ALAMEDA, Calif. – Michaan’s fine art department presents works from American and European artists from the 15th to 21st centuries on Sunday, March 3. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

A wide range of art is available in the sale, including oil paintings, works on paper, engravings, watercolors, lithographs, bronze sculpture, etching and serigraphs. Featured in the March offerings is an original work of art by Leroy Neiman titled Rick in the Pit, 1987 (lot 032, $6,000-9,000). Penske racer Rick Meers was captured at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by the artist, who created the sketch from the pit. The mixed media on paper artwork comes with a certificate of authenticity and measures approximately 28 by 33 inches. Neiman became wildly popular the world over for his vibrantly colored and energetic images of sporting events. His international praise led him to be commissioned as the official artist of five Olympiads.

The jewelry department highlights a varied selection of offerings, including two exceptional diamond and platinum lots. Lot 231 is a pair of double clips featuring an asymmetric swirl motif mounting and approximately 7.50 carats of fine diamonds ($3,000-5,000). An Art Deco brooch in a buckle-style mounting featuring 87 diamonds will also be auctioned at an estimate of $1,000-1,500 (lot 212).

Beautiful and unique pieces are also seen in a Victorian necklace of diamonds and seed pearls set in a floral motif lavaliere style (lot 167, $800-1,000) and a pearl and diamond bangle bracelet (lot 169, $1,000-1,200). Also quite lovely is a whimsical brooch of amethyst, turquoise and diamonds set in 14K yellow gold. The piece, fashioned as a potted bouquet, will be offered as lot 139 at an estimate of $600-700.

Highlighting the timepiece selection is a unique Fritz Piquet & Buchmann pocket watch (lot 245, $2,000-3,000). The 18K yellow gold chronograph repeater is in working condition as it still audibly chimes. The Fritz Piquet firm was known for their superb work with adjusted watches and for supplying watch movements to makers such as Patek Philippe during the mid-19th century. Fritz Piquet and the Buchmann firm joined forces as expert adjusters specializing in complicated watches, becoming a top contender in their field. Fritz Piquet & Buchmann also won multiple awards, including first place in complicated watches in Geneva Timing Competitions as well as in the 1888 Geneva Observatory Timing Contest.

Over 90 lots including porcelains, Japanese works of art, religious statues, furniture, scrolls and paintings will be a part of the Asian Department’s March offerings. A highly collectible tea caddy leads the decorative selection, to be offered as lot 272 ($1,200-1,800). Small in stature, the container measures approximately 3 3/4 inches in height by 3 inches in width, but with markedly elaborate ornamentation. The piece is beautifully decorated by 31 natural cabochons of tourmaline, jadeite, rose quartz and rock crystal quartz. Two natural jadeite bangles then encircle the silver-gilt tea caddy, nicely complementing the look of its segmented body. The piece is further adorned with filigree and enamel work, fashioned in floral and foliage motifs set upon a fine mesh overlay.

Furniture and decorations features a selection of period décor, collectibles, ceramics, glass, silver and Persian rugs and carpets. This month, a desirable collection of English furniture will be offered at auction. Available pieces include a flip-top breakfast table (lot 051, $800-1,200), a set of 12 mahogany chairs (lot 050, $800-1,200) and a pair of Queen Anne-style mahogany night stands (lot 046, $500-700).

Highlighting the English furniture selection is a Francis Elkins mahogany rolling cart offered as lot 052 ($500-700). The cart is simply done in clean lines letting the design and beauty of the wood take precedence. The open work cart is sectioned by thin wood dividers that measure approximately 1 1/2 or 1 1/4 inches in width. Understated metal brackets are fashioned on each corner, complementing the long lines of the piece. This Elkins cart is a timeless example of the legendary style of the decorator. Her esteemed career brought her to work as an interior designer for Hollywood moguls as well as prominent Midwestern industrialists. This particular cart originated from an estate in Pebble Beach, Calif., where Francis Elkins personally executed the interior design work.

For general information call 510-740-0220 ext. 0 or e-mail info@michaans.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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