Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ Spring Auction Weekend June 2-4 will present a collection of ancient and modern rarities from around the world. The auction will begin at 11 a.m. EST each day. The gallery will be open for previews prior to the auctions from 9-11 a.m. A complete, full color catalog, with detailed descriptions and photographs is available online at www.thomastonauction.com.

On Friday, the focus will be on objects from the Far and Near East, plus artifacts from Africa. Saturday will offer an engaging mix of American and European art and antiques, and Sunday will feature 20th century decorative arts and jewelry, ranging from the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau eras to the modern period.

The Friday auction will present a collection of 23 fine watercolor works by Chinese artist Wang Chi-Yuan (China/NY, 1893-1975). There are many examples of Japanese metal work, including: a pair of Meiji period bronze baluster vases with silver, gold and copper inlay depicting figural narrative scenes, a pair of Meiji period silver mounted and enameled glass bowls with relief silver overlay of butterflies and flowers, and a Shoto, or short sword, with a 17th c. blade signed by Wakizashi Masanaga (active 1648-1652).

Friday will also include a large collection of South Asian and Middle Eastern objects, such as an early Iznik architectural tile in wooden frame, and a Qajar Period Persian “Loghat Nameh” dictionary with Kufic derived text. Rounding out Friday’s far flung offerings will be outstanding selections of Southeast Asian stone sculptures; Chinese carved jade, bronzes, ceramics and furniture; and Japanese cloisonné and porcelain.

Saturday, June 3

Two important early 19th Century pieces of English furniture by Gillows of Lancaster and London will be offered on Saturday: a rosewood round pedestal table with lion paw feet, and a Sheraton mahogany two-drawer drop leaf library table.

From the selection of fine American antiques will be a monumental pine apothecary cabinet from a Camden, Maine pharmacy, a south coastal Maine bow-front mahogany chest of drawers, a pair of circa 1830 brass whale oil lamps by William Webb of Warren, Maine, and a carved mahogany lyre clock by Aaron Willard, Jr. with original gilded wood eagle finial.

A centerpiece of the sale will be an oil on canvas painting by Italian artist Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765) depicting a crowd greeting victorious troops. Other featured works of art will include a painting by John George Brown (NY/CA, 1831-1913) of a street urchin nuzzling a dubious dog; a watercolor by Maurice Prendergast (MA/NY/France, 1858-1924) depicting an autumn stroll on a village lane; and a magnificent painting of Fort Wetherill (Conanicut Island, Rhode Island) by William Trost Richards, among other important works.

Saturday will also offer excellent selections of decoys and weather vanes, Native American artifacts, fine carpets, antique Continental furniture, Russian icons, firearms, early porcelain, vintage banks, and antiquities.

Important late 19th - 20th Century decorative arts names such as Nakashima, Cartier, Paul Evans, Faberge, Tiffany, and Gustav Stickley will figure strongly in the Sunday sale. Featured items will include: a circa 1925 platinum and 15-carat diamond brooch by Cartier; a Danish modern carved teak settee by Finn Juhl; a George Nakashima sofa from the Widdicomb Series; a bronzed sculptural wall shelf unit by Paul Evans dated ’69; and a `947 Wurlitzer Model 1015 “Bubbler” jukebox.

Sunday, June 4

Highlights are: a Tiffany & Co. silver mounted mammoth tusk inkwell; a Tiffany Studios “Swirling Oak Leaf” pattern leaded glass lamp shade; a Mabel Conkling (NY/ME, 1871-1966) bronze garden urn; plus, a large collection of art pottery, including pieces by Newcomb College, Rookwood, Brother Thomas, Grueby, and Hampshire. Sunday will also offer a large estate jewelry collection; watches by Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Constantin Vacheron; fine silver; Art Nouveau time pieces and lighting; five pieces of Gustav Stickley furniture; and four vintage automobiles.

The gallery will be open for previews Monday, May 29 through Thursday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

In addition to live bidding in the auction hall, Thomaston Place accepts bids via absentee, telephone, and on the internet (via Thomaston Live, Bidsquare, or Live Auctioneers). The buyer’s premium is 17 percent for live, telephone, and absentee bidders and 20 percent for online bidders. Please call 1-207-354-8141 for more information, or to request reserve seating.

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is Maine’s premier auction and appraisal company located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston.