Chinese Imperial Dragon Robe was sewed up for $16,380.

ALAMEDA, CALIF. — Michaan’s Auctions’ monthly Gallery Auction has once again wrapped up, with final lots selling just after 3:30 pm on Friday, September 20. This month, Michaan’s had plenty of exciting lots to brag about, maost notably a Chinese Imperial dragon robe from the Asian Art department, three animation cels from Walt Disney Studios’ The Little Mermaid and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? in our Fine Art department, a large collection of fine watches and an interesting Gold Rush medallion in our Jewelry Department. There were also plenty of lots from furniture and decorations, stamps, coins, ephemera and silver and objets de vertu departments.

Michaan’s Asian art department offered what can only be described as the shining star of the September Gallery Auction, a Chinese Imperial dragon robe that sold for $16,380. This robe was made of apricot-ground silk and intricately embroidered with six five-clawed dragons depicted in pursuit of embroidered flaming pearls. The robe’s embroidery also features the “Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority,” which includes imagery of the sun, moon, mountains and fire. A Chinese bronze bell from Bozhong proved to be a pleasant surprise, selling for $5,040. This amount far exceeded the lot’s projected hammer price, due to heated bidding and the bell’s attribution to a collection from the Hunan Museum in China. Two Chinese red-ground silk embroidered panels sold together for $1,638, a number that also exceeded its estimate. These panels were finely embroidered with scenes of children at play and include fine imagery of dragons, peaches, flowers, and butterflies. All are things we’d expect to find in a serene garden. A monumental Chinese carved and lacquered seated Bodhisattva statue on a wooden table sold for $2,016 and, for the same price to round out Asian highlights, a Japanese zushi or traveling shrine.

This Chinese bronze bell, Bozhong, China, hit the right note at $5,040.

Michaan’s fine art department had many interesting and historic lots on offer this month. To start were three animation cels from the Walt Disney Studios films Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and The Little Mermaid. The first cel on offer, Ariel and Sebastian from the 1989 film The Little Mermaid, sold for $2,268 while a cel showing Ariel alone sold for $2,016. The piece from the making of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? sold for $1,512. These pieces of film history came from the same consignor, who may have been either a film memorabilia collector or an animator in the 1980s. Another interesting piece, Mark Kostabi’s 1990 “I Talk to the Devil Also,” sold for $2,835. This oil on canvas painting captures the eye and does not let go — one could stare at it for hours trying to make sense of both the image itself and technique that Kostabi employed to achieve a soft, blurred portrait. Maginel Wright Barney’s “Two Girls Knitting,” a watercolor and gouache painting, just slightly exceeded its estimated value and sold for $1,386. A beautiful watercolor painting depicting orange flowers, “Nasturtium,” by Chiura Obata sold for $2,142, while Leon Lundmark’s “Seascape” achieved $1,386.

This 24K yellow gold neck chain dazzled at $7,560.

The jewelry and timepieces department was entrusted with the consignment of many fine watches this month, including one consignor’s vast collection. At the top, an Omega Constellation 18K yellow gold wristwatch sold for $4,410. Next, a Tourneau automatic Moonphase 18K white gold and leather wristwatch that earned $3,150 and a Chopard “Mille Miglia” Chronograph stainless steel wristwatch that brought $2,016. The department also saw the exciting sale of an 18K yellow gold presentation medallion; the piece of California Gold Rush history, it went for $3,780. Inscribed with “Eureka,” the 1850 medallion featured a gold nugget. Finally, a beautiful ruby and 18K yellow gold jewelry suite traded hands at $5,985.

A jewelry suite with rubies and 18K yellow gold made $5,985.

The furniture and decorations department had its fair share of interesting pieces as well. A pair of Moorish style inlaid stools sold for $1,512, just above the estimated high value. A Neoclassical style bronze bust of Mercury racked up many bids, eventually coming out to $1,638. Mercury (“Hermes” in Greek) is said to have ruled over wealth and good fortune, making this bust a very worthy purchase. The Gibson Skylark Lap steel guitar sold for $1,197, and a bottle of old 1970s Old Weller 107-proof Seven-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey sold for $1,386. Finally, an anticipated Audel Davis arts and crafts style hammered copper table lamp sold for $1,260. This was over the estimated value, but not surprising, as the lot had had quite a bit of interest in the days leading up to the auction.

Michaan’s October Gallery Auction is scheduled for 10 am, PDT Friday, October 18; previews will take place October 13, 17 and 18.

Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house.
Michaan’s is at 2701 Monarch Street. For information, 510-740-0220 or www.michaans.com.