Shapiro Auctions impresses with a Summer Auction full of International Rarities

MAMARONECK, N.Y. - July 18, 2020 - PRLog -- Mamaroneck, NY - Shapiro Auctions' upcoming summer auction will be held in their Westchester gallery, on July 25^th, starting at 10:00 AM EDT.  The sale will feature a range of exceptional fine and decorative art, representing artists from around the globe.  The auction will be a held in the traditional live auction format, allowing for bidding in person, by telephone or left bid, or any number of online platforms.   The entire auction catalog can be viewed online at www.shapiroauctions.com, and all items in the auction are on view, in person, from July 18th to 24th at the Shapiro Auctions gallery at 566 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY, 10543.

One of the most intriguing paintings being offered in the auction, is an oil on canvas painting by the celebrated American painter of the West, and founding member of the Taos Society of Artist, Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953).  The painting, A Prehistoric Bowl - Excavated Near the Pueblo of Zuni, New Mexico, is sold together with the same Spanish Colonial wooden chest, which is depicted in the painting.  In Sharp's own hand, written on the verso of the painting, is the inscription "A Prehistoric Bowl — Excavated Near The Pueblo of Zuni, N. Mex. ($500 prize Pasadena Art Inst. 1935). Chest was property of Gov. Bent, 1st Gov. of New Mexico, killed in the battle of Taos in last war of Indians + Gov't Red drapery I bought from the back of a camel (over howda) in Biskra, Africa. -J. H. Sharp. Taos, N. Mex.".  Not only is this historically significant chest fresh to the market, but the still life painting itself has been in collection of the family, which acquired the painting and chest from Sharp directly, since the 1940s.  Governer Bent was killed in the last revolt of the Taos Pueblos against American rule in 1847.  Incorporating elements of Spanish colonialism, Native American pottery, and even African rugs, this still life won the Pasadena Art Institute prize of $500, where Sharp lived closer to the end of his life, and is a wonderful opportunity for collectors and institutions to acquire a masterpiece ensemble by one of America's most famous Western artists.   Estimated $100,000 - $150,000.

From the same family collection, is a large (82 x 101 cm) [32 1/84 x 39 ¾ in.] coastal painting by the important Russian post-impressionist painter Konstantin Ivanovich Gorbatov (1876-1945).  Depicting the coast of the Italian resort of Posillipo, near Naples, the painting reverberates with Gorbatov's vibrant blue and pink colors, and is a perfect exemplification of the love of Russian painters for painting Italian motifs. Estimated: $70,000-90,000

Asian works are very well represented in this auction, including three large works by the Vietnamese-French modern artists Le Pho (1907-2001), and Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000), will with Findlay gallery provenance.  An intricately carved Chinese white jade figure of Buddha Shakyamuni from the early 18^th century, is offered as lot 84.  Estimated: $12,000-18,000

In terms of American art, Shapiro's July 25^th auction does not disappoint, as evidenced not only by the Sharp, but by artists such as Paul Jenkins and Johann Berthelsen.  Paul Jenkins (1923-2012), the abstract painter and prominent member of the New York School of artists, is represented in the auction with a large and colorful acrylic on canvas, "Phenomena: Rope the Wind", demonstrating Jenkin's trademark oversized swathes of color (Estimated: $20,000-30,000).  Likewise, two snowy scenes of New York (one of City Hall, one of the United Nations) by the very in-demand artist Johann Berthelsen (1883-1972), are little gems of the auction (Estimated $1,500-2,000 and $800-1,200 respectively).

As Shapiro Auctions has long been known for their specialization in Russian and Soviet paintings, especially of the 20^th Century, it should come as no surprise that they are offering numerous paintings by artists of the former Soviet Union in the July 25^th auction.  One of the most famous of these modern artists was Alexander Nikolaevich Samokhvalov (1894-1971), who is represented in the auction with lot 320, a work he painted closer to the end of his life, in 1970.  With a uniquely Soviet atmosphere and feeling to the painting, particularly in its studied physiognomies, and its capturing of public and private spaces as one, the painting, entitled "On the Bus", is a masterwork by one of the elites of Soviet painters of the 20^th century. Estimated: $120,000-180,000.

The auction will also include numerous signed jewelry pieces, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Patek Philippe, and Faberge. A strikingly beautiful diamond and white gold Patek Philippe Cataltrava model wristwatch is offered in the auction as lot 177. Estimated: $10,000-15,000

French masters are represented by Lot 90- Maximilien Luce (French 1858-1941), "Paysage au bord de la rivière," 1896. Exhibited in galleries around the world, and sold at multiple prestigious auctions, this work is an important one in Luce's oeuvre. Dating to 1896, it was painted shortly after Luce's visit to Camille Pissarro in Eragny-sur-Epte near Normandy, where he stayed during the month of September, 1895. It shows Luce at the height of his mastery of luminous impressionistic landscapes, no doubt as deeply affected by the beauty of the countryside as Pissarro, who made Eragny his home until his death in 1903.  Estimated $125,000-175,000.

As in his most famous paintings, lot 18 in this auction by Eugene Verboeckhoven (1798-1881) displays all of Verboeckhoven's highly refined skills, from the precision of the sheep and guard dog to the exacting depiction of the landscape.  It is this precision that makes this work so memorable, and that makes this artist so unforgettable in Belgian still life painting. Unsurprisingly, the painting has been displayed in multiple prestigious galleries and auction houses across the globe.

A highly important lot for collectors of antique arts is lot 206 by William Hunt Diederich (Austrian 1884-1953). Diederich is perhaps best known for working with wrought iron to create functional art (fire screens, gates, lamps, and trivets) with animal imagery.  The artist's tendency towards western design is exemplified by this hand-forged fire screen. The wrought-iron screen features two eagles on a branch, a deviation from the traditional hunting and sporting animal themes seen in many of Diederich's screens, however, the low relief repoussé eagles elegantly showcase Diederich's characteristic emphasis on the simplified form in profile.

Estimated at $20,000 - $30,000

The auction comprises over 25 lots of impressive European ceramics, including a selection of monumental French vases (lots 70, 71), a number of highly attractive Hungarian Zsolnay pieces (lots 306-308), and two important Imperial Russian vases (lots 278 and 279). Lot 59 is a highly demanded and well-preserved set by the leading maker of pâte-sur-pâte designs. Instantly recognizable as Mintons, this trio is sure to appeal to discerning porcelain collectors. The lot is flanked by two other standard-bearers of English porcelain: Wedgewood is represented by a pair of royal blue-ground vases (lot 62) and Royal Crown Derby by an exquisite 1887 Persian style vase (lot 58).

At a critical point in America's fight with COVID-19, Shapiro Auctions is proud to present a full-fledged art and antiques auction, that bidders can view and participate in whatever way they feel comfortable, both in person and online.  Indeed, while museums may be closed, auction houses can now provide a needed respite from everyday life, in their offerings of art and antiques that are appealing to the eyes and soul.  A plethora of historical finds, conservatively priced rare antiques, and important paintings, make the event one not to miss.  The entire color catalog is visible now at www.shapiroauctions.com.