News-Antique.com - Apr 27,2012 - Bronson’s Bronze Eagles & Eagleton Campaign Ephemera in May Sale
American nature artists, Cartier Santos wristwatch, Ding ware type vase, historical political ephemera in upcoming sale
The fine art portion of the sale encompasses over 140 lots of European and American art, primarily from the 19th to 20th centuries. Two American artists comprise both of this month’s highlights. The featured lots beautifully depict the opposing sides of nature; one represents its serene calm while the other reflects the competition for survival. The first is “Desert Landscape” by Samuel Hyde Harris (lot 086, $1,400-1,800). The oil painting depicts a solitary desert tree in tones of light sage cut with accents of fiery orange. A master of subtle, impressionist California landscapes, his professional acclaim is evident as he has won well over 100 awards during his career.
In stark contrast is a bronze by Clark Bronson titled “Eagle’s Conquest, 1980” (lot 049, $2,000-4,000). The sculpture shows two dueling eagles in flight directly above swirling ocean waves. The birds are fighting over a prized salmon, each with their talons firmly clasped around the fish. Bronson built his reputation on watercolors and bronze bird sculptures such as this fine example. The piece is quite substantial as well, measuring approximately 34 x 24 x 20 inches, including the base.
Classic Cartier sophistication is at the forefront of the Jewelry Department’s May sale. Lot 370 is a Cartier octagonal Santos two-tone wristwatch estimated at $2,000-3,000. Introduced in 1904, the Santos is recognized as Cartier’s first true brand wristwatch. A signature watch style for the House of Cartier, Louis Cartier pioneered the deployment-folding clasp first seen in the Santos series of 1910. The watch highlights a wonderful selection of jade, diamond, gemstone and novelty theme jewelry up for auction in May.
The Asian Department has over 100 lots up for auction in the May sale including but not limited to scrolls, porcelains, sculptures, furniture, jade, decorative objects and snuff bottles. A Ding ware type white-glazed vase highlights the department’s offerings at an estimate of $300-500 (lot 506). The unusual details of this vase set the piece apart. The interesting form is adorned with petal motifs upon the top and bottom as two stylized dragons continuously wrap around the body. A pair of ornate handles in the form of mythical beasts are placed near the top of the piece, finished with a lovely, creamy bone colored glaze.
The Furniture and Decorations Department has two interesting collections up for sale amongst its offerings of clocks, fine china services, silver wares, ornamental figurines, lamps and collectables. A collection of presidential campaign memorabilia is offered in four separate lots, each highly collectable and in excellent condition. Lot 413 contains items from the McGovern-Eagleton-Shriver campaign of 1972 ($250-300). Eagleton was the first vice presidential nominee to withdraw from an election and only eighteen days into it for that matter. Therefore, printed materials from this ticket are a rare find indeed. Other lots containing political material in the May sale include Ronald Reagan
