For centuries, Limoges porcelain has been prized for its refinement, artistry, and French charm. What began in the late 18th century as a royal manufactory has grown into one of the most enduring names in decorative arts. The four works featured here in upcoming sales at Bidsquare, spanning 19th-century enamels and perfume bottles to modern Fabergé collaborations, illustrate how Limoges continues to inspire collectors worldwide. From Royal Roots to Collectors’ Favorites The story of Limoges porcelain begins in the 1770s, when deposits of kaolin clay were discovered near the city of Limoges. This fine white clay gave artisans the ability to produce porcelain that rivaled Chinese and German examples in strength and beauty. With royal support, Limoges quickly became a center of porcelain production, known for both tableware and decorative piec...Read More

In Brunk Auction’s upcoming sale, American & Southern on September 11, 2025 at 9am CT, three pieces by artist Winfred Rembert will be up for auction. Winfred Rembert (1945–2021) is a  self-taught artist whose powerful storytelling was carved into leather. His work offers an unflinching yet celebratory record of African American life in the segregated South.  A Voice Carved in Leather Born in Cuthbert, Georgia, Rembert grew up in poverty and worked long hours in cotton fields. As a young man, he was arrested during a Civil Rights demonstration, survived a near-lynching, and served years on a prison chain gang. While incarcerated, he learned to tool and dye leather; a skill that became the foundation of his art. Photo: Renan Ozturk, Courtesy Hauser & Wirth Using leather instead of canvas, Rembert developed a distinctive practice of carving, s...Read More

Few names in British ceramics carry the prestige and enduring appeal of Royal Doulton. For more than two centuries, the company has been synonymous with fine craftsmanship, innovative design, and artistic excellence. Today, Royal Doulton pieces are cherished by collectors worldwide, celebrated for both their beauty and their rich history. The History of Royal Doulton The story begins in 1815, when John Doulton, along with partners John Watts and Martha Jones, established a pottery business in Lambeth, South London. Initially producing utilitarian stoneware such as drainpipes and storage jars, the company soon distinguished itself for quality and innovation. By the mid-19th century, under the guidance of John’s son Henry Doulton, the firm embraced artistic pottery, collaborating with designers and artists to produce decorative wares that app...Read More

Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) occupies a singular place in the history of art as one of the most important American painters and printmakers associated with the Impressionist movement. Celebrated for her sensitive depictions of women and children, Cassatt brought a uniquely personal perspective to subjects often overlooked in 19th-century art, capturing domestic life with tenderness, dignity, and modern insight. Cassatt’s Artistic Journey Born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, Cassatt studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before moving to Paris, where she would spend much of her life. In France, she became closely associated with the Impressionists, especially Edgar Degas, who encouraged her interest in printmaking. While her paintings are widely known, Cassatt’s prints include etchings, aquatints, and lithographs that reveal her e...Read More

Few names in the decorative arts inspire the same reverence as Lalique. Born from the vision of René-Jules Lalique, the house has long stood at the intersection of artistry and innovation. His journey from jeweler to glassmaker not only helped define the look of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, but also gave collectors objects that feel both timeless and alive. Today, Lalique remains one of the most sought-after names at auction. Each piece whether a vase, figurine, or bowl, carries with it a legacy of design brilliance. René Lalique began his career in the late 19th century as a jewelry designer whose creations captured the spirit of Art Nouveau. Unlike his contemporaries, he used enamel, glass, and horn alongside precious stones, elevating artistry above material value. His necklaces and brooches featuring dragonflies, orchids, and peacocks were...Read More

Art has the power to transform neighborhoods, spark dialogue, and inspire the next generation. Few organizations embody this belief more deeply than CITYarts, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing monumental public art projects, especially murals, to communities across New York City and beyond. Since its founding, CITYarts has empowered artists and youth to collaborate, creating works that celebrate diversity, resilience, and cultural identity. This summer, CITYarts continues its mission with the CITYarts Summer 2025 Benefit Art Auction, hosted on Bidsquare. Proceeds from the sale will directly support upcoming projects and educational programs for 2025–2026, ensuring that murals and public art initiatives continue to enrich neighborhoods and nurture creativity in the years ahead. Image: Shakespeare Steps, 1165 Shakespeare Ave, Bronx, NYC 2024;...Read More

In the 1950s, a group of young African American artists in Florida began painting the state’s lush landscapes; royal poinciana trees in bloom, dramatic coastal skies, glassy wetlands, and golden sunsets. Collectively known as The Highwaymen, these painters created a body of work that is now celebrated as one of the most significant movements in American regional art. At the time, opportunities for Black artists were limited. Shut out of galleries and mainstream art markets, the Highwaymen forged their own path. They painted quickly, often completing works in a single sitting and sold them along Florida’s highways, outside businesses, and door-to-door. Their bold colors and expressive brushwork captured the state’s natural beauty in a way that appealed to tourists, locals, and businesses alike. Though initially dismissed as “roadside art,” t...Read More

In the final years of the 18th century, the United States Mint was still in its infancy. Every coin struck in Philadelphia carried with it more than just monetary value; it was a symbol of a fledgling nation testing its identity, artistry, and place on the world stage. Among these early coins, few are as captivating as the Draped Bust dollar. Introduced in 1795, the Draped Bust design replaced the earlier Flowing Hair motif. Legend has it that Philadelphia socialite Ann Willing Bingham posed as the model for Liberty’s portrait, lending the coin an air of elegance and refinement. Chief Engraver Robert Scot etched her image with flowing curls, a soft drapery at the neckline, and a gaze that seemed both hopeful and resolute. Image: Anne Willing Bingham (1797), Philadelphia Museum of Art The reverse carried the nation’s emblematic eagle, at fir...Read More

Halloween may still be weeks away, but collectors of vintage holiday memorabilia will have plenty to get excited about this month. On August 27, 2025, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates presents Summer Americana: Day 1, a sale brimming with folk art, advertising, toys, and nostalgic treasures. Among the highlights are a handful of rare and highly collectible Halloween-themed lots, perfect for enthusiasts who cherish the eerie charm of early 20th-century holiday décor. Here are five standout pieces crossing the block: German Papier-Mâché Jack-o’-Lantern A classic expression of Halloween tradition, this German papier-mâché lantern embodies the handmade craftsmanship that makes early jack-o’-lanterns so desirable. Collectors value these for their delicate construction and ability to evoke the mischievous spirit of vintage Halloween nights. Lot #30 ...Read More

Few designers capture the enduring appeal of mid-century modernism like Willy Guhl (1915–2004). Long before concrete furniture became a design-world staple, the Swiss innovator was experimenting with industrial materials and sculptural forms that blurred the line between functional object and work of art. Born in Stein am Rhein, Guhl trained as a carpenter before studying at the Zurich School of Applied Arts, where he later taught for nearly 40 years. A leader of the Swiss neo-functional movement, Guhl believed in “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.” His work embodies that philosophy: bold yet restrained, practical yet poetic. Industrial Materials, Organic Forms Guhl’s designs often relied on Eternit, a then-revolutionary mixture of cement and asbestos developed by the Belgian company Etex. Commissioned in the 1950s to design pl...Read More