New & Noteworthy
Stay up to date with news, highlights, & features from across Freeman's.
Stay up to date with news, highlights, & features from across Freeman's.
The upcoming Post War and Contemporary Art auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will include a number of ceramics by Pablo Picasso including plates, pitchers and vases. Bid on these 35 lots and more on December 14. Of Picasso’s more than 3,500 ceramic designs, animal themes are recurring with motifs of goats and bulls most common. These ceramics are suggestive of Picasso’s everyday surroundings and the animals he personally kept. Our Post War and Contemporary Art sale features a number of these motifs on plates, including two profiles of goats’ heads, two bull profiles, a picador in action and a pair of lounging bulls. Another common, recognizable theme across Picasso ceramics is the use of the human face and figure as motif. These designs are often colorful and playful, rendered in a disjointed nature that was also translated across mediums in well-known paintings and prints. Picasso often used the ceramic vase to creatively display faces in duality (Lots 26 and 34 above) or in conversation (Lot 27 below) and the plate as head or body, to which he added features (Lots 16 and 44 below). Overlapping with the time period in which he created ceramics, Picasso also met and married his second wife, Jacqueline Roque. She served as his muse in the creation of many works including the glazed ceramics below that bear her profile (Lots 39 and 40). Further additions to the sale include a recognizable Wood Owl (Lot 50) and two partially glazed pitchers featuring “Little Beasts” (Lot 49) and a Picador (Lot 20). Our December 14 Fine Prints sale also includes a number of works by Picasso. View highlights below and browse the full catalogue online.
Included in our December 4 Fine Timepieces auction are a number of timepieces that elevate their traditional styles. From the extreme to the luxurious, below are some of the most recognized of our December collection. LOT 4 – This ‘Santos 100’ wristwatch by Cartier is modern and industrious. The square bezel is of matte rose gold and affixed by carbon steel screws. Combined with its black calfskin lined kevlar strap, this timepiece is rugged while retaining classic elements. LOT 48 – An undeniable staple is the two-tone Rolex. This stainless steel and yellow gold Datejust wristwatch is the image that many conjure when Rolex comes to mind. This example features a date aperture with gold Roman numerals on a champagne dial. LOT 60 – Offering a more sporty feel is this contemporary titanium dual digital-analog ‘Emergency II’ wristwatch by Breitling. The orange dial features digital apertures at its top and bottom for 12/24-hour analog and LCD displays. With the adventurer in mind, the turning bezel has an engraved compass scale and is equipped with other modern tech such as a (PLB) personal locator beacon, making it the world’s first watch to also act as a distress beacon. LOT 61 – Another sporty Breitling (but this time with the racer in mind) is the Bentley B06 S. Manufactured for the famed carmaker, this watch serves the need for speed with its variable tachymeter to calculate average speed over time, distance covered and maximum speed reached. The transparent case-back is crafted in the shape of a wheel rim. LOT 62 – This limited edition (one of only 25 made) Transocean Chronograph QP wristwatch by Breitling gives a nautical feel to a highly complicated piece of machinery containing over 450 parts. The clear measure of time from day to month, moonphase and season, even including leap year, showcases complex yet useful complications for everyday. This example features a blue alligator strap and dial in luxurious contrast to its rose gold elements. LOT 73– Also highlighting the clear and refined measure of time is this all-time classic Ref. 3940 perpetual calendar moonphase wristwatch by Patek Philippe. As one of the first manufacturers of a perpetual calendar wristwatch in the 1920’s, the 18 karat yellow gold finishes complete with a brown crocodile strap make it an elegant yet wearable example of one of horology’s true grand complications.
