#Hot #Lots #Coming #Auction #December #WorthPoint
WorthPoint’s Industry Partners are closing out the year with some terrific items any collector would be happy to find under their Christmas tree. Highlights include a set of sweet wheels from 1931, pieces by two renowned art nouveau artists, a rare beer can, and a waffle iron that makes heart-shaped breakfast treats.
In the early 20th century, the well-built, sporty, and attractive Ford Model A was one of the biggest-selling cars in America. Consumers were so enamored with it that Ford manufactured almost 5 million from 1927 to 1931. Drivers are still smitten and it’s become one of the most popular classic cars to collect.
Idaho Auction Barn of Twin Falls, Idaho, is offering collectors the chance to acquire one in its Last Sale of the Year, which closes on December 11. Lot 5, a 1931 Ford Model A Roadster, is believed to have had just three owners and is in excellent condition, both cosmetically and mechanically.
The Model A replaced the Model T and was available in a range of body types, including various closed- and open-roof options, like the Roadster. It remains a valued collector car that’s fun to drive and easy to restore and maintain and is supported by a thriving community of businesses, clubs, and enthusiasts.
A true classic that embodies the craftsmanship of the era, this Roadster is perfect for any vintage car collector, whether for shows or weekend drives.
One of the most widely recognized artists in history, Alphonse Mucha gave rise to the distinctive style of art nouveau. The Czech artist’s beautiful and complex work, commonly seen in museums, galleries, and at auctions, is admired by art collectors and the public alike.
Ripley Auctions of Indianapolis, Indiana, is offering one of his famous advertisements at its Great Estates Live! Fine Art Auction on December 14. Lot 27, an original 1898 F. Champenois Imprimeur-Editeur color lithograph with gold gilding, advertises Ferdinand Champenois of Paris, Mucha’s primary printer.
The beautiful woman, the floral motif, and the classical design of her gown, all done in delicate colors, are typical of Mucha’s design elements, and this poster is an exemplary example of his art nouveau style.
Posters—one of the 20th century’s most predominant forms of visual communication—are one of Mucha’s greatest legacies. Through them, he defined a glamorous era that continues to captivate today.
Another celebrated Art Nouveau artist, René Lalique, was a master at melding beauty and mystery in his stunning jewelry creations. He designed jewelry for only 10 years before moving on to glass-making, but in that short time, he gifted the world with the most enigmatic and extraordinary jewels that are avidly pursued by collectors.
Rago Arts and Auction Center of Lambertville, New Jersey, is offering one of Lalique’s beautiful creations in its December 17 sale, The Jewelry Collection of Anne C. and David J. Bromer.
Lot 106, a “Diaulos Flutist” necklace, circa 1900-1902, features a woman playing two flutes who appears to be in motion and is wearing a flowing creamy-gold gown that glistens in the light. Depicting women in feminine, highly idealized, and seductive ways is one of the hallmarks of art nouveau design and a theme in many of Lalique’s pieces. The pendant also includes a pear-shaped aquamarine, a gemstone often featured in his work, and showcases his exceptional plique-à-jour enameling.
Lalique was famous for his plique-à-jour technique, a delicate and highly specialized art form similar to stained glass that allows light to shine through the enamel to create a luminous effect. His enamel pieces were in demand during his lifetime and are still highly prized by collectors today.
Beer can collectors can’t miss Morean Auctions’ Rare Beer Cans and Breweriana sale on December 22. One of the standouts offered by the Brimfield, Massachusetts, auction house, which specializes in all things breweriana, is Lot 130. This early Brown Derby flat-top can, circa 1935, is considered a holy grail in the hobby. With its graphic of the company’s trademark derby hat and cane, it’s also one of the most dapper beer cans.
Canned beer first hit the market in 1935, and Brown Derby was one of the first brands offered in small aluminum flat-top cans that required a church key to open. The pilsner-style beer, produced by the Humboldt Malt and Brewing Company of California, was manufactured exclusively for Safeway grocery stores to compete with national brands.
The first run of cans with the image of a derby hat and cane was too similar to imagery associated with the well-known Los Angeles Brown Derby restaurant, and a lawsuit caused the beer company to change its design. Hence, this specific brown and green design was short-lived and is a rare gem for any breweriana collection.
What could be a better breakfast on a cozy Sunday morning than homemade waffles? How about some heart-shaped treats made in an antique waffle iron by Griswold Manufacturing, a company famous for its cast iron pieces?
During its Primitives and Collectibles Auction on December 31, Freeman Yoder Auction Center of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is presenting more than 60 Griswold cast iron cookware pieces, including Lot 239, a Griswold No. 928 heart-shaped waffle maker from the early 1920s that has a coiled steel handle to protect from burns. It makes thinner waffles and has an elegant design of a center star surrounded by hearts.
Waffle irons are collected for various reasons, including their useability, retro style, and historical significance. This Griswold model is part of a special line of waffle irons the company produced and is prized by collectors. Griswold cookware in general is a favorite with collectors for its craftsmanship and high quality and has been a staple in countless kitchens since the 19th century.
Adina K. Francis has been a writer and editor in the antiques and collectibles field for more than 20 years. She has a bit of an obsession with the Victorians and thinks that dogs are one of life’s greatest gifts.
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