Bidsquare Picks: Shadows of Sweetness

The shadows that attach and drag themselves around the sweet subjects of painter Wayne Thiebaud can glue you down to a single image for hours. Often shades of blue, these sugary shadows arouse and anchor an already vibrating color palette and offer dimensional delights to the fine portrayal of classic American confections.

Lot 200, Wayne Thiebaud, Lollipop Tree, Oil on board under glass, 1969; Estimate $400,000 - $800,000

If paintings could raise your blood sugar, the one coming up at Nadeaus Auction Gallerys, Important Annual New Years Day Auction on January 1st should be consumed slowly. Topping the charts, like a giant dollop of whipped cream is Lollipop Tree, by Wayne Thiebaud from 1969 estimated for an intimidating $400,000 - $800,000. Complete with the ultimate stamp of approval, in the form of a Allan Stone Galleries label on the verso, this work is bound to bring a tasty twist to the New Year!

Lot 604, Danish Rya Carpet; Buy Now $512

Perhaps, we are operating under the influence of Wayne Thiebauds’ playful treats, but this swirling Scandinavian carpet has got it going on! Creamy whites and browns would lay the groundwork for any room in need of a subtle mid-century modern splash. This item is featured in Rago Auctions, Remix: Authentic Style Passed Lots sale - register today to Buy Now through December 19th. 

Lot 94, Tiffany Studios Acorn Table Lamp, New York, c. 1906; Estimate $14,000 - $18,000

Like the hardy nut of the oak tree, for which this design is named, Tiffany Studios lamps have been cracking open impressive results on Bidsquare this year.

Recently, Bidsquare users won three marvelous Tiffany Studios lamps (lots 1540, 1528, 1541) at James D. Julia, Extraordinary Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry Auction on December 1st.  The top seller, a Gentian Table Lamp sold for over $80,000! The unique selection above, with an intriguing ceramic base, is coming up at Skinner Auctions, 20th Century Design sale on December 14th - tune in and watch it light up the auction block!

Lot 451, 4 Norman Cherner Plycraft Dining Chairs; Estimate $1,000 - $2,000

If youve set your mind on finding a set of chairs, youll want to take a peek at Material Cultures, December Estates sale on December 17th. Youll find classic groups of mid-century modern options by designers such as Norman Cherner, (Knoll) Mies van der Rohe as well as antique American and Chinese pairs. 

Lot 54, Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, Untitled (Utopian Tower), Oil on corrugated cardboard with artists frame; Estimate $20,000 - $25,000

For nearly fifty years, from the 1930s to 1983, artist Eugene Von Bruenchenhein produced over one thousand apocalyptic landscape paintings as well as ceramics, poems, drawings, photographs and the occasional chicken bone sculpture. Although, it hasnt been confirmed for the work above, Bruenchenhein was known for painting with brushes made from his wife’s hair and as is the case with all folk and outsider artists, each work is truly forged under unique circumstances that reveal surprising origins. 

Coming up at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Outsider Art sale on December 15th this mysterious Utopian Tower will be offered along side other important works by Grandma Moses, Ted Harrison, Reverend Howard Finster, Josephus Farmer and Purvis Young amongst many others. 

With new auctions added daily, were always ripe for the pickin! Be sure to check into Bidsquare Picks each week for a speedy look at our upcoming selections!

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Jessica Helen Weinberg | Senior Content Editor at Bidsquare

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