Two very exciting paintings grace the October 5th and 6th Americana & International auction at Pook & Pook. Collectors will have the opportunity to acquire works by a recently rediscovered artist of international renown, who played an important role in promoting National Park landscapes to the American public. Gunnar Widforss (Sweden, United States, 1879-1934) roamed the world looking for beautiful landscapes. Born in Sweden, he earned a living in the first decades of the 20th century plein air painting in spa towns and scenic spots around the Mediterranean, where he was in proximity to both beauty and a customer base. He achieved success, having two paintings accepted in the Paris Salon. In 1921 he began a journey to Japan, which ended when he ran out of money in California. While there, Widforss fell back on his work formula of scenery an...Read More

More than two hundred works by John Constable (1776 – 1837) are related to time he spent in Brighton between the years 1824 and 1828, half of which are small, vivid sketches such as lot #435. In this ink wash, three fishing boats rest on a beach. The nearest is recognizable as a Brighton Hog-boat with its leeboard hanging off the side, the center boat with a lug sail. A cluster of buildings and a fenced walkway lined with figures form the horizon. Visible on the walkway is a man sporting a top hat. Although the boats are resting, the curved lines of their hulls, of the bluff, and the cumulus clouds, together with the sparkling light suggest an exuberant scene. John Constable came to Brighton for his wife, Maria, who contracted tuberculosis in 1819. In an effort to restore Maria’s health with fresh sea air and sunshine, Constable moved his f...Read More

It’s no accident that caftans experienced their comeuppance, but they’ve had staying power that outlasts the typical fashion cycle in the last few years. Seen in 2019 on the mainstage of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 11 “Category is: Caftan Realness” and again in Florence for the debut of Emilio Pucci’s 2023 Spring Ready to Wear Collection, this ancient holy garment turned 1970’s resort wear has seen multiple reincarnations, for years and years.  Now, whom do we have to thank for ushering their permanence into the fashion cannon, giving everlasting eye-catching flow on catwalks and Palm Springs poolsides? Why, of course, André Leon Talley.  Highlighting the late fashion journalist, editor-at-large of Vogue and fashion royalty is STAIR Galleries, with an upcoming sale of personal belongings from Talley’s estate. STAIR introduced the “The Collec...Read More

Walking sticks, canes, staffs - these seemingly ordinary objects have a rich history of being both functional and fashionable. The upcoming Antique Canes Auction from Kimball Sterling, on September 16, is a journey into a world where craftsmanship, artistry, and historical significance merge. Let's explore some of the most notable lots that will be going under the gavel. 1. The Sword Cane: A Dashing Accessory with Hidden Power Made circa 1875, topped with a two piece walrus handle with an  etched bulldog, is the Walrus Sword Cane [Lot 44] a perfect blend of style and self-defense. Sword canes, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, often concealed a small blade within their elegant design. More minimalistic designs in the sale include the Presentation Sword Cane [Lot 54], Pike Defensive Sword Cane [Lot 105], and the simply titled Sword Can...Read More

With the Fall 2023 Asia Week New York just around the corner (September 14-22!) numerous American regional auction houses are gearing up for an action-packed Asian art season! One of the most exciting sales coming up takes place at Revere Auctions in St. Paul, MN.  On September 12, Revere Auctions will be selling 165 lots of Asian art in their sale titled ‘Movement: Fine Chinese & Southeast Asian Art’. This sale includes mostly objects from China such as contemporary sculpture and paintings, classical furniture, domestic and export porcelain, snuff bottles, jade carvings and Buddhist artworks. Many of the highlight pieces up for sale were previously in the collection of Bruce Dayton and his wife Ruth Stricker Dayton. Bruce Dayton (1918-2015) was a businessman and philanthropist whose family owns the Target Corporation.  The major highlight ...Read More

Hubley Toys was a renowned American toy company that was active from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. Founded in 1894 by John E. Hubley in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the company initially began as a manufacturer of metal accessories for horse-drawn carriages. However, it soon transitioned into producing cast iron toys, which became their primary focus. Hubley Toys gained popularity for their high-quality cast iron toys, which were known for their intricate designs, attention to detail, and durability. They produced a wide range of toys, including model cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, motorcycles, and various other vehicles. Additionally, they produced figures, doorstops, and even cap guns. The company's toys often featured realistic and intricate designs, making them popular among both children and collectors. Many of their toy...Read More

From the end of the War of 1812 until around 1860, the Staffordshire potters of Britain produced millions of pieces of transferware for the American market. Using brilliant white pearlware and ironstone printed underglaze with deep cobalt blue, Staffordshire potters imitated the brilliance of Chinese porcelain on widely affordable domestic tableware. Appealing directly to the American market, wares were decorated with patriotic scenes and historical landmarks which were set in either romantic garden landscapes or unspoiled scenery, and the early achievements of the Industrial Revolution, such as steamships and railroads. So popular was the style, it is still produced today- although reproductions lack the variety of artwork and the original intense cobalt, which has been replaced with synthetic blues. The original pieces still typify the st...Read More

At the start of summer, a much-anticipated piece of furniture was offered through one of Bidsquare’s partners. In Stair’s Summer Mid-Week auction on June 22, 2023, an innocuous Chinese Carved Hardwood Clothing Stand (lot 571) went up for sale with an estimate of $500- $700. Using the mortise and tenon technique, the stand was deceptively simple in its construction. Two vertical posts jutting from foot bases support four horizontal beams. The central beams contain a lattice design of Chinese lingzhi 靈芝 longevity fungus heads and lily florals (image 2). The terminals of the top rail contain a well-carved scene of a phoenix amongst scrolling clouds (image 3). Each of these beams are additionally supported by delicate spandrels also containing the longevity fungus motif. Even with its simple title of ‘Chinese Carved Hardwood Clothing Stand’, th...Read More

Introduction For decades, Barbie has been an iconic figure in the world of collectible dolls & toys, capturing the hearts and imaginations of children and collectors alike. With her impeccable style, timeless beauty, and ever-evolving persona, Barbie has transcended generations, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture. In celebration of the newly released Barbie film, directed by Greta Gerwig, we delve into the fascinating history of Barbie, exploring her creation, evolution, and the enduring legacy she continues to leave behind. The Birth of Barbie In 1959, Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, observed her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls and imagining them as grown-ups. Realizing the absence of adult female dolls in the market, Handler envisioned a toy that would inspire girls to imagine themselves as successful and indep...Read More

On July 8 Case Auctions in Knoxville Tennessee will be offering for sale a pair of exceptional Chinese famille verte porcelain ‘palace’ vases. Standing at 35 ½ inches high and produced during the mid-19th Century of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), these vases are extremely large and well-decorated. When seeing the vases, the eyes are immediately drawn to all the vignettes of figures going about their daily lives. There is a plethora of scenes which include both male and female figures, and some young children as well.  Even though they look like a more common Chinese court scene, what we are actually seeing is the idealized image of China’s ‘four scholarly arts’ 四藝. Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907) there have been written accounts of the ‘perfect’ Chinese gentleman as someone who is able to master the four criteria of calligraphy 書, painting ...Read More