The December 14 Post War and Contemporary Art auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers has a particularly international focus. Continue reading to explore the sale’s top two lots by Liu Kuo-sung and Rufino Tamayo. Liu Kuo-sung is frequently heralded as both a groundbreaker and consequently one of the most significant modern Chinese painters, leading to him being acknowledged as the father of Modernist Chinese ink painting. Originally trained in the centuries old custom of ink painting, Kuo-sung briefly experimented with abstract oil painting in the early 60s, before returning to the traditional medium with a revolutionary approach. Recognizing the limited advancements made over the course of hundreds of years of ink and brush, Kuo-sung sought to innovate radically the approach and bring ink painting to the 20th century and beyond by rejecting convention, adopting new techniques of his own invention and utilizing paper of his own design. The Universe is in My Heart, 2003, from the artist’s Space Series, employs both his personally developed Shuitou or water rubbing technique and Zimo or ink steeping technique and demonstrates the artist’s virtuosity in composition, craftsmanship and expansive scale. Depicting a cycle of seven red moon phases arcing against an atmospherically abstracted planetary surface the work imbues tranquility as science, spirituality and invention harmonize. A teacher as well as a maker, Kuo-sung demonstrates with this spacescape, vast in scope and concept, the infinite possibilities of ink painting when approached with inspired vision. Rufino Tamayo Long revered for his signature stylized abstraction of the human form, Rufino Tamayo’s Tres Figuras, 1969, confirms this acclaim masterfully. Compositionally this work combines Tamayo’s Modernist leaning painting approach with notions of ancestral archetypal themes. The painting depicts three elongated figures, simultaneously futuristic and ancient, floating on an atmospheric brick red ground and softly surrounded by a pinkish lavender halo of hues; perhaps as a nod to Colorfield painting and certainly intended to provide a sense of mystery. The subjects stand full frontal, directly engaging the viewers gaze creating an imperative for conversation between character and audience on topics of humanity and how human, human can be. As well, in typical Tamayo fashion, the central placement of the figures ultimately transcends a visual hierarchy requiring the work to be read as a whole through balance and symmetry. Painted at the height of both the space race and the cold war, the exaggerated structure of the trio reference period science fiction and reality harkening to imagery of robots, astronauts, rocket ships or missiles. Contrasting these fantastical features with materials and process, Tamayo’s heavy paint application, use of sand for texture, limited palate and at times muted earth tones speak to something more primitive, reminiscent in technique of sophisticated cave painting. Considering the predominance of Catholicism in Tamayo’s native Mexico, the religious symbolism of the three cannot be escaped as parallels to the Holy Trinity, or the Three Kings of the Nativity are inherently evoked. Tamayo always one to operate in dualities, as evidenced by his idea that constraining the color choices in a given painting actually expanded the potential for complex organization within said work. In this instance, perceived conceptual opposition between the advanced imagined and the terrestrially historic actually synthesize in Tres Figuras making this work executed in 1969 perpetually in the now.
The history of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach is tied to the pursuits of leisure and entertainment. Now, settled with permanent residences and second homes, the Island is known for some of the country’s most sophisticated design and architecture. While Palm Beach remains largely residential, Worth avenue is home to numerous galleries and showrooms while nearby Miami offers access to the international fairs and a plethora of diverse art districts. Off the Island, West Palm Beach is home to the charming Antique Row neighborhood that boasts over forty unique stores where the world’s best interior designers have been shopping for more than 30 years. This is where Leslie Hindman Auctioneers opened its saleroom and conducts nearly a dozen auctions annually of fine furniture, decorative arts, fine art and couture. The quick trip to Miami and its cultural neighborhoods include the notable Wynwood, a district north of downtown. Transitioned from Miami’s garment district to a thriving arts neighborhood, the Wynwood scene was initially influenced by street artists. The introduction of the Second Sunday Art Walks and Art Basel Miami solidified Wynwood’s distinction as an international cultural destination. In contrast to the development of Wynwood, the Miami Design District is a carefully curated neighborhood with shopping, entertainment and galleries. The brain-child of Miami native Craig Robins, the Miami Design District commissions yearly public art installations. While the Island may be too small to accommodate similar art districts, Palm Beach is a community of collectors and tastemakers. The Palm Beach location of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is the largest of the firm’s regional offices. This is due in part to the number of large estates the team handles across numerous collecting categories. Property from the homes of Lilly Pulitzer, the Kennedy Winter White House, John Kluge and the Lord and Lady Jacobs have all been sold at auction with Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Palm Beach. Full service auction and appraisal services are available in Palm Beach as well as a number of exciting exhibitions and sales conducted locally each year. For more information or to contact our Palm Beach office please click here.
