Paintings by Kikuo Saito and Constantin Kluge, Plus A Stoneware Vessel by Claude Conover, Top Estimates at Neue Auctions

Beachwood, OH, USA, November 6, 2021 -/DailyVoice/- An oil painting by the Japanese-American artist Kikuo Saito (1939-2016), a colorful Parisian street scene by Constantin Kluge (French, 1912-2003), and a large stoneware vessel by Claude Conover (American, 1907-1994) all finished well above their high estimates in Neue Auctions’ online-only Fine Art & Antiques auction on Saturday, October 30th.

The Saito painting, titled Summer Ghost (1997) was the sale’s top lot, finishing at $14,760 against an estimate of $7,000-$10,000. The work, 50 inches by 57 ¾ inches (sight, less frame), was signed, titled and dated. Saito was an abstract painter with ties to the Color Field movement and Lyrical abstraction. His paintings infused saturated colorscapes with delicately drawn lines.

There were two Kluge oils on offer. The Parisian cityscape, titled Place de la Madeleine, signed and 40 inches by 46 inches, as framed, went for $9,840 against an estimate of $5,000-$8,000; while the aptly titled Village on a River, artist signed lower right and with a canvas size of 28 ½ inches by 36 inches, changed hands for $3,444, which was within the estimate of $2,000-$4,000.

The very large Claude Conover “Milpa” stoneware vessel of ovoid shouldered form, having a circular mouth and signed to the base, 23 inches tall, soared past its $4,000-$6,000 estimate to bring $8,610. The large size of this structure makes one think about how Conover here stretches the limits of ceramic structure. Conover was educated locally, at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

The auction overall contained 334 lots of fine art, antiques, jewelry, carpets, furniture and decorative arts. “Neue Auctions routinely achieves top-market prices for fine art across a broad range of collecting categories,” said Cynthia Maciejewski of Neue Auctions. “The October 30th auction had a wide variety of art and antiques for everyone.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by Liveauctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Bidsquare.com. All prices quoted include a 23 percent buyer’s premium.”

Lots that way outperformed expectations included a pair of Chinese painted panels, each painted in ink and color on silk with immortals with various accoutrements, 60 inches by 32 inches, that hammered for $7,380 against a $500-$1,000 estimate; and a woodcut in colors on paper by Max Pechstein (German, 1881-1995), titled Jumpers (1912), signed lower right and inscribed lower left, 7 ½ inches by 12 inches (image). It brought $5,227, easily besting the $300-$500 estimate.

A 19th century Khotan handwoven wool carpet, made in Eastern Turkestan, ended up being the third top lot of the auction, selling for $9,840, more even than the Conover vessel and topping its $3,000-$5,000 pre-sale estimate. The 22-foot by 11-foot-1-inch rug had a vase and pomegranate design on a vibrant blue field, the borders having floral scroll and medallion and cloud designs.

The sterling silver category was led by a large Tiffany & Company monteith, circa 1966, of oval form with a scalloped rim raised on baroque style scroll legs, weighing 109.37 oz. troy ($4,305); and an International sterling silver flatware service in the Royal Danish pattern, monogrammed and in vintage condition with normal wear from use, weighing about 159.82 oz. troy ($3,705).

Other silver lots featured a streamlined mid-century Japanese .950 silver tea service comprising a teapot, a coffee pot, a creamer and a covered sugar with impressed marks, weighing 67.48 oz. troy ($1,476); and a beautiful Gorham sterling silver flatware service for twelve, with all pieces monogrammed on the handles and properly marked, weighing about 145.83 troy oz. ($2,952).

The sale featured a nice collection of American curly maple furniture, to include a lovely 19th century curly maple drop leaf dining table with a finely figured single board rectangular top and two single board drop leaves ($2,337); and a 19th century curly maple two-drawer stand made from nicely figured wood, finished on all sides and raised on turned legs, 30 inches tall ($1,722).

Additional American furniture included an 18th century Chippendale mahogany chest of drawers with a rectangular top over four graduated long drawers with reeded quarter columns flanking ($3,690); and a diminutive 18th century mahogany Queen Anne gate leg table having a circular top with two drop leaves and raised on cabriole legs ending in pad feet, 25 inches tall ($1,722).

Original oil paintings featured an oil on canvas marine work with ships by John Bentham-Dinsdale (British, 1927-2008), titled The Frolic and Wasp Off Bermuda (1,722); a group of four framed oils on canvas by Andre Michel (French, b. 1945), all Paris street scenes ($1,353); and a Continental School oil on canvas, Venus on a Dolphin with Cupids, nicely framed ($1,353).

