Press & Announcements
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
On November 17, Freeman’s will present its Modern and Early 20th Century Design auction, bringing together an exceptional selection of furniture, lighting, and decorative arts spanning the 20th century. Headlining the sale is a remarkable Berceau table, première version, by Diego Giacometti, estimated at $250,000–350,000. The sale spans the evolution of 20th-century design, from Tiffany Studios lighting and French Art Deco furniture to the bold, sculptural forms of modern designers such as Paul Evans, Maria Pergay, and Judy Kensley McKie. Works by George and Mira Nakashima, Karl Springer, and Phillip Lloyd Powell further demonstrate the range of the offering, alongside a selection from the estate of American designer John Risley. Decorative arts by Clarice Cliff, Charles Lotton, and Albert Paley round out the sale. “This auction brings together an exceptional range of 20th-century design, from French Art Deco to modern American furniture,” says Roger Ward, Vice President and Head of Design at Freeman’s. “Among these works, the Giacometti table is particularly special. It perfectly captures the intersection of art and design, combining the craftsmanship of a skilled sculptor with the elegance of functional furniture.” Diego Giacometti: Sculpture in Functional Form At the heart of the auction is Diego Giacometti’s Berceau table, première version, designed circa 1963 (Lot 126, estimate: $250,000–350,000), offered from the Collection of Mai Hallingby Harrison, Palm Beach, Florida, and Southampton, New York. An extraordinary marriage of sculpture and furniture, the table exemplifies Giacometti's ability to transform utilitarian objects into works of art. Diego developed his artistic sensibilities working alongside his older brother, the celebrated sculptor Alberto Giacometti, in Paris, where the two collaborated for nearly four decades. Together, they moved within the city's vibrant artistic circles and worked with influential figures including designer Jean-Michel Frank. While Diego initially played a supporting role in realizing his brother's sculptural visions, he gradually developed a distinctive artistic language of his own, finding his greatest expression in bronze furniture that combined traditional craftsmanship with imaginative, sculptural forms. Conceived in 1963, the Berceau table captures an important period in Diego's emergence as an independent artist. Its elegantly curved bronze supports form a cradle-like structure—berceau in French—beneath a substantial glass top, creating an arresting interplay between strength and delicacy. The richly textured, patinated bronze bears the unmistakable character of the artist's hand, while the graceful proportions lend the composition an unexpected sense of lightness. For collectors, the Berceau table offers a compelling example of Giacometti's distinctive approach to furniture design. Created during his years working alongside Alberto, it reflects his growing artistic independence and ability to unite sculptural expression with functional purpose. The result is a work that embodies the craftsmanship and creative vision that would come to define his legacy. Additional Auction Highlights Lot 229 | Judy Kensley McKie, Table with Bird, 1982 Estimate: $15,000–25,000 Carved and painted in poplar and topped with glass, this whimsical table incorporates a bird motif into its sculptural form. The work reflects McKie's inventive approach to furniture, seamlessly combining craftsmanship, playful imagery, and function. Lot 214 | John Risley, Candelabra Sculpture Estimate: $1,200–1,800 Offered from the estate of John Risley, this large-scale wrought-iron sculpture embodies the American designer's ability to merge artistic expression with functional design. The work is among a selection of pieces from the Risley family's cabin in Maine, reflecting the creativity and wit that defined his contributions to mid-century American design. Lot 188 | Karl Springer, Free Form Coffee Tables, Set of Three, circa 1970 Estimate: $12,000–18,000 Featuring stainless steel and black glass, this set of three tables showcases the fluid silhouettes and striking materials characteristic of Springer's modern designs. Their sculptural forms bring a bold, sophisticated presence to the traditional coffee table. Lot 152 | Maria Pergay, Ring Chair, 1967 Estimate: $15,000–25,000 Crafted in stainless steel, Pergay's Ring Chair demonstrates her innovative approach to material and form. Its distinctive circular silhouette transforms an industrial material into an elegant, sculptural statement. Auction Information Modern and Early 20th Century Design Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. CST 1550 West Carroll Avenue, Chicago, IL Preview Exhibition: Diego Giacometti Berceau Table Freeman’s New York Gallery 32 East 67th Street, New York, NY October 30–November 16, 2026 Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Saturday, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays How to Bid The Modern and Early 20th Century Design auction will be offered on November 17 at 10:00 a.m. CST in Freeman’s Chicago saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 14 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
