December 2016 – Jasper52

5 Artists Every Japanese Woodblock Print Collector Should Know

December 30, 2016

What influences and inspires greatness? Depending on the modality, it can be genetic, environmental, scientific, and perhaps social. When speaking of the five Japanese woodblock artists capturing significant interest from today’s collectors, many appear to share a few key commonalities. These artists are Haruyo Morita, Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, and Ohara Koson.

In comparing them, their artistic abilities were identified at a young age, and in most cases, encouraged. They studied with master artists of varying practices early in life. Several of them changed their names during their lifetime, as a means of showing respect for their teachers or indicating their evolution as an artist. Several of the ukiyo-e artists who created prints in the 19th and early 20th centuries also designed illustrations reflective of two conflicts (the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars).

Although the influence from conflict of war is a departure from the origins of the ukiyo-e style of art, which largely depicted scenes of kabuki performances, actors, natural vistas, and women, it is representative of ukiyo-e artistry as a reflection of life and culture of Japan’s Edo period (1615-1868).

Let’s take a closer look at these five popular artists.

Geisha with Warrior Holding Samurai Sword, Serigraph. Sold for $275. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Geisha with Warrior Holding Samurai Sword, Serigraph, by artist Haruyo Morita. Sold for $275. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Haruyo Morita is the “youngster” of the group. Born in 1945 she is said to bring a “contemporary approach to traditional ukiyo-e woodblock art.” A student of Master Husuki, she received her first award for artwork at the age of 17. Her professional experience included working as a kimino painter and designer, in addition to being a creator of woodblock prints. Currently residing in Korora, Australia, her work is available in various forms including prints, jigsaw puzzles and calendars.

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, 1820s. Sold for $800. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, by artist Katsushika Hokusai. Recut Showa era edition published by Watanabe. Sold for $800. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is said to have began his artistic endeavors at the age of six. By the time he turned 12, his father sent him to work in a bookshop and serve as an apprentice to a wood carver. This piqued an interest that evolved into many artistic forms during his lifetime. By the age of 18, he was studying under master ukiyo-e artist Katsukawa Shunshō, and by the time he was 19, his first prints were published. His earliest work was a series of prints featuring kabuki actors. He published these works under the name Shunshō. This was the first of an estimated 30 names he used during his professional career. Having knowledge of the various names he used, and the time periods, can be very helpful when authenticating and acquiring prints by Hokusai.

Hokusai’s work is also cited as an influence for artists including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Mary Cassatt, and Claude Monet, among others. It is said that Monet was introduced to Hokusai’s work during the Exposition Universelle in 1867. Ukiyo-e prints, including examples by Hokusai were part of the display in the Japan Pavilion.
Quickly becoming a fan of Japanese prints, Monet reportedly had at least 20 prints by Hokusai in his personal collection.

Kinryuzan Temple, Asakusa (Lantern at Thunder Gate), 19th century. Sold for $190. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Kinryuzan Temple, Asakusa (Lantern at Thunder Gate), by Utagawa Hiroshige. Recut Showa era edition published by Watanabe. Sold for $190. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige was born Andō Tokutarō in 1797 in Edo (now Tokyo), Japan. After becoming an orphan at the age of 13, he began studying with revered artist Utagawa Toyohiro, and at the age of 15, he changed his name to Utagawa Hiroshige. He is best known for his impressive series of landscape woodblock prints. Among his most notable works: “Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji,” circa 1831; “The 55 Stations of the Tokaido,” circa 1833-34; “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kiso Road,” circa 1835; and “One Hundred Views of Edo”, circa 1856. He finished “Views of Edo” just two years prior to his death from cholera. Similar to Hokusai, Hiroshige’s artwork appealed to fellow revered artists, including Van Gogh.

