Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Clarke Auction Gallery will offer a chock-a-block auction that has just the right “something special” for the special someone in your life who shares a passion for antiques on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 10 am.

“This auction is strong across the board and will include a number of fine and important pieces of art, sterling and jewelry, Asian arts, midcentury and decorative arts,” said owner and auctioneer Ronan Clarke. “Whether you are buying a gift for a loved one or adding to your own collections, we have a wide selection of choice antiques that will appeal to all tastes.”
The fine art offerings include select original paintings from Old Masters to contemporary artists ranging from a Lesley Dill (American, b 1950) copper sculpture, “Double Copper Poem,” ($3/5,000) coming out of a White Plains, N.Y., corporate collection and a Jihchin Wu (Taiwanese, b 1971) oil on canvas, “Neon Crowd” ($3/5,000), depicting pedestrians strolling a sidewalk on a rainy night, to the Old Master oil on canvas, “Cleansing of the Temple” ($1/1,500). There will also be a well-curated selection of prints, multiples and works on paper.
The selection of antiques and decorative arts will present Oriental carpets, bronzes, lighting, Continental and American furniture, and more. Buyers will find many appealing choices such as a large pair of French enameled faience, gold and platinum ground and Coraline decorated porcelain urns, 35 ½ inches tall ($8/12,000); a large bronze elephant figure standing 37 ½ inches tall, and a 24K gold lacquered Tabakobon with silver lids ($2/3,000).
Especially suited for gift giving, the sterling and jewelry selection will feature flatware, tea sets, sterling accessories, diamond jewelry, gold jewelry, and designer jewelry. Clarke’s jewelry offerings always rank high among its auctions’ top performers with jewelry specialist Whitney Bria, time and time again, ferreting out striking examples that buyers go ga-ga for.

“They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend and this auction offers plenty of choices of diamonds from several stunning engagement rings to diamond bracelets as well as striking sapphires, extravagant eternity bands, beautiful brooches, and glittering gold,” Bria said.

Planning to pop the question soon? Buyers can choose from a trio of engagement rings that are expected to lead the jewelry category this month, including a diamond and platinum ring set with a central 2.51-carat round brilliant cut diamond flanked by tapered baguettes ($20/25,000); a signed 18K yellow gold engagement ring with a central 1.25-carat round brilliant cut diamond flanked by pear-shaped diamonds ($9/11,000) and a platinum and diamond wedding set comprising a platinum and diamond engagement ring having a central 1.03-carat round brilliant cut diamond flanked by tapered baguettes ($6/9,000) and a platinum and diamond wedding band with a central straight baguette flanked by tapered baguettes.

Other jewelry highlights include a vintage 14K yellow gold articulated bracelet with textured finish and set with 10 bands of diamonds ($4/6,000), a ladies Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch ($1,5/2,500), a platinum ring set with a 5.71-carat Star sapphire flanked by six round cut diamonds ($1,5/2,500) and a Patek Philippe 18K gold watch face ($1/1,500) with silver dial and painted indexes.

If bling is not your thing, perhaps a spot of tea is called for and what better way to serve it than with an elegant English silver tea service? Among the silver standouts in this auction are a four-piece Walker & Hall service ($2,5/3,500) composed of a coffee pot, teapot, creamer, and sugar with serving tray; a CJ Vander service ($2,2/2,600) made up of of a teapot, coffee pot, creamer, sugar, and serving tray — all lidded items with carved wooden finials — and carved wooden handles on the tray and the two pots; and a mid-20th Century, five-piece service ($1,5/2,000) comprising a teapot, a coffee pot, kettle on stand, creamer, sugar, and lidded waste vessel — all with bunn feet and lobed detailed to lower half.

The Midcentury selection is rich in iconic and fine pieces by American and Italian designers from the 1950s to contemporary manufacturers. Reportedly one of the most comfortable chairs, a Hans Wegner “Mama Bear” chair ($1/1,500) in a multicolored upholstery, 41 inches tall, with matching ottoman is on offer. The ottoman has a metal “ILLUMS BOLIGHUS” label. Also crossing the block are an Eero Saarinen / Knoll Oval Tulip table and chairs set ($800-1,200) and a Paul Frankl for Johnson bedroom furniture set ($1/1,500).

Rounding out the auction will be a reticulated Yangcai double-walled vase ($1,5/2,000), a pair of Famille Jaune enamel altar vases ($1,2/1,800) and a 19th Century Continental antler decorated mirror ($1/1,500).

Clarke Auction Gallery is at 2372 Boston Post Road. For more information, www.clarkeny.com or 914-833-8336.