Asian lots were led by a Chinese peach bloom glaze vase with applied dragon, shoulder form with a long neck encircled with a dragon from the rim to the shoulder, 9 ½ inches tall, with the six-character mark of Qing Kangxi in underglaze blue ($2,460); and a Chinese Kangxi style famille verte tea caddy, hexagonal form, decorated in an allover pattern with creatures ($1,169).

Two of the more visually arresting lots in the sale were a pair of 75-inch-tall brass and Lucite ionic column torchieres, with brass shades over ionic scroll on rectangular Lucite column forms and squared brass bases ($3,690); and a late 19th century mold blown opalescent coinspot bottle in ruby glass with a swirl pattern shoulder and base. Despite lacking a stopper, it sold for $1,169.

Neue Auctions has become renowned for attracting wild and wonderful items to its sales, and this one was no exception. A few of the more eclectic offerings up for bid were as follows:

  • An 18th century French School oil on canvas Portrait of an Actress, the subject likely a man in women’s garb (as women were routinely denied acting pursuits back then) ($800).
  • A Chief Lelooska (Nez Pearce, d. 1996) painted Eagle Mask (1967), made from carved polychromed wood, copper, hair, feathers and raffia, 23 inches in height ($861).
  • A large and dramatic Chinese scholar’s rock made from craggy c-curved stone with holes in tan-colored stone, in a fitted four-legged carved wood stand, 16 inches tall ($615).
  • Unique and colorful blown, cut and assembled glass and painted aluminum bench made circa 2004 by Therman Statom (Florida, b. 1953), about 65 inches in length ($1,230).

To learn more, visit www.neueauctions.com.

About Neue Auctions:
Neue Auctions invites everyone to be added to its email list to receive notifications and information regarding all current and future sales. For info, visit www.neueauctions.com. To learn more about Neue Auctions and the firm’s upcoming events, visit www.neueauctions.com.

Neue Auctions’ Online-Only Fine Art & Antiques Auction, Oct. 30th, Features Paintings, Jewelry, Carpets, Furniture, more

Beachwood, OH, USA, October 23, 2021 -/DailyVoice/- An eerily evocative oil painting by the Japanese-American artist Kikuo Saito (1939-2016) and two colorful and vibrant outdoor renderings by Constantin Kluge (French, 1912-2003) are just a few of the expected headliners in Neue Auctions’ online-only Fine Art & Antiques auction scheduled for Saturday, October 30th, starting promptly at 10 am Eastern time.

The Saito painting, titled Summer Ghost (1997) is impressive at 50 inches by 57 ¾ inches (sight, less frame), and is signed, titled and dated verso. Saito was an abstract painter with ties to the Color Field movement and Lyrical abstraction. His work infuses richly saturated colorscapes with delicately drawn lines. The painting up for bid is a fine example (estimate: $7,000-$10,000).

The Kluge oils include a Parisian cityscape titled Place de la Madeleine, signed and 40 inches by 46 inches, as framed (estimate: $5,000-$8,000); and the aptly titled Village on a River, signed lower right and with a canvas size of 28 ½ inches by 36 inches (estimate: $2,000-$4,000). Kluge, originally from Russia, was known for his French landscapes and romantic city scenes of Paris.

The auction contains 334 lots of fine art, antiques, jewelry, carpets, furniture and decorative arts. “This auction has a wide variety of art and antiques, all at attractive price points,” said Cynthia Maciejewski of Neue Auctions. “There has never been more art available on the market than right now, so it’s definitely a good time to buy.”

The sale will feature a nice collection of American birds-eye maple and curly maple furniture, to include a lovely 19th century curly maple drop leaf dining table with a finely figured single board rectangular top and two single board drop leaves (estimate; $1,500-$2,500); and a 19th century birds-eye maple chest of drawers with original cut glass and brass pulls (estimate: $600-$1,200).

Other American furniture pieces in the sale are by Herman Miller, Baker and Henkel Moore.

A very large Claude Conover (1907-1994) “Milpa” stoneware vessel of ovoid shouldered form, having a circular mouth and signed to the base, 23 inches tall, has an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. “The large size of this structure makes one think about how Conover here stretches the limits of ceramic structure,” Maciejewski said. Conover was educated at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

The sterling silver category will be led by a large Tiffany & Company monteith, circa 1966, of oval form with a scalloped rim raised on baroque style scroll legs, weighing 109.375 oz. troy (estimate: $2,000-$4,000); and a sparkling flatware service for 12 in the Gorham pattern, with all of the pieces monogrammed on the handles and properly hallmarked (estimate: $3,000-$5,000).