Women Sewing, Triptych, by Kitagawa Utamaro, late 18th century. Sold for $280. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Women Sewing, Triptych, by Kitagawa Utamaro. Recut Showa era edition published by Tanseisha. Sold for $280. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Kitagawa Utamaro (1750-circa 1806) is a bit of a mystery, as fewer facts about his life are known. He, too, began studying under a master painter, Toriyama Seiken, at a young age. It’s believed Utamaro’s first professional work, the cover of a kabuki playbook, was published when he was in his early 20s. He is recognized as one of the first ukiyo-e artists to create woodblock prints featuring sensual figures of women, rather than groups, which was the norm. Another note of achievement was his development of a technique that produced more realistic flesh tones on subjects in prints.

Cat Watching a Goldfish, 10½ by 15½ inches. Sold for $440. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Cat Watching a Goldfish, 10½ by 15½ inches. Posthumous Showa era edition published by Watanabe. Sold for $440. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers

Ohara Koson was born Ohara Matao in 1877 in Kanazawa, the capital of what is now Japan’s Honshu Island. He too studied under a noted master artist, Suzuki Koson, whose name he adopted as his professional moniker. He also used the names Shoson and Hoson. Professionally he was most recognized for his printmaking work in the kacho-e style. This refers to prints featuring birds and flowers. He also spent many years teaching at the Tokyo School of Fine Art, before his death in 1945. As was the case with many similar Japanese artists, much of Koson’s woodblock prints were exported to the United States and Europe.

The invention and expanded use of photography largely replaced woodblock prints as a means of illustration. However, Japanese woodblock prints and the artist printmakers who introduced the world to some of the characters and experiences of Japanese culture through their art, continue to resonate with collectors and historians on a global level.

Sources: The Metropolitan Museum of Art;
Minneapolis Institute of Arts;
www.haryomorita.com.au;
www.katsushikahokusai.org;
www.artelino.com;
www.education.asianart.com;
www.mercury.lcs.mit.edu;
www.rijksmuseum.nl

View this week’s Japanese Woodblock Print auction and register to bid here.

5 Artists Every Japanese Woodblock Print Collector Should Know → https://t.co/XMqUoG15SE

— Jasper52 (@ByJasper52) January 4, 2017

6 Fine Prints Fusing Illustration and History

December 19, 2016

Artists and nature meet in this fine print collection displaying wonders of the natural world and unique portraits of times past. From a signed drypoint portrait by Whistler, to an Audubon lithograph of a rare oriole, this auction showcases a rich variety of imagery and print techniques. A few highlights from the sale are featured below:

This Audubon Baltimore Oriole print from a limited edition (505/1500) is framed under UV-protective glass.

John James Audubon, ‘Baltimore Oriole’, original limited edition Princeton Audubon print of orioles (505/1500). Estimate: $1,300-$1,700

John James Audubon (1785-1851) was an American ornithologist, painter and naturalist. With his extensive illustrations documenting American birds, he was the dominant wildlife artist during his lifetime. He became famous for his book Birds in America, which contained 435 life-size prints.

Audubon’s Louisiana Tanager, which will be offered in the auction, is an original hand-colored lithograph from Bird’s of America published in 1840.

John James Audubon, ‘Louisiana Tanager,’ original hand-colored lithograph from ‘Bird’s of America, first octavo edition, 1840, matted but not framed. Estimate: $800-$1,000

This 1859 drypoint etching by American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler of French sculptor Charles Drouet (1836-1908) is another highlight.

James Abbott McNeill Whistler, ‘Drouet, Sculpteur,’ drypoint, 1859. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800

Moving into the 20th century, the auction holds another portrait of an artist by a fellow artist: Anders Zorn’s original etching of noted sculptor Prince Paul Troubetzkoy II. Zorn (1860-1920) was one of Sweden’s foremost artists. He obtained international success as a painter, sculptor and etcher.

Anders Zorn, ‘Prince Paul Troubetzkoy II,’ etching, signed in pencil, 1909, edition 30-50. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800

Next comes two lots by by Georges Rouault (1871-1958) a French painter, draftsman and printer, whose work is often associated with Fauvism and Expressionism. The first is a portrait of French poet Charles Baudelaire.

