Archive for March, 2013

29
Mar
13

Pack Your Bags, We’re Taking an Auction Journey! Part 4

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Auctions and Decorations
Tags: ,
miniature portrait

Regency Portrait Miniature of a Man with Chops, Estimate: $500/700

Another wonderful collection makes an appearance in April, found in fourteen portrait miniatures.  Highlighted depictions include collectible images such as a military serviceman, a gentleman at his writing desk and lady at her tea table sold as one lot, a man of period styling and a folk oil on board portrait of a lady.  These miniatures were used to express sentiments and keep memories of loved ones near.  For example, they often served as a snapshot of the time, as soldiers and sailors kept portraits close by while they were on duty.  Auction estimates for the “mini gallery” range from a low of $500 to a high of $800.

miniature folk painting

Miniature Folk Oil on Board Portrait of a Lady, 19th Century, Estimate: $500/700

This is where our tour ends, but the auction journey surely continues.  Please join us on Sunday, April the 7th for Michaan’s estate auction.  Previews for this sale open on April the 5th and continue until the day of sale.  The illustrated online catalog will be available for review at www.michaans.com.  For general information please call (510) 740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com. Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA 94501.

25
Mar
13

Consign Asian Art

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Asian Art, Auctions and Furniture
Tags:

Michaan’s is actively seeking quality consignments for the upcoming fine sale season of June 2013.  Fine auction property is considered to be high-end, top tier items for the discriminating buyer.  Whether it is fine art, period furniture and decorations, jewelry or Asian works of art, Michaan’s is looking to find the best of the best.  This blog series from our in-house experts provides insights as to what they are seeking in order to present exceptional fine auctions to the bidding public.

Asian Art Specialist Harry Huang:
“When I think fine sale, I think of top performers at auction that will please my most discerning clients.  Pristine celadon and white jade carvings in numerous forms are usually a sure-fire bet.  Chinese paintings remain a rising star in the Asian artworks market.  Fine classical Chinese paintings from acclaimed artists such as Ou Haonian and Pu Ru remain strongly optimistic with today’s buyer and beyond.  Asian furniture is another worthwhile category at auction.  Pieces of larger stature with fine craftsmanship made from materials such as huanghuali are a welcome find for my department.  In my personal experience at auction, museum quality cloisonné pieces have also been excellent performers.  In our last fine sale this was evidenced in a Qianlong period bell, tripod censer and decorative box bearing vibrant cloisonné workmanship.”

Soapstone Figural Carving Depicting Tang Ying

An Exceedingly Rare and Important Soapstone Figural Carving Depicting Tang Ying, the Qing dynasty imperial porcelain kiln supervisor. To be offered June 23 at Michaan’s Auctions.

Mr. Huang can be reached at (510) 227-2535 or at harry@michaans.com.

Information regarding Michaan’s Auctions fine sales will be posted on the web at www.michaans.com.  Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA  94501.

22
Mar
13

Eichler Estate Collection Finds New Home at Michaan’s

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: 20th Century Design and Auctions
Tags: , , , , ,

A truly exciting collection of Joseph Eichler furniture has found its way into Michaan’s modern sale, to be held on April 6, 2013.  The original, quality Eichler pieces are reason enough to grab your paddle, but the esteemed provenance could throw you into a bidding tizzy.  Over 15 lots of Eichler furniture pieces from an Eichler family estate were secured by Michaan’s Modern Design Specialist, Greg Favors.  Greg is undoubtedly excited to present the furniture treasures to the public, noting, “The Eichler collection pieces at Michaan’s are a great find on many levels.  Not only did they come out of a model Eichler home, but are from an actual Eichler family residence.  I personally find an Omni shelving unit and CSS wall unit to be highlights of the sale.  Their open designs are classic Eichler and honestly appear as if they were plucked out of an Eichler home.  Both pieces display characteristics collectors vie for: they are rare, of signature style, are very functional and practical and are in great condition to boot.”

1953 Eames LCW Transitional Chair in Birch

1953 Eames LCW Transitional Chair in Birch.

The Eichler collection pieces will be part of an over 200 lot sale, featuring modern designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Peter Hvidt, George Nelson, Harvey Probber and Nakashima.  So, whether you get your hands on one of these coveted Eichlers or not, you can still come out a modern winner!

21
Mar
13

Consign Furniture & Decorative Arts

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Auctions, Decorations and Furniture
Tags:

Michaan’s is actively seeking quality consignments for the upcoming fine sale season of June 2013.  Fine auction property is considered to be high-end, top tier items for the discriminating buyer.  Whether it is fine art, period furniture and decorations, jewelry or Asian works of art, Michaan’s is looking to find the best of the best.  This blog series from our in-house experts provides insights as to what they are seeking in order to present exceptional fine auctions to the bidding public.

