Christie’s announced the upcoming Antiquities sale, to be held on 29 April 2010. The first Christie’s sale composed by Georgiana Aitken since her appointment as head of the Antiquities department in November 2009 is set to excite international collectors and connoisseurs as well as institutions with many important, rare and museum quality pieces. The sale will comprise approximately 350 lots, including sculpture, vases and bronzes as well as a selection of ancient jewellery. Estimates range from £500 to £400,000 and the sale is expected to realize in the region of £2.5-3.5 million.

Leading the sale is an important Roman marble statue of a young satyr with a panther from the late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D. (estimate: £400,000-600,000), formerly in the collection of the celebrated and controversial French novelist, diplomat and defender of gay rights Roger Peyrefitte (1907-2000). An outspoken and flamboyant character, Peyrefitte courted scandal, and in his book Les Clés de Saint Pierre, openly attacked the Vatican and Pope Pius XII. Acquired by Peyrefitte in the 1960s and published in his collection catalogue, Un Musée de l’amour, this statue is one of a handful of known examples after the 4th century B.C. original by Praxiteles, the most famous example of which is the ‘leaning satyr’ in the Museo Capitolino, Rome.

Another sculpture featured in the sale which shows influences from the work of Praxiteles is a beautifully sculpted Roman marble torso of Aphrodite, circa 1st century A.D., formerly in a 19th Century Swiss private collection (estimate: £180,000-220,000) – the goddess was adapted from the semi-draped ‘Arles’ Aphrodite of the 4th century B.C. The depression on her left hip suggests the presence of a strut to hold her left arm which would have come across the front of her body – a similar pose to that of the Townley Aphrodite now on display in the British Museum, London.

Christie’s will also be auctioning The Gil and Myrna Goldfine Collection of 4th Century B.C. South Italian vases. Formed over the last thirty years, the fifty-eight lots included in the sale are noteworthy for their uniqueness and charm. One example from the collection, the fish plate (estimate: £4,000-5,000), is so named because of the usual decoration of this type of vessel which includes various fish and marine creatures. The small depression in the centre of the plate is designed to hold oil or sauce.

Further important works featured in the sale include a Roman marble bust of a satyr, circa 1st-2nd century A.D. which was previously part of the famed Castellani Collection (estimate: £80,000-120,000); a Roman marble portrait bust of a boy, circa A.D. 100-130 (estimate: £80,000-120,000); an Attic red-figure vase by the Berlin Painter, circa 470 B.C. (estimate £70,000-90,000); an Achaemenid rod-formed glass kohl vessel, circa 5th-4th century B.C. (estimate: £8,000-10,000); a Roman snake-thread green glass beaker from the Rhineland (estimate: £60,000-80,000), a Greek agate ram’s head (estimate: £40,000-60,000) and a private European collection of Mycenean pottery and Greek bronzes.

Image: Fish plate. Estimate: £4,000-5,000. Photo: Christie’s Images Ltd 2010

This classic 1960s piece of Charles Schultz cartoon Americana has sold at Heritage

We recently reported on a Charles Schulz sketch of his rarely-drawn Peanuts character, Linus Van Pelt, which is available on the market priced $1,995.

But now an original Peanuts sketch – featuring the strip’s famous anthropomorphic dog, Snoopy – has sold for much more.

Entitled Snoopy Vs the Red Baron, the Sunday original comic strip from July 31, 1966, features Snoopy’s famous ongoing battle with his imaginary foe, the Red Baron.

“My son Monte claims to have been the one who gave me the idea for Snoopy chasing the Red Baron in his World War One flying gear while atop his Sopwith Camel doghouse,” Schulz himself once recalled.

“I, of course, deny that he actually gave me the idea, but I admit that he inspired it, for at the time he was very much involved with building plastic models of World War One airplanes.”

Whoever thought of it, the idea of Snoopy Vs the Red Baron created a national sensation which spread like wildfire, even resulting in a novelty pop record.

Measuring 22.5 x 15 inches, and matted and framed to an overall size of 29.5 x 22 inches, this classic piece of 1960s Americana sold for a remarkable $101,575 at Heritage Auction Galleries on February 25.

The strip’s first panel is inscribed and signed, “To Phil with friendship – Charles Schulz.”

According to Heritage, the strip was consigned from an Important California Collection.

About Paul Fraser Collectibles:

Paul Fraser Collectibles offers a unique high-end collectibles news service, focusing on historic items with interesting stories.

Recent sales include Robert Burns’ personal Bible & George Washington’s earliest known signature.

Current stock items include BUZZ ADLRIN’S SIGNED APOLLO 11 TRAINING SUIT and HENRY VIII’S PERSONAL DIVORCE PLEA.

