Under the Hammer

Highlights from Upcoming Auctions

In anticipation of our upcoming auctions, we will be showcasing a selection of works at our new San Francisco gallery located in the Financial District.

From Jewelry to Music to Post-War & Contemporary Art, we are pleased to present an exciting line-up of auctions across several categories this Fall season. Here, read all about our specialists' highlights and visit us in-person to view the exhibition.

SAN FRANCISCO
October 18 - 22 | 9am - 5pm, daily
601 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

African and Oceanic Art

Fang Female Reliquary Figure, Betsi Group, Gabon

Fang Female Reliquary Figure, Betsi Group, Gabon. Estimate: $240,000 - 280,000 offered in African & Oceanic Art on 16 November in New York.

Fang Female Reliquary Figure, Betsi Group, Gabon. Estimate: $240,000 - 280,000 offered in African & Oceanic Art on 16 November in New York.

Fang Female Reliquary Figure, Betsi Group, Gabon. Estimate: $240,000 - 280,000 offered in African & Oceanic Art on 16 November in New York.

We are pleased to showcase in our San Francisco galleries a selection of African and Oceanic artworks offered in our upcoming auction. Honoring the amazing elegance and variety of form, as well as the sculptural skill of traditional artists from Africa and the Pacific Islands, the auction pays tribute to the extraordinary creativity of these unknown artists who posthumously influenced Modern and Contemporary artists of the twentieth century.

The highlight of the auction—a Fang Female Reliquary figure from Gabon—will be on view in San Francisco. Fang reliquary figures are one of the most iconic sculptural traditions in African art, serving to protect the relics of important ancestors. Most depict male figures, however we see in this sculpture the depiction of a female being elevated to the rank of the venerable ancestor.

- Fred Backlar, Director of African, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian Art

American Art

Thomas Hill
Picnic Near Mt. Chocorua

Thomas Hill (1829-1908); Picnic Near Mount Chocorua. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in American Art on 18 November in New York.

Thomas Hill (1829-1908); Picnic Near Mount Chocorua. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in American Art on 18 November in New York.

Thomas Hill (1829-1908); Picnic Near Mount Chocorua. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in American Art on 18 November in New York.

This magnificent painting titled Picnic Near Mt. Chocorua by Thomas Hill will be offered in our upcoming American Art auction and will be on view in San Francisco. The vivacious impressionistic rapidity observed in the details of this intricate scene—a leisurely crowd playing about in boats and tents, a couple on a stroll, a baby in a pram, a grandmother pulling an infant in a wagon, and a repast on the lawn—are all captured in light deft brushstrokes.

The painting was in Hill's personal collection when placed on display at the Mechanics Institute Exhibition in San Francisco in 1877.

- Aaron Bastian, Director of Fine Art

California Art

William Wendt
The Oak

William Wendt (1865-1946); The Oak. Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000 offered in California Art on 23 November in Los Angeles.

William Wendt (1865-1946); The Oak. Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000 offered in California Art on 23 November in Los Angeles.

William Wendt (1865-1946); The Oak. Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000 offered in California Art on 23 November in Los Angeles.

California Art has been synonymous with Bonhams’ heritage in San Francisco dating to the Gold Rush days. As such, we are especially delighted to showcase the best of the West with this fine example by one of California’s leading Impressionists, William Wendt. The Oak was painted in Wendt’s first decade visiting Southern California and honors the quiet beauty of the region. Here, the humble and ubiquitous native oak is elevated to heroic proportions, with its massive branches silhouetted against the sky, casting a sun-dappled shadow for the viewer’s delight. The Oak is Wendt’s ode to California and its dazzling light effects and color, captured through lively brushwork and impasto.

- Kathy Wong, Specialist of Fine Art

European Fine Living

Two Important American Sterling Silver Figural "Gold Rush" Boxes by Tiffany & Co., New York, NY, 1879

Two Important American Sterling Silver Figural "Gold Rush" Boxes by Tiffany & Co., New York, NY, 1879. Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000 offered in European Fine Living on 16 November in Los Angeles.

