MALVERN, Pa. – An oil on board painting of a vase with flowers by Michael Dasburg (American, 1887-1979), a miniature platinum and diamond Cartier pendant watch over 100 years old, and a Chinese spinach jade screen carved in bas relief of deer in the forest are a few of the expected top lots at Converse & Co.’s East Meets West antiques auction on Friday, Feb. 19.
The auction will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time at Converse & Co.’s gallery at 57 Lancaster Ave. in Malvern. Absentee and Internet bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
Asian objects will be sold alongside items from the Western culture – hence the title East Meets West – in a sale with more than 300 lots. These will include fine jewelry, antique clocks, period furniture, fine art, African tribal art, Steiff toys, fine Chinese carvings, cloisonné, furniture, porcelains and scrolls.
The oil painting by Michael Dasburg, artist-signed lower left and measuring 15 inches by 12 ¼ inches, has been assigned a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$5,000, but it is believed the final price will be considerably more. Dasburg, who was born in Paris but worked mostly in New York and New Mexico, was a pioneer of American Modernism and a leading early exponent of Cubism.
The small Cartier watch, made circa 1890-1910, has an “open face” format and a silvered dial that is signed “Cartier Paris.” It has a diamond set monogram verso, and diamonds around the case. The 17-jewel watch is Swiss – a lever escapement gold gilt bar lever type – and at just over 2mm thin it is probably the thinnest watch ever made. It is expected to realize $5,000-$10,000.