This American Neo-Grec carved rosewood pedestal attributed to Gustave Herter made $16,380.
ALAMEDA, CALIF. — Michaan’s October Gallery Auction concluded Friday, October 18, with furniture and decorations headlining the sale. The department had many exciting collections on offer: a large amount of vintage tin and porcelain advertising signs, as well as much fine, some very old, furniture from Vito Giallo, a leading New York-based antiques collector and dealer. Following closely behind the success of the furniture department this month was that of the fine art department, with rare and valuable paintings selling well above their estimated prices. Jewelry and Asian art followed with a few high-value standouts between the two.
The crux of Michaan’s October Gallery Auction came in the form of an American Neo-Grec carved rosewood pedestal, attributed to Gustave Herter, which sold for $16,380. The finely carved pedestal featured inlaid decoration and a parcel gilt trim, with four brass relief portraits accenting each side. Also from furniture and decorations, a Nineteenth Century Fuess Petrological microscope sold for $15,120, and a Levi’s Cowboy counter display figure went for $5,670. This month, Michaan’s was lucky to offer multiple lots of Midcentury Modern furniture, many from famed designer and pioneer of the design era, George Nelson. In fact, a George Nelson teak omni Midcentury Modern wall unit sold for $4,410, just over its estimated sale price. Another piece from this era, an Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and ottoman, was part of Giallo’s consigned collection, and sold for $1,197. This chair may have been one of the first produced, as the Womb Chair design debuted in 1948, and there is a picture of Giallo’s taken in 1949. This idea is further supported by the wear and condition of the chair. Finally, of the large vintage tin and porcelain sign collection in the sale, the Drink Goblin Orangeade vintage porcelain advertising sign was most popular, eventually selling for $4,725.
This Nineteenth Century Fuess Petrological microscope sold for $15,120.
Fine art had many standout lots, but the one that stood above the rest was “Ah-Ge-Pah, Navajo,” an 1897 painting by American artist Elbridge Ayer Burbank, that sold for $13,860. Burbank is known for painting and sketching more than 1,200 portraits of Native Americans from 125 tribes. The painting was from the collection of Owen Duffy, a personal friend of Burbank, who collected his works. The next lot from fine art was “Leslie Carter,” an Art Nouveau poster by Alphonse Maria Mucha, which sold for $8,820. This poster has an interesting history, it was made to advertise a play that ultimately doomed the pictured Leslie Carter’s career.
Kathleen Lipinkski’s “Sleepy Hollow Hills,” 2001, oil on canvas painting sold for $5,985. The work depicted idyllic, rolling hills in a blush light, a hallmark of California landscape. In a departure from traditional fine art, Michaan’s sold a Walt Disney Studios animation celluloid with background of Jessica Rabbit from the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, for $3,465. Finally, John Steuart Curry’s “John Brown” lithograph sold for $2,835; it was displayed in the British Museum’s 2008 exhibition, “The American Scene: Prints from Hopper to Pollock.”
In the jewelry and timepieces category, a US gold coin, 14K yellow gold charm bracelet sold for $7,560. The bracelet featured four antique gold coins set in a hefty 14K gold link bracelet. From the same consignor, a jade, diamond, ruby, 18K yellow gold dragon bracelet sold for $4,725. The bracelet took the shape of a dragon wrapping around the wrist of the wearer, a unique form, the large size of which made it especially eye-catching. October was a big month for bracelets and a synthetic ruby and yellow gold bracelet sold for $2,520. A diamond, 14K yellow and white gold necklace sold for $2,016 and a Rolex Oysterdate stainless steel wristwatch, reference number 6466, also sold for $2,016. Finally, a Vacheron & Constantin 18K yellow gold and gold-filled wristwatch went for $1,638, surpassing its estimated value of $400/600.
This 14K yellow gold charm bracelet made with US gold coins achieved $7,560.
The Asian art department was nothing to balk at, with a Chinese bronze ox head-form libation cup from the Giallo collection selling for $5,355. The ox head design was very charming, and the cup’s small size only added to its visual delight. Next, Hiroshi Yoshida’s signed woodblock print, “Hodakayama” sold for $3,150. This piece is part of Yoshida’s series, “Nihon Arupusu juni dai no uchi (Twelve scenes in the Japan Alps),” and featured an idyllic lake scene. A group of Chinese and Thai bronze objects went for $1,764 and included a Chinese cast Taoist immortal figure of Liu Hai, a Chinese bronze/brass Taoist coin, a Chinese bronze mirror and a Sino-Tibetan figure of Vajrabhairava. Finally, from the Asian art department, was a group of Chinese porcelain, including Buddha and foo dogs, that left Michaan’s for $1,638.
From the stamps, coins and ephemera category, a Mexico 1947 50 Pesos gold coin, in uncirculated condition, sold for $3,150. For the silver & objets de vertu department, a collection of French sterling silver flatware, from the Vito Giallo collection, sold for $3,150, and a Towle sterling silver King Richard pattern flatware partial set sold for $1,764.
Michaan’s next auction will be November 15 with even more vintage, rare, luxury and unique items up for sale. Previews will be November 10, 14 and 15 at 2701 Monarch Street.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For more information, www.michaans.com or 510-740-0220.
