items of Value Inc

     Items of Value is proud to have been selected to do this 6-day sale.  It will run from Thursday, 01 October, through Tuesday, 06 October.  We have been asked to sell the artwork and collections of a person who lived in and filled this house over 40 years, then moved to another house and is filling that one with items she enjoys.  Know as you enter the premises that the house was designed by Alfred Kasner (1901-1975), born and educated in Germany, who came to the United States in the 1930s.  He was an architect and city planner.  In this house, he enjoyed creating coffered ceilings in the entryway and dining room, vertical metal bars up the staircase and balcony railing, 2 stories of glass in the back.  He even painted an image of a circular staircase and tree branches on the wall of the staircase.  By the way, you can buy or rent the house, too.

     First and foremost in the sale are two large and magnificently framed 19th century portraits of Zachary Taylor and MG William J. Worth.  At the other extreme of the timeline is a large (20"h x 16"w) enamel of children playing by Max Karp (1918-1999), this one done in the 1960s, plus an early small colored glass bowl by Chihuly.  In between are oil paintings from Europe and the U.S., mostly 20th century, 1920s watercolors and engravings, pastels.  You will find small inviting outdoor scenes by Van Sweringen, a busy 19th century European town square (33"h x 35"w) by Herbrurugen,  a large (45"h x 45"w) unframed Swiss (?) portrait of young woman seated outdoors, a smaller serene (20"h x 30"w) scene of swan and ducks in a pond by Carl Rodeck.  The oldest items are probably the 17th century Burmese jar and handpainted vellum music page, followed by the finely detailed Mughal paintings on paper.

     You will find some vintage Russian items including a matched pair of round gilt silver trays, matrioska doll, and more modern Khokloma ware candlesticks and handpainted lidded box.  You will also discover a small selection of antique British figurines and a carved soapstone figural table lamp, white-on-blue jasperware dome lid, 19th century European boxes, plaster cast dogs.  Note especially the figurine of a girl looking up at a dog and saying "Can't you talk?"  On a larger scale is the Roger's three people grouping titled "Matter of Opinion".

     For those of you who have a strong classical taste in art, you might want to take home the fine copy of Raphael's "Madonna della seggiola" (original from 1514), this round version missing the oil lamp.  Auguste Moreau made many bronze of standing young females.  We have one for you which has the roundel mark in back, indicating that it is a period piece.  You may also like the early 19th century painting of sailing ships. If you are looking for a "pretend" ancestor, you will like one of the large framed 19th century female portraits hanging in various rooms of the house.  We have generated a list of all of major artists represented in this collection along with their artwork, citing unframed dimensions.  You may email us to obtain this inventory by email or fax beginning on Friday, 25 September.  Please do not call because we are overwhelmed with phone calls.  Thanks.

       A major collection is Roseville pottery.  You will find shelves of it in the living room, dining room, and second floor balcony.   Other pottery includes Asian jars and sculptures.  An American 19th century Roger assemblage of people is on a pedestal between a 19th century cabinet and a 20th century oak china cabinet.  A second smaller multicolor one sits on the bench in the dining room. In the oak china cabinet you will find vintage Waterford crystal stemware.  Look for the wire sculpture of a matador and bull.  Also look for the pink marble carving of people that you would like to touch all over to feel its smoothness.  A marble bust of President Roosevelt is nearby as is a modern Buddha print.  On top of a bookshelf in the entryway is a dark green glazed Thai-style bodhisatva, near a rather tall white Quanyin.  Where will you find Mozart's bust?

     Collecting interests included African and Inuit art, of which you will sense the dramatic impact of the large piece of a man killing a bear and a grotesque mask.  A woven red jacket, either Asian or Tibetan, fills a frame in the downstairs gallery, while two 17th century framed maps hang on the wall there, one of "Wolanvs" by J. Blaeu, the other of "Harlingensis", also by Blaeu.  A third map of 17th century Toledo you will find on one of two white marble-top tables in the dining room.  You will at least find it intriguing that the large black monochrome print etching of a city hall with tower is done on silk, by Camille Fonce.  There are so many framed paintings and prints that we have had to stack them on shelving in the lower floor gallery.  While you are there, you might study and decide to purchase the Art Nouveau sculpture of a young  female nude running after a fawn, the pair of carved marble column table lamps, or the "mid-century modern" kneehole desk.

