Cleveland, Ohio – (January 3, 2017) Starting off the new year with a catalogue of over 300 items, Gray’s Fine Art, Furniture and Decorative Art auction will be held January 18. The sale begins with a selection of contemporary and traditional fine art. At lot 1 the auction begins boldly with a large work by Edwin Mieczkowski (b. 1929). This untitled work is made of acrylic and wood. Mieczkowski studied and taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art. He is well known for his contributions to the Op-Art movement. A collection of traditional art includes lot 46, an oil painting by Ferdinand Burgdorff (1881-1975) that beautifully captures the light of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Several lots of large Tiffany style stained glass windows and doors from the early 1900’s begin at lot 129. Lot 130 is a beautiful group of four Chrysanthemum patterned stained leaded glass interior door panels. Lot 132 is a particularly fabulous set of 4 door panels, with a wisteria motif. These four doors were installed in a Rocky River, Ohio home built by the Cleveland architect and President of the Cleveland AIA Chapter, Gustave B. Bohm.  The doors were removed from the home before it was demolished. The Tiffany style glass leads the catalogue into the large collection of Waterford crystal, including lot 148, a collection of Waterford decorative and serving items.

Some fabulous silver collections can be found in this auction, such as lot 155, a Lunt sterling silver flatware service for 12, in the Modern Victorian pattern. This set is monogrammed, and comes in a Chinoiserie decoration flatware chest. Lot 159 is an International Sterling tea and coffee service, which includes a tray, coffee pot, tea pot, water pitcher, creamer, lidded sugar bowl and bowl, weighing approximately 168.85 ozt.

One especially unique item in this auction is lot 106, a signed John F. Kennedy letter post marked 1963. The two-page letter is addressed to Mr. Robert W. Brown Jr, the schoolboard chairman in Parma, Ohio. The letter speaks of civil rights and equal opportunity for education and employment, urging Mr. Brown to take part in a nation-wide effort to persuade young people to return to school in the coming fall.

The catalogue contains many articles of Asian decorative items and furniture. Lot 188 is a beautiful Chinese Chi’Fu or Formal Court Robe from the Qing Dynasty. The robe has an indigo ground with a total of nine gilt embroidered five-claw dragons on the front, back, and shoulders, and one dragon on the under flap. The dragons are chasing flaming pearls amidst clouds, bats and Buddhist emblems with Lishui stripe at hem with embroidered collar and cuffs.

Moving into furniture, lot 267 is an oak Welsh Dresser. This piece is estimated to be from the late 19th, early 20th century. Concluding the auction are several rugs including lot 301, a beautiful large Kashan wool and silk rug, measuring almost 12 x 9 feet.

Gray’s is open for in-person preview January 12-17; Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 12noon - 4pm. The auction starts at 11am EST on January 18 with live bidding provided by GraysAuctioneers.com. 

ABOUT GRAY’S AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS

Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers are Northern Ohio’s leading licensed auctioneers & appraisers of fine art, antiques, decorative arts, rare books, fine jewelry and antique rugs. A boutique auction house with over two decades of experience in the art business, the experts at Gray’s now offer traditional real estate services.  The specialists at Gray’s have worked with museums, educational institutions, corporations and private collectors to achieve the full value of their collections at auction. Gray’s auctioneers are licensed, insured and bonded in favor of the State of Ohio. Learn more at www.graysauctioneers.com

Media Contact

Serena Harragin | Gray’s Auctioneers – serena@graysauctioneers.com | 216-226-3300