ALAMEDA, CA.- Making up approximately one-third of Michaan’s jewelry offerings in the June 19, 2015 auction will be a collection of opulence and extremely high quality: a sparkling assortment of adornments known as The Barbara Fouts Collection. A gemmy, bright and bold pick is found in a convertible brooch at an estimate of $7,000-9,000 (lot 3025). Reminiscent of the extravagant Bulgari jewelry designs of 1980s, assorted gems of bright and brilliant color are placed on each end of a yellow gold cross, further enhanced by a diamond-encrusted center. The cross, which can be converted into a pendant, contains peridot, tourmaline, tanzanite and sapphire. The gems on this primary cross display a rainbow of beauty, with two stylized, gemstone adorned, yellow gold batons intersecting the back. Yet another likeminded gemstone cross from the collection will also be available to bidders at auction, listed at an estimate of $6,000-9,000 (lot 3017).

A Fouts jewelry line promoted as the Queen of Hearts Collection is a distinctive translation of a classic heart shape. Complex, three-dimensional, snaking designs form hearts within a variety of the yellow gold, diamond encrusted pieces. A large cuff bracelet is perhaps the most substantial Queen of Hearts piece at auction at an estimate of $9,000-10,000 (lot 3003). Fashioned in 18 karat yellow gold and approximately 7.0 carats of accent diamonds, a three-dimensional heart shape is centered on the bracelet as a focal point. Half of this heart is encrusted in one hundred and thirty-seven diamonds, shining brilliantly upon the approximate 2 ¼ inch width cuff. The Queen of Hearts pieces are a testament to the hand carved wax molds that were integral in making their intricate designs. The engineering is superior; the mechanics and hidden clasps are expertly made and harmoniously concealed, perfectly blending in with the abstract twists and turns. The influence of Fouts’s best friend, who was married to a heart surgeon, lead her to make these unusual heart forms intertwined with what appear to be golden vessels. Pleasant Hill jeweler Jim Peirano collaborated with Fouts on the design, production and stone selection of the Queen of Hearts Collection as well as her other jewelry creations, playing a key role in the success of their aesthetics and inner workings. The Queen of Hearts Collection stands as a beautiful legacy to their partnership, to be offered in seven pieces in total in the sale.

A magnificent and massive Tiffany sterling centerpiece bowl stands as an impressive decorative item in the sale at an estimate of $50,000-70,000 (lot 3417). Measuring an approximate 9 x 32 x 23 inches, the piece also weighs an approximate and hefty 19 pounds. The circa 1895 polished sterling silver bowl is of a deep oval well form, coming to a flared, heavily decorated, everted rim. Lush repoussé renditions of fruit and floral designs are further adorned by volute ornamentation upon the rim, covering an approximate 10 1/2 inch width space at the widest point. The decorative imagery is reminiscent of a cornucopia reflecting the bounty of harvest, done in a sculptural nature of high relief. Tiffany’s superior silver work coupled with a nod to aesthetics culminates into this striking and majestic piece. The bowl is then perched upon four claw feet, finished by a stamp denoting its manufacture by Tiffany & Co., as well as silver content of 925.

Splendidly illuminating the fine auction is a Dirk Van Erp and Elizabeth Eleanor D’Arcy Gaw mica copper lamp from a private Mill Valley, California estate collection. This sale feature is of a hand hammered copper base of beaker form in a richly auburn hue. The conical shade of an approximate 17 inch diameter is intersected by additional metalwork of four tapering, vertical embellishments, serving as a decorative piping of sorts. These copper adornments then meet at the top of the shade by a unique domed, capped topper, also fashioned in hand hammered copper. The original lamp, of a total approximate height measurement of 19 inches, is stamped upon the base “DIRKVANERP” alongside a windmill maker’s mark. Fine lighting such as this piece by California Arts & Crafts duo Dirk Van Erp and Elizabeth Eleanor D’Arcy Gaw is quite scarce in the market, as their working partnership spanned from 1910-1911. This short production time came to represent the apex of both of their metalworking careers, with their creations regarded by many as the best of each of their creative outputs. Works by the design team continue to be amongst the most rare and highly prized forms of art metal from the early 20th century. This fine sale lamp by Van Erp and D’Arcy Gaw is listed as Michaan’s sale lot 3392 at an auction estimate of $15,000-20,000.

Michaan’s 2015 Fine Art, Furniture, Decorative Arts and Jewelry auction closes with distinguished artworks, highlighted by Poland’s most famous living artist. Wojciech Fangor’s (b. Nov. 15, 1922) 1969 oil on canvas titled M1 will be sold at an estimate of $80,000-120,000 (lot 3274). The painting, measuring approximately 48 inches square, depicts incorporated circular forms, with the center appearing as if it is almost pulsating in white and blue tones. His genius use of space and light masterfully creates blurred forms that amazingly seem to “buzz” with energy, as if moving on their own accord. Fangor’s masterful technique of using thin layers of vibrant oil paint creates this optical illusion, giving the viewer a curious sense of motion and movement. Fangor’s pulsating and vibrating circles and waves made him an unofficial leader of the 1960s Opart movement. An exhibition of his optically bending paintings titled A Study of Space at the New Culture Salon in Warsaw in 1958 was a hit, becoming recognized as a culturally important event and the first artistic environment ever created in Poland. Also noteworthy is that Fangor is currently the only Polish artist to have had his own exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

One of the most iconic graphic artists ever known is also represented at sale, in Maurits Cornelis Escher’s color woodcut titled Puddle (lot 3277, $20,00025,000). The print depicts a muddy woodland ground scene, becoming a work of spatial art in Escher’s imaginative world. Tire impressions and numerous footprints mark a muddy ground, with the scene divided by a puddle reflecting trees and a full moon. Even in more objective works such as Puddle, it is evident how Escher uses form, space and subject matter to delight, as well as engage the viewer. The green, brown and black toned woodcut is hand signed in pencil on the lower left corner with an artist stamp and date appearing upon the corner above. Artistic, mathematic and scientific communities alike have praised his catalog of over 2,000 works for their exceptional precision and intellectual beauty. Escher’s images continue to amaze at the M.C. Escher Foundation of Baarn, as well as in collections of original works held in the Escher Museum, the National Gallery of Art, the National Gallery of Canada, the Israel Museum, Huis ten Bosch and at the Boston Public Library.