Possibly depicting Diana the Huntress, this Eighteenth Century carved marble bust by Bartolomeo Cavaceppi (Italian, 1716-1799), 24¾ inches high, became the highest-achieving lot of the sale, selling for $60,000 ($35/45,000).
Review by Carly Timpson
SARASOTA, FLA. — Amero Auctions’ November 17 Autumn Treasures Auction presented 538 lots of antiques, fine art, jewelry, silver, furniture, militaria and Native American objects.
Earning the sale’s highest price of $60,000, after exceeding its $35/45,000 estimate, was an Eighteenth Century carved marble bust by Bartolomeo Cavaceppi. Inscribed “Bartolomeus Cavaceppi Rom. Fecit” to the rear, the auction catalog noted that the woman may have been Diana, the Huntress. She was positioned atop a round white marble plinth.
Fine art also included a selection of oil paintings, led by a large Syd Solomon work. The predominantly orange abstract painting was signed to the top center as well as being signed, titled, dated and numbered on the reverse. “September,” done in 1975, was bid past its estimates to achieve $17,550.
“September” by Syd Solomon (American, 1917-2004), oil on canvas, 73¼ by 49¼ inches framed, was bid to $17,550 ($10/15,000).
Edwin Lord Weeks’ “The Garden of Gethsemane,” an 1875 depiction of a monk or priest collecting flowers in a tree-lined garden, brought $12,200. The auction catalog noted that Gethsemane is a famous garden at the base of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
From a similar region, Palestinian artist Jumana El Husseini was represented in the sale by her untitled oil on canvas cityscape. Completed in 1970, the painting depicted buildings in white and shades of brown along a light blue river. The work was signed and dated in Arabic to the lower left and it was bid to $10,800.
Jewelry offerings were led by a diamond tennis bracelet. Weighing 12.5 carats in total, the bracelet’s 25 round brilliant-cut diamonds were prong-set in 14K yellow gold with a thin spacer between each one. The diamonds were graded SI for clarity and G for color. After a competitive round of bidding, the bracelet finished at $11,400.
From the home furnishings department came a pair of Still Life side tables by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne. These round bronze occasional tables, 19½ by 18 inches, had acid-etched depictions of Japanese still life scenes of flowers in vases, accented with enamel details and colors. Signed beneath the images, the pair more than doubled its estimates, selling for $10,800.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. The firm’s next sale is January 19. For information, www.ameroauctions.com or 941-330-1577.