Liss’s Lute Player from the Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II leads a sale that also features Property Sold to Benefit King University, Bristol, Tennessee
The November 11 auction features fine jewelry, haute couture, and luxury handbags from the pioneering entrepreneur behind Ardell and Matrix Essentials
Property from the Estate of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II, spanning Old Master and American paintings, early American furniture, and historic manuscripts, to be offered across fall and winter auctions
Freeman’s is pleased to present Prints & Multiples, its marquee New York auction on November 4, featuring an impressive selection of Old Master, Modern, and Contemporary prints and multiples. Spanning centuries of artistic innovation, the sale brings together works by some of the most influential artists in art history, offering collectors a diverse range of styles, techniques, and price points. Leading the auction is an important Pablo Picasso linocut, alongside notable works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Mitchell, and Joan Miró. Additional highlights include prints by Helen Frankenthaler, Tom Wesselmann, and Albrecht Dürer, as well as a selection of Picasso ceramics. “We’re particularly excited about the strength of the works in this sale, from Picasso’s exceptional linocut to iconic examples of Pop Art by Warhol and Lichtenstein,” saidMatthew Stavro, Senior Specialist, Prints & Multiples at Freeman’s. “The auction also features a wonderful selection of works from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, offered to benefit charitable organizations. Together, these highlights reflect the quality and depth of the sale, with exciting opportunities for collectors across a wide range of interests and collecting levels.” Auction Highlights Lot 107 | Pablo Picasso, Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe, d'après Manet I, 1962 Estimate: $100,000–150,000 Leading the auction is Pablo Picasso’s Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe, d'après Manet I, a vibrant 1962 linocut that reinterprets Manet’s iconic composition through bold colors, flattened perspective, and playful distortions of the human figure. The work exemplifies Picasso’s inventiveness and technical mastery of the linocut medium. As Abstract Expressionism gained prominence, Picasso increasingly turned to the great masters of European art, including Velázquez, Cranach, and Rembrandt, for inspiration. Rather than simply reproducing their celebrated works, he boldly reinterpreted them, paying homage to his predecessors while asserting his own artistic vision. In this dynamic print, Picasso extends Manet’s revolutionary spirit, reaffirming the enduring influence of the original composition nearly a century after its creation. Lot 29 | Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, 1975 Estimate: $80,000–120,000 Property from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations.Another significant highlight is Andy Warhol’s Mick Jagger, a striking 1975 screenprint that brings together two defining figures of twentieth-century popular culture. Part of a portfolio of ten portraits created from Warhol’s own photographs of the Rolling Stones frontman, the work reflects the artist's fascination with celebrity, fame, and the intersection of art and popular culture. Warhol's friendship with Jagger lent a personal dimension to the series, while his characteristic use of photographic imagery and graphic interventions transformed the musician's likeness into an iconic Pop Art image. Signed by both Warhol and Jagger, the work is numbered 98 from an edition of 250. Lot 25 | Roy Lichtenstein, Brushstroke, 1965 Estimate: $10,000–15,000 Property from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations. Roy Lichtenstein’s Brushstroke, executed in 1965, represents a pivotal moment in the artist's exploration of the relationship between fine art and popular imagery. Departing from the comic-book subjects that first brought him recognition, Lichtenstein turned his attention to the expressive brushstroke itself, a defining feature of Abstract Expressionist painting. Using the crisp outlines, Ben-Day dots, and flat colors associated with his Pop Art vocabulary, Lichtenstein transformed the spontaneous gesture of painting into a carefully constructed graphic image. Lot 23 | Roy Lichtenstein, Modern Head #2, 1970 Estimate: $10,000–15,000 Also featured is Lichtenstein’s Modern Head #2, a 1970 work from the artist's Modern Head series. Executed as a two-color embossed lithograph and line-cut on handmade paper, the print demonstrates Lichtenstein's continued exploration of stylized imagery and innovative printmaking techniques. Combining geometric forms with the suggestion of a human face, the composition reflects his interest in reinterpreting familiar artistic subjects through the visual language of modern design. Lot 102 | Joan Miró, Femme et chien devant la lune, 1935 Estimate: $15,000 – 20,000 Joan Miró’s Femme et chien devant la lune (Woman and Dog in