ALAMEDA, CA.- On Saturday, July 16, Michaan’s Auctions will hold its monthly gallery sale. This month offers a variety of desirable genres, from elegant diamond jewelry to antique Indian weaponry. An engraved gold and steel shield, a fine flapper dress circa 1925, a lithograph in color by Marc Chagall (French/Russian, 1887-1985), a ring featuring a 2.25 carat diamond, and rare Chinese ceramics are only some of the highlights that will make their appearance in July.

Among this month’s unique furniture and decoration is a koftgari shield, featuring a gilt metal star on the central face and four bosses around the center (estimated $3,000-$5,000). Koftgari art originated in India as early as the 16th century as a means of decorating lethal instruments with elaborate gold and silver chiseling, yet preserving the functionality of the piece; this shield is a stunning example of this technique. Not to be missed is an Austrian Renaissance Revival rosewood buffet (estimated $2,000-$3,000). The cabinet door is gilt trimmed, ebonized, and inlaid with a detailed scene of a ruined street and archways. Fashion can be found at this month’s auction as well, including a sequin and bead flapper dress labeled R. Sacerdote Paris (estimated $1,000-$1,500). Dated circa 1925, this dress is in very good condition, preserving the work of petits mains seamstresses who individually attached every sequin.

Fine art from the 19th to the 21st centuries will be offered at this month’s sale, not least of which is Bouquet Sur la Ville, (1983), a lithograph by Marc Chagall (estimated $5,000-$7,000). Fine bronze sculptures are also featured in this auction, such as Clotilde de Surville (1877) by Jean Gautherin (French, 1840-1890) (estimated $2,000-$4,000), depicting a woman in medieval dress carrying a child. Modern art, like Rainbow Visual Prayer (2008) by Yaacov Agam (Israeli, b. 1928) (estimated $800-$1,200), makes an appearance as well. Agam is known as a pioneer of optical and kinetic art, and his most famous works employ a type of print now called an “Agamograph,” the use of barrier-grid animation to present radically different images as the viewer alters their perspective.

This month brings an abundance of fashionable jewelry, including a 14k yellow gold necklace designed by Erté (Russian/French, 1892-1990) (estimated $1,500-$2,500). Erté’s glamorous Art Deco style is beautifully captured in this piece, featuring a mother-of-pearl cameo bordered by onyx and accented by diamonds. This sale also offers a 2.25 carat diamond, 14k yellow gold ring (estimated $7,000-$9,000), with a striking band bordering the mounting on either side. Additionally, coin collectors won’t want to miss a 14k yellow gold pendant featuring a US 1910 double eagle $20 gold coin (estimated $1,800-$2,500). Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens (Irish, 1848-1907), a sculptor celebrated for his commemorative works of American heroes, the US double eagle coin has been called the most beautiful coin ever minted in America, and even the world.

Several desirable ceramic wares can be seen in this month’s selection of Asian art. Especially striking is a Chinese famille rose porcelain bowl (estimated $1,000-$1,500), the exterior depicting several fauna and flora against an orange ground, and the interior painted a contrasting turquoise. Another ware not to be missed is a Chinese Longquan octagonal vase (estimated $600-$800), with a globular body rising to a tall, tapering neck encircled with bamboo-like bands. Longquan celadons are especially prized for the jade-like color of their glaze, though the colors can extend to desirable but less common greenish blues, as is observed on this vase. A Chinese ‘oil spot’ Jian bowl is also included in July’s collection of pottery (estimated $600-$800). The ‘oil spots’ consist of iridescent silver spots on a lustrous black glaze on the bowl’s interior and exterior, resulting in a truly eye-catching piece.

For greatest ease of browsing and bidding, download the Michaan’s app. The complete auction calendar, and realized prices from previous auctions can be viewed at michaans.com.