Georges Rouault, ‘Baudelaire,’ wash and lithographic crayon, 1926. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500

The second is a woodblock print titled Notre Dame de la Fin des Terres (Our Lady of the End of the World), which is signed and dated (1938) in the block.

Georges Rouault, ‘Notre Dame de la Fin des Terres’ (Our Lady of the End of the World), woodblock print. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800

View the full catalog of fine prints curated by Jasper52.

Blowin’ in the Wind – A Brief History of Weather Vanes

December 14, 2016

“It don’t take a weatherman to see which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan wrote in his 1965 song Subterranean Homesick Blues. And he was right. For at least a millennium, weather vanes have done the same job as meteorologists with infallible accuracy, while also adding ornamental charm to the rooftops of churches, barns and other buildings.

Weather vanes – also known as wind vanes or weathercocks, in reference to those shaped as cockerels – have been around since Ancient Greece. The Tower of the Winds at the Athens agora, or central meeting place, had on its roof a bronze vane in the form of Triton holding a rod in his outstretched hand. The figure of the Greek god of the sea, dating to 50 B.C., rotated as the wind changed direction. This is likely the earliest recorded example of a weather vane.

The Gallo di Ramperto, held in the Museo di Santa Giulia in Brescia, Italy, it the oldest extant weather vane in the shape of a rooster. Photo by RobyBS89

The Ancient Romans employed weather vanes, as well. Pope Gregory I declared the cockerel, or rooster, to be an emblem of Christianity and of St. Peter. This may have led to the practice of a cockerel weather vane being placed atop church steeples in predominantly Roman Catholic nations. In fact, by the 9th century A.D., weathercocks had become a mandatory addition to every church steeple, by decree of Pope Nicholas.

The Vikings used handcrafted bronze weather vanes as directional devices on their ships. Today, vanes of this type can still be seen as decorative elements on churches and other buildings in Scandinavia.

The practice of placing weather vanes on top of barns was widespread in colonial America. While a single weather vane might have been sufficient for a European village, where townsfolk lived in a more communal environment, that was not the case across the Atlantic, where land was abundant and settlers were largely self-sufficient. Every 18th- and 19th-century American farm or homestead had its own weather vane to assist in weather prognostication.

The earliest American weather vanes were either made by metalsmiths, who hand-formed and hammered the shapes from copper or other metals; or crafted by the farmers themselves, from wood.

Gabriel Blowing Horn weather vane, circa 1900-1920, rolled sheet iron on brass stand. Jasper52 image

Weather vanes were a source of pride to wealthy landowners like George Washington, who issued specific instructions to Joseph Rakestraw, the architect who designed Mount Vernon, to create a bird with an olive branch in its mouth instead of the traditional rooster vane. It’s just one example of early American commissioned weather vanes, which might have depicted angels, eagles, furled banners, sea creatures – a particular favorite in coastal New England towns – or after the turn of the 20th century, motor cars or airplanes.

Weather vane of setter dog, copper, circa 1890, made by H.L. Washburn & Co., Massachusetts. Image courtesy of Pook & Pook and LiveAuctioneers

Both metal and painted-wood vanes are considered quintessential Americana and are highly sought after by today’s collectors of folk art and early American relics. Some of the finest examples are in the collections of prestigious museums, including the Shelburne in Vermont, and the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.

Painted wood and sheet iron codfish weather vane on metal stand. Image courtesy of Skinner Inc. and LiveAuctioneers

Find unique weather vanes and other Americana finds in our weekly auctions.

6 Japanese Woodblock Prints with Contemporary Touch

December 13, 2016

This weekend we are presenting the biggest auction of Japanese woodblock prints to date. Approximately 170 woodblock prints spanning the 19th century to the present will be going up for bids.

