NEW BRAUNFELS, TX.- iGavel auctions, the groundbreaking online auction platform, has three simultaneous sales going on this spring that are hot enough to make it seem like summer. “This April and May we are having an exceptionally exciting schedule of online sales—with an abundance of unique items that rarely come to auction, including a rare group of gold-rush and other Western memorabilia,” says Lark Mason, who founded iGavel in 2003, forging the path of cyber-auctions.

The lots in the three sales are wide-ranging: Asian works of art, Western Americana, and American and European fine and decorative works of art, and though the items are physically located in galleries in Texas, Florida and California, a buyer need not go to there. Thanks to iGavel, just take a look and bid online.

Fine Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese Works of Art is the banner under which treasures are being offered by Lark Mason Associates in New Braunfels, Texas. At the forefront is a Japanese iron carp, made around 1880, with an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. Other highlights include a rare Vietnamese blue and white stem cup from the Hoi An hoard, made in the late 15th-early 16th century, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000; and a 16th century Japanese Karatsu-ware chawan from the Momoyama period, carrying an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000. There is also an extraordinary selection of more than 70 Japanese tea-wares dating from the 16th through 19th centuries from a private collection in the southwest U.S. Currently live through May 2, the sale also offers Vietnamese ceramics, Japanese swords, and woodblock prints.

Witherell’s of Sacramento, California, is currently holding their unreserved signature Western Design auction, live on iGavel Auctions and closing on May 11. Especially notable is a Captain Jack cigar store Indian by William Demuth (1835-1911) with an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. Two other items not to be missed are a silver-mounted parade saddle by Ed Bohlin (1895-1980), estimated at $15,000 to $25,000, and a leaded-glass panel of Chief Joseph, $3,000 to $5,000. Altogether, the sale consists of 143 unreserved lots.

Rounding out the trio is Abington Auction Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with 164 lots, including a fine selection of furniture, silver, fine and decorative arts. Among the highlights are Studies for a Self-Portrait, a lithograph by Francis Bacon with an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000; and a Madoura pottery owl by Pablo Picasso, estimated at $8,000 to $10,000. The online auction is currently live and scheduled to close on Tuesday, April 27.

Lark Mason founded iGavel Auctions in 2003 as a multi-seller internet auction platform for antiques and fine arts. Since its inception, the iGavel associate sellers have consistently realized record prices in the international market place.

iGavel associates are independent auctioneers, appraisers, and dealers, and include: Witherell’s (Sacramento, CA), Abington Auction Gallery (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Elder's Fine Art and Antiques (Nokomis, FL), Everard & Company (Savannah, GA), Lark Mason Associates (New York, NY and New Braunfels, TX), Daniel Cooney Fine Art (New York, NY), South Bay Auctions (East Moriches, NY), Bill Lowrie Antiques (Minneapolis, MN), John Buxton (Dallas, TX), Remmey Auctions (Morristown, NJ), Quinn’s Auctions (Falls Church, VA), and Geraldine Carr (Virginia Beach VA), and others.

Mason served as a General Appraiser from 1979 until 1985, at Sotheby’s New York, and as a Senior Vice President and specialist in Chinese art with Sotheby’s Chinese Works of Art Department from 1985-2003. From 2000-2003 he concurrently was a Director of Online Auctions for Sothebys.com. He also served as a consulting curator at the Trammel and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas, Texas from 2003-2009. He is an expert in the field of Chinese furniture, having responsibility for this area during his tenure at Sotheby’s. As an Asian works of art specialist he has valued and advised many private collectors and institutions.

Lark Mason Associates regularly hosts auctions on the iGavel Auctions platform and has an established history of record sales of Chinese and other works of art. Mason is also noted for his regular appearances on the PBS series, “The Antiques Roadshow,” where he is 20-year veteran appraiser.