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

Of all the fascinating categories out there in the collectibles market, none bring as much fun and enjoyment to their owners as vintage toys. With their irresistible blend of charm and nostalgia, they take us back to a time when manufacturers built things to last (yes, even toys!). No wonder then, that demand for vintage toys continues to be strong at auctions all over the world. On Saturday, September 24, Potter & Potter Auctions offers toy buffs a golden opportunity to add to their collections when they hold their Toys, Advertising & Coin–Op sale. Over 500 lots are set to go under the hammer, from a catalog that includes a wide assortment of motorcycle and automobile toys, mechanical and still banks, vintage ray guns, board games, pinball machines, fortune telling machines and vending machines, advertising signs, counter displays, slot ma...Read More

Collectors are set to break out of the summer slowdown with Pook & Pook’s two-day September Decorative Arts sale. Offering a combined total of over 1,200 lots, this two day sale is chock-full of a variety of unique items that are accessible to enthusiasts on any budget. This is an online only sale exclusive to Bidsquare, so kick back in the comfort of your own home and join the online auction! Lot 55 - four pieces of teepee pattern spatter, including a sugar bowl, a blue saucer, a red and a green plate  Wednesday, September 14 kicks off with a bang when over sixty lots of spatterware go under the hammer. A broad term for pottery with colors that look spattered or sponged onto its surface, it was first crafted in England around 1780, and is usually called spongeware in European circles. Country and folk items are set to shine in this auction...Read More

Next Week’s Asia Week events in New York City mark the unofficial start of the Fall Asian art season. With numerous sales occurring at the international auction houses, every collector, dealer and Asian Art lover is searching for the hottest new market trend. Not to be outdone, September marks the beginning of the Asian Art season for many American regional auction houses. Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina will be holding their Asian Art sale September 15-16. This auction includes 700 works of art from China, India and South East Asia. Of note is their extensive collection of Japanese artworks formerly from Commander USNR (Ret.) Wayne S. and Mrs. Lydia B. Shiver.  A Pair of Shrine Temple Carved Wood Shi-Shi Lions Japanese in Brunk Auctions September 15, 2016 auction This grouping contains porcelain, ceramics, woodblock prints and ...Read More