Front of the Moon), created in 1935 and published in 1936, exemplifies the artist’s distinctive Surrealist vocabulary. Combining biomorphic forms, expressive lines, and imagery drawn from the natural world, the composition reflects Miró’s ability to move between abstraction and representation. Executed in pochoir, a stencil-based printing technique, the work was published by the Barcelona-based artists’ association ADLAN in an edition of 60, during the early development of Miró’s printmaking practice. Lot 2 | Joan Mitchell, Bedford III (from Bedford Series), 1981 Estimate: $10,000–15,000 Joan Mitchell’s Bedford III, a 1981 color lithograph, exemplifies the artist's expressive approach to abstraction and printmaking. The work belongs to Mitchell’s Bedford Series, a group of ten large-scale color lithographs created in collaboration with master printer Kenneth Tyler and published by Tyler Graphics in New York. Produced as Mitchell expanded her exploration of printmaking, the series translated the gestural energy and vibrant color that characterize her paintings into the lithographic medium. Printed in an edition of 70, Bedford III reflects the dynamic relationship between color, gesture, and composition that remained central to Mitchell's artistic practice. Lot 39 | Alex Katz, Springtime, 2026 | Estimate $35,000 - 45,000 Additional Highlights • Lot 5 | Helen Frankenthaler, All About Blue, 1994 | Estimate $6,000 - 8,000 | Property from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations • Lot 32 | Andy Warhol, Black Bean Soup (from Campbell's Soup I), 1968 | Estimate $30,000 - 50,000 | Property from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations • Lot 33 | Andy Warhol, Chicken 'N Dumplings Soup (from Campbell's Soup II), 1969 | Estimate $25,000 - 35,000 | Property from the Estate of Ray Retzlaff, sold to Benefit Charitable Organizations • Lot 39 | Alex Katz, Springtime, 2026 | Estimate $35,000 - 45,000 • Lot 93 | After Marc Chagall, by Charles Sorlier, La Flûte Enchantée, 1967 | Estimate $20,000 - 30,000 • Lot 136 | Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, Le Rêve, 1929 | Estimate $15,000 - 25,000 Auction Information Prints & Multiples Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. EST 32 East 67th Street, New York Preview Exhibition: October 26 - 30, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. October 31, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. November 2 – 3, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. How to Bid The Prints & Multiples auction will be offered on November 4 at 11:00 a.m. EST in Freeman’s New York saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 15 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
On November 3, Freeman’s will present Pride of Place: Works from the Estate of Sydney F. and Sharon B. Martin – Part II, a distinguished collection of 30 paintings celebrating the landscapes, communities, and artistic traditions of Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Valley. Taking place in Philadelphia, the auction brings together important works by leading Pennsylvania Impressionists, including Daniel Garber, Edward Willis Redfield, George William Sotter, and Walter Emerson Baum, reflecting the Martins’ lifelong appreciation for the artists who captured the region they called home. The Martins were avid and early collectors of Pennsylvania Impressionism, assembling a collection distinguished by its quality, depth, and strong regional focus. Rooted in their affection for Bucks County, Pennsylvania and its artistic heritage, the collection reflects a discerning eye for works that capture the character of the region, from the rolling countryside and historic villages of the Delaware River Valley to its changing seasons and distinctive light. The November auction follows Freeman’s successful first offering from the estate in June 2023, when 24 of the 25 works offered found buyers. The second installment presents another opportunity to acquire paintings from this thoughtfully assembled collection, including significant examples by some of the most celebrated artists associated with the New Hope School. Adam Veil, VP, Head of Department, American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists, states: “The Martins' collection is a heartfelt tribute to the place they loved, and the quality of the paintings reflects the care with which it was assembled. Freeman's has long been committed to Pennsylvania Impressionism, and this group is among the finest we've had the privilege to offer.” Auction Highlights Lot 20 | Daniel Garber, Stockton, 1922 Estimate: $150,000 – 250,000 Among the auction’s leading highlights is Daniel Garber’s Stockton, an evocative view of the Delaware River and the village of Stockton, New Jersey. Painted in 1922, the composition captures a leisurely summer afternoon, with figures playing croquet on a sunlit lawn overlooking the river and the village beyond. Garber’s luminous palette, broken brushwork, and carefully structured composition exemplify the artist’s celebrated approach to the landscapes of the Delaware River Valley. Painted at the height of Garber’s maturity, Stockton