Palm Beach Show 2020 c

The ceramic arts have been important since the earliest societies.  There were examples 

of prehistoric Chinese pottery at the show.  These vessels are 20th century, by Cliff Lee. 

 Lee was born in Vienna, where his father was an ambassador.  He studied in Taiwan

and then came to the U.S. and became an M.D. in Neuro-surgery.  But then he discovered 

pottery and became an artist.  His works, all in porcelain, are made of white kaolin clay.

A variety of Cliff Lee pottery showing various glazes, shapes, and treatments.

Lee's wife, Holly, is a jeweler and is always at the shows also.

Each of these pieces is a tour de force, but only experts would appreciate the details.

Cliff Lee.  "Crackle Glaze Guan Ware with Monsters."

A crackle glaze is extremely difficult to create and control.

 Cliff Lee.  "Two Incised and Carved Vessels."

Cliff Lee.  "Two Plum Colored Pots."  Porcelain

Jennifer McCurdy.  "Feathery."  Porcelain which has been carved and gilded.

Jennifer McCurdy.  "Flickering Flame."  Carved and Gilded Porcelain.

Yes, this is pottery.

In the 17th and 18th centuries,  China produced vast amounts of beautiful porcelain

to sell to Europe, because Europeans did not know how to make porcelain.  This large 

platter, in  famille rose colors, was made for the French market.  In the late 18th

century, Germans finally discovered how to make porcelain, and the Meissen Works began.

Porcelain is fired at a very high temperature, and when struck with a wooden mallet,

has a clear ringing sound.

Chinese Export Ginger Jar in Famille Rose.

Five Vessels in Famille Rose with Cock and Hen, a popular subject.

China sold vast amounts to Europe in the 18the century, just as she does now.

17th Century Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Dogs

17th Century Chinese Export Pair of Dogs

A very different type of pottery comes from South Africa and is particularly popular

in Palm Beach.  Ardmore Studio has taught an entire village in South Africa to create and

decorate pots, which are now sold all over the world.  Women create the designs, and men

create the clay vessel.  The booth this year is six times the size it was five years ago.  The

owner said Palm Beach is his biggest market, although they now sell in 28 Neiman

Marcus stores and other upscale department stores.  "Leopard Vase."

Ardmore Pottery.  "Riding a Leopard."  Pieces this size sell for c. $8,000.
The company has now expanded into other areas of interior design, all with African
themes - pillows, towels, fabrics, hangings, rugs, stationery.

George Stubbs.  "King Charles Spaniel."  English.  1776

Paintings of dogs and horses and ships are very popular at the show.

17th Century Dutch Still Life.

Original frames for such pictures now cost far more than the paintings.  These fine frames are

specially made by hand in England for this gallery, Lawrence Steigrad.  They look far

better than the usual 18th century elaborate gold carved frames.

Jean Picard.  "Tulips"  Dutch  17th century.

A Tulip Craze hit Europe during the 17th century, and a new

variety might sell for the equivalent of $10 million.  The Dutch were

very proud of their flowers.

"A Bagpipe Player."  Dutch.  17th century.

Until the Dutch in the 17 century, it was only nobles and

churchmen who had their portraits painted.  But the Dutch were a nation

of middle class people, and they were proud of it.

"Church Interior."  Dutch.  17th Century.

This had once been an ornate Gothic Catholic Church, but after the Reformation,

the new Calvinist Church in Holland stripped all the statues and stained glass

windows out, and you were left with a pure, simple architecture.

By the end of the 19th century, French Impressionism had swept all across Europe

and North America.  "Boats in a Harbor" is a typical scene.

"Impressionist Still Life."  Early 20th Century.

John.W. Godward.  "By the Blue Ionian Sea."  English.

Norman Rockwell.  "Special Delivery."  U.S.

This is the original oil painting for the Saturday Evening Post

cover.  M.S. Rau Gallery always has at least one Rockwell.

The two most popular contemporary French artists in Palm Beach

are Claude Venard, above, "Still Life."

And Bernard Buffet, below.

Bernard Buffet.  "Old Farmhouse."  French.

Bernard Buffet.  "Still Life."  French.

Also popular in Palm Beach is Pierre Chassigneul

and his tall, slender women models.

RETNA.  "Alleluiah."  Los Angeles.

RETNA is a Los Angeles graffiti artist, who also paints 

for galleries to make a living.  If he is shown at Palm Beach, they

must be buying his works.

Andy Warhol.  "Siberian Tiger" from "Endangered Species Series."  Silkscreen.

This was the only Warhol on display at the show.

Emerald and Diamond Necklace

A nice pair of earrings to go with it.

Diamond Necklace by Harry Winston

Emerald and Diamond Necklace

Van Cleef and Arpels Ruby, Gold, and Diamond Necklace.

A ring you might wear with it.

A large aquamarine pendant.

 An amethyst necklace.

That's all for this year.

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