The upcoming Fine and Decorative Art Auction #5218, slated for sale on the Heritage auction block from June 19-21, reveals an interesting visual and decorative thread. Three of the pieces offered in this sale jump out as exceptional examples of the use of natural form as decoration. Even more intriguing, these examples all play with creating a similar visual experience. In each case, the artist has created a depiction of the day or night sky as background which is then contrasted against a simplified natural-form pattern in the foreground. This device gives these pieces a unique visual impact and a pronounced and pleasing sense of depth-of-field.
The first piece in the upcoming Estate auction that uses this decorative devise is the rare Newcomb College “St. Tammany Pines and Moon vase” (Lot #62239, Estimate: $6,000-8,000). This lovely example of American Arts & Crafts pottery features a moonlit night-sky with a ponderously low hanging moon. In the foreground, the glaze painter Anna Frances Simpson, has depicted pine trees covered in lazy long tendrils of moss. By juxtaposing the foreground elements with the night-sky, it give this piece an impact far larger than its actual physical size. So effective is the work, that when you hold the piece in your hand, one is transported to a hot and humid, muggy Mississippi night and the swampy environs of New Orleans where Newcomb Pottery was made. One can almost hear the hum of the cicada coming thru the trees.
Also spotted in this rich and varied auction, is a Royal Copenhagen Art Deco vase with fish (lot #62175, Estimate: $800-1,200). With this strong form, the artist has depicted beautiful stylized Halibut. The “catch of the day” has been strung up to dry from the trees along the coastline. With graceful economy of line and color, the artist has chosen to show these elegant fish hanging upside down as they dry in the sun. The maker also depicts elegant hanging leaves against the deep blue background glaze of the afternoon sky and white puffy clouds on the horizon. This handsome and masculine form would be a fine addition to any Scandinavian ceramic collection, or maybe just the right gift for a beloved fisherman in your life!
Finally, a silver overlay black glass vase attributed to Rockwell (lot#62097, Estimate: $500-800) uses two different materials to create the same effect. The black glass of the vase body is used to depict the sky, and the flying geese who have just been startled from the grass are a pop of silver against this dark background. There is an economy and a grace to the piece that makes this circa 1900 example a pleasing and strong American work.
Heritage’s experts have curated a generous three-day auction designed to whet many different collecting appetites from stylish examples of Art Deco, to Frank Stella prints to sumptuously colorful Tibetan Thangka. I challenge you to see what treasures you can find among our offerings this June and do come join us for auction day!