ALAMEDA, CA.- Michaan's October 24 Gallery Auction is a study in exciting contrasts. Furniture and Decorative Arts spans centuries of design history from 18th century porcelains to 20th century modern furnishings. Provocative and reflective works of Modern Western fine art hang side by side. In Jewelry, intricate period designs alternate with bold retro statement pieces. In Asian Art, scholar’s objects, porcelains, scrolls, snuff bottles and jade lots from prominent estates.

A selection of Meissen and Nymphenburg porcelain, descended from the Kaumheimer family, Stuttgart Germany is one of the highlights of the Furniture and Decorative Arts department’s offerings. The best item from this distinguished collection is an 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Ozier-Moulded Tureen Stand or Undertray stamped J.F. Fradley, New York, possibly from the 'Brühlsche Allerlei' service. This family collection includes fine enamels, silver and glass, most from 18th Century Germany. The platter is estimated to realize $1,000/$1,500.

In the Modern Area, a preparatory drawing by Frank Lloyd Wright for a 'column base' for Johnson Wax Company, together with signed Wright ephemera represents an unusual auction offering (estimate $2,000 / $4,000). An Isamu Noguchi Akari floor light, estimated to realize $1,500/$2,500 is another strong 20th Century offering. A Tolai Tribe Papua New Guinea Over Modeled Human Skull, Circa 1920 (estimate $3,000/$5,000), is one of several lots being offered from the collection of ethnographic photographer David Howard.

Modern Western artist’s and artworks dominate the fine art section. With notable artists such as Thomas Dedecker, Harry Jackson, Brian Blood and Sherry Sander this sale is set to have everything a western art lover could need or want. Harry Jackson’s “Sacagawea II” bronze sculpture (estimate $4,000/6,000) is a fantastic example of the artists love of cowboys and Indians imagery as well has the influence of renowned artist Frederick Remington. The paintings of Thomas Dedecker clearly demonstrate a love for the plains Indian tribes of the west. Dedecker was born in 1951 but paints bucolic Indian scenes from before the 1880’s; his “Encampment amongst the trees” (estimate $800/1,200) is an example of the artist’s mastery of not only the understanding of Native American customs and traditions but also his Hudson River School influence.




If you are a lover of bronze sculptures this October sale will be offering wonderful works by Erte (estimate $1,500/2,000), Mehl Lawson ($800/1,200) and Bob Scriver ($800/1,200). A fine example by noted Czech artist Adriena Simotova is also available ($1,200/1,800); this colored pigment on perforated paper piece is a prime example of the artist’s experimental nature. There is something for everybody from modern Western works to modern photography and traditional portraits.

Michaan’s jewelry department continues to offer a vast selection of jewelry; in October alone you’ll find various jade jewelry, gold, diamonds, period pieces, pearls by Mikimoto, and large natural emeralds.

An exceptional Retro bracelet featuring large, chunky cushion-cut amethysts accented by diamonds and set in yellow gold is being offered conservatively at $2,000 / 3,000. A crowd pleaser and sure to draw numerous bidders is a round brilliant-cut diamond and sapphire bypass ring, also $2,000 / 3,000. For the animal lovers, we offer a sweet yellow gold Yorkshire terrier brooch complete with diamond eyes and a sapphire bow, $500 / 700. A lovely silver suite comprising a necklace and matching bracelet by Mexican designer Margot de Taxco is waiting for just the right buyer with estimates of $300 to $500.

A selection of gold and silver coins and stamps will also be on the auction block including a rare US 1889 CC Morgan dollar NGC AU58 estimated at $15,000 / 18,000.

The Asian Section of this auction concludes the day’s sale. Michaan’s is a leading resource for international educated and sophisticated collectors of Asian art. Michaan’s is delighted to offer from a prominent Vancouver Canada estate, a rare Chinese Doucai Enameled Arabic Brush Stand, (estimate $1,500 / 2,000), it is in the form of five jagged mountain peaks on a rectangular base, each side decorated with a diamond panel containing a square bordered Arabic or Persian inscription amidst meandering floral scrolls all in Doucai enamel, bears a six-character Zhengde seal mark inscriptions. Another great find for collectors is an Ink and color on paper hanging scroll, attributed to Qi Baishi (1864-1957): "Dragonfly and Bird on Maple Tree” (estimate $2,000 / $3,000).Qi Baishi was one of the most influential contemporary Chinese painters, noted for the whimsical, often playful style of his watercolor works. Another highlight of the Asian work of Art is an impressive Chinese archaistic Bronze Tripod (estimate $2,000 / $3,000) of rounded sides supported on three tapered columnar legs with Taotie mask and cast in. There are additional fine offerings of scholar’s objects, porcelains, scrolls, snuff bottles and jade lots.