Gray’s Auctioneers hosts its Fine Art, Furniture and Decorative Arts Auction, taking place June 25, 2014 at 11:00AM, EST.  This auction offers an eclectic collection of fine art objects, including European and Modern Art, antique objects, and fabulous furniture. Live online bidding will be offered by liveauctioneers.com

Gray’s is excited to feature a rare 18th century German Jaeger rifle, lot 246.  Exquisite and unique, Jaeger rifles were commissioned by individuals, not mass produced. The fine craftsmanship and attention to detail makes this piece a rare treat of craftsmanship.  A bold statement of individuality, the rifle is highly decorated with scenes from the hunt, and ornate, naturalistic decorations of vines and foliage.  The lock plate is finely engraved with depictions of mounted horsemen with swords drawn in pursuit of hunting dogs and boar.  A highly unique and collectible piece, this is one of the only rifles by this maker to come up for auction.

Also from the 18th century, Gray’s is offering a French Verdure Tapestry Depicting an Exotic Bird within a Woodland Clearing, lot 311.   This tapestry is in fine condition, and features a bird gently posed within a woodland scene.  Animals and birds also grace four Japanese Metallic Thread Embroideries, from the Meiji Period, lots 176-179.  Complex embroideries of birds, tigers and people, speak to the skill of the embroiderer who brings these creatures to life as they dance and parade across the fabric. 

The Bear Hunters, lot 14, by Francois-August Biard (1798-1882), a French genre painter, is another noteworthy piece in the sale.  Baird’s works show a mastery of realism, and romanticism.  Biard, well-known for his work with the French court, depicts an arctic scene referencing the time he spent in as part of the Commision scientifique du Nord. With this group, artists traveled north recording the unique environments and activities of crews sent to explore the north by King Louis Philippe.  This painting, depicts men tangled in battle with a bear, placed in a snowy landscape, surely inspired by Baird’s travels with the commission.  The cold emotion of the environment, weds beautifully with the horrific scene, showing Baird’s mastery of composition and movement. Another object of note, on the lighter side, is Racing Schooners, attributed to Thomas Willis, lot 269.  With the mixture of media, the silk sails billow off the canvas of this timely summer nautical scene, against a painted, deep blue canvas backdrop of ocean and sky.

To round out the sale, Gray’s offers the work of Pablo Picasso, Sculpteur Avec Coupe et Modele Accroupi, lot 86.   An etching with the Vollard watermark, the work comes from the Vollard Suite, a set of 100 etchings Picasso created, and  exchanged with Vollard.  The series is considered by some to be the best example of etching work by the artist.

Gray’s Auctioneers welcomes bidders in person to preview the auction at our Cleveland showrooms June 19, 20,23, 24 from 11am-6pm, and Saturday, June 21, from 12pm-4pm.  The complete illustrated catalog can be found at GraysAuctioneers.com. Live, telephone, absentee and internet bidding is available with live online bidding also offered at LiveAuctioneers.com. Condition reports will be provided upon request.

Gray’s Auctioneers and Appraisers is the premiere auction house in Northern Ohio, holding live auctions every month, accepting consignments daily and offering complimentary valuations for the community every Friday by appointment. For more information please contact Serena Harragin at 216.458.7695, or by email at serena@graysauctioneers.com.