Press Release

Beachwood, OH, USA, March 12, 2024 -- A beautiful flying boat art glass sculpture by Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, b. 1934) sold for $19,680, oil paintings by Joseph B. O’Sickey and Max Kuehne each realized $12,300, and a Neoclassical style carved white marble mantelpiece blasted through its $800-$1,200 estimate to finish at $12,300 in Neue Auctions’ Fresh & Neue Auction held March 2nd.

The online-only auction featured 341 lots of market fresh antiques, fine art, sterling and jewelry – “everything you didn't need but definitely wanted,” said Cynthia Maciejewski of Neue Auctions. This proved to be prescient, as many of the lots surpassed even their high estimates in an eclectic sale that performed well across a broad range of collecting categories.

The Tagliapietra sculpture, titled Flying Boat (2002), was crafted from blown and hot worked glass and battuto-cut glass. It was 65 inches in length, with an engraved signature (“Lino Tagliapietra 2002”) on an 18-inch-tall bronze stand, and easily bested its $12,000 high estimate.

The oil painting signed by Joseph B. O’Sickey (American, 1918-2013), was titled Garden Still Life with Table and Chair and Orange Trees. It was large – 60 ½ inches by 48 ½ inches – and was acquired directly from the artist by the consignor. The pre-sale estimate was $5,000-$8,000.

The oil painting by Max Kuehne (German/American, 1880-1968) was titled Brooklyn Bridge with View of Manhattan. Rendered circa 1911, the painting was signed lower right and dated. It measured 15 inches by 17 ½ inches (sight, less the frame) and had an estimate of $3,000-$5,000.

Without a doubt the sleeper lot of the sale was the 19th century Neoclassical style white marble mantelpiece, carved in relief with a classical mourning scene. It was in parts and needed to be assembled, but that mattered little to eager bidders, who blew past the $800-$1,200 estimate.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Prices quoted include a 23 percent buyer’s premium.

There were two dance-themed oil on canvas paintings in the auction. One was titled Flamenco Dancers, by Benjamin A. Stahl (American, 1910-1987), signed and 28 ½ inches by 70 inches, less the frame ($1,845). The other was titled Dancers, by the noted Ethiopian artist Afewerke Tekle (1932-2012). The work was artist signed and inscribed in Amharic lower left ($8,610).

A 19th century Russian year calendar icon, centered by the Anastasis (Resurrection) and the calendar for the year with groups of saints surrounded by images of the Mother of God, was mounted on an ultra-suede panel and measured 30 inches by 27 inches, framed ($2,829). Also, a colorful, 24-piece fused glass Rondelay screen by Michael and Frances Higgins, comprised of fused glass circles and squares with original connectors, 36 inches by 24 inches, hit $3,567.

From Asia, a mixed media sculpture by Hiroshi Yamano (Japanese, b. 1956), titled From East to West, made from blown, sculpted and cast glass with painting, drawing and copper electroplate, went for $5,412; while a fine Japanese bronze Shibuichi Okimono of Hana-Saka-Jisan and His Dog by Katsura Mitsuharu (1871-1962), based on the story of The Old Man Who Made the Withered Trees Flower, cast and detailed with Shibuichi copper, hit $3,936.

Next up for Neue Auctions is an online-only auction slated for Saturday, April 27th. The sale will include a superb art glass collection. Consignments are being accepted for this auction. To learn more about Neue Auctions, please visit www.neueauctions.com.

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