CLEVELAND, OH.- Gray’s Auctioneers announced its 20th Fine Art, Antiques and Decorations auction to be held Saturday May 2nd at 1pm. Gray’s Auctioneers Llc has quickly established itself as the region’s premier auction house and appraisal facility, capitalizing on both its extensive industry experience as well as its strategic positioning in the upper Midwest region. The Cleveland area in particular provides an abundantly rich and varied source of fine art, antique and decorative pieces - due in part to the prosperous and thriving philanthropic community present here at the turn of the 20th century. While the age of the Rockefellers has past, the passion for extraordinary art works has not. The chance to obtain any number of unique art and decorative pieces at exceptional prices draws individuals not just from the upper Midwest, but all over the globe through our online, absentee and telephone bidding options.
At this, its 20th auction since opening in 2006, Gray’s Auctioneers is proud to present one of its most diverse collections to date. With more than 400 lots currently scheduled for auction, pieces range from paintings and sculpture to rare books, porcelain and ceramics, silver, decorative items, glass, jewelry, rugs and more. Particularly notable is a single owner collection of 6 works by Russian painter David Burliuk, (1820-1967). Widely considered the “Father of Russian Futurism”, Burliuk was a member of “Die Blaue Reiter” (1910-1914) a dynamic group of Expressionist artists that also included Kandinsky and Picasso. After immigrating to the US, Burliuk began painting in the Neo-Primitivist style for which he became known. These 6 works are impeccable representations of Burliuk’s dynamic, color-rich style and have garnered much attention from the market. Also featured is Lot 76: Giovanni Battista Pittoni (Italian 1687-1767). A rare, oil on canvas, Nativity is an intimate depiction of Mary reaching for the Christ Child, surrounded by Joseph and inquisitive cherubim. The work is particularly remarkable for its dramatic and inviting use of light and shadow. This piece is of remarkable provenance- hailing from the collection of renowned 20th century collector Gustav Nebehay.
We are also featuring Lot 83: Edward Potthast (American, 1857-1927) Sunlight and Shadow, Central Park, with Small Study on Verso; Lot 128: Childe Hasssam (American, 1859-1935) The Breakfast Room, Etching; Lot 84: Diego Rivera (Mexican, 1886-1957) Campesina, Charcoal on Rice Paper.
Other unusual items include Lot 20: A 19th Century Venetian Carved Fruitwood Savonarola Chair in the Style of Luigi Frullini, Lot 19: A 19th Century French Rococo Style Carved Giltwood Marquise in the manner of Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, a bronze bust Lot 200: Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917) Suzon, and a large Stoneware Jar with Handle by ceramicist Claude Conover (American 1907-1993).
All items are available for preview at our showroom located at 10717 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland beginning Thursday April 30th from 12-8pm, and also Friday May 1st from 12-5pm. Last Minute preview begins at 11:30am on Saturday, morning of the auction, with the sale beginning at 1pm. All items will be available to preview in our online catalogue beginning April 17th, at www.graysauctioneers.com.