Naples has a lively cultural scene. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Naples location offers auction appraisals, valuations and trust and estate services just a few blocks from 3rd Street South, the heart of Naples’ arts district. The neighborhood is filled with restaurants, boutiques, antique dealers, galleries and a charming Saturday morning farmer’s market. Visitors can pop in to see the latest wares at Naples native Jett Thompson’s eponymous antique and design store or admire works by contemporary art stalwarts such as Helen Frankenthaler, Jim Dine and more at the HW Gallery. Another Naples neighborhood that is artistically inclined is the Broad St. gallery district. This small, three-block footprint is home to some of the area’s most prestigious galleries including Marianne Friedlander Gallery. The current Naples location of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers on 6th Avenue South is near Cambier Park, home to the community driven Naples Art Association in the Von Liebig building. For more information or to contact our Naples office please click here.
Explore the Modern Design Sale Property from the Avery Coonley Playhouse, a Frank Lloyd Wright construction in Riverside, Illinois, will be sold November 14 in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Modern Design auction. The collection includes numerous works by Gustav Stickley and the Stickley Brothers, which would have been made around 1912 when the playhouse was built. We also have an original chair designed by Frank Lloyd Wright from the playhouse. The collection also includes numerous examples by George Nakashima that were custom built for the Playhouse when it received a modern update in the late 80s. George Nakashima trained under Antonin Raymond, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Built in 1989, these are some of the last works by Nakashima before he died in 1990. Explore notable items that will be featured in the upcoming sale. George Nakashima, a pair of Greenrock stools. Crafted from American black walnut and upholstered. Estimated at $5,000 – $7,000. George Nakashima, a low table. Crafted from American black walnut. Estimated at $6,000 – $8,000. George Nakashima, a pair of Conoid cushion lounge chairs. Frame in black walnut hickory and upholstered seat and back cushions. Estimated at $15,000 – $20,000. George Nakashima, a pair of Kornblut cabinets in American black walnut. Estimated at $40,000 – $60,000. Frank Lloyd Wright, a walnut side chair from the Coonley Playhouse, 1912. Estimated at $4,000 – $6,000. A Stickley Brothers oak desk, first quarter 20th century. Estimated at $800 – $1200. George Nakashima, a pair of end tables in American black walnut. Estimated at $10,000 – $15,000. Inside the Auction
Just south of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ East Mason Street location, Milwaukee’s burgeoning art scene is centered out of the Historic Third Ward. Located along Lake Michigan and hugging the heart of downtown to the south, the neighborhood is home to over twenty gallery spaces, performing arts studios, restaurants, bars and the infamous Public Market. For first-timers to the city, this neighborhood is the perfect place to get a taste of all that Milwaukee has to offer. Outside of the Third Ward district, smaller, more avant-garde neighborhoods have cropped up in recent years. Walker’s Point, a traditionally Hispanic neighborhood located to the west of the Kinnickinnic River, has grown in cultural prestige thanks to historic institutions such as the Walker’s Point Art Center. The Milwaukee neighborhood has seen an injection of new resources from contemporary artists such as Michelle Grabner, the 2014 Curator of the Whitney Biennial, who recently moved her highly successful Suburban Project from the Chicago suburb of Oak Park to Walker’s Point. In the heart of downtown, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers makes auction and appraisal services readily available within the bustling art districts of Milwaukee. For more information or to contact our Milwaukee office please click here.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is Denver’s leading fine art auction house, adding to its diverse landscape of art districts and neighborhoods. These include the Lower Downtown District, the Art District on Santa Fe, the River North Arts District, the Golden Triangle Creative District and the Cherry Creek Arts District. Each neighborhood offers a unique variety of museums, galleries, restaurants and shops. Lower Downtown Denver, known colloquially as LoDo, is packed with galleries, cultural institutions and public art. Perhaps the most well known institution in the area is the MCA Denver, which has gained a strong reputation over the past twenty years for its thought provoking exhibitions with artists such as Hermann Nitsch, Rashid Johnson and Dana Shutz. In addition, fine art galleries such as Robischon Gallery, David B. Smith Gallery and Tansey Contemporary, all located in the LoDo district, have a reach far beyond Denver, showing at art fairs around the country. Just south of LoDo is the neighborhood of Santa Fe, a designated creative district. The art district on Santa Fe boasts more than sixty art galleries, studios