The Lure of Maritime Treasures

The sea and its sense of mystery is an enigma all its own.  From discovery and faraway places to pirates and sunken treasures, the sea has long held a sense of mystery.  

Perhaps, the enigma of the deep blue has driven collectors to seek history.  No matter what the reasons, finding rare maritime objects yield excitement as well as satisfaction.  From original remnants of old ships and the precise navigational instrument - to fine maritime paintings and every imaginable maritime memorabilia - acquiring rare and unique objects add interest to a nautical themed home décor, or as a unique-stand-alone piece.



Bonham's presents these unique items for auction in June:

MAHOGANY AND BRASS TUFTED LEATHER DECK CHAIR

Via bonhams.com/auctions/20970

 

A BRITISH WOOLWORK PICTURE OF A SHIP

Via bonhams.com/auctions/20970

 

19TH C. LARGE CASED MODEL OF THE SCHOONER "ENCHANTRESS" NEW YORK

Via danielsteinantiques.com

PAIR OF 19TH C.  DUTCH DEFT BLUE AND WHITE PLATES FEATURING NAUTICAL SCENE

Via franywaide 

BLOWN GLASS BOTTLE FEATURING NAUTICAL MOTIF

Via empireantiques

RARE 18TH CENTURY SHIP WINCH

Via westerhoffantiques

Creating Visual Wonder in Your Garden

Celebrating iconic design for home and garden

Build your style legacy with an iconic piece


Dramatic design makes this superb bench simply unforgettable.  This imposing Renaissance style limestone garden bench yields visual wonder, making it a perfect focal point to enhance a garden setting. This  extraordinary semi-circular bench could still be acquired just in time for the holidays.

Bonhams.com

The Return of Orientalism

Artwork of the Day, Bouguereau, Marchande de grenades
19th Century European Art Auction | Orientalist painting

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905)
Student of Francois-Edouard Picot (François-Edouard Picot) (1786-1868)

 

'Marchande de grenades'

45½ x 35 in. (115.6 x 88.9 cm.) 

Estimate (Set Currency)
$2,500,000 - $3,500,000

www.christies.com/salelanding/index.aspx?intSaleID=2357

William Bouguereau is unquestionably one of history's greatest artistic geniuses. In the 1870s, Bouguereau painted a small number of Orientalist
works of which the present lot is arguably the most sophisticated example.  Having already made a name for himself with his poignant portraits of the
French peasantry, Bouguereau began experimenting with Eastern subjects in 1870 with Jeune fille orientale. Bouguereau's careful attention to the
young woman's gleaming jewelry, intricate vest, delicately tied sash and draped fabrics, shows the artist reveling in the possibilities offered by this
new foreign subject. He wasn't just the best ever at painting fine details, more importantly, he captured the tender and subtlest nuances of personality
and mood. Yet, it would be another five years before Bouguereau returned to painting the East with L'Orientale à la grenade. In this later work,
Bouguereau eliminated all contextual details and instead focused just on the figure of what is most likely an Egyptian girl. The girl's intended
ethnicity is suggested only by her elaborate silver jewel.

'L'ORIENTALE À LA GRENADE' (GIRL WITH A POMEGRANATE)

23 1/2 by 18 in.   59.6 by 45.7 cm

SOLD. 2,322,500 USD  (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

Earlier this year,  L'Orientale à la Grenade (1875), a portrait of a turbaned young woman with a pomegranate— an Orientalist subject
likely inspired by artifacts and second-hand reports, since the artist never traveled to the Middle East—sold for $2.3 million, considerably
more than its $700,000 pre-sale high estimate.  The picture was once in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago (from 1900 to 1907)
and most recently exhibited at  Portland, OR Art Museum.

www.zcollector.com