ALAMEDA, CA.- Highlighted at
Michaans Auctions on July 17 are a Henrietta Berk painting and jewelry by Tiffany & Co. from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. A glass chandelier from a legendary Murano design house and a fabulous Pairpoint puffy glass lamp are featured in furniture and decorations. The pair of cloisonné enamel moon flasks is a great find for collectors of Asian art. In July Michaans offers property of great diversity and fine quality, from 19th-century sculpture to excellent Chinese porcelains from many periods. Fine silver in this sale includes the circa 1900 Jacobi & Jenkins sterling tea set ($1,300-$1,600).
The July 20th auction features an impeccably designed emerald-cut fine diamond and platinum ring estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Michaans specialist and GIA gemologist, Elise Coronado, anticipates active bidding, following the 100% sell-through and high prices achieved by fine jewelry in the Summer Fine Sale on June 18. The turquoise, coral and sterling silver jewelry suite by Leonard Nez ($400-$600) is among the Native American jewelry lots, always highly sought by Michaans buyers. The astonishing fan-shaped 18k gold earrings are Pre-Columbian; estimated at $1,500-$2,500, they are reminiscent of fine woven basketry in form and texture. Rings include the Tiffany & Co. Art Deco star sapphire (with diamonds, in platinum, $2,000-$3,000). The imperial topaz, emerald and 18k yellow gold ring ($4,000-$6,000), also Tiffany & Co., is an Art Nouveau treasure that should attract collectors of fine period jewels and vintage couture. Its elongated, faceted form would pair perfectly with a gown by Fortuny or Paul Poiret.
Paintings by the Bay Area Figurative Movements Henrietta Berk are highly sought by Michaans bidders, who will vie for her large canvas, Celebration ($4,000-$6,000), in July. Another vibrant painting in the sale is Lounging Ladies by Isaac Maimon (Israeli, b. 1951). Also on offer is the exquisite, fantastical work of Erik Desmazieres, whose watercolor, Interior, is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.
Asian art highlights include Chinese porcelains such as the famille verte brush washer and the famille rose dragon bottle vase with Qianlong mark. Owing to their elegant forms and marvelous symbolic and decorative motifs, these fine porcelains endure as among the most highly collectible works of Asian art. Specialist Annie Zeng also offers in July the pair of cloisonné enamel moon flasks ($1,000-$1,500). The flattened spherical form of the moon flask makes it especially well suited to wonderful decoration. This pair features peony and phoenix motifs, with elaborately cast and gilded dragon handles. A moon flask should be in every fine collection, and many bids are expected for this lot of two.
Decorations offered at Michaans in July include the chandelier ($800-$1,200) by Archimede Seguso (1909-1999), descended from an ancient Venetian glass-blowing family and founder of his own innovative and world-renowned Murano atelier. The Seguso chandelier is one of three Murano glass fixtures in this sale. The Pairpoint puffy rubina glass shade with pewter lamp base ($2,000-$3,000) is a very fine example of its kind, with a delightful floral and hummingbird motif. Michaans complete selection of decorations, estate furniture, silver and fine carpets can be browsed with ease using the Michaans app.