M.S. Rau Antiques returns to exhibit a "top picks" selection of prized European and American fine art, antiques, sterling silver, rare fancy colored diamonds, porcelain, as well as unique curiosities like a violano-virtuoso, at the upcoming Baltimore Summer Antiques Show this August.  M.S. Rau continues to be a prominent source for collectors, buyers and period experts from around the world, many of whom attend this show which is the country's largest indoor antiques show.

Hailed in the 1920s by German critics as the "Giotto of his time," German Expressionist painter Hermann Max Pechstein was considered one of the leading artistic talents during the early 20th century.  "Fishing Boats in the Afternoon Sun" is a stunning waterscape with sailboats on the banks of the Lebasee juxtaposed against a striking blue sky. Invigorating the composition with punctuations of a bright cerulean blue, water and sky are dissected by the sailboat masts, both real and reflected in the water, of the docked sailboats. ($1,850,000)   http://www.rauantiques.com/30-0414.html

Singled out by the U.S. government in 1909 as one of the eight greatest inventions of the decade, the Mills Violano-Virtuoso is undisputedly one of the most important and musical devices ever created.  Made with a finely tuned 64-note violin and 44-note piano, along with a cabinet holding 6 paper music roll, this incredible musical device can be played to perfection featuring many complex and up-tempo arrangements that most orchestras would not even attempt ($95,500).  

Standing at nearly three feet tall, this matching pair of late 17th-century Chinese Imari porcelain jars illustrate to perfection the technique of applying two layers of glaze.  The over glaze is red and gold and is a fanciful motif of winged creatures surrounded by foliage.  Underneath, the vivid blue under glaze peeks through and makes these two porcelain jars remarkable. Both jars have their original lids, which are topped by gilded "foo dogs" or Chinese guardian lions. These belonged to the Kangxi Emperor, who ruled from 1661-1722 ($228,500).

As fancy colored diamonds continue to increase in value and worth, M.S. Rau Antiques offers some of the world's most sought after fancy colored diamonds such this radiant-cut 7.09 carat fancy pink diamond which is set in platinum and 18K rose gold.  One of only a few rare colored diamonds in the world today, this stunning pink diamond is embellished with two white diamonds on either side and is rated VSI. ($3,950,000).  http://www.rauantiques.com/29-9429.html

Located in New Orleans historic French Quarter for more than 100 years, M.S. Rau Antiques has been the source for collectors and museums, as well as for those starting to collect, with its extensive offerings of fine art, antiques, decorative arts, estate jewelry, sterling silver and other rare memorabilia.  www.rauantiques.com