Featuring names like Hiroshige and Yoshida, this sale reveals nuanced techniques and traditional Japanese values. Whether capturing the serenity of a temple or a moonlit ocean, these images exemplify both fine art and elegant decoration.

It may come as a surprise, but not all Japanese woodblock prints are created by native Japanese. A few were Western artists who mastered woodblock printing while working there.

A living artist represented in the auction is Daniel Kelly, an American based in Kyoto, Japan. He works primarily in painting and printmaking. His 2015 print titled Red Hook was done in the chine-colle technique, which pulls fine details off the plate.

Daniel Kelly, ‘Red Hook,’ 2015, Japanese woodblock print, chine colle, 36 x 40 inches, edition size of 90. Estimate: $2,000-$2,200

Another was Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960), a Parisian artist who spent most of his life in Japan and is recognized for his work in Japanese woodblock printing. Here you’ll see his print of Ebisu, Dieu du Bonheur Personnifie.

Paul Jacoulet, ‘Ebisu, Dieu du Bonheur Personnifie,’ 1952. Estimate: $1,000-$1,400

Yet another contemporary artist whose work is featured in the auction is Katsunori Hamanishi. His Two Poems mezzotint print is accented in gold leaf.

Katsunori Hamanishi (b. 1949), ‘Two Poems,’ 2015, mezzotint and gold leaf, edition size 70. Estimate: $1,100-$1,200

Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997) was a Japanese sosaku hanga artist. He was one of the first Japanese printmakers to win at the Sao Paulo Biennale in 1951. His 1967 woodblock print titled Onri An Kyoto D, 1967, is one of the low-key highlights in the sale.

Kiyoshi Saito, ‘Onri An Kyoto D,’ 1967, edition size 100. Estimate: $1,000-$1,100

Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who specialized in bijin-ga print designs of beautiful women. In addition to producing a prolific number of prints, he was also a writer. His woodblock prints, Sumida River, is featured in the auction.

Keisai Eisen, ‘Sumida River,’ ‘Famous Views of Edo and Beauties Compared,’ 1830s. Estimate: $1,300-$1,500

Finally, a famous triptych by Utagawa Kuniyoshi recalls the legend of Shuten-doji and Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Shuten-doji was a dreaded ogre who preyed upon Kyoto, kidnapping young women and eating all men who ventured into his realm. The print depicts how the emperor’s greatest warrior prevailed over the oni after a great battle.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, ‘Minamoto no Yorimitsu and Shuten-doji,’ triptych, 19th century. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000

View the fully illustrated catalog of Japanese woodblock prints and register to bid.

A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Fabergé Pendant Eggs

December 13, 2016

Fabergé’s miniature pendant eggs are an exceedingly enjoyable area to collect. In what other area can you purchase a Fabergé egg that you can also wear everyday?

Perhaps no country is better known for its Easter eggs than Russia. From the jeweled creations of Fabergé to humble woodcarvings, the holiday could not be celebrated without the decoration and exchange of numerous eggs. With the tradition dating back to the 15th century, by the 1890s wealthy families presented each other with precious miniature eggs each year. Eggs could be decorated with symbols of the season, family professions, or love tokens. Strung on gold necklaces, a lady might have multiple necklaces by her later years.

Jeweled pendant eggs can range from affordable to quite expensive, so where should a novice collector begin? Read on for 5 key tips to beginning your Fabergé pendant egg collection.

1. It’s important to begin with an established and trustworthy seller who is willing to guarantee authenticity.

Fabergé gold-mounted carved purpurine miniature pendant egg, St Petersburg, circa 1908-1917

2. Consider the materials you prefer: the translucent guilloché enamels for which Fabergé is famed or a more unusual material like the matte purpurine, a rare and unusual glass that is so opaque it resembles a carved hardstone. Do you want an egg with an elephant or clover, symbols of good luck, or perhaps your birthstone? Eggs are available in every style and color, and designs can be surprisingly modern.