Neue Auctions has become renowned for attracting wild and wonderful items to its sales, and this one will be no exception. A few of the more eclectic offerings up for bid are as follows:

  • A unique and colorful blown, cut and assembled glass and painted aluminum bench made circa 2004 by Therman Statom (Fla., b. 1953), 65 inches long (estimate: $2,000-$4,000).
  • An 18th century French School oil on canvas Portrait of an Actress, the subject likely a man in women’s garb (as women were denied acting pursuits) (estimate: $1,000-$2,000).
  • A Chief Lelooska (Nez Pearce, d. 1996) hand-carved, painted Eagle Mask (1967), made from carved polychromed wood, copper, hair, feathers, raffia (estimate: $1,000-$2,000).
  • An adorable mid-century Japanese .950 silver tea service comprising a teapot, coffee pot, creamer and covered sugar with impressed marks, 67.48 oz. troy (estimate: $800-$1,200).

Objects from Asia will be just as intriguing and will include a large and dramatic Chinese scholar’s rock made from craggy c-curved stone with holes in tan-colored stone, 16 inches tall (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); and a Tibetan silver, turquoise and coral devotional relief with a seated Buddha on a lotus throne at the center, 11 inches by 17 ¾ inches (estimate: $500-$1,000).

Italian furniture will feature a contemporary veneered wood sideboard having a serpentine top with geometric wood design over four hinged doors (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); a set of eight 1930s-style Constantini Pietro lacquered dining chairs with sloped upholstered backs and seats raised on saber legs (estimate: $600-$1,000); and a contemporary veneered wood and metal dining table with a rectangular top with metal detail on a U-shaped base (estimate: $500-$1,000).

The rugs in the auction are estate carpets being sold with no reserves. They include a modern made Oushak style carpet made of soft wool on cotton weft, 16 feet 1 inch by 10 feet (estimate: $3,000-$5,000); a 19th century hand-woven Khotan wool carpet from Eastern Turkestan, having a vase and pomegranate design, 22 feet by 11 feet 1 inch (estimate: $3,000-$5,000); and a wool on cotton weft Tabriz carpet with a fishnet design, 20 feet by 13 feet (estimate: $2,000-$4,000).

Internet bidding will be facilitated by three platforms: Liveauctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Bidsquare.com. To learn more about Neue Auctions and the Fine Art & Antiques auction planned for Saturday, October 30th at 10 am Eastern, visit www.neueauctions.com.

Gorgeous Galle Cameo Glass Vases Lead The Way in Neue Auctions’ Online-Only Art & Antiques Auction held September 25th

Beachwood, OH, USA, October 8, 2021 -/DailyVoice/- Vibrant, colorful vases and table lamps by Galle and other famous makers, lithographs by Charles Burchfield, Alberto Giacometti and other noted artists, Mid-Century Modern furniture pieces, original oil paintings, sterling silver flatware and more all came up for bid in Neue Auctions’ online-only Art & Antiques auction held September 25th.

The two top lots were Galle vases. A Galle cameo glass blown out vase with a Plums design, 15 ½ inches tall, of baluster form, fire polished with pendant branches heavy with plums, finished at $9,840; while a large Galle cameo glass vase, Lilies, 23 inches tall, of baluster form with incised Galle signature, cameo carved with lily flowers on long leafy stems, changed hands for $9,225.

A lovely Galle cameo glass scenic table lamp, the base with tall pines in a mountain landscape, the shade showing eagles soaring over clouds, 14 inches tall, sold within estimate for $4,612. Also, a Muller Freres scenic cameo glass lamp with a domed shade on a baluster base, 14 ½ inches tall, the shade cameo carved with a hunting dog, pheasant, pond and trees, made $1,722.

The sale consisted of 404 lots that included undiscovered finds in many categories. Most were acquired from regional estates and longtime collectors. Most items sold within estimate or above. “We also had the most viewers ever watching the auction,” said Cynthia Maciejewski of Neue Auctions, “and that was exciting for our team members. The strength of this sale and its statistics tell me online bidding is healthy. Now’s a good time to sell the finer things to a global audience.”

Maciejewski added, “The bottom line is, as long as our consignors and bidders are happy, we’re happy, and profitable, too. This allows us to continue bringing in the best auction inventory, whether through referral or marketing. We’re constantly reviewing fine collections for auction.”

Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 23 percent buyer’s premium.

A lithograph on paper by Charles Burchfield (American, 1893-1967), titled Summer Benediction, the Print Club of Cleveland publication #31 for 1953, edition of 250 plus 10, went for $5,228 (a record price for the image); while framed a lithograph on Arches paper by Alberto Giacometti (Swiss, 1901-1966), titled House in Majolica, signed and numbered (“26/65”), rose to $3,690.

The paintings category featured an oil on canvas marine work by Mauritz Frederik De Haas (Dutch/American, 1832-1895), of a craggy coast with figures along the rocks and sails at sea, signed, that rang up $8,610; and an oil on wood panel tranquil river scene with two boys in a boat by Emilio Sanchez Perrier (Spanish, 1855-1907), also signed, that commanded $4,612.

A lovely collection of oil paintings by the American artist Andre (Gittelson) Gisson (1921-2003) came up for bid, including a beautiful oil on linen canvas Still Life with Flowers that was signed upper right and housed in a 32 inch by 38 inch frame ($2,091); and a colorful and vibrant oil on canvas Paris street scene, signed lower left, 24 inches by 12 inches (sight, less frame) ($1,845).

Fans and collectors of silver had much to consider, including a Gorham Buttercup sterling flatware service that brought $2,214; a Towle sterling flatware service in the King Richard pattern in a fitted felt-lined case, weighing 90.66511 oz. troy ($1,722); and several pieces of Old English silver, including a Hester Bateman sterling silver tea caddy produced in 1784 ($1,230).

Henri Matisse and Salvador Dali both were represented in the sale. An etching on chine colle by Matisse (French, 1869-1954), titled Nu Pour Cleveland, rendered in 1932, signed and numbered (“231/250”), brought $4,612; while a signed lithograph in colors with collage from 1971 by Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989), titled Trotting Horses No. 2, from Dali’s Currier & Ives series, hit $1,476.

A set of ten vintage Eero Saarinen black wool upholstered executive chairs, comprising eight side chairs and two armchairs, with tubular chrome steel legs, each one 37 inches tall, gaveled for a respectable $5,842. Also, a Charles and Ray Eames molded LCW lounge chair made from molded ash plywood with a shaped back and seat and raised on molded legs, realized $1,476.

Mid-Century Modern furniture was led by a dining/conference table in solid walnut, the long oval form with squared ends raised on squared legs, 117 inches in length and 45 inches deep ($4,612); and a walnut stereo cabinet, rectangular form with hinged doors, inset stereo speakers and Empire Gold turntable and a Macintosh MX 110, plus a variety of vintage albums ($1,476).

A beautiful Mettlach stoneware charger by Heinrich Schlitt, 17 ½ inches in diameter, the large circular form depicting a scholarly gnome reading a book in a toadstool forest, signed lower left with impressed marks for Mettlach and stamped ‘2698’, earned $3,321. Also, a Royal Worcester Embassy pattern dinner service for twelve with the Royal Worcester mark in black made $3,075.

As mentioned, numerous items sailed past their high estimates. A few examples are as follows:

  • A large 19th century carved pine and scallop shell ornament with a gilded finish, 15 inches tall with a wire for hanging, sold for $2,460 against an estimate of $300-$500.
  • A Grand Tour early Christian brass relief of The Crucifixion, cast in low to high relief with the corpus Christi flanked by apostles, rose to $1,845 against a $400-$700 estimate.
  • A pair of conical black enameled Swedish lamp shades with teak wood arms and mounts, designed for Luxus by Uno & A-sten Kristiansson (sold for $1,599, estimate $150-$300).
  • A Bitossi for Raymor ceramic vase, cylindrical form and glazed with concentric rings in various colors and glaze textures, signed Italy 1393A (sold $1,599, estimate $100-$300).

Internet bidding was facilitated by the two platforms: Liveauctioneers.com and Invaluable.com.

Neue Auctions’ next event is slated for Saturday, October 30th, at 10 am Eastern time. The auction will feature fine art, antiques, jewelry, carpets, furniture, decorative arts and more. To learn more about Neue Auctions, visit www.neueauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

About Neue Auctions:
Neue Auctions invites everyone to be added to its email list to receive notifications and information regarding all current and future sales. For info, visit www.neueauctions.com. Neue Auctions’ next event is slated for Saturday, October 30th, at 10 am Eastern time. The auction will feature fine art, antiques, jewelry, carpets, furniture, decorative arts and more. To learn more about Neue Auctions, visit www.neueauctions.com.