December 1, 2020 - Giving Tuesday has become almost as big an event for the holiday shopping season as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. On Giving Tuesday, we are all reminded how important it is to make charitable efforts a part of the holiday festivities. This year in the midst of a global pandemic the sentiment couldn’t be more important. There isn’t a charity or cultural institution that couldn’t use a donation. And it can be overwhelming to choose where to funnel your funds. An excellent guide that jewelry designers follow is to pick one in your community or near and dear to your heart. Mish Tworkowski, the creative force behind the New York City based Mish fine jewelry label, has long been inspired by the wonders of nature. Floral motifs are a constant in his classical work with a twist. The vibrant colors of a g...Read More

The pandemic has fueled renewed interest in board games as people worldwide stay safe at home and seek diversions. The recent popularity of the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit” has toy industry and market analysts noting triple-digit increases in the sale of chess sets to an already “hot” market.   Above and below: French .800 Silver and Parcel-gilt Chess Set, late 19th/early 20th century, bearing maker’s mark “G Fres” possibly for Guillemin Frères, sold for $25,830 Chess is an ancient game, originating in 6th-century India; it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that the form of the pieces we are familiar with today were standardized. The Staunton Pattern pieces, as they are known, were originated by Nathaniel Cook, an architect by trade, and produced by Jaques of London. The firm assigned the name “Staunton”  to recognize the world’s top...Read More

When it comes to collecting fine art in 2020, tastes have changed drastically from thirty years ago. Previously, the market had been dominated by traditional subject matters which fell into the “Hierarchy of Paintings” first established by the French Academy in 1669. This ranked paintings by subject in relation to desirability in the following order: History painting, portraiture, genre painting, landscape painting, and lastly still life painting. Premiere evening and daytime auctions commonly featured Old Master’s, colonial American art, Hudson River School, and Dutch Painting amongst other things. Now, don't get me wrong, back in 1990, modern and contemporary art auctions were happening, but the market was nothing like it is today. On November 30th, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers will host a Modern and Contemporary art auction of 76 curated lo...Read More

For the first time, The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts) will host its annual art sale virtually. The entirety of the, typically in-person, event will be available to 'Buy Now' through the Bidsquare platform from November 9 – 23, 2020. This marks the 38th year of the event which showcases emerging talent alongside prominently collected artists. Known for providing a potent roster of participants, the SMFA Art Sale is seen as an opportune moment for art collectors and patrons of all varieties - it sends flares across the contemporary art world sky, signaling significant talent and conceptual vitality.   Lot 383, Cobi Moules, MFA 10, Cover Boys I, oil on canvas panel, 11 h x 16 w x 0.2 l As New England’s leading contemporary art sale and SMFA at Tufts' biggest fundraiser, the importance of this show cannot...Read More

For over 30 years the Smithsonian Craft Show has welcomed admirers of all things handmade to gather and celebrate the finest American contemporary craft and design. The annual craft show in Washington D.C. is steeped in excellence and highlights a variety of disciplines: wearable art, basketry, ceramics, decorative fibers, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed-media, paper and wood. Through the dedication of the Smithsonian Women's Committee, a core group of volunteer advocates who've helped fundraise for research grants and specialty programs for the past 50 years - the craft show continues to connect highly-skilled artisans with enthusiastic patrons. Each year, the Smithsonian Craft Show is buzzing with people weaving their way around 100+ tents to mingle, purchase artworks and marvel over the refined ingenuity that is American...Read More

It's October 2020 and most people are currently thinking that life is pretty crazy. Even outside of the pandemic, there's endless political unrest, natural disasters, financial uncertainty, and let us not forget about murder hornets. However, outside of these happenings, the Pop Culture collectible marketplace is hotter than ever before. Comics, toys, trading cards, video games (you name it) have been selling for record prices the past eight months. In my opinion, many collectors are home and the expendable income they might have spent on vacations, movies, etc. has ceased! Simply put, there's more money in the kitty to spend on Pop Culture goodness. My quick synopsis: the Pop Culture market is roaring through the current chaos and the auction scene has been quite the spectacle to watch. On October 17, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers will host a ...Read More

After a successful Asia Week in New York late September, the Asian Art market once again proved its resiliency despite the global pandemic and economic uncertainty. Major artworks were sold in the categories of Japanese woodblock prints, Chinese archaic bronzes, Chinese imperial porcelain, Chinese jade carvings, and Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. The strong market signifies that Asian art collectors around the world are still seeking high quality objects, especially those that are rare and have substantial provenance. Following in the footsteps of Asia Week, Skinner in Boston will be showcasing their Asian Works of Art auction on October 9. This 327 lot sale features objects from China, Japan, Korea, the Himalayan region, and the Islamic world. Lot 100, Blue and White Lotus-mouth Bottle Vase; Estimate $600,000-$1,200,000 The top piece of th...Read More

We made it to the autumn season! That means the start of another round of Asian Art sales at both the international and regional level. Despite the ongoing crisis with the global pandemic the Asian Art market has proved to be resilient with strong results throughout the summer months. On September 24, Hindman in Chicago will be featuring their Chinese and Southeast Asian Works of art auction. This 379 lot sale focuses mostly on objects from China including paintings, porcelain, jade carvings, furniture and scholar art. However, there are also highlights in a vast selection of reference books, Buddhist sculptures from the Himalayan regions, and Indian works of art. Lot 80, A Rare and Fine Imperial Folding Fan; Estimate $30,000-$50,000 One of the highlights from the Hindman sale is lot 80, a Chinese Imperial folding fan crafted during the Qia...Read More

Pictures speak; wide children's eyes, a master painter lost in thought, posing models, disturbed feminists, people from a long lost China or dancing priests - a photo usually tells more with its visual language than any word could.  The upcoming, OstLicht Photo Auction catalog, live on October 2, at 11am EDT, displays an impressive roster of photographers from Helmut Newton and Henri-Cartier Bresson to Josef Sudek, William Eggleston, Moriz Nähr, and many others. Lot 4, Moriz Nähr, Gustav Klimt, Vienna 1909, Vintage silver print in OstLicht Photo Auction Moriz Nähr knew exactly how to portray the Art Nouveau master Gustav Klimt in profile, conveying dignity and spirituality. The important piece of Austrian photo history was made on 8 July 1909 at the International Art Exhibition in Vienna. This early large-format print, offered at the auctio...Read More

Being an antiquarian is no easy task. They are eternally at the mercy of luck, waiting impatiently for that desired item to surface so they can rush out in search of it and, if they're lucky enough, to find and catch it. The feeling of triumph that comes from this experience is akin to a special new friendship, or the thrill of conquering a long-awaited love. For collectors, the acquisition of a treasured piece implies being responsible for its safekeeping and caring for it for it for an indefinite period of time, until it finds its way to another person, thus beginning a brand new story.  Lot 38, Chucho Reyes, Biombo, aves y flores, Unsigned, Oil on canvas on wooden support, 4 panels At Morton Subastas, the 'Auction of Works and Items Belonging to Chucho Reyes from the Collection of Rodrigo Rivero Lake', reveals an impassioned relationship...Read More