reflects his ability to unite the atmospheric qualities of Impressionism with a remarkable sense of clarity and form. The painting also boasts an extensive exhibition history, including at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and has been featured in several notable publications on Pennsylvania Impressionism. Two significant works by Edward Willis Redfield showcase the artist’s mastery of the Pennsylvania landscape across the seasons. Spring Veil, a monumental depiction of the Delaware River Valley in full bloom, is among the largest canvases produced by the artist, measuring more than four feet in height. Its bold brushwork and vibrant palette capture the energy of spring, while its importance to Redfield is underscored by his decision to retain the painting throughout his lifetime. The work has been extensively exhibited and published, including in exhibitions at the James A. Michener Art Museum. In contrast, Winter in New Hope captures daily life in the historic Bucks County village on a snow-covered morning. A horse-drawn sleigh, villagers going about their routines, and colorful homes bring warmth and activity to the winter scene. Richly textured passages of snow and a brilliant turquoise sky exemplify Redfield’s celebrated approach to winter landscapes, which remain among his most admired works. George William Sotter’s Mill-Spring Valley offers a striking contrast to the sunlit landscapes of Garber and Redfield. Celebrated for his poetic moonlit scenes, Sotter transforms a snow-covered Bucks County landscape into an intimate nocturne, with a fieldstone mill, winding stream, and softly illuminated farmhouse windows set beneath a star-filled sky. A longtime resident of Holicong, Pennsylvania, Sotter developed a distinctive approach to landscape painting that combined the influence of the New Hope School with a deeply atmospheric sensibility. Mill-Spring Valley exemplifies his ability to capture the beauty and stillness of the region after dark, balancing the cool tones of the winter landscape with the inviting warmth of distant lights. Additional highlights from the collection include: Lot 10 | Edward Willis Redfield, Winter on the Farm (Farbotnik Farm), c. 1935-1940 Estimate: $100,000 – 150,000 Lot 21 | Daniel Garber, The Studio, 1922 Estimate: $60,000 – 100,000 Lot 5 | Edward Willis Redfield, Village Street Estimate: $50,000 – 80,000 Lot 30 | Mary Elizabeth Price, Still Life with Lillies and Foxgloves Estimate: $12,000 – 18,000 Together, the 30 works offer a compelling portrait of the artists and landscapes that defined Pennsylvania Impressionism. As a longstanding leader in the market for the category, Freeman’s is pleased to bring this significant collection to auction in Philadelphia, returning the Martins’ artistic legacy to the region that inspired it. Auction Information Pride of Place: Works from the Estate of Sydney F. and Sharon B. Martin – Part II Tuesday, November 3, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. EST 2400 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA Preview Exhibition: October 30–November 2, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. For additional information and to view the complete catalogue, visit: https://freemansauction.com/auction/6525-pride-of-place How to Bid The Pride of Place: Works from the Estate of Sydney F. and Sharon B. Martin – Part II auction will be offered on November 3 at 1:00 p.m. EST in Freeman’s Philadelphia saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. For more information, please visit freemansauction.com. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 15 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
Freeman’s Fall Impressionist and Modern Art auction is led by remarkable works by Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Auguste Rodin, Raoul Dufy, Louis Valtat, Henri Lebasque, and many other masters of the movement. The October 27 sale is led by an exceptionally rare, recently rediscovered ceramic by Pablo Picasso and a richly colored watercolor and gouache by Fernand Léger from a prestigious anonymous American collection. A Woman Crowned With Flowers In 1946, Pablo Picasso discovered in the pottery workshops of Vallauris a medium that would become an important part of his artistic practice. Through his collaboration with Suzanne and Georges Ramié at the Madoura workshop, he explored the possibilities of earthenware, transforming traditional vessels into expressive forms that blurred the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts. Conceived in 1954, Vase Femme Pichet is based on the model cataloged by Alain Ramié as no. 236, Tête de Femme Couronnée de Fleurs, produced in two editions: an unglazed white version of 50 and a colored version of 100. The work offered in the auction (lot 32; estimate: $200,000 – 300,000) is a unique prototype, distinguished by its exceptionally delicate, chiseled floral crown. Against the softly rounded face, defined by bold, gestural brushstrokes, the flowers emerge in vivid relief, their rich green, yellow, and blue glazes accentuated by touches of red. This striking contrast between the spontaneity of Picasso’s painted lines and the