A Fabergé amethyst and gilded silver miniature pendant Easter egg, St. Petersburg, circa 1898-1908

3. Examine the egg or photos of the egg carefully. It should show some signs of wear. When strung together on a necklace, the eggs often bumped into one another and tiny chips or bumps can appear on enamel surfaces. Large areas of loss and repair negatively impact price while an important provenance will increase it. The Red Cross egg (featured below) has a small area of discoloration that is fairly common with enameled eggs, and the estimate reflects the tiny bit of wear as well as the desirability of the subject matter.

A Fabergé gold and guilloché enamel miniature pendant Easter egg, workmaster Andrei Adler, St Petersburg, circa 1900

4. Spend a little time familiarizing yourself with Russian hallmarks. Pendant eggs are mostly constructed on a frame of gold and are marked on the bale, the small suspension ring from which they can be attached to a necklace or bracelet. The bale is a small space for the relatively large maker’s marks and hallmarks, especially if we compare them to the diminutive marks used in France! Russian jewelers stamped items with the numbers 56 (equivalent to 14K) or 72 (equivalent to 18K).

Detail of the 56 mark (equivalent to 14K)

5. If your budget doesn’t extend to a Fabergé pendant Easter egg, consider buying a Russian pendant Easter egg. Prices are significantly cheaper and the pendants can be just as lovely, if a bit less complex.

A Russian gem-set gold pendant egg, circa 1900

This week’s Fine & Decorative Arts Auction features beautiful Fabergé style pendant eggs. Take a look here!

Written by Karen Kettering, Vice President at John Atzbach Antiques in Redmond, Washington.

7 Vintage Americana Games to Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

December 12, 2016

Remember when there was nothing more exciting than a new board game? Gathering friends and family with a deck of cards or around game boards to play a strategic game is quite different than gathering around a computer screen and playing against a virtual opponent. These Americana finds will certainly bring you back to a simpler time.

Whether it’s ring toss, or a simple game of checkers, some of the best childhood memories are during game night. See below for some of our favorites:

19th Century Handmade Painted Checkerboard

Handmade Painted Checkerboard, Mid-late 19th century. Estimate: $250-$500

Parcheesi Game Board, 1900

Parcheesi Game Board, 1900, made of Wood. Sold for $1,200

How to Fly Training Cockpit Pre-Flight Course Game

How to Fly Cockpit Pre-Flight Training Course Game, by maker: Einson-Freeman Co., Inc., 1942. Sold for $120

Spirit of St. Louis Transcontinental Spinner Game

Spirit of St. Louis Transcontinental Spinner Game, 1925. Estimate: $150 – $300

Beanbag Toss Wood Game Board

Wood beanbag game, 1930-1940’s, original paint. Sold for $80

Peg Game Board from 1930

Homemade Peg Game Board, 1930. Sold for $160

Ring Toss Board

Homemade Ring Toss Game Board, early 20th century. Sold for $65

Are these bringing back fond memories? Find more Americana gems in this week’s specially curated Americana sale on Jasper52.

Collecting Modern Editions – An Expert Guide on Doing It Right

December 7, 2016

Embarking on an adventure in collecting something new and unfamiliar can be very exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming.

Case in point: turning a fascination for books into a passion for collecting them. The beauty of collecting books is that there’s a niche in the marketplace for just about everyone. The increase in modern edition books showing up in auctions – and in some cases fetching tidy sums – speaks to an opportunity that many are seizing as first-time collectors.

To gain a bit of perspective about the modern book market and gain a few tips for bibliophiles at any level of experience, we turned to Rebecca Rego Barry, author of Rare Books Uncovered: True Stories of Fantastic Finds in Unlikely Places, and editor of Fine Books & Collections magazine.

What do you feel are some of the most intriguing aspects of collecting modern editions?

