The French have never been known to waste an opportunity to drink. So in 1846, when the French government was looking for a way of persuading troops stationed in malaria-ridden North Africa to drink quinine, Joseph Dubonnet thought, “Let’s add wine to it.” People liked it and that was the genesis of the French aperitif that took his name. A.M. Cassandre’s advertisement for Dubonnet, a triptych illustrating a man becoming more complete as he pours and drinks a glass, illustrates how the world can look more colorful when a good drink is enjoyed. One of the three panels from the Dubonnet series sits with a George Inness landscape painting, the original land lease contract for the 1969 Woodstock music festival, a Ming dynasty wucai fish covered jar and more in this week’s picks.
POSTER AUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC
March 12, 2017
Lot 281
A.M. Cassandre (1901–1968)
Alliance Graphique, Paris. This is the second “Dubon” panel in the triptych, in the larger format. The artist mentioned this triptych was one of several that are “humorous in tone” with the “seated figure darkening progressively from left to right.” The figure’s silhouette and gestures, which were to lend themselves to a number of comical variations, have immortalized the typically French aperitif; 75¼ by 53-3/8 inches.
Estimate: $60/80,000
MICHAAN’S AUCTIONS
March 11, 2017
Attributed to Albert Marquet (French, 1875–1947)
“Ship in Harbor,” oil on canvas, 19-5/8 by 27¼ inches
Estimate: $20/40,000
COWAN’S AUCTIONS
March 11, 2017
Lot 8
George Inness (American, 1825–1894)
“Spring,” oil on canvas, signed G. Inness and dated 1856, 19 by 29 inches. The work depicts a herdsman and cattle scattered in a meadow bordered by trees, with a wide expanse of additional meadows and a seashore in the background. It is an important example of the artist’s skillful manner, bridging and conjuring on the canvas a multiplicity of styles. His Impressionist representation of the figure and cows works hand in hand with his rich depiction of the large tree dominating the work, the various shades of green, some brighter than the others, serving to emphasize its physicality and texture.
Estimate: $100/150,000
ESTATE OF MIND
March 4, 2017
Lot 99
Original Woodstock Contract
From the Howard and Pat Mills personal collection of Woodstock Ventures correspondence, including two original contracts signed by Jon Roberts, president of Woodstock Ventures. Dated May 23, 1969, with original letter regarding the option to lease the land dated April 14, 1969, and the opposition legal notices from the town of Wallkill, newspaper articles, etc.
Estimate: $100/$1,000
GIANGUAN AUCTIONS
March 11, 2017
Lot 97
A Rare And Magnificent Wucai Fish Jar With Cover
Ming Dynasty, Jiajing six-character mark and of the period, 16½ inches tall. The stoutly potted large globular body painted in vibrant and lively wucai color of underglazed blue and enamels of yellow, red, green and brown of golden yellow carps swimming amid aquatic plants in a lotus pond, all in a free and detailed manner, below a collar of lotus lappets and above a border of overlapping leaf tips. The domed cover surmounted by a bud finial encircled by Buddhist emblems with beaded jewels. Another band of gold carp decorates the sides of the cover. Blue reign mark in the base.
Estimate: $3/5 million
THERIAULT’S
March 11–12, 2017
Lot 59
Rare French Musical Automaton “Lady Magician with Three Surprises” by Jean Roullet
An extraordinary automaton with 11 intricate movements and two tunes, enhanced by a superb portrait bisque face, luxurious costume and accouterments, the finest artistry in the little hidden surprises. Only a very few examples are known to exist; 31 inches high.
Estimate: $50/75,000
CLARKE
March 5, 2017
Lot 100
A Fine Louis XVI-Style Marbletop Gilt-Bronze Mounted Parquetry Commode
Signed on the lock plate and also twice on the commode under the marble, Paul Sormani (France 1817–1877); 37 inches high.
Estimate: $15/25,000
CARLSEN GALLERY
March 5, 2017
Lot 84
Philadelphia Chippendale Tea Table
Ball and claw feet, carved knees.
Estimate: $5/15,000
DUMOUCHELLES
March 10-12, 2017
Lot 2033
A. Roivenc & Cie. Geneva, Swiss Cylinder Music Box On Inlaid Burl Fruitwood Stand
Late Nineteenth Century, #14942 G 301; has seven 13-inch cylinders, each playing or able to play six tunes (airs), has nine bells, single comb, bronze bail side handles, the attached stand with fruitwood inlaid banding, two cylinder housing drawers that will accept seven cylinders total and the whole raised on cabriole legs; 38 inches high.
Estimate: $5/10,000