and the Museo de las Americas. The first Friday of each month the Santa Fe art district closes its main street for an art walk from 5:30-9:30pm, showcasing the galleries, antique stores and artist studios along with Denver’s finest food trucks. The Santa Fe art district neighborhood is home to some of Denver’s most famous craft breweries, the Colorado Ballet and the Center for Visual Arts. The River North Arts District is located just north of downtown Denver. Before its emergence as an artistic powerhouse it was an industrial neighborhood. Nicknamed “RiNo,” the Denver neighborhood is home to numerous galleries and studio buildings. The first Friday of each month the art galleries, studios and creative spaces in RiNo open their doors for special openings and studio tours. Many of the bars and restaurants in RiNo also participate and feature live music. RiNo also heavily invests in public art, encouraging artists to produce murals and hosting an event every September that brings artists and galleries outside in a month long celebration called “CRUSH.” The Cherry Creek Arts District has over twenty galleries along with a local live theatre and the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Spanning over sixteen tree-lined blocks, the Cherry Creek Arts District has over one hundred shops and restaurants. Situated near Cheesman Park and Washington Park, the Cherry Creek Arts District offers lots of variety for the art and outdoor enthusiast. Just north of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Cherokee Street location, where auctions are conducted at least three times annually, is the Golden Triangle Creative District. The Golden Triangle creative district is home to some of the oldest and most distinguished cultural institutions in Denver. The main branch of the Denver Public Library, the Clyfford Still Museum, the Denver Art Museum and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art all call the neighborhood home. For more information or to contact our Denver office please click here.
In the exhibition and collection catalogue Bridge of Dreams, published in conjunction with the 2000 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Masterpieces of Japanese Art from the Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Burke credits her mother, Mary Livingston Griggs, for developing her astute eye and passion for collecting. Livingston Griggs raised the family in her St. Paul, Minnesota childhood home and filled it with old master paintings and European furniture collected from her travels. In 1968, Mary Griggs Burke bequeathed the home to the Minnesota Historical Society as a museum. Our upcoming Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts and Silver auction will feature a collection of works from the Burbank-Livingston-Griggs House. Of her childhood home, Mary Griggs Burke wrote, “Throughout mother’s life she found much pleasure in collecting antiques, which on a large scale included complete eighteenth-century paneled European rooms, which were-cleverly and amazingly- installed in the Victorian house.” Regarding the house’s influence on her collecting, she said, “By the time Mother had finished redoing it, the mid-nineteenth century house contained such a variety of styles and objects from different cultures, including a few Chinese ceramics, that it was like a museum. Living in such an environment undoubtedly helped me to develop a respect for rare, carefully crafted objects, and being surrounded by so many interesting things probably gave me an eclectic taste. Collecting was in my blood.” The objects in our upcoming auction from the Mary Griggs Burke collection provide a glimpse into the family’s appreciation for variety, craftsmanship and historic preservation. This eighteenth-century French commode features an intricate design of parquetry throughout and gilt adornments of cornucopias, female sphinxes and foliage. Similarly, this pair of Japanned wine cisterns is decorated with elaborate garden motifs. In addition to these works, Mary Livingston Griggs also collected paintings such as this Italian school seventeenth-century canvas. Influenced by her mother’s own collecting and the eclectic home where she was raised, Mary Griggs Burke went on to become her own prolific collector. Later known as “the Mother of Japanese Art in America,” her donation of objects to the Met provided the museum with one of the most impressive collections of Japanese art in the world. Professor Emerita at Columbia University Miyeko Murase commented many times on Mary Griggs Burke’s natural ability to understand aesthetics and therefore collect with discerning taste. Property that influenced this from the Burbank-Livingston-Griggs home will be available in our July 17 – 18 Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts and Silver auction, offered by the Minnesota Historical Society. Auction: Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts and Silver July 17 and 18, 2017 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