For collectors of modern firsts, there is probably an element of capturing the history one has lived through, or celebrating some part of that history. All collectors are trying to tell a story with their collections, and for collectors of modern firsts, that story is often very personal.

Also, for those who collect firsts—modern or not—part of the draw is to see and experience the book exactly as the author did.

Casino Royale, Ian Fleming, Jonathan Cape 1953, First Edition, Author’s Presentation copy, inscribed on front endpaper, marks the first appearance of the character James Bond, sold for $52,344 at Sotheby’s July 12, 2016 auction.

How should the beginning collector proceed if they want to focus on modern editions but have a limited budget?

Slowly! Beginning collectors can and will make mistakes, so it’s best to take it slowly as you find your focus and educate yourself about book-collecting basics. I would advise new collectors to attend a few books fairs if they can, get the ‘lay of the land,’ so to speak, and talk to booksellers who specialize in the areas that pique your interest. Affordability doesn’t have to be an issue, unless you’re aiming for a collection of high spots (Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Updike, etc.). If you secretly cherish some quirky or offbeat topic or author, that can be the perfect start for a unique and inexpensive collection.

Why do you think modern editions, like the Harry Potter series, are so attractive to collectors?

I think people are driven to collect books that are meaningful to them, so if the first book that truly appealed to you as a reader was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997, maybe that’s the book that will launch your collection of modern firsts, or the works of J.K. Rowling, or every different edition of HP, or high points of children’s literature – who knows?!

Collectible modern firsts are typically in very good (or better) condition, so they also tend to look aesthetically pleasing on a shelf, as opposed to, say, flaking, sheepskin-bound medical books from the mid-nineteenth century. For some, that may be a consideration.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury 1997, First Edition, First Issue (With an error found on page 53 — duplicate listing for ‘1 wand’ in the list of Hogwarts school supplies), sold for $55,628 at a Nov. 9, 2016 auction at Bonhams. The final price was more than double the high estimate.

What are four things every collector should keep in mind when collecting modern editions?

Can three of them be ‘condition?’ All joking aside, condition is perhaps the most important consideration in modern first editions.
Because modern books are produced in quantity, they are rarely ‘rare,’ so their monetary value is often based on condition, both of the book and, sometimes even more importantly, the dust jacket.
But to back up a little, first you’ll need to determine whether the book actually is a first edition, and that can be tricky, which is why there are guides to help, like McBride’s Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions. If you’re working with a bookseller you know and trust, you won’t have to puzzle it out yourself.
While some may like their books pristine and untouched, collectible modern books are occasionally signed or inscribed—so authenticity is obviously an issue, but so is the quality of the inscription. The ‘best’ or most interesting inscribed modern firsts can tell a story about the author and the person he/she inscribed it to: e.g., a friend, a lover, someone involved in the book’s production, a fellow author.

PT 109: John F. Kennedy in World War II, Robert J. Donovan, McGraw-Hill Book Company, inscribed and signed by JFK and all 10 surviving PT 109 crew members, sold for $13,750 at a Dec. 3, 2016 auction conducted by Heritage Auctions.

What are some of the lesser-known places one can find rare modern issues?

I think church and library book sales are still viable book-hunting venues. Just in the past few years, I’ve found a couple of ‘sleepers’ in this way, one at a church jumble sale in Syracuse, New York, and one at a university library book sale, also in New York. My very best find happened at a church book sale in Massachusetts back in 1999. That was a first edition of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, in its jacket, no less.

Several people I interviewed for my book mentioned Goodwill and other charity shops as great places to find modern and ‘hypermodern’ firsts.

What is one of the best quotes you’ve ever come across regarding books?

Well, that one’s easy for me. The quote from Larry McMurtry’s novel, Cadillac Jack, which was the guiding light for my book – ‘Anything can be anywhere.’ And this is borne out almost on a weekly basis when some unknown or ‘missing’ manuscript, book, or piece of art is ‘found.’ It appeals to the treasure hunter in all of us.

