Chinese Silver 'Dragon' Cocktail Shaker, 19th Century
'Shaken, not stirred' may be the most recognizeable quote for both James bond and the world of mixed beverages, but chances are that Bond never had his martini made up in a cocktail shaker quite like this.
A five-clawed dragon chases a flaming pearl in high relief around the body of this silver cocktail shaker. Two more dragons wind around the shoulder and neck of the lid. Bamboo leaves are traced into the background.
This antique piece combines functionality with a visual flamboyance that a slick, modern cocktail shaker cannot rival.
The cocktail shaker will be coming up for auction in our June 27 'From Drawing Room to Battlefield' sale - view the catalog now on Live Auctioneers, Invaluable, BidSquare, or our website at www.oakridgeauctiongallery.com.
Please drink responsibly.
Lot 98: Meissen, 2 Costume Figures, Models Q114 & Q115
The partner to the young woman in Empire-style fashion, this porcelain figurine of a young man sports the frock coat and knee-breeches still popular among the upper classes in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. More importantly, his tricorn hat is topped with a tricolor cockade - symbol of the French Revolution and the aim of 'liberte - egalite - fraternite' (liberty, equality, brotherhood).
During the French Revolution, patriotic zeal was often represented through choices in clothing. Plain, hard-wearing fabrics like wool were considered more in-line with the precepts of the Revolution than the aristocratic fabrics of silk and lace - thus, the cockade was made up out of wool fabric, in green, the tricolors, or black and white. Rules, and eventually even legislation, around the wearing of the tricolor cockade (known as the cocarde nationale) abounded and helped to create a uniform appearance of national pride.
This particular statue does make one very great fashion faux pas in the eyes of French Revolutionaries - the wearing of culottes, or knee-breeches, rather than the long trousers common to middle and lower class Frenchmen. Artistocratic fashions and fabrics came back into style with the reign of Napoleon I, although knee-breeches eventually went out of style entirely. The cockade stuck around - and is still a visual symbol of Frenchness and Revolutionary ideals.
For more Meissen, and more items of the French Revolution and Napoleonic era, check out our June 27 'From Drawing Room to Battlefield' auction, now live on Live Auctioneers, Invaluable, and BidSquare.
Lot 109: Mughal-Style Silver Box with Jade Panels
This beautiful silver box with jade panels is hand-chased with delicate vegetal motifs reminiscent of the elaborate, decorative style of Mughal India. The Mughal Imperial court was a flourishing center for the arts, beginning with the reign of Akbar (r. 1556-1605). Silversmithing in particular flourished in regions like Orissa, embracing not only local artisan styles but also influences from Chinese and Persian art.
A Chinese influence may also be inferred in this box from the extensive use of jade panels to construct the faces of the box. All but the lid panels are smooth and uncarved - the lid, meanwhile, has been lightly carved with a floral motif, possibly featuring a zinnia flower surrounded by furling leaves.
The box, and several exquisite items of silver and jade, will be brought to auction with Oakridge on June 27, 2020 in our 'From Drawing Room to Battlefield' auction.
Lot 98: Meissen, 2 Costume Figures, Models Q114 & Q115
One of a pair of figures, this porcelain dame by the German porcelain maker Meissen from the 19th century is dressed to the nines of early 19th century fashion, in a sprigged, Empire waisted frock with puffed sleeves and long, lilac gloves.
German cities, like most of Continental Europe, took their fashion cues from Paris, although many had their own, flourishing textile and tailoring industries. The Grecian silhouette - a long, slim column meant to evoke the draped chitons of ancient Greek and Roman statues - signalled the desire for a return of Republican and democratic ideals, following the Terror of the French Revolution. Simultaneously, and rather ironically, it was meant to align Napoleon, whose star was on the rise, with classical emperors - hence the 'Empire' style.
While the true, Grecian style demanded thin drapes of semi-sheer white cotton muslin, most women adapted the style to social standards of dress by layering petticoats under the cotton dress and thus achieving the general silhouette without compromising their modesty. The sprigged white cotton worn by this young lady also demonstrates the influence of Indian chintz textiles on European fashion of the period, which were imported as well as copied by manufacturers in the English north.
Gilt Bronze Asura, Ming Dynasty, Yongle Period
Lot 245 of our upcoming Asian Art & Antiques auction on May 23, 2020 depicts an asura, one of a class of multi-headed, multi-limbed beings characterized for being in opposition to the Vedic gods or daevas.
The meaning of 'asura' in Hindu mythology developed over time from its first appearance in the Vedas around 1500-1200 BCE - referring originally to a powerful human or divine hero, and eventually signifying a kind of demon. Their role took on yet another meaning in Buddhism, where the asuras became hedonistic demigod beings obsessed with satisfying the passions, such as envy, pride, wrath and bellicosity.