As communication becomes more and more digitized, it might be a surprise to learn that the pen market has increased in recent years, especially among luxury brands such as Montblanc, Krone and Omas. What was once a practical tool, pens have also become a luxury accessory and status symbol. Beginning April 17, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will host a timed online-only auction of writing instruments. The collection comes from the late Dr. Harari, a successful investor whose passions in life were education and collecting. Among his collection, the sale will include a series of Krone limited edition fountain pens. The unique collection draws inspiration from historical figures and time periods, creating personality pens in addition to their luxury appeal. The muses range from the cult classic “The Wizard of Oz” to Napoleon as well as the highly sought after limited edition Toulouse-Lautrec and John Hancock pens. The Toulouse-Lautrec Limited Edition pen captures the opulence, revelry and aesthetic of Toulouse-Lautrec’s beloved Montmare in the 19th century. The pen comes in two colors, sterling silver and gold magnum, both of which will be available at the upcoming auction. The sterling silver caps are silhouettes of Montmarte and Le Moulin Rougue’s most potent symbol, the windmill. The Mother of Pearl barrel is adorned with precious and semi-precious stones and a delicate depiction of the French bourgeois. Just over 200 hundred of these pens were ever created and less than 20 in the gold magnum. Comparing the Krone pens to Toulouse-Lautrec prints, one can see the penmaker’s pristine execution and attention to detail in capturing the artist’s point of view. The John Hancock Sterling Silver Limited Edition pen is decorated with patriotic emblems including red, white and blue resin acrylic, an “E Pluribus Unum” inscription and an eagle claw holding the pen nib. However, the most irresistible quality of this pen is the piece of John Hancock’s desk embedded within the sterling silver clip. Less than 350 John Hancock Sterling Silver Limited Edition pens are available today. The shards of Hancock’s desk elevate this pen beyond luxury status into the realm of presidential memorabilia. One can imagine the weight of inscribing with a presidential hand. The April 17 – April 26 Fine Writing Instruments sale will be available on Bidsquare as a timed auction. The bidding will begin to close at 10am on Wednesday, April 26, and bidders will be notified if they are outbid during the duration of the sale. For more information on how to participate in a timed auction you can read instructions here. Preview in Chicago: Thursday, April 20, 2017, 10am – 5pm Friday, April 21, 2017, 10am – 5pm Saturday, April 22, 2017, 10am – 3pm Sunday, April 23, 2017, 12pm – 4pm Monday, April 24, 2017, 10am – 5pm
This winter, our specialists have been traveling across the country discovering important collections, family heirlooms and exciting novelties. After a season of conducting appraisal events nationwide, our spring auction lineup is filled with exciting highlights and unique objects that will be sold in over a dozen auctions in Chicago, Palm Beach, St. Louis and Denver. From a rare “Paul Newman” Daytona Rolex to a historic collection of circus memorabilia, there is something for everyone this spring. Explore some of our specialists’ favorites, and stay in touch for more auction announcements by joining our email list. NAPLES, FLORIDA These Andy Warhol prints will be sold in our May 23 Fine Prints auction. The portraits of John Wayne and Annie Oakley are two of ten works from Warhol’s Cowboys and Indians series. The other portraits include those of Teddy Roosevelt and General George Custer. Additional prints in the series depict Native American motifs and images, some of which Warhol photographed himself from a museum archive. The series was printed in 1986 and is recognized as one of the last series the artist worked on before his death in 1987. ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10200″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The Daytona, the holy grail for Rolex collectors and watch enthusiasts worldwide, is presented here with the highly coveted “Paul Newman” exotic dial. This iconic timepiece is an outstanding example of stylish design and brand prestige made all the more rare given its unpolished original finish, accompanying box and papers, and single-owner provenance. This “Paul Newman” Daytona will be sold in our April 24 Fine Timepieces evening sale. DENVER, COLORADO Property sold to benefit the acquisition fund of the Denver Art Museum will be sold in two of our upcoming sales this spring. American Indian highlights from the museum’s collection will be sold in our May 6 – 7 Arts of the American West sale conducted in Denver. Included in this sale is this Kwakwaka’wakw painted wood mask. African and Oceanic property from the museum will be previewed in Chicago and sold in a timed online-only auction May 14 – 19. As an unmatched cultural and creative resource for the seven-state Rocky Mountain region, the Denver Art Museum is committed to the continual refinement and enhancement of its collections. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN While the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is making its last stop in cities across the country, we are gearing up to offer an impressive collection of circus memorabilia from Baraboo, Wisconsin. Consigned by one of the few remaining friends of the Ringling family, Mr. Richard Bennett, the collection includes circus posters and broadsides, photographs, circus equipment and ephemera. The collection represents circuses such as the Cole Bros. Circus, Adam and Seils, Tom Mix, and Sells Floto circuses, but the majority of property is from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses. The “Greatest Show on Earth” will close in May 2017 after 146 years of entertaining. This collection will be sold as a session in our May 4 Fine Books & Manuscripts auction. WICHITA, KANSAS Theodoros Stamos was a first generation Greek painter and the youngest member of the first wave of Abstract Expressionists comprising the New York School. High Snow-Low Sun A depicts the sun as a fiery orange explosion of flame on a stark white textured backdrop of snow with intersecting bands of color implying the stasis of a moment. The 1961 painting is part of the artist’s High Snow -Low Sun series. The early 60s saw a transition from the gentler abstraction employed by Stamos in the 50s to a more visceral and energetic approach to mark making and pallet, also laying a spirited foundation for the hard edged abstraction of the Rothko influenced Sun Box series to follow. This painting will be offered May 23 in the Post War and Contemporary Art auction in Chicago. For more information on how to consign with Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, click here. For auction appraisals in your area or to fill out a property evaluation form, visit our website.
In 1976, Haeger Potteries set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest hand-thrown vase. It stood more than eight feet tall and weighed over 650 pounds. Now, this colossal vase will be sold at auction as part of the Haeger Potteries Collection, February 24, 2017. After 145 years of providing innovative ceramic products and becoming the best-selling artware company in America, Haeger Potteries and the Haeger Pottery Museum officially closed their doors in 2016. But the company’s legacy is rich with historic moments. Their initial success came from manufacturing bricks that would rebuild the city after the great Chicago fire. During the 1934 Chicago’s World Fair, Haeger Potteries constructed a state-of-the-art pottery factory where they demonstrated both ancient and modern pottery techniques. They employed some of pottery’s best known designers of the 20th century, including Royal Hickman, Eric Olsen, Sebastiano Maglio and Harding Black. All the while, they retained family ownership and kept products American made. The 1976 title of world’s largest hand-thrown vase is just one feather in the cap of a company that was whole-heartedly devoted to the art and technological advancement of its craft. Since the inception of the Guinness Book of World Records, humans have been fascinated with feats and accomplishments that push the boundaries of what we believe is possible, and the art world is no exception. In celebration of this, we’ve compiled an abbreviated list of these achievements attained by those who go beyond the possible to celebrate art and its impact on the world. MOST POTS THROWN IN ONE HOUR BY AN INDIVIDUAL In March of 2016, Joel Cherrico threw 159 pots in one hour after over 10,000 hours of practice developing his skills. HIGHEST CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY The highest contemporary art gallery is The Nautilus, resting over 14,100 feet above sea level at the base camp of Plaza de Mulas in Argentina. LARGEST ART COMPETITION The largest art competition took place in India in December of 2011 and included 4,850,271 entrants across various mediums. LARGEST SPRAY PAINT MURAL BY A TEAM At 51 feet in height and stretching 560 feet in width, the largest spray paint mural by a team was completed in 2016 to celebrate the Olympic games in Rio de Jainero. LARGEST CROCHET BLANKET The largest crochet blanket was completed in 2016 by Mother India’s Crochet Queens, measuring 120,001 square feet. Afterward, the blanket was taken apart and the individual squares were donated to those in need through NGO charities. For those who want to retain a piece of record breaking history, or just be a part of a legacy that’s lasted over 145 years, the online catalogue for the Haeger Potteries Collection can be viewed here. The auction will be held on February 24 in Chicago. Preview information: Tuesday, February 21 | 10am – 7pm Wednesday, February 22 | 10am – 5pm Thursday, February 23 | 10am – 5pm
