The Bay Area’s Best Source for Estate Auctions Announces The First Sale of 2012 on Saturday, January 7th at Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda

Alameda, CA (PRWEB) December 28, 2011

The sale is comprehensive, including Asian porcelains, ivory and jade carvings and Japanese lots; timepieces and gemstone jewelry; silver service pieces and Meissen porcelains. Fine works of art include paintings, European sculptures, prints, etchings and original animation. The January Estate Auction will deviate from our regular auction schedule this month only, held on Saturday the 7th in the main gallery located at 2751 Todd Street, Alameda, CA 94501.

The Jewelry Department features a cleverly designed Tiffany & Company brooch amongst its January estate offerings. Lot 113 is uniquely fashioned as a pinned wasp specimen. The wasps head is formed from a 4.00 mm pearl and the entire insect is then accented by rose-cut diamonds, set in 14k yellow gold ($ 1,000-1,500).

A sale highlight from the Asian offerings is lot 261, a Chinese famille rose porcelain pillow. Largely used in commercial opium dens, the opening allows items to be stored inside for safe keeping. Typically the smoker would put his wallet inside the pillow, push the open end against the wall, then lay on the smoking platform while resting his head upon the pillow. This way the smoker could recline into a state of intoxication while his belongings remained in a safe haven. The pillow for sale depicts beauties in vibrant garden scenes enjoying various leisure activities and displays an openwork ‘cash’ motif upon one end ($ 350-550).

A beautiful example of American Art Nouveau leaded glasswork is seen in lot 557 of the sale. The Duffner & Kimberly chandelier exhibits vine blooms in rich purple tones cascading down a subtly geometric background. The glasswork is set in a verdigris bronze patinated frame. Measuring approximately 26 1/2 inches in diameter and 9 inches in depth, the piece is highly collectable and substantial enough to illuminate an entire room ($ 6,000-8,000).

The fine art presentation includes a wide variety of artworks in the January sale, suitable to satisfy an assortment of buyers. Of note is lot 897, a classic and highly collectable John Taylor Arms etching of Amiens Cathedral gargoyles ($ 1,000-1,500) and a D.H. Chiparus bronze dancer sculpture in wonderful condition (lot 817, $ 600-900). Michaan’s Auctions is fortunate to have also acquired a pair of Paul Cadmus etchings from a local private estate (lot 867, $ 600-1,000). Rounding out the sale is a quintessential view of Monterey’s Big Sur in a Joseph Bennett oil (lot 833, $ 800-1,200) and an original Hanna Barbera Yogi Bear published comic illustration (lot 920, $ 600-800).

The illustrated auction catalog will be on-line for review at http://www.michaans.com. Previews open at Michaan’s Auctions on January 1 and continue on the 6th and 7th. For more information please visit our website or call the front desk at (510) 740-0220.

About Michaan’s Auctions

Michaan’s Auctions is one of the leading full service auction houses on the West Coast. Specializing in the appraisals and sale of antiques and fine art, Michaans has specialists in the fields of Furniture and Decorative Arts, Modern, Contemporary Art, European and American Paintings and Prints, Jewelry, Asian Works of Art and Ethnographic Art. Offering free art appraisal, antique appraisal, estate auctions and specializing in the sale of art and antiques and other fine collectibles.

Established in 2002, Michaan’s Auctions holds up to thirty sales each year attracting a broad base of buyers and consignors from all over the world. With one of the largest facilities in Northern California and the Bay Area’s lowest buyers premium Michaan’s offers buyers and sellers the opportunity to preview and bid on many unique and desirable property. Some of these pieces realized world record prices. In 2005 A.D.M. Cooper’s oil painting, Three Graces 1915, sold for a record $ 21,060 and an Eduard Gaertner oil, German City Street Scene 1831,sold for $ 266,000.

Michaan’s has built its reputation on its ability to accept single items, groups or entire estates with its “no risk consignment policy” free of hidden fees and charges. Michaan’s specialists are dedicated to staying current on the latest issues and developments in the market and are committed to providing personalized and professional attention throughout the entire auction process.

For a full listing of upcoming auctions or to view a complete catalog, please visit http://www.michaans.com.

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