpiece, “Sunrise; Sunset,” is expected to realize more than $400,000 at Heritage Auctions Oct. 23, 2012. Sunrise; Sunset is doubly important because it represents the first time the Benday dot grew to an enormous proportion, which was then cropped to form the Sun in this work,” said Frank Hettig, director of Modern & Contemporary Art. Read More +
Asian, ancient, ethnographic works of art go live Oct. 9-24 on iGavel
Over 500 lots of Asian art and antiques, from antiquity through the 20th century, will be offered online Oct. 9-24, 2012. Led by expert and scholar Lark Mason, top sale highlights include a rare and important 18th century Chinese Imperial Zitan armchair, a 17th century Chinese landscape-decorated rhinoceros horn cup and an early 20th century large Chinese celadon jade vase and cover, which could bring $250,000 to $350,000. Read More +
Painter Fernand Leger and the logic of Modernism
Painter Fernand Leger made his mark alongside the first cubists – Picasso, Braque and Gris – in canvases that more or less banished nature from the scene. However, few Cubists pursued the logic of Modernism more aggressively than Leger. See why his works now sell for more than $13 million to art investors worldwide. Read More +
Golden Age of English Glass reflects artform’s history
Did you know that although ancient Romans made receptacles of glass in Britain and a few crude glass drinking vessels have survived from Saxon times, or roughly 927 A.D.? A new book, ‘The Golden Age of English Glass,’ shows how England’s glass makers evolved over 700 years to become a dominant force in the global glass trade. Read More +
James D. Julia records $4.5 million summer sale, firm’s largest
Tipping in at nearly $4.5 million, James D. Julia Inc., is still celebrating the success of its latest summer auction. More than 3,000 lots changed hands over a four-day period. Highlights included a rare and fine pair of embroideries picturing 100 birds housed within highly elaborate carved and pierced rosewood frames. The pair sold for $86,250. Read More +