Furniture & Decorations Specialist Elizabeth Dalton:
“A great thing about the Furniture and Decorative Arts Department is that we are driven by fresh, exceptional estate property.  Outstanding antique silver has consistently proved to be one of our strongest categories, evidenced in offerings of Modernist and Tiffany & Co. pieces as well as in Chinese and Japanese export silver such as Arthur Bond.  European and American period furniture and fine clocks are quite popular with our bidders from around the world too.  Substantial, ornate, period French furniture of quality is an impressive contender at auction.  Large European china service does great numbers, including Meissen and Royal Copenhagen, especially in the Flora Danica pattern.  Specialty decorative pieces are wanted as well.  From fine Obesan tapestries to Russian icons to American folk items, I want to please many different collectors on the highest level possible.”

Lalique Vase

R. Lalique Opalescent Bacchantes Vase, model created 1927, Marcilhac 997, stencilled R. Lalique, France. To be offered on June 7 at Michaan’s Auctions

Ms. Dalton can be reached at (510) 740-0220 ext. 127 or at boo@michaans.com.

Information regarding Michaan’s Auctions fine sales will be posted on the web at www.michaans.com.  Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA 94501.

20
Mar
13

Consign Fine Art

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Auctions and Fine Art
Tags:

Michaan’s is actively seeking quality consignments for the upcoming fine sale season of June 2013.  Fine auction property is considered to be high-end, top tier items for the discriminating buyer.  Whether it is fine art, period furniture and decorations, jewelry or Asian works of art, Michaan’s is looking to find the best of the best.  This blog series from our in-house experts provides insights as to what they are seeking in order to present exceptional fine auctions to the bidding public.

Fine Art Department Director Thomas De Doncker:
“I see Michaan’s biannual fine sales as an excellent opportunity to present a range of masterworks and vintage photography to the educated collector.  I aim to fill these auctions with a range of categories that embody a rich representation of genres, themes and mediums.  In general, I look for exceptional examples of American and European artworks from acclaimed artists from the 1500s to the present day.  Specifically, popular categories at auction are found in vintage California landscape and pleine air painters.  Quality Old Master and turn of the century prints are also worthy finds at auction.  Blue-chip 20th century contemporary works on paper by both domestic and international artists are yet another collectible, strong bidder draw.  Also, local buyers in particular seem to find great interest in offerings of Bay Area regionalist artists.”

Joseph Rusling Meeker

JOSEPH RUSLING MEEKER (American 1827-1889) “Near the Atchafalaya,” Oil on canvas. To be offered June 7 at Michaan’s Auctions.

Mr. De Doncker can be reached at (510) 740-0220 ext. 140 or at thomas@michaans.com.

Information regarding Michaan’s Auctions fine sales will be posted on the web at www.michaans.com. Michaan’s Auctions is located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA 94501.

20
Mar
13

Pack Your Bags, We’re Taking an Auction Journey! Part 3

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Asian Art
Tags: ,
hardstone archers' rings

Five Hardstone Archers’ Rings, Estimate: $400/600

A collection of five Asian archers’ rings will be offered at auction at an estimate of $400-600 in April.  The jade and hardstone ring collection contains a wonderful variation of stone qualities.  Examples are found in a delicately veined jade, a semi-opaque jade and a mottled hardstone ring.  Of the carved pieces are a richly toned, coffee brown jade ring that displays continuous studio marks as well as an agate piece of a dragon amongst swirling clouds.  Archers’ rings were utilized for sport and as a body decoration to express status and prestige.  They have become just as popular with modern day collectors as relics of nobility, often sought after at auction

14
Mar
13

Pack Your Bags, We’re Taking an Auction Journey! Part 2

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Jewelry
Tags: , ,
Yellow Gold Neck Chain

18K YELLOW GOLD NECK CHAIN, Estimate: $3,500/4,000

Next we’ll dive into the Jewelry Department’s unique April highlight.  A custom-made necklace containing gold samples recovered from sunken treasure leads the department’s lots.  The Atocha was an infamous Spanish ship that met its demise in 1622.  Gold particles were recovered from the Atocha’s treasure trove and were then melted and blended to create this beautiful necklace for auction.  The 18 karat gold piece is a replica of an original wedding chain found on the ship, whose linked design symbolizes the unbreakable bonds of marriage (estimate $3,500-4,000).  Now, take off your imaginary scuba gear and get ready to walk into the world of archery…

14
Mar
13

Pack Your Bags, We’re Taking an Auction Journey! Part 1

By Michaan's Closed
Categories: Fine Art and Prints
Tags: ,

Take a highlight journey into Michaan’s April Estate Auction with me.  The featured items for the month are not only quality pieces, but are varied and highly collectible.  Are you ready?  Ok, here we go…

Leroy Neiman serigraph print

LEROY NEIMAN (American 1921-2012) “McRory’s Whiskey Bar” Serigraph on paper Estimate: $2,000/3,000

One usually doesn’t think of “fine art” and “whisky bar” in the same context, but hey, anything is possible on this trip. Acclaimed artist Leroy Neiman’s “McRory’s Whiskey Bar” will be offered in April at an estimate of $2,000-3,000.  The serigraph depicts a packed bar full of revelers, merrily taking delight in the festivities of the pub.  Neiman’s signature style is apparent as the use of bold, saturated colors further bring a palpable energy to the image.  Wildly popular the world over for his lively and vibrant paintings of sporting events and leisure activities, Neiman’s work has been revered by millions. Bottoms up!