From Affluent Philadelphian to Saint Katharine Drexel was born in 1858 to one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest and most prominent families: her father, Francis Anthony Drexel, was a business partner of J.P. Morgan. A pampered, well-tutored and much-traveled child, Katharine and her siblings were raised with a strong sense of social responsibility. The Drexels offered food, clothing, and money to the needy from their home at 1503 Walnut Street on a weekly schedule. Katharine’s youthful travels across the United States made her acutely aware of the inequalities and struggles experienced by Native and African Americans in particular; this understanding undoubtedly influenced her shocking decision to become a Roman Catholic nun and join the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Pittsburgh. The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Determined to use her inheritance to better the educational opportunities and social conditions of minorities in this country, Drexel established a religious order, The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, in 1891. That same year, Mother Katherine Drexel, as she was then called, purchased forty-four acres in Bensalem, Pennsylvania to build a Motherhouse and administrative headquarters for the order. From 1891 to 1933, the campus grew to ten buildings and at its peak, had 600 Sisters running schools around the country and in Haiti. For 60 years, Drexel used her wealth to build and support schools and missions. The first, St. Catherine's Indian School, was a boarding school in Santa Fe, New Mexico that opened in 1894. In total, Drexel built 145 missions, 45 elementary schools, 12 high schools, and a university. At her death in 1955, Drexel was laid to rest in the Motherhouse chapel. She was canonized as a Saint in 2000, and the Motherhouse complex became known as the National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel. After 125 years, declining membership and the financial pressures straining many Catholic orders brought about the decision by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to sell the National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel in Bensalem, as well as an additional property outside of Richmond, Virginia. A Fundraising Sale In 2017, Freeman’s offered a large collection of Native American–made items formerly exhibited and stored onsite at the National Shrine. Representing the Native American arts traditions and crafts that the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament encouraged in all of their schools, this collection, consisted of pottery, beadwork, weavings and basketry, that was largely by Hopi, Navajo and Pueblo artisans, and the items were presented to the Sisters from many of the schools and missions they supported over the years. Proceeds from the sale went toward the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament’s ministry work, as well as the support of its retired Sisters, about fifty of whom still live in the Motherhouse complex. The National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel of the Motherhouse campus remained open to visitors through 2017. The remains of Saint Katherine Drexel were eventually moved to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, and selections of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament archives were entrusted to the Philadelphia Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Bigger is not always better, but bigger rarely goes unnoticed. For years, interior designers and collectors alike have been utilizing large works of art to impact space—a pop, an accent or a statement to an aesthetic. Sometimes it is the focal point of a room, giving a minimalist space one awe-inspiring feature. Other times it can act as a mural, enhancing an already richly decorated space. Taking up physical space or reaching monumental scale has been a challenge and call to innovation for ages. Large paintings push the boundaries of materials, installation and technique. Scale can also disorient. Proportional to everything else around it, the idea of what large-scale is can even fluctuate. Regardless, content often becomes secondary to how the rest of our senses are impacted by large works of art in their own environments. The details in the grandness do not go unnoticed and a large-scale painting can become a disruption—demanding attention within a room. Bigger can be bold and powerful and an exciting addition to any space, which is why we love the large-scale works that “disrupt” our gallery walls at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Here are a few of our favorites from the upcoming Post War and Contemporary Art auction on December 14. Preview Times: Saturday, December 10, 10am – 3pm Sunday, December 11, 12pm – 4pm Monday, December 12, 10am – 5pm Tuesday, December 13, 10am – 5pm Preview Location: 1338 West Lake Street Chicago, Illinois 60607
Director of the Important Jewelry and Fine Timepieces department, Alexander Eblen, explains characteristics of antique jewelry and what to look for when buying these unique heirlooms at auction. Working with true antique jewelry that is 100+ years old is a great joy for the jewelry team at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Many people find antique jewelry intimidating or hard to understand. These guidelines will help you learn what to look for as you discover the incredible beauty, quality and value that lies in buying antique jewelry. The September 11-12 Important Jewelry sale at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will offer a variety of antique jewelry—from brooches and pins to diamonds and gold. Here are the basics of what to look for and consider when bidding on one of these beautiful items. 