The natural beauty of Japan is realized in an online auction of original woodblock prints to be conducted by Jasper52 on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Subjects range from scenic landscapes to lovely women. The 77 prints in the sale span the 19th century to modern.
‘Wisteria Maiden Fujimusume,’ Kitano Tsunetomi, 19½in. x 14½in. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image
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Murder, mystery, suspense and voluptuous blondes are at the head of a Jasper52 online auction of movie poster and memorabilia auction taking place Tuesday, Sept. 3. The opening attraction is a one sheet poster for the 1953 feature “Niagara” starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten.
‘Niagara,’ one sheet poster, 1953, starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotton, linen-backed, 27in. x 41in. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500. Jasper52 image
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NEW YORK – Gold shows off its attractive properties well in jewelry and watches. It’s also a key metal in medicine, electronics, science and even used in space exploration as reflective shielding because gold is malleable, noncorrosive, reflects heat well and it won’t rust or decay.
But gold is relatively scarce. In fact, all the gold mined in recorded history would reach only a third of the way up the Washington Monument, about 186,700 tons. That makes it a precious metal, enough for governments to buy and trade large ingots as part of a stable national economic policy. You can own gold for your own security, too, but because it has one of the heavier atomic weight of all precious metals, it must be acquired in smaller, more portable ways such as coins.
A 1-ounce gold Krugerrand gold coin sold for near spot price for $1,275 on July 21, but a 25 percent buyer’s premium placed it just over the spot price of $1,425. Image courtesy Antique Finders Service and LiveAuctioneers
Gold coins are classified in three categories: bullion, numismatic and commemorative.
Bullion Gold Coins
There is a reason why all the gold heists you see in the movies requires heavy equipment. Gold has an atomic weight of 79, one of the heavier of precious metals. A standard gold ingot weighs about 27 pounds or 400 troy ounces with a value of about $500,000, give or take. That’s fine for Fort Knox; not so great for your safety deposit box.
But because government central banks own most of the gold (the United States owns the most of any country at about 8,000 tons), they are able to mint national gold coins in stable weights that are certifiable and secure.
You can own gold ingots in smaller troy ounce sizes for portability or you can opt for the artistic design elements of brilliant, uncirculated, government-issue gold coins from one-quarter troy ounce to as high as five troy ounces of between 90 and 99.99% pure gold. They can be bought directly from any national mint, but it is better to buy from authorized dealers designated by the U.S. Mint, for example, for a small percentage over the daily spot price or at auction.
Bullion coins don’t circulate and so are always considered to be at the highest condition and are common, so it is unnecessary to have them professionally graded, unlike numismatic gold coins. The value of bullion coins is set by market forces determined by the buying and selling of gold on the open market on a daily basis, usually by central banks, large institutions and individual investors.
This 1904-S Liberty Head $20 gold coin is valued based on its somewhat imperfect condition and rarity that sold for $1,200 or near the spot price of gold. Image courtesy: Seized Assets Auctioneers and LiveAuctioneers
Numismatic Gold Coins
Gold coins have been in circulation since at least 560 B.C. under King Croesus of Lydia in Bronze Age Asia Minor. Since that time, each historic age has had their national gold coins minted with their history, heroes, monuments, conquerors and kings. Holding a numismatic gold coin is to feel the weight of history.
These gold coins, known as numismatic, usually trade higher than the spot price of gold for several reasons usually defined as rarity, condition, age and historic significance. All these factors affect its final value.
Numismatic gold coins aren’t regulated by the ups and downs of the spot market based on intrinsic weight (although it’s a starting point). Collectors instead value numismatic gold coins based on history. Unlike bullion gold coins, numismatic gold coins have been circulated over time and are generally uncommon the longer ago they were minted. That’s why it is generally sound advice to have a numismatic gold coin professionally graded for rarity, age, condition and overall available quantity so as to provide a regulated basis for future value, especially for auction where values are usually set.
A gold coin representing Kanishka, an early emperor of the Kushan Dynasty from circa A.D. 400 that sold in February 2016 for $2,050 based more on its history than its intrinsic value of .28 of an ounce or about $400 of gold. Image courtesy Ancient Art & Antiques and LiveAuctioneers
Grading is usually from 0 to 70, the highest being without flaws. The lower grades, though, can still command higher auction values simply because of its rarity without regard to condition. That is the wonder of collecting numismatic gold coins. Bullion gold coins are considered only for investment while numismatic gold coins tell a great story.
