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With their intricate gears and openwork frames, skeleton clocks invite us to marvel at the mechanics of time. These timepieces, celebrated for their exposed movements, offer not only precision of time but transform into beautiful art pieces for your mantelplace. A Brief History of Skeleton Clocks Skeleton clocks, which feature exposed gearings and movements, first became popular in France during the late 18th century. This style did not gain widespread popularity until around 19th century England where they became a popular decorative piece for mantelplaces. These timepieces transformed the act of telling time into a visual experience, allowing viewers to appreciate the craftsmanship of the clock's movements. The Industrial Revolution made clock production more efficient. Clockmakers could produce intricate designs more efficiently, therefore bringing skeleton clocks within reach of more households. Notable makers such as Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, John Smith & Sons, and W.F. Eva...

Barridoff Auctions’ Summer 2025 International Fine Art Sale invites bidders to dive into a curated selection of fine art that reflects both the vibrancy of the season and the expressive power of the human figure. Among the standout lots in this year’s auction are four compelling works depicting bathers; each offering a unique interpretation of leisure, movement, and identity in the context of water. Carl Sprinchorn’s Sensuous Studies Two intimate works by Carl Sprinchorn (American, 1887–1971) capture the artist’s fascination with the figure in repose and motion. Known for his robust brushwork and dedication to modernist forms, Sprinchorn’s “Bather” and “Diver at Pool” are executed in pastel and watercolor, imbuing the subjects with both immediacy and elegance. “Bather,” a vertical composition measuring just over 11 inches tall, presents a poised and introspective figure rendered in warm tones and gestural strokes. Meanwhile, “Diver at Pool” co...

Halloween may still be weeks away, but collectors of vintage holiday memorabilia will have plenty to get excited about this month. On August 27, 2025, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates presents Summer Americana: Day 1, a sale brimming with folk art, advertising, toys, and nostalgic treasures. Among the highlights are a handful of rare and highly collectible Halloween-themed lots, perfect for enthusiasts who cherish the eerie charm of early 20th-century holiday décor. Here are five standout pieces crossing the block: German Papier-Mâché Jack-o’-Lantern A classic expression of Halloween tradition, this German papier-mâché lantern embodies the handmade craftsmanship that makes early jack-o’-lanterns so desirable. Collectors value these for their delicate construction and ability to evoke the mischievous spirit of vintage Halloween nights. Lot #30 Circa 1925 Papier-mache or pressed cardboa...

Mid-Century and Modern designer furnishings frame Rafael Osona's April 26th Daffodil Weekend Auction. 715 lots include over 100 offerings provenanced among 7 named Nantucket Island estates and private collections; additional estate finds to be presented at auction continually throughout Osona's 2025 season. A two-day gallery preview will showcase Modern alongside 19th Century design. From Mid-Century Denmark, Poul Jensen's pair of “Z” cushioned lounge chairs for Selig are considered iconic.                                                       lot 131 est. $2,000-$2,500   A finely crafted 1960's corner bar cabinet mirrors the Danish reverence for nature, while both in detail and in scale a colossal, impeccably crafted Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase by Maitland Smith holds cour...

A Czech man, Milos Vavra, recently filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, seeking to compel auction house Christie’s to disclose the current whereabouts and owners of artworks looted by the Nazis. These pieces originally belonged to Austrian Jewish cabaret performer and art collector Franz Friedrich “Fritz” Grünbaum, who was killed by the Nazis at the Dachau concentration camp in 1941. Vavra claims to be the legitimate heir of Grünbaum’s art collection and is demanding that Christie’s provide all relevant sales records, financial information, appraisals, expert reports, and correspondence, so that he can pursue legal action to recover the artworks. Grünbaum was a renowned Jewish cabaret performer in Vienna and an avid art collector. His collection included approximately 80 works by Austrian expressionist painter Egon Schiele. After the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938, Grünbaum was arrested due to his Jewish heritage and ultimately killed in Dachau. During his i...

Turner Prize-winning British artist Chris Ofili’s significant painting Blossom (1997) is set to appear at Christie’s this October, with an estimated sale price of £1 million to £1.5 million. The work is celebrated for its bold use of materials and its distinctive style, making it a rare highlight in the contemporary art market. Blossom was created one year before Ofili became the first Black artist to win the Turner Prize in 1998. This milestone marked a turning point, as the award had historically favored conceptual art. Ofili’s win signaled recognition of the strength and innovation of British painting in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The work itself embodies this moment, combining personal artistic vision with a reflection of the era. The painting merges religious portraiture, popular culture, and African symbolism, showcasing Ofili’s signature techniques: sequins, resin, and elephant dung. It depicts a topless woman wearing an orange flower crown atop her afro, blending a sen...

Heritage Auctions is thrilled to announce its continued role as the official auction partner for the 2025 American Numismatic Association (ANA) World’s Fair of Money®. This annual gathering is one of the most highly anticipated events in the global collecting community, bringing together coin collectors, investors, and numismatic enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s Signature® event auction, following the conclusion of the Oklahoma City show, will be hosted from Heritage’s global headquarters in Dallas, Texas. The auction will feature an impressive total of 1,977 meticulously curated lots, including 560 platinum-level rarities. These high-value pieces are so substantial that Heritage will conduct two platinum sessions on Tuesday, August 26—one in the afternoon and a second in the evening—offering both seasoned collectors and newcomers the opportunity to acquire some of the most exceptional coins ever offered. The first platinum session, beginning at 1:00 PM Central Time, wil...