Betty Ring is the foremost scholar and collector of American schoolgirl embroidery. The definitive reference book in the field is her two-volume work, Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers and Pictorial Needlework, 1650-1850, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1993.

The Ring Collection is without question the most important and celebrated assemblage of these remarkable examples of American decorative arts and American folk art in private hands and represents Mrs. Ring’s near 50-years of research, scholarship and connoisseurship in the field of girlhood embroidery.

This 20th Century Design auction contains a series of pre-war masterpieces that have not appeared on the market — in recent times, or ever — showing the strength of this collecting area at Sotheby’s. An inventory of the sale reads like a celebration of the greatest names in this period: a unique bar by Eckart Muthesius, together with a rare black lacquer and brown leather Eileen Gray armchair, both created for the Maharaja of Indore, a copper and tubular metal occasional table given by Eileen Gray to the mother of the current owner, a Marcel Coard cabinet bought 30 years ago, a unique Eugène Printz dining table, and a whole room lacquered boiserie by Jean Dunand.

The post-war section is similarly important with many European movements represented, including pieces by Josef Hoffmann, Grete Jalk, Franco Albini, and Franz von Stuck. There is particular emphasis on the French decorative arts, with works by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Guy de Rougemont, Jean Dunand, Maria Pergay, Line Vautrin, and Francois Xavier Lalanne.

A stellar cast of Post-war artists headlines this evening sale in Paris which includes works by Jean Dubuffet, Antonio Saura and Vieira da Silva. Having smashed the record for a Soulages painting in May 2011, the sale will offer three strong artworks of different periods, from the historic 1950s to the Outrenoir series. In addition, Sotheby’s Paris is honored to present three works coming from the Art Institute of Chicago: a rare Atlan painting, the iconic Ogre by Germaine Richier and an Hourloupe Mask by Jean Dubuffet.

Beside a group of beautiful works by Chu The Chun and a Zao Wou Ki painting, Walking Up Language by Huang Young Ping will bring a sculpture of the artist for the first time at auction in France.  Having broken the record in France for a work by Martial Raysse last May, the sale will also features L’Astronaute, 1963 which shows the artist’s passion for Modernity and new technologies transferred into new techniques of creation.  Paris is also the place for international artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose MP large painting can be seen as a self-portrait.

This panoramic journey through the Postwar and Contemporary schools is followed by a day sale, containing significant artworks by Nicolas de Staël, Geer Van Velde, Hartung, Arman, César, but also Mitchell, Murakami, Valdes, Yan Pei Ming and Barcelo.

Our commitment to offering significant and outstanding works of art from private collections continues in our Sotheby’s London auction, held during Asian Art in London in November. The sale features an exquisite Qianlong mark and period cloisonné enamel tiger waterpot (Lot 400) and a group of archaic bronze ritual vessels (Lots 376-389) from Parbold Hall, the home of Sir Peter Moores, together with outstanding Qing dynasty imperial monochrome wares (Lots 60-77) from the collection of Richard Cartwright. Jades are also well-represented with two private Italian collections formed in the 1970s.

Further highlights from the sale include a wide selection of fine ceramics, such as a remarkable purple-splash ‘Jun’ dish of the Song dynasty (Lot 360), an impressive Yuan dynasty ‘peacock’ jar (Lot 146), a sumptuous Qianlong mark and period doucai jar and cover decorated with bats and clouds, and a pair of blue and white soldier vases with elaborate European stands. Notable works of art include the fine gilt-bronze figure of Amitayus produced during the Kangxi period (Lot 187), large rhinoceros horn carvings of the late-Ming and early-Qing dynasties (Lots 1-6), and a fine huanghuali corner leg table attributed to the 17th/18th century (Lot 36).