The 19th century Prussian immigrant Severin Roesen’s masterful American still life paintings feature the abundance of the new world’s bountiful harvest.  The vibrant colors of an autumnal yield of fruits, flowers and glasses of wine glow against a subdued background of dark greys and browns in the magnificent painting offered at lot 1 in Gray’s November 29th auction. Inspired by 17th century Dutch still life painters Roesen’s works are elegantly composed leading the eye across the overflowing table, leaving the viewer sated but hungry for more. Lot 2, also by Roesen, depicts a table filled with a gentler summer crop, peach, pear and grapes together with his signature glass of wine.

Alfred Stevens, the 19th century Belgian painter was known for his paintings of elegant, ‘modern’ women. Lot 7, ‘The Love Note’ depicts a pretty young woman discovering or perhaps hiding a love note in a lidded jar on a mantelpiece. Her reflection in the mirror capturing her expression was a signature motif in his works.  The young woman is accompanied by her equally elegant greyhound poised in anticipation at her side.

Henri Matisse’s etching ‘Odalisque’ from 1934 is listed at lot 41. It is a lively etching and chine-appliqué on a cream wove Arches support from the Print Club of Cleveland. Konstantin Ivanovich Gorbatov, was an important Russian, post-impressionist painter. His ‘Venetian Boats’ with Giudecca in the background is featured at Lot 10. Lot 12 is Paul Lewis Hendricks’ “Tennessee Village”. Paul Hendricks was an accomplished American landscape artist born in Ohio.

For many of us decorating our homes is a singular joy, allowing us to escape the hurly burly of daily life in the 21st century.  This auction at Gray’s gives us an abundance of choice with over 150 lots of artworks from the above mentioned master works to more modern offerings from the collection of Charles Foley, the noted gallerist and the Richard E. Jacobs Group collection.

From fine art the auction moves to decorative lots including lot 163, a pair of rare Antonio Piñeda silver two light candelabra. Antonio Piñeda was one of the finest designers to emerge from the Mexican silver renaissance of the twentieth century. These candelabra are striking in their modernity. Fine jewelry lots abound including lot 177 a stunning antique 14kt. yellow gold and platinum, diamond ring with an older brilliant cut 1.35 carat diamond with VS-2 clarity and G color, set with eleven round older cut diamonds. Lot 178 is a magnificent Verragio white gold and diamond engagement and wedding ring set, with one natural round brilliant cut diamond weighing approx. 1.00 carat, with a SI-2 clarity and E color, also set with thirty round brilliant cut diamonds. The handmade matching wedding band is set with seventeen small round brilliant cut diamonds.

Gray’s are also delighted to offer Lots 214 and 215. Two large Chinese Langyao baluster vases both previously on loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the collection of Ralph T King, a wealthy benefactor of the CMA. Lot 215 is slightly larger at 17 7/8”.

The auction includes several African tribal lots including lot 227 a Bali carved and painted hardwood elephant mask from the Cameroon. It is approximately 90 years old, purchased in 1977 it was originally in the collection of Valerie and Sanford Griffith’s Collection of the Art of West Africa.

Several collections are featured in the auction including an interesting collection of skulls and fossils, lots 261 – 269; a collection of enameled metal badges and pins, lots 273 – 283; and an extensive collection of over 100 canes and walking sticks lots 305 – 380, which includes lot 313, a unique cannon form cane presented to US Navy Commander Oliver Hazard Perry, to celebrate his victory in 1813 over the British on Lake Erie.

The 412 lot auction concludes with rugs and furniture including several cane display cases and umbrella/cane stands. Lot 386 is a 19th century Oscar Onken & Company oak and glass store cane/umbrella display case. Lot 410 is a palace sized Persian Mashad wool carpet, measuring 35ft 9in x 26ft 6in. From the collection of Ogden L. Mills, originally from J. Paul Getty through French & Co, it features a central Shah Abbasi medallion in ivory, khaki and blue, on a red background. The elongated corners and medallion are ornately patterned with a curvilinear floral design and the borders are decorated with bird form motifs. It is truly a magnificent rug.

Gray’s provides condition reports on request and offers live bidding in person, by telephone, online or through our custom designed app. Grays also accepts absentee bidding. Please contact Gray’s for bidding information.

Gray’s is open for in-person preview November 22 - 29; Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 12noon – 4pm; closed Thanksgiving Day and Sunday. The auction starts at 11am EST on Wednesday, November 29 with live online bidding provided by GraysAuctioneers.com. The fully illustrated catalog is now online at GraysAuctioneers.com.

ABOUT GRAY’S AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS

Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers are Northern Ohio’s leading licensed auctioneers & appraisers of fine art, antiques, decorative arts, rare books, fine jewelry and antique rugs. A boutique auction house with over two decades of experience in the art business, the experts at Gray’s now offer traditional real estate services.  The specialists at Gray’s have worked with museums, educational institutions, corporations and private collectors to achieve the full value of their collections at auction. Gray’s auctioneers are licensed, insured and bonded in favor of the State of Ohio. Learn more at www.graysauctioneers.com or download the award winning Gray’s Auctioneers app.