The start of a new year is a great time to reflect and pay homage to the past. Clarke Auction's first sale of the year on January 6th, at 2pm, offers the chance to not only admire history, but own it as well.

                One of the featured lots, an antique Japanese suit of armor on a wooden stand, is an exemplary piece of historical and artistic importance. The piece is dated to the late 17th or early 18th century and includes a metal lacquered and fabric chest protector emblazoned with a red dragon , an original helmet, and a face mask. The piece comes with wooden stand that gives the ensemble a realistic stance.

                Another historical and culturally important piece is a rare Bodhisattva figure measuring nearly five feet high. The figure is seated with one crossed leg and the figure is holding a Ruyi scepter in one arm. Much of the original paint has faded, leaving the figure with a remarkably delicate face that set it apart from other Buddha figures seen recently at auction. An old appraisal of the piece dates it to the Ming Dynasty.

                The bronze selection also houses rare and historically relevant pieces. They include an A. Vanetti signed bronze figural grouping of a soldier on a horse kissing a maiden. The bronze is on a custom marble base signed "Bagazzi." Another notable bronze to be sold on January 6th at 2pm is the Salvador Dali bronze signed and entitled "Alma de Quijote." The Dali sculpture is also marked "143/300" and comes with an original card of authenticity.  Also in the bronze selection is a large signed bust of Sir Francis Bacon, a man and horse grouping labeled "Marley" and signed "Coustou", and a signed lot with a bronze figure by Lluis Samuells.

                The furniture selection spans the historical timeline as well. A beautiful selection of satinwood   lots include a pair of satinwood knife cabinets, a satinwood banded dining table, and a satinwood china cabinet.  Many of the satinwood lots have rosewood incorporated in the construction. A unique large segmented and inlaid tilt top breakfast table is also featured. In the Jacobean selection, several oak chests of drawers are available including two 4 drawer chests and one 3 drawer chest of great antique quality.

                The antique seating selection includes a pair of custom carved suede Louis XV style armchairs, a set of seven fully developed Chippendale chairs with ball and claw feet, a rare set of ten antique faux rosewood dining chairs, and a magnificently carved Irish parlor set. The set includes a love seat, a pair of arm chairs, and a pair of side chairs, all with red upholstered seats.

                Moving to more recent times, the Midcentury selection features a chrome and black leather chaise lounge in fantastic condition, a Paul McCobb chest of drawers, a John Gibbons black lacquer and upholstered armchair, a Gregorious Pineo oak and cast iron circular dining table, an original Fornasetti waste can with cat and book motif, and a pair of Paul Frankl end table cabinets.  

                The midcentury selection also includes some remarkable examples of lighting, including a pair of Armature floor lamps together with a pair of matching Armature table lamps, a beautiful and unique Austrian brass and crystal hanging chandelier, and a pair of Lightolier glass rod sconces.  There are many additional lots of lighting, including a fine example of Art Deco lighting in the form of a frosted glass chandelier.

                Other features of the sale include many quality handmade carpets.  An outstanding Peking Style antique Chinese carpet is the featured lot. Also included in the carpet selection is an antique high quality Heriz carpet, vintage handmade Chinese carpets, multiple Persian carpets and more.

                The numerous porcelain and sterling silver lots also bring historical value to the present auction.  In the sterling selection, a Tiffany pitcher is featured, as well as multiple lots of sterling flatware and services. A sterling T.H. Mathinsen Flatware Lot in the upcoming sale includes six large .830 sterling tablespoons, six .830 tablespoons, and more.  A particularly unique sterling item is in the form of a sizable sterling scale model of the Wright Brothers airplane.

The featured lots in the porcelain selection include a large intricate Louis XV style Dresden mirror adorned with cherubs and flowers throughout the frame of the mirror and the base. Also, a large lot of Royal Worchester Embassy china is offered.  

                There are many more lots in the upcoming January 6th Sale at Clarke Auction including a hundred fine art lots.  Please follow this link for the fine art selection.

Clarke Auction is located at 2372 Boston Post Road in Larchmont, NY and will be holding its first sale of 2013 on Sunday January 6th at 2pm. The previews will be open to the public on Friday, January 4th and Saturday, January 5th from 12pm to 6pm. There will also be a preview January 6th (day of sale) from 10am to 2pm (start of sale). Please visit ClarkeNY.com to view the full catalog. You may also email Keane@ClarkeNY.com or call the gallery directly at 914 833-8336 to request any additional information about the sale.