Have you ever thought about what your coffee table would look like as a skyscraper? Paul Evans certainly did. One of the most influential makers of contemporary American furniture, Paul Evans inspired a generation of designers to consider 20th Century Modernism with fresh eyes. Evans work pushes the boundaries of the modern aesthetic, merging it with folk art forms and new materials. Paul Evans at work, photo source: Lux / Eros Before becoming a furniture designer, Paul Evans trained and studied extensively in both the arts and metalworking. Born in 1931 in Pennsylvania, Evans attended to the renowned Cranbrook Academy of Arts in Detroit at the age of 21 where he studied modern design and art. After graduating, Evans found work at Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts where he gave presentations as a silversmith. Largely owing to this early e...Read More

As the artistic career of Francois-Rupert Carabin evolved, his works became increasingly erotic. Considered the most brilliant sculptor in wood of the Art Nouveau era, this direction was received with increasing disquiet by the esteemed Revue des arts décoratifs, a publication that had previously championed the artist’s work. This failed to deter Carabin, who continued to produce work that was a celebration of natural bodily forms, and edged towards the dangerous and threatening psyche of the spirit. The sculptures displayed wit, cunning, intelligence, desire, temptation, and cruelty, and helped redefine what constituted furniture and sculpture.  On Friday, October 14, Rago offers bidders a chance to add a Carabin to their collections when they offer Lot 13 in their sale of the Jerome Shaw Collection. Shown at the 1907 Société Nationale des...Read More

The whereabouts of Sunbeam had been unknown for over 100 years, but was recently discovered in the most unlikely of places - a Facebook message! William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) was regarded as the foremost representative of French academic art during the second half of the 19th century. He was a member of the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts and exhibited his work at the organizations salon for most of his life. Left: William-Adolphe Bouguereau self portrait (photo source); Right: William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Rayon de Soleil (Sunbeam) in Cowans Auctions October 15th Fine and Decorative Art Auction  Rayon de Soleil (Sunbeam) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau was completed in 1899, at the height of the artists career. An exceptional example of Bouguereaus talent, the work pictures a barefoot girl in a white dress. She stands against a ga...Read More

For Asian Art enthusiasts, 2016 has been an exciting year for Bidsquare. As we are partnering with more auction houses across North America and Europe, we are seeing an increase in the number of Asian artworks from China, Japan, the Himalayan region and South Asia. Our sales in Asian Art categories have increased by an amazing 65%, and we hope to build on this momentum going into 2017. September saw three major regional auction houses with Asian Art items up for sale. Brunk Auctions in Asheville held their Asian Art sale on September 15 where they sold lot 677, A Chinese Finely Carved Stone Mask of a Quanyin, possibly from Yongdeng Province for a realized price of $70,000. This stone head of the bodhisattva of compassion came from the George V. Collection from Raleigh North Carolina. The head’s elongated face and sublime smile are typical c...Read More

When it comes to the Bone Shaker bicycle, historians agree it has a well-earned reputation. Invented in the 1860s by French company Michaux at the time of the first bicycle craze, it was the first true bicycle with pedals. The term Bone Shaker refers to the extremely uncomfortable ride, which was caused by the stiff wrought iron frame and wooden wheels surrounded by tires made of iron. Ouch! On Saturday, October 8, Pook & Pook offers bidders the chance to test drive a Bone Shaker of their own when they stage Day 2 of their Americana sale. Selling as Lot 312, this rare gem, built in 1870 by New York’s Wood Brothers, is one of the few fully restored Bone Shakers remaining in existence. The Bone Shaker’s popularity was short lived. It fell out of favor after the summer of 1869, and was replaced in 1870 with the type of bicycle called Ordinary,...Read More

Frank Maraschiello at Rago discusses Art Nouveau in the upcoming 20th Century Auction taking place October 15th. The sale features rare Art Nouveau works by Agathon Léonard, François-Raoul Larche, Julien Caussé, and Louis Chalon. Watch the video below to see highlights and how these works illustrate two great themes of Art Nouveau: organic form and nature, and the female form.    

To most people the Victorian Era is known for the industrial revolution, social reform, and the Pax Britannica. For me, all those run a distant second to the Victorians greatest achievement: earring design. Victorian earrings are everything that I love about antique jewelry. Here are the three reasons why: 1. Motifs Victorians were endlessly inventive with their design motifs. If you can think of a subject matter, I could probably find you a pair of Victorian earrings. Flora, fauna, people, places, ancient civilizations - all could be found dangling from the ears of Victorian ladies. My favorites have always been the Ancient Egyptian inspired earrings. I especially love the ones that incorporate scarab beetles. In Skinners September 27 Fine Jewelry auction is a wonderful pair (Lot 195) that has both micromosaic and gold scarabs in each earr...Read More

A pioneer in plant-based personal care and aromatherapy, Horst M. Rechelbacher was a dynamic entrepreneur who excelled in several lifetimes of pursuits including artist, organic farmer, author, speaker and passionate collector. Born during WWII in Klagenfurt, Austria, Horst worked from the age of 14 in a small neighborhood salon. Undiagnosed dyslexia pushed him to become a creative thinker with a unique perspective for problem solving, leading him to become a hairdresser’s apprentice. Horst Rechelbacher Throughout the 1950s he won countless Junior Hairdressing Championships in Europe, followed by international awards that brought him to New York, Chicago and Minneapolis in his early twenties. After a traumatic car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Horst opened a salon to pay accrued hospital bills. One salon soon became three. In tandem, ...Read More

It would be easy enough, when viewing Lot 155 in Material Culture’s September Estates sale, to see nothing more than a 150-year-old guitar. Made by C.F. Martin between 1855 & 1866 in a New York Parlor style, and sold with its original coffin case, the piece is blessed with the timeless appeal and elegance that handcrafted instruments always seem to possess. Its no secret they get better with age. But a quick glance at the portrait being sold with the guitar offers insight into the instruments tragic and colorful past. Pictured is the original owner, Johnnie Campbell, who left his family plantation in Jackson, TN to fight with the Confederate Army in their battle to secede from the Union. That same year Campbell, just 16, was giving water to a Union soldier when he was struck and killed by a bullet from his own side. Yet the Martin guitar st...Read More

In the last quarter of the 19th Century America was experiencing a period of unprecedented prosperity and growth. Despite increased wealth and a steady stream of European craftsmen entering the country in order to provide goods and services, there was still significant bias for goods fabricated across the Atlantic. This tide changed after the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where makers of American cut glass showcased elaborate sets of cut glass in every conceivable shape, and with patterns quite different from their European counterparts. Record numbers of attendants arrived in Chicago by rail and were soon convinced that they should join their affluent neighbors in purchasing sets of cut glass from a domestic maker. True cut glass is hand decorated and consequently very expensive. It took time to make, which created great dema...Read More