Rebecca Rego Barry is the author of Rare Books Uncovered: True Stories of Fantastic Finds in Unlikely Places (2015) and the editor of Fine Books & Collections magazine. She also writes about books, history and auctions for The Awl, Slate, and JSTOR Daily, and her chapter on the Warner sisters will appear in the forthcoming anthology From Page to Place: American Literary Tourism and the Afterlives of Authors (2017).

Classic Luxury Watches to Polish Your Presence

December 6, 2016

Time marches on, and what better way to measure it than wearing a classic watch – an accessory that polishes your presence. This week we’re presenting a collection of personal luxury timepieces where you’ll find 20th century watches by world-class Swiss, French, and American manufacturers. From Cartier to Rolex, these creators endow watches with boldness and precision.

Topping the list of women’s watches is a classic 18K white gold Cartier Tank watch from the turn of the 21st century. Louis Cartier revolutionized watchmaking design in 1918 when he introduced the Tank watch, which featured a rectangular dial and Roman numerals. This modern version has a quartz movement and is estimated at $6,500-$8,000.

Solid white gold Cartier Tank watch, quartz movement, circa 2000. Estimate: $6,500-$8,000

Also by Cartier is a recent 18K gold curved case watch, which has a $4,000-$5,000 estimate. A pioneer in watchmaking style, Cartier combines utility, luxury, and elegance.

Cartier curved case watch, Model 0211, 18K solid gold, circa 2006. Estimate: $4,000-$5,000

One of the most unusual watches in the auction is a Rolex cover watch from the 1960s. It features an 18K bracelet and a white waffle dial, which is covered by a gold half shell. It is expected to sell for $3,000-$3,500.

Rolex solid 18K gold cover watch, 1960s, 15mm diameter. Estimate: $3,000-$3,500

For more spark in your game there is an 18K Bucherer diamond tennis bracelet watch from the 1960s, which has a $4,000-$5,000 estimate. The Bucherer brand has been family owned since 1888, and the company is renowned for innovation and creativity.

Bucherer diamond tennis bracelet watch, 18K gold case. Estimate: $4,000-$5,000

The auction features 19 pocket watches including an American-made Waltham 14K pink gold oversize box pocket watch. Its heavily engraved case depicts a bridge and castle. Made in 1892, this timepiece is estimated at $3,000-$3,500.

Waltham 14K solid gold oversize box pocket watch, 1892, 55mm in diameter. Estimate: $3,000-$3,500

Much smaller is a 14K gold repeater pocket watch that features stopwatch, quarter-hour and initial plate blank functions.

Repeater pocketwatch, 14K gold, white porcelain dial, 1890s. Estimate: $3,000-$3,500

The auction for this collection of luxury timepieces ends on Sunday, December 11. Bidding starts at just $1 – Click now to bid.

6 Christmas Ornaments to Delight Your Christmas Tree

December 6, 2016

Your Christmas tree is the center of your home for a few weeks out of the year. Whether decorated with simple lights, popcorn strings, or family heirloom ornaments, the tree sparkles with tradition. German-American families enjoy the tradition of the Christmas pickle. On Christmas Eve, after the children have gone to bed, parents hide a pickle ornament deep in the branches of their decorated tree. On Christmas morning, the first child to locate the pickle receives an extra gift from Santa.

This season is an opportunity to add some extra charm and delight to your tree. Below are 6 Americana ornaments to dazzle your trimmings:

Man in the Moon

When this moon hits your eye, there will definitely be amoré. Enjoy this hand-blown sparkler from the 1940s.

Man in the Moon Hand Blown Christmas Ornament, 1940, 3.5 x 2 inches. Estimate: $75-$120

Christmas Tea Pot

So adorable you almost want to drink tea out of it.

An adorable tea pot Christmas ornament, circa 1940, 3 x 2 inches. Sold: $20

Two Fish Ornaments

One fish, two fish. Yellow Fish, gold fish.

