Building on the success of its transformative online marketplace, Lofty.com, the expert-vetted internet site for valuable fine arts, antiques and collectibles, announces its first auction of 2014, scheduled to go live at 6 p.m., EST, on Tuesday, February 25.

“The event is called The February Finds Auction of Fine & Decorative Art, and authenticity is guaranteed.” says Mark Lurie, the founder of Lofty.com, which he launched a year ago with the aim of completely reshaping the online marketplace for fine art and antiques. “We are happy to be accepting bids through Lofty.com Auctions, Invaluable/Artfact, LiveAuctioneers and EpaiLive, which is based in Beijing,” adds Lurie.  Lofty will also be accepting telephone bids.

As with previous Lofty auctions, all lots are viewable online. They have each been carefully vetted and chosen from an exemplary range of furniture, paintings, jewelry and other decorative arts, representing a cross-section of periods and styles. Lofty customers can bid with the assurance that every item has been evaluated by Lofty's scrupulously selected network of experts and is backed by a five-year Authenticity Guarantee.

Among the standout offerings in LOFTY's auction on February 25 are:

·       A mid-century Buccellati pendant of 18k yellow gold and rhodochrosite, with a back that shows a bird-faced man playing a mandolin.  (Estimate $3,000-$4,000; Lot 314)

·       A large patinated bronze figural group by Jean-Baptiste van Heffen (Belgian, 1840-1890). Titled La Surprise (Un Chien en Arrêt Devant une Tortue), the work depicts a hound and a tortoise and dates from 1869. The base is inscribed “JB Vanheffen” and “JB van Espen/fondeur en bronzes/Bruxelles.” It was cast after the public sculpture installed in the gardens of the Palais des Academies, Place des Palais, Brussels, and it measures 4½-by-5½ feet. (Estimate $10,000-$15,000; Lot 219)

·       A painting by Lewis Woods Teel (American, 1883-1948). The oil-on-panel is titled Autumn in McKittrick Canyon and dates from 1951. The work retains the artist’s original frame. (Estimate $3,000-$4,000; Lot 136)

·       An erotic box attributed to Bruno Zach (Vienna, 1891-1945), circa 1925. The lid on this cold-painted bronze work features a monkey and has a concealed opening that reveals a cavorting couple. (Estimate $1,500-$2,500; Lot 211)

·       A large Quezal art glass vase in the form of a Jack in the Pulpit, circa 1900, signed, with a gold face and a body with green, gold, and white feathering. (Estimate $6,000-$7,000; Lot 200)

·       Sonderjylland, designed by Carl Martin-Hansen, circa 1909-1925, a figural group from the Royal Copenhagen Danish National Costume Series. This polychrome painted work depicts three figures dressed in folk costumes. (Estimate $2,500-$3,500; Lot 205)

·       An oil-on-artist-board by Ernest Henry Pohl (American, 1874-1956) titled Snowy Range-Wyoming, early 20th century. (Estimate $3,000-$5,000; Lot 127)

·       A glass bouquet orb paperweight by Paul Stankard (American, b. 1943), signed internally and containing an elaborate bouquet of flowers and bees. (Estimate $1,500-$3,000, Lot 201).

·       Two Chinese ladies bangles made of carved white nephrite jade dating from the late Qing Dynasty, circa 1875-1900. (Estimate $750-$1,000; Lots 406 and 407)

·       A 14k yellow gold ring set with a natural conch pearl, natural freshwater pearls and diamonds, circa 1880-1900. (Estimate $6,000-$7,000; Lot 304)

Limited phone lines are available for each lot. Please call (646) 679-6510 or email Support@Lofty.com to secure a phone line.  Condition reports and additional information can be obtained by calling (646) 679-6510 or emailing Support@Lofty.com.