refined sculptural treatment of the crown gives the work its singular character. Only two comparable examples are known: one made for Suzanne and Georges Ramié themselves, and another held in the Design Museum Den Bosch in the Netherlands. Property from The Estate of Arthur Schleifer, Jr. Freeman’s is also proud to unveil the Collection of Arthur Schleifer of Boston, featuring a distinguished collection of Post-Impressionist works by Raoul Dufy, Louis Valtat, Henri Lebasque, and others. Many of the works have been in private hands for over three decades, which is anticipated to spark global interest. The top lot of the collection is Germaine Richier’s (French, 1904-1959) 1945 bronze La Sauterelle, Moyenne (lot 90; estimate: $80,000 – 120,000). The work is emblematic of her later work, where Richier turned to hybrid beings meant to challenge conventional ideals of beauty and the human form. La Sauterelle, Moyenne depicts a crouching, grasshopper-like figure whose elongated limbs and angular body appear poised between stillness and sudden movement. Undoubtedly One of the Finest Rodin Examples of Its Kind Among the auction's many highlights is a remarkable watercolor by Auguste Rodin (French, 1840-1917) with a special connection to Freeman’s hometown of Philadelphia. Femme au Pyjama Noir Entrouvert (lot 33; estimate: $10,000 – 15,000), executed in the late 1890s, is a striking watercolor and pencil on paper laid to board belonging to the celebrated Femmes pyjama series. Its large scale and exceptionally beautiful, marbled effects make it a particularly compelling example of the series, or, as the Rodin expert and art historian Christina Uribe put it, it is “undoubtedly one of the finest examples of its kind." The work's provenance adds to its value. In addition to being among the few drawings from the Femmes pyjama series exhibited in London in 1901 at the Royal Institute Galleries, it also belonged to Jules E. Mastbaum, the prominent Philadelphia collector and philanthropist whose celebrated collection formed the foundation of the city’s Rodin Museum. Other Highlights Lot 20 | Fernand Léger (French, 1881-1955) Les Constructeurs au Vélo, 1950 $150,000 – 250,000 Lot 3 | Édouard Vuillard (French, 1868-1940) Le Poulailler du Château des Clayes, 1939 $80,000 – 120,000 Lot 91 | El Lissitzky (Russian, 1890-1941) Proun (Schizzo), c. 1922-1923 $70,000 – 90,000 Lot 71 | Dame Laura Knight (British, 1877-1970) Children in a Rowboat, 1916 $50,000 – 80,000 Auction Information Impressionist and Modern Art Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. EST 32 East 67th Street, New York Preview Exhibition: October 20-24 & October 26, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. For additional information, to view the complete catalogue or to register to bid, visit: https://freemansauction.com/auction/6559-impressionist-and-modern-art How to Bid Impressionist and Modern Art auction will be offered on October 27 at 11:00 a.m. EST in Freeman’s New York saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. For more information, please visit freemansauction.com. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
Freeman's reset the world auction record for Gertrude Abercrombie today, as her work Alderman Merriam's Shells sold for $1,352,600 in the firm's Post-War & Contemporary Art sale, live in New York. The result marks the first work by the artist ever to hammer over $1 million. Rediscovered at an estate sale and purchased for just $30, the work led an auction that achieved a total of $3,449,560, with an 88% sell-through rate by lot and 154% by value. The sale also brought 23% new buyers to the firm, with participation from 12 countries. Speaking to the sale is Zack Wirsum, Senior Vice President, Head of Department, Post War & Contemporary Art. “No fairytale would be complete without a storybook ending, and Gertrude Abercrombie's Alderman Merriam's Shells selling for a new auction record is as happily ever after as it gets. As happy as we are to have recaptured the record sale price for an artist we have long championed, we are even happier for our eagle-eyed consignor who saved this masterpiece from staying forever lost to time. I love it when good things happen to good people and when the story unfolds in reality just as we wrote it. The Abercrombie shooting the moon was obviously the high point of the day, but the rest of the sale shone bright, with great results across the board to add to the magic of the day.” Collectors Battle for Gertrude Abercrombie’s Alderman Merriam’s Shells, 1951, Realizes $1,352,600 Carrying a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $250,000, Alderman Merriam's Shells (Lot 3, 1951) opened at $80,000 before five phone bidders, and several online bidders contested the work. The bidding carried the painting to $1,352,600 (price realized, including buyer’s premium), more than five times its high estimate, and set a new world auction record for Gertrude Abercrombie (American, 1909–1977), the celebrated Chicago Surrealist. It is the first work by the artist ever to hammer over $1 million. Missing from public view for 75 years, Alderman Merriam's Shells resurfaced this past summer