Commemorative Gold Coins
Remembering an historic event, whether ancient or modern, is easily commemorated in the form of a gold coin. The U.S. Mint, for example, routinely mints many commemorative gold coins such as the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing this year. Still, these gold coins are legal tender, usually uncirculated and, with some exceptions, are considered bullion despite its commemorative mint.
On the other hand, private mints produce commemorative gold coins in large volumes for special events such as a presidential inauguration. They are unregulated, are not legal tender and grading them is usually unnecessary as they are not considered numismatic. It is sometimes difficult to know whether the gold used is gold filled, gold plated or just an alloy with silver, perhaps. Yet, their cost is usually much higher than the cost of acquiring bullion gold coins and even higher than gold coins bought at auction.
When a privately minted commemorative gold coin is eventually sold out of a personal collection, the value would be in the intrinsic value of the gold it contains, not the commemorative event itself regardless of its original “limited edition” price paid for it. And that’s usually disappointing to the collector.
A proof set of three U.S. Bicentennial gold coins by the Franklin Mint that sold for $80, no doubt a fraction of its selling price in 1976. Notice that there is only 6 grams of 500/1000 gold. Image courtesy Midwest Auction Galleries Inc. and LiveAuctioneers
Still, commemorating a special event in a gold coin that has special personal meaning makes a great memory, too. Just understand that their value over time is limited relative to bullion or numismatic gold coins.
Fakes, scams and forgeries
As long as gold coins have circulated, counterfeiters have had a field day trying to pass off lower levels of gold in a coin as the real thing. One way to accomplish this is by using tungsten as a base metal (the closest in density to gold), minting it into a recognizable coin, and adding a small layer of pure gold overall. The weight is similar to an authentic gold coin if not subjected to a higher level of professional scrutiny. Coins from the Middle East, China and North Korea, for example, account for some of the highest gold counterfeits circulating today.
One way to quickly detect a counterfeit gold coin is through its manufacture. If the details are somewhat uneven, incorrect in its original design or missing altogether, chances are the coin is a counterfeit. National mints pride themselves on the extremely high quality of their design and manufacture.
Collecting gold coins is great for investment, for history and even for personal memories. Just be sure to understand the complexities of each as your collection grows.
NEW YORK – Japanese woodblock prints are beloved for their sensitive portrayals of nature, temples, and polite society of times past. However they also can embody drama in the form of mythical beasts, warfare, and one-on-one sword battles. Some who collect Japanese woodblock prints favor particular artists, while others take a more comprehensive approach. Either type of collector will find a treasure in Jasper52’s Wednesday, August 28 specialty auction, with a lineup of artists that includes Hirano Hakuho, Kawase Hasui, Kuniyoshi Utagawa and many other revered names.
Image courtesy of Jasper52
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NEW YORK – On August 27, Jasper52 will bring on the bling with a diverse selection of loose gemstones in a variety of cuts and colors. The 376-lot online auction running exclusively through LiveAuctioneers is brimming with fine gems, from certified diamonds to glowing emeralds, and more.
Whether your purchase of gems is driven by an interest in geology or you’re simply looking for a stunning “rock” to set in a special piece of jewelry, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for in this wonderfully diverse sale.
Estimate: $19,000-$23,000. Image courtesy of Jasper52
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Lacquered wares – wood or metal objects decorated with coats of lacquer – date from antiquity. This opulent art, however, reached Russia in the 18th century when Peter the Great “Westernized” the country.
Over time, four great schools of Russian lacquerware arose in villages near Moscow, each developing a distinct style based on specific traditions and techniques.
Russian lacquer snuffbox, circa 1860, its hinged lid finely painted with scene of a family at the market, the interior in faux tortoise shell. Lukutin mark beneath the Imperial Warrant. This item was acquired by the consignor from the noted exhibition, “Russian Lacquer Art From Two Centuries,” Museum For Lacquer Art, Münster, Germany, 1996. Sold for $1,200 + buyer’s premium in 2013. Images courtesy of Jackson’s Auction and LiveAuctioneers
The earliest, dating from 1795, produced lacquered, papier-mâché visors for army helmets, as well as lacquered snuffboxes. When inherited by Piotr Lukutin, this workshop also produced papier-mâché match boxes and cigar cases, typically depicting sentimental scenes of Russian life.