      Three showcases packed with costume jewelry and other small items await you in the living/dining areas.  You book lovers will surely find several books to buy and take home among the many topics represented on the seven bookshelves on two floors.  If you need a bookcase, this is your chance to select among several sizes.  Or, you might prefer the 19th century American walnut secretary bookcase with its two glazed doors over cubbyholes, flip-top writing board, and lower cupboard.  This is also a unique opportunity to buy FINE table lamps.  You will find a tall matched pair of  later 20th century Venetian/Murano glass post lamps, a third in green-lined glass, two tall clear crystal cylinders, two carved and colored marble column lamps.  The tall floor lamps with Tiffany-style colored glass shades are reproductions, but they add charm to the rooms.  You might like one in your home.  The two black pottery "Southwest" jars are marked on the bottoms "Lazaro Ozuho" and "Lucie Lote".

     Small collections continue with 4 guitars (student caliber),  handpainted and printed collector plates,  buddhas of various materials, vintage clear crystal goblets as well as colored stemware, Hummels, Lladro.  The 19th century reproduction Renaissance ebonized oak cabinet commands attention in the dining room as well as the large rectangular wood carving outdoor scene with people under looming overhead trees from Indonesia.  You might particularly like the silverplate tea set because it is arranged on an unusual serving tray having black surface and large chamfered corners.  Another unique item in this sale is the miniature armoire.  In what room is the antique wool winder?  Where is the American quilt hanging?  Enjoy the embroidered silk yardage as well as the hanging scroll depictings two monkeys at play.

     As you enjoy walking through the rooms, be sure to look down at the vintage Asian rugs of various sizes.  After a good washing, they will be ready for your enjoyment in your home.  Two quasi-triangular plate glass tables on chrome legs show beautifully on them.  Too bad one is chipped, but it is available at a low price.  Another fine item is the stone disk on stand that sits on the white Asian-style cabinet at the large window in the living room.  A smaller version is on the mantle.  One of the antique clocks is nearby as well as two pieces of modern red clay sculptures.  Think what you would put in the large clear glass punch bowl there if you purchase it.  Take a few seconds to observe the sunlight showing through a heavy cut crystal vase with etched giraffe group.

      Other items might  add character to one of your rooms, like the large pair of brass wall lights.  If you would like an exotic mid-century look, buy the 4' high white plastic calla lily lamp.  It reminds me of a similar flower in a Georgia O'Keeffe painting.  You could stand it on the floor, on a pedestal, or table.  If you prefer VERY FINE paintings, you might take home the painting of a reclining female nude (14"h x 19"w) by William Etty, for which we have documented authentication.  If you love it, but cannot afford it, you might find the small framed pastel of Venice (4"h x 5") more suitable.  Of particular interest to collectors of regional painters, look at Ernest Pohl's "Mission Valley" [California].  By contrast is the Russian winter scene of a person walking down a village street in the snow, and the set of three pen and ink street scenes by C. Mary Dull (Scottish?), also the pastel of a church in Blair, Scotland.  If any of you collect Mughal art, we have three exceedingly fine detailed small paintings awaiting you.  Three of them depict people bordered at the top and two sides by roundel portraits of turbaned males.  

     The dramatic colors of three paintings may make a statement in your home.   One is an unframed Russian abstract with cat and flowers, presently hanging on the south wall of the living room leading to the dining room.  Another depicts a bird and a goat among horizontal bars of color, dated 1989, by Cataman Neto (?).  A third depicts a female with bowl on her head on the right, another in the middle, and an Aztec mask on left.  More abstract paintings include one of a pianist and cellist by Carter.  A very rare item is the 17th (?) century 5-stave music page painted on vellum.  This an exceedingly FINE display piece.  The elaborately decorated first letter as well as the vertical band on the left are exquisitely done.

      Due to the enormous quantity of items in this sale, we are conducting it over six consecutive days, beginning Thursday, 01 October, and continuing through Tuesday, 06 October.  Hours are 8am-4pm each day.  After the first day, when items are offered at full price, we will discount 15% per day, down to 75% off the last day.  So, you will have opportunities to buy what "you can't live without" on one day, and return for your other choices on following days.

    We apologize in advance for mistaken identities of artists.  We are still cataloguing them and sometimes trying to decipher their signings in order to determine who they are.  You might recognize some and can help us out.

     Please remember to wear a mask while in the house and respect the mandated "social distance" of six feet apart.  We are limiting the number of people in the house at any given time, so please be patient while waiting outside.  You can enjoy the plantings, statuary, and fountains in the front yard, some of which may be for sale.

QUIZ QUESTION:  The flag in our lead photo is of what city?  How do you explain the fleur-de-lis in it?  When you find out, you will have learned a little more history not only of the place but of the country it is located in -- very interesting.