at a Michigan estate sale, where a longtime collector of records and mid-century furniture spotted it in a dark hallway corner and bought it for $30 on the strength of its "Abercrombie" signature. Inspired by the find, the buyer visited the Abercrombie retrospective The Whole World Is a Mystery at the Milwaukee Art Museum, where the catalog reproduced a 1952 Chicago Tribune photograph of the painting in its original frame beside the actual shells it depicts. Dr. Susan Weininger, the leading Abercrombie scholar, subsequently authenticated the work, and the owner, recognizing Freeman's as a sponsor of the Milwaukee exhibition, entrusted it to the house. Painted in 1951, the work depicts nine finely rendered seashells on a slate-gray surface, with a single conical shell suspended by a thread against a black wall, appearing to levitate above the rest. The shells belonged to Robert Merriam, alderman of Chicago's Hyde Park, where Abercrombie lived and worked. A rare instance of the artist painting directly from life, it confirms that the shell motif in her later solitary shell paintings, long presumed invented, was drawn from observation and memory. Exhibited in six solo shows in 1952 and 1953, the painting was given by Abercrombie to Dr. John Reynolds of Kalamazoo, Michigan, in exchange for medical services, and remained in his family's possession until its rediscovery this year. Henry Moore Bronzes Lead $198,400 Offering of Sculpture from the Brooklyn Museum A selection of six sculptures from the Brooklyn Museum realized a combined $198,400, with every work finding a buyer. Leading the group were two bronzes by Henry Moore, Two Piece Reclining Figure: Maquette No. 4 (Lot 53, 1961) and Two Piece Reclining Figure #6 (Lot 54, 1964), each achieving $48,000 against estimates of $30,000–$50,000. Both works were bequeathed to the museum by William K. Jacobs, Jr. Additional highlights included two further works by Moore, Mother and Child: Bone (Lot 52, 1963) and Slow Form: Tortoise (Lot 55, 1962), alongside David Hayes’s welded steel Armored Animal (Lot 56, 1964), which The Maremont Corporation gifted to the museum in 1977. Dimitri Hadzi’s bronze Bozzetto(Lot 57), exhibited at MIT in 1963 and gifted to the museum by Dr. and Mrs. Werner Muensterberger in 1971, rounded out the offering. Rosenthal Collection of Newtown, Pennsylvania Sells 100%, Led by Alice Baber's Woodhenge at $124,800, More Than Double Its High Estimate The Rosenthal Collection of Newtown, Pennsylvania, was 100% sold and led by Alice Baber's (American, 1928–1982) Woodhenge (Lot 24, 1966), which achieved $124,800 against an estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. Esteban Vicente's (American/Spanish, 1903–2001) D (Lot 23, 1959) followed at $73,600, against an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. The group of 6 works realized a combined total of $288,640. Those familiar with the Post-War New York art scene may recognize the family name. Louis H. Rosenthal, the patriarch of the collection, was the longtime proprietor of Rosenthal's Art & Hobby Supply Company in Greenwich Village, later continuing at New York Central Art Supply Company. For over four decades, Rosenthal was not only a supplier of materials but a trusted friend and advisor to a generation of artists whose work would come to define the modern and Abstract movements of the twentieth century, among them Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Alice Baber, Esteban Vicente, Mary Abbott, Milton Resnick, Karel Appel, and Paul Jenkins. Before their breakthroughs, many of these artists worked with limited means, and it was not uncommon for them to trade their work with Louis in exchange for the very materials that later shaped their successes. The works from the Rosenthal Collection stand as a testament to the family's unique material and personal contributions to the Post-War New York artistic community. Additional Highlights Lot 5 | Alex Katz (American, b. 1927) | Swimmer #2, 1973 Sold for $217,600 Lot 29 | Paul Jenkins (American, 1923-2012) | Phenomena Divining Rod, 1971 Sold for $172,800 Lot 76 | Hassan el Glaoui (French, 1924-2018) | Untitled Sold for $83,200 Lot 97 | Paul Feeley (American, 1910-1966) | Lacona, 1962 Sold for $76,800 Lot 4 | Roger Brown (American, 1941-1997) | Michigan Color Watch, 1981 Sold for $70,400 Lot 92 | Cosima von Bonin (German, b. 1962) | HALFWAY BUBBLES 1, 2, and 3, 2011 (three works) Sold for $51,200 About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
Highlights included the 100% sold Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography, a Navajo “Claflin” Serape that realized $217,600, and a Tlingit Chilkat Blanket that sold for $35,200.
Sale sees 91% sell-through rate by lot, 108% by value, led by a Colombian emerald ring that soared past estimate
“We could not be more pleased with these exceptional results for our clients. These two auctions prove that when you bring together important works with significant historical provenance and pair them with high-quality, desirable Asian art that is accessible for all buyers, the market will respond in a big way,” Annie Wu, Senior Vice President and Head of Asian Art.
