Date of Release:  Oct. 21, 2010

Works by Tiffany Studios, other iconic 20th century design in Michaan’s Nov. 8 sale

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Devotees of 20th century art glass, lighting, pottery, jewelry, fine art and architectural elements won’t want to miss the inaugural 20th Century Decorative Arts sale to be held Nov. 8 at Michaan’s Auction in Alameda, California. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.  The sale will be headed up by 20^th Century Design expert, Reyne Haines.

“All of us here at Michaan’s Auctions are thrilled to be collaborating with Reyne Haines in the creation of the first of a series of 20^th Century Decorative Arts sales that we believe will eventually become the most important auctions in this field on the West Coast.” said Allen Michaan, owner of Michaan’s Auctions.

In the heart of the Bay Area, Michaan’s Auction is centrally located between San Francisco – with its many Art Deco architectural masterpieces – the Arts & Crafts mecca of Berkeley, and the moneyed Silicon Valley, a region known for its Mid-Century modern homes. This geographical position puts Michaan’s within striking distance of the best of northern California’s estates and collections.

Fine art highlights of the Nov. 8 sale include a Leroy Neiman Charlie “Bird” Parker silkscreen created expressly for Hugh Hefner, a rare Salvador Dali print from the Marquis de Sade portfolio, photographs by Ezra Stoller and Margaret Bourke-White; and watercolor studies by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Tiffany Studios will be well represented by several windows, leaded lamps, desk accessories, glass, and a few particularly rare designs: a four-panel tea screen and an enamel-over-copper vase.

Other studios whose coveted artworks are to be auctioned in Michaan’s sale include Rene Lalique, Emile Galle, Muller Freres, Daum, Quezal, Venini, Steuben, and Duffner & Kimberly.

The jewelry category is led by one of the finest collections of Bakelite seen in some time, with such inclusions as a Philadelphia bracelet, a Greco-Roman head, and green and red Josephine Baker profile bracelets.

Other jewelry highlights include an array of Mexican silver by such premier artists as Hector Aguilar, Los Castillos, Damasco Gallegos and Erica Hult de Corral; and  Modernism pieces by Ed Weiner, Bill Tendler & Anton Mikkelson. Additional jewelry categories include early French paste and a beautiful assortment of KJL, Hattie Carnegie and Miriam Haskell designs.

Rounding out the sale is a collection of Modernism furniture and design. Among the highlights are Marcel Breuer lounge chairs, a Mobier rocker, an Edward Wormley desk and cocktail table; a Vistosi table lamp, and a Paavo Tynell table lamp.

“It has been exciting watching the sale come together.” said Haines.  “I think this is going to be the start of a wonderful thing!”

All forms of bidding will be available for the Nov. 8 auction including live gallery bidding, phone, absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information on any lot in the sale, call 510-740-0220 ext 122 or email reyne@michaans.com.

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

Visit Michaan’s online at www.michaans.com.