Gray's to Auction Renoir's Tête de Femme Gray's Auctioneers' Fine Art, Decorations and Jewelry auction on November 17 features Renoir's delightful portrait Tete de Femme, a Matisse lithograph of a dancer, and a fine collection of Asian Art.
Brother's, Rice Lake Canoe Company. This tremendous canoe from the early 1900’s has teak and oak on the front and rear decks with brass rivets and two luminous bow and aft copper flotation tanks and includes two cedar rowing oars with Page Brand labels.
Two substantial bronze pieces are being offered in this auction. Lot 122, a powerful piece entitled Cossack Bidding Farewell by Evgeny Alexandrovitch Lanceray (1848-1886), depicts the passionate departing of a man to battle, while The Archer, by Victor Heinrich Seifert (1870-1953) lot 124, is strong and bold, depicting a beautifully sculpted man holding and aiming an archers bow. It is signed on base "Pro V.H Seifert" and is estimated at $ 3,000-5,000.
In addition to the aforementioned notable artists, this auction includes Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) and Ansel Easton Adams (1902-1984) pieces. Rockwell’s Four Seasons, lot 52, is a very significant set of four lithographs, matted and framed, signed at the lower right and dated 1976, edition 122/200. The set includes the original portfolio envelope and title page. Lot 54 by Adams is entitled Monolith, The Face of Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, CA c. 1926. This lush gelatin silver print is typical of Adams, whose uncanny eye for composition and ability to place the viewer directly into the imagery remains unmatched. The photograph is signed ‘Ansel Adams’ on the mount at the lower right and is estimated at $ 15,000-20,000
Throughout this auction, Gray’s is offering a wide variety of objects from fur coats and rugs to a large number of Netsukes and Chinese jade bi-discs, as well as a multitude of jewelry, including lot 139, a 14 karat white and yellow gold round brilliant cut diamond ring. This stunner is approximately 2 carats and is surrounded by 6 round brilliant cut and 28 tapered and straight cut diamonds, conservatively estimated at $4,500-5,500.
Rounding the sale out are a few notable silver items. Lot 193 is a Georgian sterling silver flatware service with a threaded fiddle and shell pattern, consisting of 109 pieces by various silversmiths ca.1809-1834. This particular silver service was made in London with the mark of 15 different silversmiths including Paul Storr, with four family crests including a winged sword, knight on horseback, unicorn head and arm holding a sword. At an incredible total troy ounce of 245, combined with the impressive assortment of silversmiths, makes this set one not to be missed. A Pair of George II Sterling Silver Candlesticks by William Café lot 196. These superb pieces have shaped square bases with an anthemion at the angles, fluted baluster stems, corded borders and detachable nozzles, and at 36 troy ounces are estimated at $3,000-5,000.
Gray’s will be open for preview at their spacious showrooms, 10717 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio from Thursday, November 10 – Wednesday November 16, 11am – 6pm. The auction will take place at 11am EST on Thursday, November 17, 2011. Live online bidding for this auction is offered by LiveAuctioneers.com. Gray’s also accepts absentee bids and telephone bid