Sale also highlights a group of Post-War New York works from the Rosenthal Collection of Newtown, Pennsylvania, tied to the legendary Greenwich Village art-supply house that served de Kooning, Pollock, and their circle
Landmark rediscovery of Alderman Merriam’s Shells (1951), found at a Michigan estate sale for $30, to be offered October 1 with an estimate of $150,000–250,000
A Harry Winston diamond ring, Colombian emeralds, Burmese sapphires, and rare, signed pieces by Buccellati, Bulgari, Cartier, Fabergé, and Verdura lead Freeman’s $2.7 million Important Jewelry auction on September 23. With property sourced from across the country, the sale features several notable collections, including Property from the Collection of Sydell Miller, Property from the Estate of Rebecca Lee, and two prominent Midwest collections. “We are thrilled to present our September Important Jewelry auction. It represents an opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces that rarely come to auction, including Fabergé, French Art Deco, and unique Verdura pieces from several prominent collections,” said April Matteini, Freeman’s Senior Vice President and Head of Department for Jewelry. The auction features a remarkable selection of ruby, sapphire, and emerald pieces, headlined by an important set of emerald and diamond earrings (lot 109, estimate: $125,000 – 175,000). The earrings feature two cushion cut emeralds weighing approximately 15.03 and 14.58 carats, emerald cut diamonds weighing approximately 3.51 carats and 3.51 carats, and round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.02 and 1.07 carats mounted in yellow and white gold. Diamond rings, as always, are prominently featured throughout the sale, headlined by an important Stephen Russell diamond and platinum ring (lot 101, estimate: $100,000 – 150,000). Coming from the collection of a New York Lady, the ring features a cushion brilliant cut diamond weighing 5.02 carats, with the basket and shank set with single cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.50 carat total, mounted in platinum. Other Highlights Lot 20 | Lacloche Frères, Art Deco, Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire Lapel Watch Property from an Important Midwest Collection $30,000 – 50,000 Lot 104 | Bulgari, 'Profumo', Cultured Pearl, Diamond, and White Gold Necklace Property from a Private Collection, Cleveland, Ohio $30,000 – 50,000 Lot 107 | Alexandrite and Diamond Ring Property Sold to Benefit the Children's Museum of Indianapolis $25,000 – 35,000 Sale Preview Weekdays: 10 am – 5pm | Weekends: 11 am – 5 pm | All Times Local New York: September 3 - 4 & 8 – 10 Philadelphia: September 13 – 14 Chicago: September 18 - 22 How to Bid Important Jewelry will be offered on September 23 at 10 AM CT in Freeman’s Chicago saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
Freeman's will present two Asian art auctions this September in its New York saleroom: Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas Klein, sold to benefit the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, on Thursday, September 17, followed by Asian Works of Art on Friday, September 18. Bringing together imperial porcelain, museum deaccessions, a rediscovered piece from the collection of J. Pierpont Morgan, and snuff bottles from a connoisseur's lifetime pursuit, the two sales offer collectors a wide-ranging and historically rich selection heading into the fall season. Annie Wu, Senior Vice President and Head of Asian Art, commented: "We are pleased to present Asian art of this caliber for the fall season. Bringing together important works with significant historical provenance, from the Yamanaka-Shelton 'nine dragon' vase to the Koger Dehua porcelains, offers an excellent opportunity for collectors. Our goal is to offer high-quality, desirable Asian art that is accessible for all buyers. Whether you are an established institution or a new enthusiast, this auction provides an opportunity to acquire notable objects with confidence." Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas Klein — September 17 Freeman's is privileged to bring Philadelphia collector Dr. Thomas Klein's collection of Chinese snuff bottles to auction. On September 17, some of Dr. Klein's finest examples will be made available in New York for the next generation of enthusiasts. Many of these bottles were previously held in some of the most important collections assembled in the last quarter of the 20th century, including the Bloch, Grimberg, J & J, and Bob C. Stevens collections, and were handled and published by leading dealers in the field such as Hugh Moss, Robert Kleiner, Robert Hall, Clare Chu, and Susan Page. Dr. Klein was known as a determined competitor for puddingstone bottles, and his broader interest in mineralogical examples is evident in the jasper, agate, jade, and jadeite bottles offered in the sale. Glass — particularly monochrome, overlay, and carved examples — was also a focus of his collecting, as were "organic" materials such as amber, coral, and carved bamboo. Molded and enameled porcelain bottles round out this wide-ranging collection. Ben Farina, Senior Vice President and International Representative, Asian Art, commented: "Snuff bottles have been a relatively overlooked segment of the market for Chinese antiques and works of art, still offering great opportunities for both beginning and advanced collectors. The variety of materials and techniques, historical and cultural references, and accessible scale make snuff bottles an appealing area for exploration. The jade, hardstone, glass, porcelain, and other examples