Works by some of the world’s most famous artists, along with a rare collection of artifacts and furniture that span the globe and the centuries, will be presented by Garth’s Auctions Inc. at its Fine & Contemporary Arts Auction.

Among highlighted items at the auction, July 23 and 24, will be lithographs by Pablo Picasso, etchings by Salvador Dali and a photo collage by Robert Rauschenberg. The auction also will include almost 800 other items, from Herman Miller clocks to 18th century Samurai armor to a baby grand piano.

But despite the A-list names, the auction is designed to appeal to the serious collector as well as the beginner treasure hunter, with bids for items expected to range $150 to $20,000. One of the Picasso lithographs – Le Visage – is anticipated to draw bids of $300 to $600, for instance.

“As opposed to the highly focused auctions that were all the rage a few years back, our ‘general’ Fine & Contemporary Arts Auction aspires to appeal to collectors of all types,” said Amelia Jeffers, President of Garth’s Auctions. “We want to be inclusive, from the serious collector looking for rare examples of important art and artifacts to the weekend collector who is focused on form and function.”

Other featured items to be auctioned include:

16th century Chinese carved ivory: Modeled after one of the famed Nine Dragons Walls, complete with peaked tiled roof, carved dragons, a flaming sun disk and foo dogs. Estimate $6,000 to $9,000.

Andy Warhol-signed Campbell’s Soup label: Actual label from a can of Campbell’s crispy Spanish-style vegetable soup. One of 150 the artist signed. Matted and framed. Estimate $400 to $800.

German ivory diptych dial: Made in Nuremburg, Germany, and signed in 1652 for Leonhart Miller, whose works have also been auctioned at Christie’s. Includes gnomon pin, zodiac symbols and compass well. Estimate $1,500 to $2,500.

Portrait of Mrs. Beaumont and child: Oil on canvas attributed to George Romney (English, 1734-1802). While unsigned, the piece carries an extraordinary provenance traced to William Earle Bulwer (1757-1807) of Hayden Hall, Norfolk, England. Estimate $10,000 to $20,000.

Japanese walking skeleton: Ivory, wearing a water lily hat and carrying a selection of masks and skulls on a branch over his shoulder. Signed. Estimate $1,500-2,500.

The auction also will include furniture from all over the world, Persian rugs, sculptures and a selection of snuffboxes. It will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 23, at 2690 Stratford Road, Delaware, Ohio. Previews will be offered the full week leading to the event, beginning at 10 a.m. For more information and to see the complete, full-color catalog of the auction, visit http://www.garths.com.

The July 23-24 auction will be followed by Garth’s Eclectic sale on Friday, Aug. 6, which will feature a large selection of American, European and Asian furniture, art, pottery, porcelain, glass, lighting and clocks. Garth's is also accepting consignments for its fall and winter auctions, including the Annual Labor Day Americana Auction and the 50th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Americana Auction.

Parties interested in consigning should contact Jeff Jeffers or Andrew Richmond at 740.362.4771 or info@garths.com

Session One:
Friday, July 23, 2010 ~ 2:00 PM, lots 1 - 400

Session Two:
Saturday, July 24, 2010 ~ 10:00 A.M., lots 401 - 799

Preview Times:
Monday - Wednesday, July 19 - 21 ~ 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Thursday, July 22 ~ 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Friday, July 23 ~ 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Saturday, July 24~ 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.