For further information: Contact info@paulfrasercollectibles.com or telephone +44 (0) 117 933 9503

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Townhouse Galleries announces that is will now be the North Alabama retail location for Stickley Furniture. Townhouse Galleries is a 4th generation family owned and operated business with locations in Huntsville and Decatur. The decision to bring Stickley to North Alabama was one based on the commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Stickley furniture has been made in the United States since 1900. Stickley pieces represent more than just a piece of furniture they carry with them family stories and experiences. Pieces purchased today are often coined “tomorrows antiques”. The furniture is crafted in a way that is rarely seen in today’s disposable products, truly setting it above many of the rest.

“We are happy to be able to represent such an amazing American company”, said Doug Owens, Townhouse Galleries Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “We’ve had a great response so far. It seems that customers understand the Stickley difference.”

Townhouse Galleries will be offering a special promotion during the month of March to celebrate this exciting new line. For more information visit our website: www.townhousegalleries.com.

The new Community Center in Chatham, Virginia is located in the center of Historic Chatham (115 S. Main St.) and will be hosting its First Annual Antique Show. Due to the weather, the show date had to be changed and will be held on March 13, 2010. There will be something for everyone including glassware, furniture, oriental rugs, china, primitives, jewerly and art.

The town plans to fill the shopping event gaps in the winter and summer so antique enthusiast have something to look forward to. Chatham is centrally located to other antique hot spots such as Roanoke, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro.

This first show will be limited to the indoor comfort of the center; however, the summer show will include an antique car show, the local produce market, outdoor flea market and antique street venders.

Many dealers as well as shoppers have been looking for an event during the so called “off peak” season, as the love of the “sport” is never turned off. This is the time to get in on the ground floor of an event that the town hopes to turn into a mini Hillsville. The first dealers reserving space will have the opportunity to be in on the planning of future shows. For further information, or dealer sign up call the director at (434) 432-3115 or Warren Landis at (434) 432-1133.

In the mean time come visit our site for the Year End Close-Out Sale going on now. It will give you an idea of what is in store at the show. www.AntiqueJewelryCollectibles.com

On Monday, March 1st at 6:00 pm, Clarke Auction will sell 360+ lots with heavy concentrations in Midcentury Modern; Asian Antiques and Antiquities; and Decorative Arts from Meissen, Lalique, Cartier, Steuben, and Baccarat.

Midcentury Modern includes pieces by the notorious James Mont from a Larchmont estate; a possibly Kagan sideboard; an unidentified but exceptional quality midcentury dining suite from a Greenwich estate; a large Heywood Wakefield bedroom set in great condition; a collection of Argenta porcelain, a leather Plycraft chair by Herman Miller and a 1970’s Italian lacquered couchs and loveseats with original leather upholstery.

From a Larchmont estate, a large collection of Asian Ceramics, Bronzes, and decorative pieces will be offered including an Ivories Collection, signed Chinese Bronzes, Asian antiquities, Cloisonne and Cinnabar Vases, Contemporary Chinese Oils, Lighting, and Antiquities.

Silver, a Clarke strength, features a heavily chased Jacobi & Jenkins sterling pitcher; a large Tiffany Sterling and Enameled Centerpiece; Sterling from Garrard & Co, and other Tiffany pieces.

Decorative Arts includes a large estate collection of Lalique, Steuben and Cartier Glass; Baccarat and Hawkes Crystal Stemware, Murano Red and Gold-Flecked Stemware; Ginori, Lenox, Russian, Spode, Royal Worcester, Wedgwood, and Royal Copenhagen china services; Vintage Oyster Plates, Meissen figurines, Gouda pottery, and more. Of special interest is a pair of gilt-bronze French animalier candlesticks signed Cain.

Fine art includes midcentury works by Walter Hahn, Robert Andrew Parker, and Stamos; a collection of c.1990 Russian oils; 1966 erotic silkscreens by Bob Stanley; two great pieces of older illustration art; an unsigned oil in the style of Hopper, an Old Master in the style of El Greco; and two large signed Chinese contemporary oils. Sculpture includes a large unsigned bronze figural fountain as well as a large Chinese bronze figural group.

Antique and Fine Furniture incudes a magnificent satinwood dining suite including marble topped sideboards, a Kittinger dining table and china cabinet and other possibly Kittinger pieces; Boulle-style marble-topped commodes, American Empire chest, and other pieces.

Musical instruments include a German violin appraised as early 19th Century by H.R. Knopf himself in 1907, along with a H.R. Knopf New York bow. The sale also features a c.1961 Gibson electric guitar

“This sale has great Midcentury Modern, Asian Antiques and Ceramics, and Listed Fine Art, and is especially strong in the Decorative Arts, notes Ronan Clarke, founder and owner. “if you are a collector, a dealer, or a first-time auction-goer, it’s a great sale to check out.”

Onsite Previews Saturday-Sunday-Monday, February 27, 28 and March 1st, 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm.
Full catalogue at www.ClarkeNY.com

Clarke Auction Gallery, Westchester’s Premier Auction Gallery, conducts catalogued sales monthly featuring distinctive fine and decorative arts, antiques, exceptional furniture, oriental rugs, sterling silver and mid-century modern. For further information, please contact us at (914)833-8336 or ccauctiongallery@aol.com