This complex evolution of meaning is here encapsulated in a fairly diminutive statue, about 8 1/2 inches tall, with eleven heads and eight arms.
For more information and to bid on Lot 245 in our upcoming auction, visit us at https://oakridgeauctiongallery.com/details/15419.
#auction #asura #vedas #hinduism #buddhism #art #artwork #asianart #chineseart #mingdynasty #gold #artmarket #oakridgeauctiongallery
May 16th auction: Lot 248 Close-Up
Lot 248
The colors on this long handscroll are incredible - and hard to see without getting up close and personal.
Vintage 14K Gold Ladies' Necklace
This #vintage 14 K Gold Ladies' Necklace was purchased in Rio de Janeiro in the #1960s, a decade when fashionable jewelry tended toward bold, visual impact and texture that teased the eye of the beholder.
The necklace balances simplicity of material with a deceptive complexity of design; texture is created by both the 5-strand plait and the individual mesh strands, made cohesive by the interlacing of the plait and the uniform tone of the metal. Light plays over the different textures and lends additional interest to this necklace, which is as suitable to an elegant event today as it was over 50 years ago.
Nevers Faience Hot Air Balloon Plate, 18th Century
This polychrome plate was made in Nevers, France in the 18th century to commemorate the first manned hot air balloon flight at Versailles in 1783.
Among the witnesses for this historic flight were the French monarchs, Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Illustrated in the well of the plate are the Mongolfiere brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Ettienne, standing in the basket of the hot air balloon. On either side of the balloon are the words 'a l'immortalite' or 'to immortality'. Above the balloon is a shining sun, possibly symbolic of the Sun King Louis XIV, and below the balloon is a pastoral landscape and the date 1789.
Continued interest in the 1783 landmark flight, which established France as a center of innovation, through the end of the 18th century led to the production of commemorative items like this faience plate. This type of decoration is a subsection of faience parlante, referred to as 'faience patriotique,' which includes patriotic themes and events that inspire national pride and promote the monarchy. The date inscribed on this plate, 1789, was also the first year of the French Revolution.
Blaise Bontems (attrib.) 'Singing Birds' Automaton
Swarovski Crystal Snowy Owl, 2013
While the snowy owl is most often associated with the Arctic region, retreating there to breed from May until June, this species spends much of its time far south of that harsh climate. It's not uncommon to see them throughout the Great Lakes coastline as far south as Cleveland, Ohio.
Though these raptors only grow to 2 ft long, their 5 ft wingspan and large talons solidify them (along with eagles) as the top bird of prey in their environment. In recent years, this once widespread symbol of winter has been designated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. With conservation efforts, this majestic species may remain a symbol of winter for many generations to come.
#oakridgeauctiongallery #auction #auctions #auctionhouse #antiques #collectibles #bidding #consignment #ashburnva #loudouncounty #virginia #owl #owls #birds #birdsofinstagram #birding #snowyowl #swarovski #swarovskicrystals
Swarovski Crystal "Steamboat Willie" Mickey and Minnie, 2013
For those of you stuck at home and binge-watching @disneyplus like so many of us here, here's a throwback with you in mind to where it all began: Steamboat Willie. While not the first official Mickey Mouse short, it was the first with sound effects, courtesy of the Cinephone. From 7 minutes of Mickey on a steamboat to 12 Disney Worlds worldwide and over a month's worth of streamable film alone on Disney+, it's safe to say Walt and @disney had an impact on most all of our lives.
Find this lot and more @swarovski -immortalized Disney crystal figures in our upcoming Art, Antiques, and Collectibles sale, happening May 16. Register now through the link in bio!
#oakridgeauctiongallery #auction #auctions #auctionhouse #antiques #collectibles #bidding #consignment #ashburnva #loudouncounty #virginia #swarovski #swarovskicrystals #mickey #mickeymouse #minniemouse #disney #disneyplus
Meissen Porcelain Model S169
While Cupid may seem like a 20th century Hallmark figure to an American audience, this little deity has been out riding dolphins since ancient times. While the Greeks felt that Cupid, as the embodiment of love, was one of the very first beings in creation, the Romans most often interpreted him as the child of Venus and Mars (sometimes of Venus and Vulcan, sometimes of Venus and Mercury, sometimes of other gods altogether).
Due to the connection with Venus, who was born of the sea during an unfortunate altercation between Saturn and Uranus, Cupid also needed some sea imagery. The dolphin, already associated with kindness as it accompanied sailor's ships across the Mediterranean, served as a convenient, literal vehicle to express the Cupid-Venus connection. From Roman mosaics to Meissen porcelain, Cupid has journeyed quite a bit on the back of his seafaring friend.
Find this lot and much more from our May 16 Art, Antiques, and Collectibles auction through the link in bio. Bidder Registration is now open!
