Just for one moment, imagine the amount of “fake news” going on in the First Century BCE. Politics aside, when a philosopher has to set out a reasoned argument on how centaurs could not possibly exist, it leaves one to wonder how humans have made it this far. In his poem “On the Nature of Things,” Lucretius reasons that centaurs could not exist because of the different growth patterns of humans and horses. At the age of three, he reasons, a horse is in its absolute prime, but at the same age, a human is still toddling around, unable to fend for itself. Solid argument there. But he did not account for the scientific record, to which we will add, more than 2,000 years later, the centaur skeleton approaching the block at Sworders. It joins other lots from around the world in this week’s picks.
SWORDERS
Sale Date: February 12, 2019
Lot 94
Centaur Skeleton
Late Twentieth Century, mounted in a rectangular glass case, centaur 22 by 17 inches. This reconstruction of this mythical creature was made from the skeletal elements of various animals.
Estimate: $8/10,500
DOYLE
Sale Date: February 13, 2019
Lot 131
Edmund Henry Osthaus (American, 1858–1928)
“The First Lesson — A Setter and Her Six Pups,” oil on canvas, 30 by 44 inches.
Estimate: $30/50,000
MICHAAN’S
Sale Date: February 9, 2019
Lot 1136
Painted Cast Iron Clown Carnival Gallery Target
J.T. Dickman carnival gallery target. Marked “Pat’d. Sept. 19. 1911 by J.T. Dickman L.A.,” 20¼ inches high.
Estimate: $8/10,000
CARLSEN GALLERY
Sale Date: February 10, 2019
Lot 128
Carved Wood Federal Eagle
Nineteenth Century, 31 inches high.
Estimate: $2/3,000
AMERO AUCTIONS
Sale Date: February 10, 2019
Lot 121
“The Shackle Broken-By the Genius of Freedom” Lithograph
Estimate: $3/5,000
BLACKWELL AUCTIONS
Sale Date: February 9, 2019
Lot 101
American School Portrait Of Two Children
Circa 1840s portrait of two young boys along a path. One boy is holding a hoop and stick game, and the other is holding a drum and drumsticks. Unsigned, 45 by 38¾ inches.
Estimate: $6/12,000
MORPHY
Sale Date: February 7, 2019
Lot 3521
Winchester 1917 Complete Calendar (Framed)
Top metal band is visible. Original painted by W.K. Leigh (1866–1955). This action image shows an elk hunter trying to load a severed elk head onto a pack horse but having a bit of trouble, 29¾ by 14-7/8 inches.
Estimate: $3/4,000
BENEFIT SHOP
Sale Date: February 6, 2019
Lot 3
Tang-Style Handcrafted Horse Sculpture
A hand painted cloisonné-style canvas over wood, 56 inches tall. Purchased in Lyon, France.
Estimate: $30/38,000
ROLAND
Sale Date: February 10, 2019
Lot 204
Antique Continental Serpentine Chest
Eighteenth Century scallop-form commode/chest, with bun feet.
Estimate: $1,8/2,200