Preparation was extensive, generally taking an average of six weeks. Yet boiling these lightweight, handcrafted boxes in linseed oil, then oven-drying, priming, polishing, and lacquering them, made them not only durable but also impervious to water.
Russian lacquered covered box, Fedoskino, depicts a Snow Girl from a Russian fairy tale, hand-painted. Realized $300 + buyer’s premium in 2010. Image courtesy of DuMouchelles and LiveAuctioneers
When Lukutin’s workshop closed in 1904, its craftsmen continued independently under the name of their village, Fedoskino. “Fedoskinos,” created with successive layers of thin oil paint, agleam with mother-of-pearl, metallic powders, or gold-leaf underlay, are famed for their detail, visual depth, and luminescence. Many portray realistic scenes of rustic landscapes or peasants dancing, fetching water or assembling tree-bark shoes. Others depict famous personalities, miniature reproductions of classic paintings, or favorite fairy tales, like Father Frost and the Maiden, The Frog Princess, and Ruslan and Ludmila. “Fedoskino” typically appears at the center or left lower margin of these miniatures. Artists’ signatures, rendered in complementary shades, appear to the right.
A rare, very fine, highly detailed icon “Praise the Lord From the Heavens,” Central Russian, Palekh, circa 1800. Image courtesy of Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen Düsseldorf and LiveAuctioneers
After the 1917 Revolution, Russian authorities widely suppressed religious expression, so craftsmen of Palekh, a village long recognized for its superb Russian Orthodox icons, applied their extraordinary skills to lacquered boxes instead. Like their icons, “Palekhs” feature brilliant, egg-based tempera images against dark, solid grounds, enhanced by fine gold or silver leaf ornamentation.
Russian Palekh lacquer box, signed Alexei Vatagin (1881-1947), dated 1926 and N 1838. Realized $1,800 + buyer’s premium in 2018. Image courtesy Soulis Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Many portray popular folk songs, legends, ballets, operas and poems with images of elongated, icon-like figures. Others feature traditional images, like fierce Cossacks atop majestic steeds, spirited “troikas,” or three-horse teams, pulling sledges through the snow; or unfolding folk narratives like “The Tale of the Humpback Pony.” More contemporary Palekhs depict dramatic scenes of Soviet life , the USSR emblem or portraits of Joseph Stalin. Many are signed in fine gold script.
Agitlak papier-mache Palekh miniature box, tempera on varnished papier-mache depicting scenes of Soviet life with portrait of Joseph Stalin and USSR emblem. Realized $24,000 + buyer’s premium in 2014. Image courtesy of Shapiro Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Some describe Palekh miniatures as “small miracles,” owing to their fine workmanship and illustrious lineage.
Craftsmen in nearby Kholui also originally made icons before venturing into lacquer boxes. While their boxes feature egg-based tempera images embellished with gold-leaf highlight, their designs are more realistic, less nuanced, and bolder. In addition, “Kholui” palettes feature employ reds, yellows, browns, and orange against bright, dramatic, swirled backgrounds.
Kholui lacquer boxes often depict ancient cathedrals, churches, convents, monasteries, or the architectural glories of historical cities like Suzdal or Yaroslavl. Many, celebrating the joys of nature, depict local landscapes, like the springtime floods along Kholui’s picturesque river, the Teza. Some are more fanciful and portray sweeping oral epic poems or beloved fairy tales like “Seven Semeons” or “Scarlet Flower.” Others depict traditional Russian customs, like greeting guests with loaves of bread and loaves of salt.
Russian hand-painted lacquer box, “Bread & Salt,” depicting a woman in kokoshnik [traditional Russian headdress] offering traditional welcome of loaf of bread and cup of salt. Made in Kholui, artist-signed and dated “Rozova 2012.” Image courtesy of Auctions at Showplace and LiveAuctioneers
Mystera was once an icon-making village, too. But unlike Fedoskino, Kholui, and Palekh boxes, their designs were decorated only the lids. Some are edged in lacy gold or silver and depict fine, floral bouquets. Others portray villages, fields, or forests (replete with faraway blue and lilac-hued hills and dales), romantically melting into pale, egg-based tempera pink, blue, gold, or ivory backgrounds.
Other “Mysteras” depict seasonal fairs, festivities, or traditional Russian activities like mushroom or berry-picking. More dynamic examples commemorate historic events or heroic battles. Others feature colorful fantasies inspired by Russian songs, legends, fairy tales, and literary works like Pushkin’s “Tale of the Golden Cockerel” and “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen.