2 Fish Hand Blown Christmas Ornament, 1940s, 3.5 x 2 inches each. Estimate: $75-$95

Green Pickle

This is probably the ornament you’ve always wished you had.

Hand Blown Pickle Christmas Ornament, circa 1940, 3.75 x 1.5 inches. Sold: $25

Three Clown Ornaments

These vintage buddies add sparkle and a certain unique charm to your tree.

3 Clowns Hand Blown Christmas Ornaments, circa 1940s, 4.75 x 2 inches. Estimate: $85-$150

Cast Iron Santa Claus

Ok, this is a doorstop and not an ornament. While you cannot hang it on your tree, adding this to your home holiday decor adds extra flair. Ho ho ho!

Santa Claus Door Stop, Cast iron with original paint, circa 1920, 6.75 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches. Estimate: $100-$150

Find unique Americana treasures in Jasper52’s weekly auctions. There’s always a delightful find.

How to Determine the Value of Religious Icons

December 5, 2016

Antique religious Icons are an increasingly popular and important collector’s item. Regular auctions of these unique and special items engage collectors both new to the items and veteran collectors. To learn more about these items and the category, we turned to Maxwell Easter of Dennis Easter’s Russian Store.

The question I get the most in my field is what makes an Icon more valuable. What are the characteristics that make one Icon, maybe similar in appearance, sometimes cost thousands of dollars more? It’s true there is a big range in pricing, Icons can be priced anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a couple million dollars but why? To answer this, I have compiled a list of six criteria that influence price. This information will arm you with the knowledge needed to become an educated consumer in the great world of Icons.

Quality

One of the more obvious and most important is the quality of the Icon. How fine is the detail?
How bold are the pigments? How blended are the brush strokes?

Age

The age of the Icon plays an important role in its valuation. Naturally, an Icon from the 15th century will fetch a higher premium in comparison to an Icon from the 19th century, however, there are exceptions.

Rarity

Some scenes, like the classic Christ Pantocrator are more common than others like the Day of Judgement, an Icon I’ve seen only once in my career.

Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker of Myra, icon painting village of Kholui, Russia, 12 in x 9 in (30 cm x 23 cm). Egg tempera and silvering on gessoed wood. $700. Dennis Easter image

Desirability

Some pieces are just inherently more desirable than others. An image of Saint Nicholas, the patron Saint of Russia, will be more valuable that an Icon of a random Metropolitan or other obscure subjects. Additionally, Icons that have decorative covers called oklads, made of gold and silver with precious and semi-precious stones, are typically worth more.

Condition

Like with anything, condition is important. The better an Icon’s condition the higher the price. This usually holds true but gets complicated based on the personal preference. Some collectors want a piece that has no restoration favoring a more naturally aged look while other collectors would rather have a piece restored to its original condition.

St. Nicholas of Myra with vita, the Evangelists and four border saints – S. Prince Michael, St. Gregory, St, Catherine and St. Justinia, ca. 1870s, icon painting village of Palekh, Russia. 20 1/2 in x 17 in (52 cm x 43 cm). $25,000. Dennis Easter image

Region

The finest Icons were produced by Iconographers from certain communities referred to as “schools.” Often monasteries, these centers for Iconography specialized in their own adopted styles. An Icon from the famous Palekh School will be much more expensive than an Icon from a small rural village.

Provenance

Finally, the history of the piece can play an important role in its valuation. If the Icon was from a particular collection, spent time in a museum and or once belonged to royalty, the piece can skyrocket in value.

For a beginning collector, understanding the value of an Icon can be bewildering. It’s better to start small. One would rather make a $300 mistake than a $30,000 mistake. Allow yourself time to find your own taste, explore the world of Icons, study the history and understand the value of an Icon through the application of these seven criteria listed. Most importantly, if it speaks to you buy it because no Icon is exactly alike and you might never find it again.

View this week’s Religious Icons auction and discover your new treasure.