Two Important American Sterling Silver Figural "Gold Rush" Boxes by Tiffany & Co., New York, NY, 1879. Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000 offered in European Fine Living on 16 November in Los Angeles.

Two Important American Sterling Silver Figural "Gold Rush" Boxes by Tiffany & Co., New York, NY, 1879. Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000 offered in European Fine Living on 16 November in Los Angeles.

The European Fine Living auction on 16 November in Los Angeles will offer over 400 lots from the 18th through the 21st centuries. This multi-department lifestyle auction represents a spectrum of diverse American, European, and Asian furniture, silver, carpets, decorative and fine arts. An important highlight from the sale— two custom Tiffany American sterling silver gold rush boxes— will be on view in San Francisco.

- Anna Hicks, Head of Furniture & Decorative Arts

History of Science and Technology

Autograph Letter Signed ("steve jobs"), 1p, 4to, [Santa Cruz Mountains], [February 23, 1974], to Tim Brown, with autograph envelope

Jobs, Steve. [1955-2011.] Steve Jobs Reveals His Spiritual Side. Autograph Letter Signed ("steve jobs"), 1p, 4to, [Santa Cruz Mountains], [February 23, 1974], to Tim Brown, with autograph envelope. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in History of Science and Technology on 3 November in Los Angeles.

Jobs, Steve. [1955-2011.] Steve Jobs Reveals His Spiritual Side. Autograph Letter Signed ("steve jobs"), 1p, 4to, [Santa Cruz Mountains], [February 23, 1974], to Tim Brown, with autograph envelope. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in History of Science and Technology on 3 November in Los Angeles.

Jobs, Steve. [1955-2011.] Steve Jobs Reveals His Spiritual Side. Autograph Letter Signed ("steve jobs"), 1p, 4to, [Santa Cruz Mountains], [February 23, 1974], to Tim Brown, with autograph envelope. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in History of Science and Technology on 3 November in Los Angeles.

Our upcoming History of Science and Technology auction is led by an autograph letter signed by then-18 year old Steve Jobs written to his childhood best friend Tim Brown, the first handwritten letter by the revolutionary CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc. to ever come to auction.

The autograph letter will be on view in San Francisco along with two Apple Macintosh prototypes and an Eadweard Muybridge panorama of San Francisco from California St. Hill offered in Fine Books & Manuscripts on 15 December in New York.

- Adam Stackhouse, Director of Books & Manuscripts

Impressionist & Modern Art

Henri Matisse
Portrait de femme

Henri Matisse (1869-1954); Portrait de femme. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000 offered in Impressionist & Modern Art on 10 November in New York.

Henri Matisse (1869-1954); Portrait de femme. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000 offered in Impressionist & Modern Art on 10 November in New York.

Henri Matisse (1869-1954); Portrait de femme. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000 offered in Impressionist & Modern Art on 10 November in New York.

We are excited to feature several works in our San Francisco galleries including Portrait de femme by Henri Matisse. The simple, swift lines on the bright white paper unfold as a play of positive and negative space. Drawn from close by, Matisse imbues the portrait with directness and intimacy, connoting a close relationship between the artist and sitter. This beautiful and captivating work is one of the highlights of The Distinguished Collection of Dr. Paul Cushman, Jr., a cornerstone of our Impressionist & Modern Art auction on 10 November in New York.

- Preeya Franklin, Senior Specialist of Impressionist & Modern Art

Jewelry

Offered in New York Jewels on 6 December. A Diamond Ring Centering an emerald-cut diamond; estimate: $100,000-150,000. A Diamond Bracelet; estimate: $60,000-90,000. A Diamond Ring; estimate: $100,000-150,000.

Offered in New York Jewels on 6 December. A Diamond Ring Centering an emerald-cut diamond; estimate: $100,000-150,000. A Diamond Bracelet; estimate: $60,000-90,000. A Diamond Ring; estimate: $100,000-150,000.

Offered in New York Jewels on 6 December. A Diamond Ring Centering an emerald-cut diamond; estimate: $100,000-150,000. A Diamond Bracelet; estimate: $60,000-90,000. A Diamond Ring; estimate: $100,000-150,000.

