Auctions: appointments and bargains for everyone in the coming days (Oct. 23-Nov. 15)

We are kicking off today, on Windows on Art, a regular appointment that intends to take our readers to discover the world of auctions: approximately every twenty days we will propose the most interesting auctions on the national scene, with reports of the most interesting lots available from the most recognized auction houses among those operating in Italy, as well as the lots that are most appealing to a wide audience. So let’s start with the auctions that will be held in the coming days, from October 23 to November 15.

We start on Tuesday, October 23, with Gregory’s Modern and Contemporary Art auction. Among the most interesting lots are an Image by Ennio Morlotti (Lecco, 1910 - Milan, 1992) with an estimate of 12,000-30,000 euros and extensive bibliography and exhibition history (it is an oil on canvas signed and dated), a sculpture by Fausto Melotti (Rovereto, 1901 - Milan, 1986), Piastra, from 1965, in polychrome glazed ceramic, authenticated by the Fausto Melotti Archive and with an estimate of 1.400-3,000 euros, and a Still Life by Carlo Levi (Turin, 1902 - Rome, 1975), authenticated by the Carlo Levi Foundation, with estimate 1,700-3,000 euros. Among the interesting and more affordable works, Gregory’s offers a watercolor by Luciano Minguzzi (Bologna, 1911 - Milan, 2004), Untitled, with an estimate 350-500 euros (signed in the lower center), a ceramic by Carlo Zauli (Faenza, 1926 - 2002), Sfera in grès (estimate 400-800 euros).

October 23 is also the day of Boetto’sModern and Contemporary Art Auction. Starring a White Surface by Enrico Castellani (Castelmassa, 1930 - Celleno, 2017) with an estimate 100-130,000 euros, L’altra figura by Giulio Paolini (Genoa, 1940), included in the artist’s catalog raisonné and at auction with an estimate 150-230.000 euros, an oil on canvas Emerging by Emilio Vedova (Venice, 1919 - 2006) estimated between 15 and 20,000 euros, and a Female Figure by Enrico Baj (Milan, 1924 - 2003), included in the general catalog of the artist’s works and estimated between 25 and 28,000 euros. Among the more affordable lots are a Welcome à notre monde by Sebastian Matta (Santiago de Chile, 1911 - Civitavecchia, 2002), authenticated by the Matta Archive and estimated between 1,000 and 1,100 euros, and a ceramic by Stefano Arienti (Asola, 1961), Emozioni, estimated between 350 and 400 euros.

Pandolfini, on the other hand, offers two auctions of just a few lots but all of exceptional art-historical value. On Oct. 31, the auction Works of Exceptional Historical-Artistic Interest offers, among other works, a Madonna and Child by Francesco Francia (Bologna, 1450 - 1517), already known to Crowe and Cavalcaselle and notified by the ministry in 1988, with an estimate between 100 and 150,000 euros, and a Portrait of an Old Man in oil on paper by Marcantonio Bassetti (Verona, 1586 - 1630), with an estimate of 10 to 15,000 euros. Also on October 31, the auction Masterpieces from Italian Collections features one of the stars of this year’s market, Gerrit van Honthorst ’s Boy Blowing on a Candle by Gerrit van Honthorst (Utrecht, 1590 - 1656), an exceptional work by the Dutch master that the public was able to admire at the 2015 Uffizi monographic exhibition and that will go on auction with an estimate between 300 and 350,000 euros. Another painting of exceptional value is the View of the Tiber with Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s in the background by Gaspar van Wittel (Amersfoort, 1652/1653 - Rome, 1736), which will go to auction with an estimate between 500 and 800,000 euros.

Auction 851 Old Paintings and Furniture by Meeting Art will start on Nov. 1. Here we highlight two canvases by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta (a St. Philip Neri and a Madonna and Child, with auction bases of 10,000 and 20.000 euros), a Noah’s Sacrifice at the Exit from the Ark, an early work by Domenico Piola (Genoa, 1627 - 1703) with auction base 12,000 euros, and a rare Family of the Virgin Mary by Lattanzio Gambara (Brescia, 1530 - 1574) with auction base 18,000 euros. Among the cheaper offerings inexpensive, an 18th-century Piedmontese painting of a Coastal View with Fishermen and Sailors and a Coastal View with Tower and Sailboat (both base 500 euros), a 17th-century oval with Holy Family with St. John in an antique frame with base 500 euros, an antique copy of an original by Bartolomeo Schedoni depicting St. Sebastian (base 500 euros), and a 19th-century Russian icon depicting a Madonna of the Burning Bush, also with base 500 euros.

Jewelry lovers will find many interesting offerings at Finarte ’s Jewels, Watches and Silver Auction on Nov. 13: the auction’s number ones are the gold, diamond and natural sapphire ring estimated at 20-30,000 euros (auction base 18,000) and the vintage platinum and diamond bracelet with estimate 20-24,000 euros and auction base 18.000, but there is no shortage of less expensive lots: Art Nouveau dance carnets from the early 20th century (estimated 100-150 euros, base 80 euros), four silver napkin rings from the late 19th century (estimated 100-150 euros, base 70), an extravagant Italian silver handbag from the first half of the 20th century (estimated 150-200 euros, base 100), an English silver snuff box from 1791 (estimated 200-300 euros, base 150), and two watches from the 1750s, a Longines and a Zenith, both estimated 300-600 euros with base 300.

Also silver and ivories will go up forauction at Wannenes on Nov. 12, inauction 258 Silver, Ivories, Icons and Objects of Russian Art: among the lots noted is a very elaborate silver centerpiece with mirror made in London in 1873 by Elkington and co. (estimate 15-20,000 euros), while a cheaper icon with Baptism of Christ in silver and enamel made in Yaroslavl in 1839 by goldsmith M. Krivanogov will start from an estimate of 1,500 to 2,000 euros.

Finally, among the auctions whose catalog has yet to be released but which are still worth keeping an eye on, we suggestauction 259 European Ceramics by Wannenes (Nov. 13), Old Master Paintings by Pandolfini (Nov. 13), Collectible Silver by Cambi (Nov. 13) and Old Master Paintings by Cambi (Nov. 14).

Image: Gerrit van Honthorst, Boy Blowing on an Ashlar (c. 1615; oil on canvas, 97 x 71 cm)

Auctions: appointments and bargains for everyone in the coming days (Oct. 23-Nov. 15)

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