Antique Russian lacquer boxes are prized not only for their beauty and exquisite craftsmanship but also for the passion and national pride their images evoke. Because each box is a handmade artwork, collecting opportunities are endless, and the potential discovery of a new addition to one’s collection is always just around the corner.
Beautiful European ceramics, impressive antique furniture, modern decorative art and colorful Murano glass are among the unique treasures entered in Jasper52’s August 21 Inspired Interiors Decorative Arts Auction.
19th century Swedish Gotheburg gilt armchair with griffin-form supports. Estimate $4,000-$5,000
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Nothing adds elegance to a dinner table like the soft shine of antique silver. Some of the finest pieces are those created in France, like the examples offered in Jasper52’s August 20 auction. From Puiforcat to Tetard Freres and more, the 84-lot selection features globally renowned names in the art of silver-making.
Tetard Freres period Art Deco 6-piece French sterling silver service including tray. From private residence near Monaco. Est. $22,000-$26,000
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Examples of 18th and 19th century Pennsylvania needlework – samplers, show towels, still life floral depictions, aprons and bibs, state seals and more – are marvelous expressions of American folk art. Some are so finely detailed, it’s hard to believe they were wrought by young girls barely in their teens, some even younger.
Rare Pennsylvania cross-stitch needlework sampler signed “Lucinda Clark” and dated 1853. Depicts a red house surrounded by a fence and trees. Contemporary frame. Very good condition. Framed size: 22¾” x 20.” Est. $600-$800, sold for $325 at an auction held Nov. 3, 2012 by Morphy Auctions
“The enduring appeal of Pennsylvania textile arts stems from its long and rich needlework tradition,” said Will Kimbrough, Vice President and Department Head of Americana and Fine & Decorative Arts at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. “This tradition is represented by any number of iconic pieces from varying regions, time periods, and styles – from the band samplers of Colonial Philadelphia, to the silk-embroidered pictures and memorials popular in the Federal period, to the pictorially exuberant compositions of Mary Tidball’s school operating at the western edge of the state in the mid-19th century.”
Kimbrough added, “This deep Pennsylvania needlework tradition is undoubtedly linked with the strong Quaker and Moravian influence in the early settlement of the state. The vast majority of this needlework was produced in schools, and the Quaker and Moravian emphasis on education led to the widespread establishment of affordable educational opportunities for men and woman alike in the early period.”
Diminutive Pennsylvania needlework pictorial sampler, silk on linen, “R.L” initials above a flower basket flanked by birds and hearts, all within a delicate rosebud border. Early wood frame with early or original backing board. Second quarter 19th century. 5¾” x 5¾” sight. Est. $100-$200, sold for $120 at an auction held Nov. 13, 2016 by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mt. Crawford, Va.
The standard curriculum for girls in these schools, in both the English and Germanic models, included needlework as a core component of a young woman’s education. “Accordingly, more schoolgirl needlework from Pennsylvania survives in comparison with that produced in other states.”
Kaitlyn Julian of Pook & Pook, Inc., in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, said we should thank devoted scholars for their curiosity and dedicated studies to the subject of samplers. “Important research has invigorated the market and compelled collectors to appreciate the historic context and intrinsic value of samplers,” Julian said. “In the past, samplers may have been seen as frivolous pursuits or old-fashioned crafts made by little girls, but research carried out over the past few decades has revealed the extent of the craft and, more importantly, connected collectors to the young women behind the craft.”
Large Pennsylvania schoolgirl needlework sampler by Sarah Ann Smith, age 10, circa 1825, the top register with a flower arrangement and pair of birds over a homily “Sarah Ann Smith/In the tenth year of my age/My mind was thus ingaged/While on this fLowing canvass stands/The Labour of my youthful hands,” frame size 21¾” x 22¾.” Est. $1,000-$1,500, sold for $750 at an auction held June 13, 2015 by Michaan’s Auctions.
The definitive reference book for samplers is Betty Ring’s Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers and Pictorial Needlework, 1650-1850, published in 1993. As the body of knowledge on samplers deepened, especially in the 1990s after the publication of Ring’s book, auction values climbed. “We saw many important collections cross the auction block, like Joan Stephens’ collection in 1997 and Betty Ring’s collection later in 2012,” Julian pointed out.