This Fall and Holiday season, we are thrilled to offer bi-coastal jewelry auctions: California Jewels on 8 November and New York Jewels on 6 December. An exciting selection from both auctions will be available for viewing in San Francisco, including highlights from the Anne Reinking Estate, illustrious jewels from world-renowned makers, and wearable jewelry for the everyday.

- Caroline Morrissey & Emily Waterfall, Directors of Jewelry

Music

The Beatles: An Important Handwritten Set List by Paul McCartney, 1960

The Beatles: An Important Handwritten Set List by Paul McCartney and Beatles Signed Promotional Postcard, 1963

Two extraordinary rarities from The Beatles’ earliest years, handwritten set lists from live performances held in 1960 and 1963. Both are estimated at $150,000 – 250,000. Music Memorabilia, Los Angeles, October 28.

Two extraordinary rarities from The Beatles’ earliest years, handwritten set lists from live performances held in 1960 (left) and 1963 (right). Both are estimated at $150,000 – 250,000 offered in Music on October 28 in Los Angeles.

Two extraordinary rarities from The Beatles’ earliest years, handwritten set lists from live performances held in 1960 (left) and 1963 (right). Both are estimated at $150,000 – 250,000 offered in Music on October 28 in Los Angeles.

This season's Music auction features two well-preserved handwritten set lists by Sir Paul McCartney from live performances held in 1960 and 1963. Each one offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind early performances of The Beatles, a group that redefined rock and roll as well as popular culture across the world.

These astounding artifacts will be on view in San Francisco along with another rare piece of popular culture: a full-length stage coat that was worn by Prince at a pivotal point in his career, the first time he performed "Purple Rain" live.

- Helen Hall, Director of Popular Culture

Native American Art

Navajo Late Classic Second Phase Chief's Blanket

A Navajo Late Classic Second Phase Chief's Blanket. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000 offered in Native American Art on 22 November in Los Angeles

A Navajo Late Classic Second Phase Chief's Blanket. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000 offered in Native American Art on 22 November in Los Angeles

A Navajo Late Classic Second Phase Chief's Blanket. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000 offered in Native American Art on 22 November in Los Angeles

Our Native American Art auction on November 22 features several collections across a variety of categories including a selection of baskets from the Southern California peoples, jewelry by famed Zuni artist Leekya Deyuse, and an impressive portfolio of prints by Fritz Scholder and TC Cannon. Also offered and on view in San Francisco is the present Navajo Late Classic Second Phase Chief's Blanket from a Midwest collector.

- Ingmars Lindbergs, Director of Native American Art

Post-War & Contemporary Art

Grace Hartigan
Bony Labyrinth

Grace Hartigan; Bony Labyrinth, 1967. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in Post-War & Contemporary Art on 11 November in New York.

Grace Hartigan; Bony Labyrinth, 1967. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in Post-War & Contemporary Art on 11 November in New York.

Grace Hartigan; Bony Labyrinth, 1967. Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 offered in Post-War & Contemporary Art on 11 November in New York.

Headlining our Post-War & Contemporary Art auction on 11 November in New York are some of the most desirable names in contemporary art today, including titans of the Post-War period to long underappreciated artists to cutting edge figures. Several works offered in the auction will be on view in San Francisco, including a phenomenal 1967 canvas from Abstract Expressionist Grace Hartigan.

- Andrew Huber, Senior Specialist of Post-War & Contemporary Art

Prints & Multiples

Joan Mitchell
Trees I (Diptych)

Joan Mitchell; Trees I (Diptych). Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000 offered in Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples on 2 November in New York.

Joan Mitchell; Trees I (Diptych). Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000 offered in Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples on 2 November in New York.

Joan Mitchell; Trees I (Diptych). Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000 offered in Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples on 2 November in New York.

Our Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples auction offers a strong collection of American prints including important graphics by woman artists. We are pleased to spotlight Joan Mitchell’s large 1992 diptych Trees I in our San Francisco galleries before it crosses the auction block on 2 November in New York.

- Deborah Ripley, Director of Prints & Multiples

Curious to learn more about the upcoming auctions? Schedule an appointment to view in San Francisco or browse our auctions online.

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