Sèvres bust
This 21in (53cm) biscuit terracotta bust above by Maurice Guiraud-Riviere (1881-1947) is one of a number of pieces designed for Sèvres in the 1920s. Signed to the plinth, it is also stamped Sevres Manufacture Nationale, France. At Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Maine, November 11, the estimate is $1500-2000.
Britains ambulance in US
A first version of the Corporation Motor Ambulance which is considered the rarest of all the Britains motor ambulances, issued from 1937-41, is guided at of $1500-2500 at Old Toy Soldier Auctions of Pittsburgh on November 17.
The first version of the Corporation Motor Ambulance is considered the rarest of all the Britains motor ambulances, issued from 1937-41. This hard-to-find example, with a repainted driver and a replacement box, carries an estimate of $1500-2500 at Old Toy Soldier Auctions of Pittsburgh on November 17.
Ancient inspiration
This pâte de verre figure by Almeric Walter is estimated at $400-600 at Leslie Hindman’s Modern Design sale in Chicago on November 14.
This 8in (20cm) pâte de verre figure by Almeric Walter (1870-1959) is from a series modelled after ancient Tanagra figurines. It is signed in the mould A Walter Nancy. It is estimated at $400-600 at Leslie Hindman’s Modern Design sale in Chicago on November 14.
Octopus vase
This Amphora octopus vase probably designed by Paul Dachsel or Eduard Stellmacher c.1900 is estimated at $2000-3000 in the November 17 auction at Millea Bros of Boonton, New Jersey.
This rare 9in 22cm) high Amphora octopus vase was probably designed by Paul Dachsel or Eduard Stellmacher and manufactured by Riessner, Stellmacher and Kessel c.1900. It is from the collection of the late Eugene Victor Thaw (1927-2018), a member and past president of the Art Dealers Association of America and a collector of European master drawings. It is estimated at $2000-3000 in the November 17 auction at Millea Bros of Boonton, New Jersey.
Russian works
Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina, on November 16 offers this silver and jade or bowenite kovsch with marks for Fabergé and the workmaster Julius A Rappoport estimated at $10,000-15,000.
A large group of Russian works of art offered by Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina, on November 16 includes this 8in (20cm) silver and jade or bowenite kovsch with marks for Fabergé and the workmaster Julius A Rappoport. Estimate $10,000-15,000.
Foxglove decoration
The sale of 20th century decorative arts at Treadway of Cincinatti on November 18 includes this well-preserved enamelled copper covered urn with a foxglove design by Camille Fauré guided at $5000-7000.
The sale of 20th century decorative arts at Treadway of Cincinatti on November 18 includes this well-preserved enamelled copper covered urn with a foxglove design by Camille Fauré (1872-1944). Standing just over 6in (15cm) high, it was made in Limoges c.1925 and comes for sale from the estate of avid collectors Milton and Joan Baxt of Hollywood, Florida. Estimate $5000-7000.
Freaky lots
This miniature leather boot reportedly owned by Charles Stratton, better known as Tom Thumb, is estimated at $500-750 in the Potter & Potter November 10 auction in Chicago.
Potter & Potter is holding a massive auction of the contents of Johnny Fox’s Barnumesque Freakatorium museum in Chicago on November 10.
Sword swallower, comedian, magician and collector Fox amassed an amazing assortment of curiosities which he displayed at the Freakatorium, ‘El Museo Loco’, an establishment he operated on the lower east side of Manhattan from 1999-2005.
Many of the items are related to circus sideshow performers and attractions as well as archival material in the form of books, photographs and drawings.
Pictured here is a finely constructed miniature leather boot reportedly owned by Charles Stratton, better known as Tom Thumb (1838-83). The boot, which measures about 6¾in (17cm) high, is accompanied by a typed exhibit card bearing a brief biography of Tom Thumb, and stating, this boot was worn by him. The estimate is $500-750.
Swan elegance
A cranberry and white overlay cameo glass swan’s head scent bottle, a well-known Thomas Webb and Sons design from the 1880s, is estimated at $4000-8000 at Woody Auction on November 10.
Glass specialist Woody Auction in Douglass, Kansas, includes this 9in (22cm) cranberry and white overlay cameo glass swan’s head scent bottle in a sale on November 10. A well-known Thomas Webb and Sons design from the 1880s with the registered number 11109 engraved to the neck, it has an unmarked silver cap. Estimate $4000-8000.
Elusive book jacket
This first edition, second issue copy of The Sea-Wolf, 1904, by Jack London is estimated at $4000-6000 in the Swann Galleries auction in New York on November 13.
A first edition, second issue copy of The Sea-Wolf, 1904, by Jack London is estimated at $4000-6000 in the Swann Galleries 19th & 20th Century Literature auction in New York on November 13.
Swann says it features “the extraordinarily rare dust jacket” – previously known only by rumour, and only one other copy is thought to exist.
The sale of nearly 300 lots includes first edition literary classics, scarcely seen dust jackets, deluxe sets and rare science fiction.
Perfect angle
This Fernand Martin toy Au Parfait Pecheur c.1908 is estimated at $7000-10,000 at Bertoia Auctions on November 10.
Toy specialist Bertoia Auctions of Vineland, New Jersey, offers this rare Fernand Martin toy Au Parfait Pecheur c.1908 in its sale on November 10.
‘The Perfect Fisherman’ includes an extraordinary clockwork action with the angler moving in forward and back fishing motion as well as side to side. In excellent condition (only the fish is a replacement), it is estimated at $7000-10,000.