#oakridgeauctiongallery #auction #auctions #auctionhouse #antiques #collectibles #bidding #consignment #ashburnva #loudouncounty #virginia #porcelain #meissen #meissenporcelain #porcelainart #porcelainsculpture #antiqueporcelain #meißen #porzellan #germanart #germanartist #fineart #cupid #dolphins #mythology
Meissen Porcelain Malabarian Musicians, Models 1569 & 1576
These two porcelain figures present a beautiful, cross-cultural conundrum—How did manufacturers in the middle of Europe come to appreciate a culture in southern India? How did citizens of the Kerala coast get so European looking? Was there an international hurdy-gurdy trade that brought this instrument to this woman?
Whether through ancient trade routes to Rome, Egypt, Greece, or the Middle East, or through later French, Portuguese, Dutch, or British colonialism and trade, the word got out about this region as a powerhouse of music and literature. For a time, it seems, the term "Malabarian" was similar to "Bohemian"—A people, but also an artistic ideal.
This couple is part of our upcoming Art, Antiques, and Collectibles auction on May 16. Find this lot and the rest of the auction by following the link in bio—and don’t forget to register to bid!
#oakridgeauctiongallery #auction #auctions #auctionhouse #antiques #collectibles #bidding #consignment #ashburnva #loudouncounty #virginia #porcelain #meissen #meissenporcelain #porcelainart #porcelainsculpture #antiqueporcelain #meißen #porzellan #germanart #germanartist #fineart #music #musicians
Meissen Porcelain Tazza, Model F117
A star centrepiece from the Meissen factory porcelain collection found in our upcoming Arts, Antiques, and Collectibles auction on May 16 is this cupid-laden tazza. While the cupids and their possessions are clearly the focus of this piece, take a look at the brilliant expressions of the antiquated dolphin figures. The slight variation in the shading around the eyes conveys lots of emotion, and the coloration around the mouths give the illusion of subtle differences in movement.
With the interlocking tails hoisting up the shell platter, it's certainly a grand way to display any of the cake and pastry creations you've mastered while maintaining stay-at-home orders!
#oakridgeauctiongallery #auction #auctions #auctionhouse #antiques #collectibles #bidding #consignment #ashburnva #loudouncounty #virginia #porcelain #meissen #meissenporcelain #porcelainart #porcelainsculpture #antiqueporcelain #meißen #porzellan #germanart #germanartist #fineart #tazza #centerpiece #centerpieces #cakestand #cakestands
Oakridge Gallery Preview March 21 2020
A brief preview of our staged gallery for our March 2020 Spring Asian Decorative Arts auction
Oakridge Auction Gallery | Antiques & Collectibles in Ashburn
Oakridge Auction Gallery provides extraordinary service to both buyers and sellers alike. With its team of expert consultants from around the world, Oakridge Auction Gallery offers distinctive, unique, and beautiful items to selective museums and discerning collectors. Visit us online to find out more about our services and upcoming events, or give us a call today! Visit our website to learn more:
https://www.oakridgeauctiongallery.com/
Art Deco 14K Gold, Diamond & Aquamarine Brooch
Lot 0195 of our Spring Fine Art, Antiques, and Jewelry Auction features a 1930s custom made 14K gold (tested) brooch - pendant combination with 26 round brilliant cut pave set and 30 (approximately 1.3 ctw) tapered and straight cut baguette (approximately 1.7 ctw) diamonds of E-F color and V VS 1-2 clarity totaling approximately 3.0 ctw. Aquamarine is emerald step cut of approximately 40 ctw. Total weight: 28.7 grams (.923 troy oz).
Lot 639: PAINTING OF PUMPKINS BY WU CHANGSHUO, 1915
Only at our Fine Asian Art and Antiques: Session Two Auction.
As a leading painter during the early twentieth century, Wu Changshuo, was praised for rejuvenating the art of painting flowers and birds through the introduction of an expressive, individualistic style more generally associated with literati painting.
Lot 245: CHINESE SET OF 4 SNOW SCENE PLAQUES BY YU WENXIANG
A set of 4 Chinese porcelain plaques from a table screen with snow scenes by Yu Wenxiang. Each plaque has a signature and a description, and is dated 1946 with 1 seal.
Lot 288: CHINESE YELLOW CEREMONIAL ARMOR, EARLY 19TH C.
Lot 288 of our Fine Asian Art and Antiques, Session One is a magnificant 12-piece set of Chinese yellow ceremonial armor dating from the early 19th century. The armor is embellished with 4-clawed dragons and a 3-lobed geometric pattern for the ground.
Like our event page or visit our website for more details.
SNOW DAY!
We've got some winter weather coming, so our office will be closed tomorrow (Feb. 20th).
Gallery Preview Starts Tomorrow
Gallery Preview for our Winter Asian Art & Antiques Auction starts tomorrow at 10:00AM!
