Time Capsule
The Coin & Jewelry Auction at Pook & Pook on October 30th is composed of pounds and pounds of gold and many, many carats of diamonds, but my favorite item is of a humble nature. Lot 2228 is an assortment…
Pick of the Week
Love is in the Hair
Some of the most intriguing lots of jewelry in Pook & Pook’s upcoming Coins & Jewelry auction include examples of Victorian hair jewelry (Lots 1959, 2525, and 2584). The practice of incorporating human hair to create intricately designed bracelets, brooches,…
Off the Grid
What does the sensation of beauty look like in a painting? The challenge for Agnes Martin was not to paint a beautiful object, but the sensation of perceiving it; that, when looked at, would be felt by others. “My paintings…
A Stark View of the Civil War
Wm. B. Stark’s Campaign, in the war of 1862-63-64 and 65. Written by himself from his diary kept during the war. William B. Stark kept a diary of his days serving in the Civil War, a fascinating first-person historical account…
Don’t Take Candy from Strangers
Two lots not to be missed are #248 and #317. They are a glass perfume bottle and a shadow box frame containing five bottles and a book, items easy enough to walk past without a second glance—but once their context…
Still Life
Another of my favorite paintings in the April 18th & 19th sale is also by a Philadelphia native and student of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Mildred Bunting Miller (1892-1964). Born in Philadelphia, Miller studied at the Academy from…
Remedy for a Loose Cannon
The American Civil War is considered the first modern war, witnessing rapid advancement in military technique and technology. Lacking the North’s depth of military resources, it was crucial for the Confederacy to innovate. At inception in 1861 the Confederacy established…
A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh
I have had the opportunity to sell things more than once on a regular basis. Sometimes I get things back to be sold in a short amount of time, while some others take a much longer, winding route to come…
The Levine Redware Collection
Pook & Pook is pleased to offer in the October 5th and 6th Americana sale a private collection holding some of the most beautiful examples of American redware. Ellen and Richard Levine, of New York, were discerning collectors, finding rare,…
Beached in Brighton
More than two hundred works by John Constable (1776 – 1837) are related to time he spent in Brighton between the years 1824 and 1828, half of which are small, vivid sketches such as lot #435. In this ink wash,…
A Tablescape for the Ages
From the end of the War of 1812 until around 1860, the Staffordshire potters of Britain produced millions of pieces of transferware for the American market. Using brilliant white pearlware and ironstone printed underglaze with deep cobalt blue, Staffordshire potters…
The Auction Buzz!
Lot 7576 is a spectacular 18k yellow gold and diamond bee brooch by famed jeweler Herbert Rosenthal (American, trademark active 1962 – 1987). In the mid-1960’s, Rosenthal created his first iconic bejeweled bees. His design became famous, inspiring a generation…
Don’t Throw Away Your Shot!
My job always affords me the opportunity to make new and interesting discoveries. My pick this week is just that. It isn’t the best size, nor is it the best color. It was a mass-produced item in the early 19th…
A Fancy Fat Caterpillar
This fancy, fat caterpillar is a gem. The brooch is a design of Robert Wander (American 1943 – 2019), who was famed for his work with colored gemstones. The caterpillar is carved from a solid piece of citrine, highlighted with…
Silver Spout Cup
This rare Boston silver spout cup by John Dixwell is typical of the American Colonial period. With a narrow, sharply curving spout and handle set at a right angle, the cups were designed for a caregiver to easily feed an…