of bottles offered in New York on September 17th illustrate this range. Highlights Include: Lot 24 | An Unusual Chinese Hexagonal Puddingstone Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1750–1860 | Estimate: $2,000 – $3,000 Puddingstone was a particular passion of Dr. Klein's, its mottled inclusions cut by the lapidary into painterly, near-abstract patterns. This hexagonal example shows off the stone's dense speckling and Dr. Klein's eye for material and pattern. Lot 37 |An Imperial Chinese Carved Yellow Glass Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1750–1820 |Estimate: $1,500 – $2,000 Carved from a rich imperial yellow glass, this bottle belongs to a group of monochrome glasswares made for court use in the mid- to late Qing dynasty; its saturated color and confident carving reflect the imperial glassworks at their best. Lot 58 |A Chinese White Overlaid Blue Glass Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century |Estimate: $2,500 – $3,500 A fine example of overlay glass, pairing a deep blue ground with crisply carved white relief — a technique Qing glassworkers used to evoke the look of carved hardstone. Asian Works of Art—September 18 Freeman's Asian Works of Art auction features over 290 carefully curated lots tailored for discerning connoisseurs, collectors, and institutions. Leading the sale is a remarkable group of individual masterpieces distinguished by significant historical provenance. Highlights include a magnificent Jiaqing/Daoguang period blue and white 'Nine Dragons' vase (Lot 286) tracing back to Yamanaka & Company, a pair of Mid-Tang Dynasty engraved 'Ladies' tomb doors (Lot 212) formerly with Ton-Ying & Co. and J.T. Tai & Co., and an impressive Qing Dynasty green-enameled yellow-ground 'Dragon' moon flask (Lot 386) from the prestigious J. Pierpont Morgan Collection. Highlights Include: Lot 286 | A Magnificent, Monumental, and Extremely Rare Chinese Blue and White 'Nine Dragons' Vase, Qing Dynasty,Jiaqing/Daoguang Period 清嘉慶/道光 巨型青花九龍大瓶（附山中商會1943年圖錄) | Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000 | Property from the Collection of The Honorable Robert C. Shelton, Jr. The centerpiece of the sale, this monumental blue-and-white vase is accompanied by a 1943 Yamanaka & Co. catalogue documenting its distinguished history. Painted with nine dragons in a composition long associated with the emperor and his heirs, the vase was an extraordinary technical achievement, built in three luted sections and successfully fired intact. The central, frontal-facing dragon and the smaller, upward-gazing five-clawed dragon rising from the waves below evoke the design known as "the Emperor instructing the Crown Prince," reserved for only a select few imperial commissions. Comparison of its ruyi-head borders, wave bands, and archaistic scrolling handles to related imperial and high-quality unmarked wares supports a dating to the late 18th or early 19th century — a reminder that not every porcelain of imperial quality and dramatic scale from this era left the kiln bearing a reign mark. Lot 250 | A Rare Chinese Blanc-de-Chine Porcelain Oil Lamp and Stand, Mid 17th–Early 18th Century 清早期 德化白瓷暗刻花卉紋帶座油燈 Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000 | Property Deaccessioned from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art / Florida State University This finely potted Dehua "blanc-de-chine" oil lamp and stand, carved beneath its glaze with subtle floral decoration, comes to auction after being deaccessioned from the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art at Florida State University. Its inclusion in the sale reflects Freeman's collaboration with museums and public institutions nationwide, relationships considered important for bringing well-documented works to market. Lot 386 | An Impressive Chinese Green Enameled Yellow Ground Porcelain 'Dragon' Moon Flask, Qing Dynasty 清 黃地綠彩龍紋大抱月瓶 Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000 | Property from a Philadelphia Main Line Collection Consigned without any accompanying history, this striking yellow-ground moon flask, enameled in green with dragon roundels, presented a research challenge for Freeman's specialists. The investigation traced the flask back to the collection of financier J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913), confirming its inclusion in an early catalogue of his holdings. This discovery gives the consignment a documented pedigree extending back over a century to one of the most important collections of Chinese Porcelain assembled in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Auction Dates Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Estate of Dr. Thomas Klein: Thursday, September 17 Live | New York | 9:30 AM ET Asian Works of Art: Friday, September 18 Live | New York | 10 AM ET Previews 32 East 67th St | New York | NY 10065 September 11-12, 10 AM- 5 PM September 14-17, 10 AM- 5 PM For more information or to browse the full catalogues, visit freemansauction.com. How to Bid Both auctions will be offered in Freeman's New York saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding. For more information, please visit freemansauction.com. About Freeman’s Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 16 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.
“This remarkable collection of unique documents dealing primarily with the abolitionist movement, but also educational reform and anti-slavery in general, descended through May’s family and has never before been offered for sale,” Darren Winston, SVP, Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts.