An important and exclusive selection of decorative art and sculpture will highlight the sale early on September 7th at Clarke Auction.

Rare and exquisite bronzes will be featured first, including a Pytor Samanov (b.1863) bronze of a man on horseback, entitled “Cossack Smoking a Pipe.” The important work by Samanov is inscribed “Sculp. Samanof” on the base with the foundry mark from C.F. Woerffel, and will exhibit an estimate of $8,000/$10,000.

Modernist figural bronzes will also be featured by New York based artist Benton Selzer. Directly from the artist’s estate, the bronze sculpture offerings include a magnificent pair of Icarus figures in a blue/green outdoor patina. The contortion of these figures, as well as those that follow in the sale by Selzer, boast an obvious understanding of human anatomy and an appreciation of the projection of emotion and action through a body's movement. One of the two is inscribed and dated ’92 with an edition marking of 2/5. The two will be lotted together at an estimate of $1,000/$1,500.  

Another single Selzer bronze of a kneeling woman with tether and scaffold on base, inscribed and dated ’88 with edition 1/6, will be sold at an estimate $600/$900, as will another single figure in brown patina titled “Woman IX” with base plaque.

Besides figural sculptures, the bronze medium may be most importantly represented in two lots by famed artist Pierre Fernandez Armand. Armand’s polished brass violin sculpture and polished brass instrument coffee table base are two of the most highly anticipated decorative works in the sale. The cross section instrument sculptures are each estimated at a conservative $6,000/$9,000. The artistic quality and craftsmanship, along with the appeal of music and abstraction make either of these pieces a must have for collectors.

The decorative selection continues with more sculpture including a 1929 (?) signed Chaim Gross figure of a woman to be offered at $3,000-$5,000, a signed and mysterious Darnat bronze of a seated nude on a base estimated $2,000/$3,000, an abstract stone female torso for $800/$1,000, a bronze torso of a woman for $1,000/$1,500, and a horse’s head garden sculpture in stone at $1,000/$1,500. There are many other pieces that have important artistic and historical significance. The catalog should be checked repeatedly leading up to the sale to grasp the full scope of the items available.

Sterling silver and jewelry selections will also make the September 7th sale at Clarke one of the best of the season. Some incredible sterling silver lots include lots of flatware services, tea sets, miscellaneous bowls, hollowware, and more.

The sterling flatware services include a Frank Smith “Woodily” pattern service estimated $2,200/$2,500, two Wallace “Grand Baroque” sets ($1,600/$2,000 and $2,000/$2,500), and a Gorham “Sovereign” service ($1,700/$2,000).  There will also be a wonderful selection of individual bowls including Cartier, and five Tiffany & Co silver bowls.

Additonal important tea sets will be offered including a German four piece set estimated $900/$1,000, a Reed & Barton “Colonial Grace” set ($1,000/$1,500), and an exquisite Fisher “Violet” set ($4,000/$5,000).

Jewelry may prove even more successful than an already promising sterling selection. The top jewelry preview highlights will include many spectacular bracelets, watches, rings, necklaces, and more.

Bracelet and watch items include an 18kt gold and ruby bracelet ($1,-00/$1,500), a 14kt Baume + Mercier gent’s watch ($1,200/$1,500), a ladies 18kt Geneve watch ($800/$1,200), a 14kt yellow gold ladies Omega watch ($1,200/$1,500), and a gorgeous antique French diamond, ruby, and pearl bracelet ($1,500/$2,500).

The most important necklace in the sale is a featured Italian 18kt gold and lapis necklace with central Maya head estimated at a conservative $4,000/$5,000 estimate.

Other especially fine jewelry lots include a platinum and diamond brooch ($2,000/$3,000), a diamond, sapphire and 18kt gold cocktail ring ($2,000/$3,000), a platinum, diamond, and blue star sapphire ring ($2,500/$3,500), a gold and emerald ring ($1,500/$2,500), several gold and/or diamond rings at $1,000/$1,500 estimates, and much more.

Asian specialities will also be hot in September, and will include ancestral portraits and artwork, porcelain including sang de boeuf, celadon, blue & white, famille noire, famille verte, carved coral, carved figures, cinnabar, bronze, jade, furniture, Asian modern and more.

Condition report Inquiries at info@clarkeny.com

Consignment inquiries for September 28th, 2014 sale at sell@clarkeny.com

In house previews will be held Friday and Saturday, September 5th and 6th from 12pm to 6pm EST. Previews will continue day of sale, Sunday September 7th from 10am to 12pm EST (start of sale).