Geneseo, NY:   On March 29th, Cottone Auctions will be holding their annual Winter Fine Art and Antiques Auction offering 500+ lots in Cottone’s 6000 square foot gallery at 120 Court Street, Geneseo, NY. 

This important estate auction will include original paintings by noted listed artists, several Tiffany lamps, silver, sculpture, Asian art, antiquities, art glass, Oriental rugs and period furniture. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com (formerly Artfact.com).

Featured will be numerous pieces from the prominent estate of William Levine of Rochester, NY.  Levine was a businessman, philanthropist and avid modern art collector.

This collection of artwork is inclusive of two works by Pablo Picasso entitled “Tete de Buffon” and  ”Faunes et Chevre”.  ”Faunes et Chevre”, estimated at $60,000-$80,000, is a fine and rare example of a linocut.  Also by Picasso are two pieces of pottery that were produced in the 1950’s entitled “Woodcut in Lines” and “Engraved bottle”.  There is a bold original Gouache by Alexander Calder, numerous lithographs by Marc Chagall including “Vue Sur Notre-Dame” and “The Orange Tree”, two pieces by Joan Miro, one of which is an oversized color etching and aquatint, 45” x 29”, entitled “Le Permissionnaire”, a Jean Dufy gouache titled “Jazz Band” and a painting on linen by Ilya Bolotowski entitled “Abstract”.

Complementing these fine works is an array of antique and modern furnishings. Mid-century modern pieces by James Mont include a silver leafed console, a mirror, chair and table lamps.  Two fine examples of polished bronze sculpture by Kieff are also part of this impressive collection.

The auction is set to begin with a variety of art glass including studio Tiffany glass, Loetz, Arsall, Charder, Muller Freres and Steuben. Fine estate silver such as a Tiffany “Chrysanthemum” Sterling tea set, lighting, sculpture and decorative items will follow the art glass.  A Tiffany Studios “Daffodil” lamp along with a “Dogwood” pattern table lamp by Tiffany are features of this collection.

Other highlights include many fine oil paintings and works of art such as Felix Schlesinger’s (German 1833-1910) “Feeding the Rabbits”, a Hudson River landscape by Hamilton Hamilton (American 1847-1928) and an oil painting by Cornelius David Krieghoff (Canadian 1812-1872) of the Caughnawaga Indians which is estimated to sell between $30,000-$50,000.  Works by William Aiken Walker (American, 1838-1921) and Luther Emerson Van Gorder (American, 1857-1931) will also be sold in this auction. An original lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, c.1897, is expected to sell for upwards of $80,000.

From the Estate of Benjamin Buerk, Cottone will be offering an extensive collection of Russian Icons that were purchased throughout Buerk’s life.  Buerk was a businessman and long-time collector from Buffalo, NY.  The collection was mainly acquired through Sotheby’s and during travels abroad.

A bold example of American Craftsman pottery done by Frederick Walrath and an unusual quarter sewn oak bookcase by Limbert adorned with stained glass doors are featured in the Arts & Crafts category.

Highlighting the furniture in this auction is a stacked walnut mushroom table designed by Wendell Castle (American, B. 1932) which was purchased in 1977 directly from the artist.  Castle is often credited for being the father of the art furniture movement.

From the Americana collection is a 19th c. cigar store Indian which was featured in “Treasury of American Design” by Clarence P. Hornung; Image #140 & #143.  According to the National Gallery, the image was a watercolor rendering in 1935, done for the book as a part of the WPA Project.  The illustration can be found at the National Gallery.  The Indian is expected to bring between $30,000-$40,000.

These pieces will be sold along with nearly 500 other fine offerings from various private estates, collections and institutions on Saturday, March 29th, 2014 starting at 11:00am.  Preview will be available on Thursday the 27th from 12-5, Friday the 28th from 12-5, Saturday the 29th from 9:00-11:00 am and anytime by appointment.

For more information on Cottone’s fine art and antiques auction, check their website; www.cottoneauctions.com or contact Cottone Auctions at 585.243.1000.  

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