She continued, “I believe a factor of the enduring popularity of samplers today is partly thanks to online genealogy websites. It is now easier than ever to connect yourself with the past. The lovely thing about samplers is that they contain the name and often location of the maker. These two pieces of information, when typed into a genealogy website, can connect you personally with the young lady who made the piece. From there, you may be able to determine who her teacher was, who her classmates were, what her family was like, and so forth. You can then begin to identify certain regional motifs taught by various school mistresses and appreciate the intricacies of design and differing skill levels among the students.’
Circa 1835 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania needlework memorial embroidery of a young woman mourning over urn mounted on a plinth, signed “Work’d by Catherine Hall”, stitched top, “To my dear Farther Benjamin Hall who died in Pittsburgh, Pa July 1835,” silk, paint, cotton and wool on linen; later gilt composite frame, 16” x 13½” (sight). Est. $600-$900, sold for $550 at an auction held March 24, 2018 by Brunk Auctions.
“Visualizing a classroom, perhaps not unlike the one you were taught in, brings to mind these girls laboring over their work, trading stories, and being rewarded by their teacher. Making a personal connection like this can make a huge difference in how you engage with, enjoy, and value historic artifacts. Across generations and centuries, the common thread of human experience endures.”
Pennsylvania has produced an abundance of samplers, partly perhaps due to its rich early history as America’s melting pot. By the time of the Revolutionary War, Philadelphia was the world’s second-largest English-speaking city. Quakers, Moravians, Pennsylvania Dutch, and Mennonites all populated the state in the early 18th century, following William Penn’s dream of religious freedom. With each culture came new and different histories and traditions of needlework and embroidery. Quakers and Moravians both placed value in women’s education and as a result, Pennsylvania was one of the first colonies with schools for girls.
Rare Southeastern Pennsylvania Needlework Cotton Apron. Cross-stitch signature “I.S 1800”. Pictured in Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society, Vol. 22/1988/1, page 38. 25-1/2″l. x 31-3/4″w. Framed, 31-1/2″ x 37″ overall. Condition: Good with minor wear and stains. Est. $300-$500, sold for $950 at an auction held Dec. 3, 2016 by Conestoga Auction Company.
As for the demand for samplers and other expressions of Pennsylvania needlework, Will Kimbrough said the market for top-quality, fresh-to-the-market examples in excellent condition will continue to escalate over the next five years. “Additionally,” he added, “identified examples connected with specific schools and regions will continue to perform well. As is true with other segments of the market, more typical, less visually interesting pieces, and anything with distracting condition problems, will continue to decline in value.”
Kaitlyn Julian said, “With all the great scholarship on the subject, I believe that a continued interest in collecting samplers is here to stay. I don’t believe the market is as strong as it was twenty years ago, but interest remains high and the market now presents a chance for young collectors to build their own collection at reasonable prices. In order to maintain a strong market, it is crucial to establish an interest with the younger generations.”
Pennsylvania wool needlework, mid-19th century, 19½ x 13½” in a period frame. Some toning and very minor thread loss. Est. $500-$1,000, sold for $325 at an auction held Oct. 27, 2012 by Pook & Pook, Inc.
She added, “As always with antiques, exceptional examples will continue to achieve exceptional prices. Samplers that consistently achieve high prices on the auction block include those which are easy to read, brightly colored and without stains or fading. Easy to read samplers with visual interest and intricately embroidered borders always catch the eye of collectors, especially those with balanced compositions and regional motifs. My favorite samplers include those with spectacularly detailed brick houses, boasting rows and rows of windows, a mansard roof, and a dog running in the front yard. Especially impressive are those which are marked with the age of the maker, including some as young as five or six.”
NEW YORK – The Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA) has formed a new partnership with Jasper52, a New York company that provides auction marketing and catalog-production services to sellers of high-quality art, antiques and vintage collectibles. The first joint venture teaming ATADA dealers with Jasper52 is a Sunday, August 18 online tribal art auction running exclusively through LiveAuctioneers. The boutique selection of carefully curated cultural art includes jewelry, handcrafted pottery, masks, figures, textiles, weapons, and other high-quality objects.
‘Tony Da Bear,’ San Ildefonso ceramic bear figure of native clay, inlaid turquoise, hsi beads and flint arrowhead; circa 1960s, 5¼ x 7 x 4¼ inches. Estimate: $24,000-$29,000
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