ALAMEDA, CA.- Michaan’s Auctions partnered with San Francisco’s The de Young Museum in the sale of more than 200 vintage hats, recently deaccessioned from the museum’s Caroline and H. McCoy Jones Department of Textile Arts. These historical pieces, each meticulously conserved and catalogued by The de Young curators, will be offered at Michaan’s live Gallery Auction at 2751 Todd Street in Alameda, CA, and online, on Saturday, October 13.

“Throughout fashion history, the hat has often served as an outfit’s ‘finishing touch’,” says Laura Camerlengo, Associate Curator of Costume and Textile Arts for The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “Vintage hats, made during the heyday of hat-wearing, can give extra panache to an ensemble, whether you enjoy wearing retro fashions or embrace contemporary trends.” Imagine the impact of the mid-century black fur felt toque with grey chinchilla brim and velvet tassel ($150-$200)...or the mushroom style garden hat decorated with pale pink silk cherry blossoms by Madame Julia of Paris, circa 1887 ($80-$100). Bid on a fascinator and be ready for the next royal wedding. Seek shelter from the sun under the wide brim of a straw hat trimmed in an extravagant taffeta bow, from the era of Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” This sale is a bonanza for women of style, whether you’re dressing for opening night at the symphony or a chic pub crawl. Luxe materials and trimmings include velvet, voile, silk brocade, cotton lace ...feathers, beads, embroidery and so many more. Designed by the best names in millinery, many were retailed by elegant bygone fashion emporia such as Bonwit Teller and I. Magnin.

In addition to the hats, vintage fashions such as an authentic 1960s Pucci minidress and a Valentino evening gown —all from The de Young’s collection — are also offered in this sale.

Another top highlight of the October 13 Gallery Auction is a large trove of Native American jewelry. Squash blossom necklaces and substantial cuff bracelets are among the 400+ pieces offered in Michaan’s October auctions. Amassed by a single New Mexico collector from the 1950s to the 1980s, this fine collection of Navajo, Zuni, Santo Domingo and Heishi bead treasures features turquoise, coral, and shell inlay to name a few and includes signed pieces and jewelry suites. “Native American jewelry is a perennial favorite of Michaan’s buyers,” says jewelry specialist Elise Coronado,“ and this uncommonly large offering of excellent pieces is generating a lot of excitement.” More than 50 lots are offered at Michaan’s Gallery Auction on Saturday, October 13 (additional lots to be sold in the Annex Auction October 9). “The cultural importance of Native American jewelry extends its appeal far beyond the community of jewelry collectors,” Coronado notes. “It resonates not only as adornment but also as artifact, and our buyers recognize its value in terms of heritage as well as beauty.”

The Native American collection sets the stage for Coronado’s October sale of fine jewelry. The showstopper is a ring (estimated at $30,000-$50,000) centering an emerald-cut diamond of approximately 3.83 carats, flanked by two more beautiful diamonds, all set in a platinum mounting. From the same Ross, CA estate comes the luxurious diamond tennis bracelet ($6,000-$8,000) and the Edwardian diamond and platinum bow brooch ($500-$700 ), typical of the many fine estate pieces that make Michaan’s a popular destination for diamond buyers. The diamond and sapphire silver bracelet ($1,500-$2,500), and the diamond pendant watch with chain ($2,000-$3,000) are among October’s sparklers.

Dramatic period jewelry is also highlighted. The Victorian tassel pendant necklace, of enamel and 14k gold festooned with pearls, is estimated at $2,000-$3,000. Another unique Victorian beauty is the link bracelet centering the 14k gold head of a bobcat, accented by rubies and a diamond ($400-$600). A top highlight is the mid-century modern necklace, “Flowering Wall” by Bjorn Weckstrom for Lapponia, Finland ($6,000-$8,000). Heavily sculpted of 18k yellow gold and suspending numerous multicolored tourmalines, Weckstrom’s creation is a statement necklace on a grand and glorious scale.

The art of Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Filipino, 1892-1972) returns to Michaan’s in October. His gorgeous 1959 oil painting, “A Family Resting Under a Mango Tree,” is estimated to bring $40,000-$60,000. “The painting is a superb example of the bright sun-drenched countryside scenes for which Amorsolo is most well known,” says Michaan's Fine Art specialist Susan Paffrath. Also offered on October 13 is
Amorsolo’s 1953 watercolor, “Cooking Scene” ($9,000-$12,000). A third Amorsolo work will be featured in Michaan’s November 10th Gallery Auction.

October brings to market two wonderful paintings by California artist Roland Petersen (b. 1926), both dating to the 1950s. “Three Fisherman” ($4,000-$6,000), an oil on canvas measuring about 30” x 40,” is a vibrant figural composition energized by the geometry of cubism. Petersen’s untitled 1958 impasto, also offered at $4,000-$6,000, is a powerful abstract work, fierce and magnetic. California artist James Weeks (1922-1998) is also featured. His 1961 mixed media “Portrait of Miles Karpilow”($1,000-$2,000) bears the label of the Hackett and Freedman Gallery, San Francisco. (Karpilow, the subject, was a master woodworker whose carved doors, furniture and other works grace many Bay Area homes and public buildings.) Frank E. Schoonover, Ogden Minton Pleissner, and Bruno Civitico (b. 1942) are also among the American artists featured in this auction.

Another of October’s leading fine art highlights is the large Picasso ceramic platter, “Visage de Femme,” from a private collection in Nice, France. The platter bears several imprints including Madoura Plein Feu, the mark of Picasso’s longtime collaborators in the ceramic arts. Listed in Alain Ramie’s Catalogue of the Collected Ceramic Works 1947-1971, “Visage de Femme” is estimated at $20,000-$25,000. A 1934 Picasso etching ($8,000-$12,000) and works by Miro and Renoir are also among the many fine European works in the sale. Another is the 1998 mixed media “Head with Fig Leaves” by the Italian painter Carlo Maria Mariani, whose work has been called “a meditation on perfection and harmony — past, present and future.”

Asian art is foundational to each of Michaan’s monthly gallery auctions, and October’s selection has something for every discerning collector, from gilt bronze deities and Bodhi beads to fine cloisonné and famille rose porcelain. Highlights include the stately figural bronze from Japan’s Meiji Period of a samurai warrior with his attendant. Mounted on the original wood stand, it is estimated at $2,000-$3,000.

Chinese red is a recurrent theme in October’s Asian art. An iron-red ‘tea poem’ rectangular bowl ($800-$1,000), beautifully decorated and inscribed, dates to the 19th century, as does the ‘lotus’ bowl ($1,000-$1,500) with iron-red painted decoration on a turquoise ground. The ladies’ informal robe, embroidered with goldfish and water plants, is of red silk with black trim ($800-$1,000). Specialist Harry Huang also presents a number of fine hanging scrolls including one depicting birds and flowers by Wang Shizi (1885-1950).

Among the most coveted lots are two pairs of Huanghuali armchairs. These elegant 20th century Chinese furnishings, crafted from the fragrant wood that is highly desired and increasingly scarce, are offered in two lots each estimated at $16,000-$20,000.