Sotheby’s Visions Of America
12-19 January
www.sothebys.com
1334 York Ave, New York, NY 10021

NEW YORK CITY — In late January, Sotheby’s will introduce Visions of America, a fresh and innovative sale and exhibition format showcasing an unprecedented selection of American craftsmanship from important private collections and institutions across a week-long series of auctions, events, and experiences. To tell the story of excellence in Americana, Sotheby’s is partnering with American fashion designer and Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Chairman Thom Browne to select an edit of nine superlative works that personally resonates with his collecting vision and presents a broad vision of American artistry and culture.

Comprising more than 500 examples of unparalleled American art and objects spanning the Seventeenth Century to today, Visions of America provides a refreshed framework for new and existing collectors to experience a diverse array of superlative American works. Fine furniture, fashion, decorative arts, folk art, paintings, silver, Chinese export ceramics, prints, historic maps, whiskey, and books and manuscripts are all part of these monumental sales held live and online this coming January in New York.

American Art

The second annual Art of America live auction on January 19 will feature paintings, drawings, and sculpture from the nation’s most historically celebrated artists. From late Eighteenth Century presidential portraiture to Nineteenth Century Hudson River School paintings and Twentieth Century American illustration art, this live auction highlights the iconic figures and striking landscapes that have shaped America. This sale will be offered alongside two distinguished single owner collections — the first featuring Hudson River School and traditional Nineteenth Century paintings from the Friedman Collection, and a second which showcases Western American masterpieces from a private Wyoming collection led by Thomas Moran, Charles Marion Russell, and George Catlin.

Native American Art

The inclusion of this category brings the important voices of First Nations artists into this presentation of the story of America. On offer will be fine weavings, sculpture, ceramics and basketry from the Hopi, Zuni, Zia, Apache and other traditions of the Southwest; superb examples of beadwork, quillwork and parfleches from the Great Plains; a selection of California baskets representing the “fluorescence” of California basket-making from the 1890s to the 1920s, as well as carved and painted objects from the Northwest Coast of Alaska and British Columbia. The online auction will close January 19.

Americana: Furniture, Folk Art, Prints & Photographs

 This year, the Important Americana sales — both in person and online on January 20 — will be highlighted by a selection of important works by Winfred Rembert, including “The Curvey: A Swimming Hole for Playing Hookey from School.” Also of note, a unique Classical ormolu shelf clock, circa 1815, that was made for the American market and retailed by the Demilt family of New York. Other highlights include the chest of drawers made for the Clark family of Providence, R.I., which appears to be made by the same shop as the block-and-shell desk and bookcase at the Rhode Island Historical Society made for Joseph Brown (1733-1785).

American Silver

The silver being offered during Visions of America on January 20 begins with pieces from Colonial America, such as a silver teapot by Daniel Henchman from early Boston, contemporary with the Boston Tea Party. Examples from the great makers of America’s Gilded Age, Tiffany and Gorham, include a Gorham ice bowl whose “arctic” decoration evokes the then recently purchased territory of Alaska.

Chinese Export Art

Objects made in China for the European and American markets have been at the center of cultural interchange since the beginning of trade between East and West. On January 20, Sotheby’s will offer some of the most iconic works of Chinese export porcelain from important private collections, led by a “Hong” punch bowl painted with a panoramic view of the bustling Pearl River waterfront from the Qianlong period, a pair of elaborately decorated “Leake Okeover” armorial plates, and two rare examples of armorial porcelain painted with the arms of Talbot, one of which was formerly in the Mottahedeh collection.

Bourbon & Rye

A new moment in the auction calendar for spirits altogether, the offering on January 20 celebrates craftsmanship and ingenuity of a country whose Whiskey history is synonymous with innovation. Great American distilleries were woven into the agricultural, social and technical revolutions since America’s birth. The live auction will comprise bottles from some of the most substantial and noteworthy American distilleries, with many bottles coming from pre-Prohibition era and before.

Books & Manuscripts

On January 29, Sotheby’s will bring to market material central to the nation’s founding and development during Visions of America. Highlights include a significant letter from President Lincoln to General Halleck regarding military strategy; another from John Quincy Adams to fellow politician Ambrose Spencer; the autograph manuscript journal of Captain James Duncan, kept during the Siege of Yorktown, and a host of other property that underscores the spirit of American independence and possibility.

Sotheby’s is at 1334 York Avenue at 72nd Street. For information, www.sothebys.com or 212-606-7000.

ART. LUXURY. CULTURE.
Join us for a celebration of Americana and craftsmanship with auctions, exhibitions, and experiences.
EXHIBITIONS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 12-19 JANUARY
AUCTIONS BEGIN 19 JANUARY
FOR THE FULL VISIONS OF AMERICA SCHEDULE VISIT SOTHEBYS.COM 1334 YORK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10021