1.) ORIGINALITY AND “MARRIAGES” Over time, jewelry has become incredibly recyclable and dynamic. With each passing decade, designers have combined fashions and trends to create new styles that define a time period. For example, Art Deco brooches and charms from the 1920s were sometimes beautifully mounted on wide rose and yellow gold bangles in the 1940s, inventing a chic look for a new generation not content with wearing “mother’s jewelry”. A Retro Yellow Gold Bangle with Attached Art Deco Platinum, Diamond and Multigem Charms. Sold for $8,125. In the jewelry trade, combinations such as these are referred to as a “marriage” and, just like people, some are a better fit than others. When buying antique jewelry, remember the likelihood that the item you are considering has been changed, altered, or combined with another piece of jewelry is very high. There is nothing wrong with these alterations and combining different elements can be aesthetically pleasing. However, serious collectors will often seek out those rare few items that have survived intact and unaltered. A wearable time capsule of sorts, these are a prize! 2.) A PRECIOUS METAL “SANDWICH” As Jewelry specialists, we are trained to pick up on the little details that help differentiate items from different eras. Aesthetics change wildly from one generation to another and so too do the construction techniques that jewelry makers have utilized over time. One technique that we find fascinating is the process of using gold as the base of a jewel and topping it with white metal setting work, making a laminate or “sandwich,” so that the diamonds and colored stones are beautifully contrasted. This technique can be seen first with silver-topped gold from the Georgian and Victorian eras. Keep in mind, silver can look dark or even black from oxidation, but this can be restored to its gleaming white tone with an expert’s help. A Victorian Silver Topped Gold, Black Opal and Diamond Ring. Sold for $10,625. This oxidation and a growing skill in a new metal alternative led to silver’s replacement with platinum at the start of the 20th century. Edwardian jewels do not suffer from oxidation—their diamonds and gems are secure in everlasting bright white. You can easily see the layers in silver or platinum topped jewelry with a loupe and even sometimes with the naked eye. Marvel at the intricate melding of metal done by masterful hands creating wearable fine art. The artisans responsible for these creations had such incredible skill, one that is exhibited in their magnificent designs. 3.) ANTIQUE CUTS AND “LOST” GEMS There is something instantly recognizable when looking at antique jewelry set with diamonds and gems. The stones look different and echo a simpler time when jewelry was handmade and antique stones are known for the fact that each one is slightly different in shape and size. Have you ever looked at a round or cushion shape diamond in a grandmother’s or great grandmother’s ring and wondered what that “hole” in the bottom of the stone is? Rest assured that it is an illusion caused by the flat bottom of the stone, called the culet, found in two elegant cuts called the old European (round) and its precursor, the old mine (pillow shaped). These cuts, among several others, dominated the diamond scene during the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco timeframes, lending their unique looks to countless treasures. Eventually they gave way to the modern round brilliant cut of today, but are coveted because of their “old school” charm. A Pair of Victorian Silver Topped Gold and Diamond Earrings. Sold for $52,500. Finally, touching on my favorite topic of colored gems, antique jewels provide the opportunity to own gemstones from classic sources long since exhausted. Whether it be tiny accents or larger center stones, the jewelry world was completely spoiled in the past, with the “best of the best” gem materials, using them in jewelry of all price points. Keep your eyes open for a glorious example of Edwardian jewelry set with brilliant green Demantoid from the original Russian find. Or that late Victorian or Edwardian piece with Montana sapphires of shocking color and crystal clarity. Enjoy the vivid pink-red hues of Burmese ruby and intense greens of Colombian emeralds with the knowledge that they are most likely in their pure, untreated forms unlike the commonly treated examples used today. An Important Belle Époque Platinum, Montana Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet, Circa 1910. Sold for $81,250. Contact us for a free appraisal of your antique jewelry and for more information on our jewelry auctions, click here or sign up to join our mailing list.
Ryan Beshel Principal at SIX4 Creative, LLC Formerly the Digital Marketing Lead for Purely Fashion, the first in-house publicist for the iconic 900 North Michigan Shops and runway model agent for Agency Galatea, Ryan is now catering his talents to his new business, SIX4 Creative. Ryan enjoys showcasing his thoughts on style, trends and celebrity fashion on reputable networks such as FOX, NBC and ABC, as well as contributing quotes, fashion recaps and reports to publications such as Women’s Wear Daily, Racked and Refinery29. Ryan came by the auction house to preview our Happy Hour Couture Tag Sale, including labels such as Chanel, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Zegna and Bill Blass and give us some of his favorite items. Follow his picks @RyanBeshel