LiveAuctioneers To Award Year Of Unlimited, Deluxe Internet Live-Bidding Services To Winner Of Drawing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date of Release:  Sept. 29, 2010

NEW YORK – To celebrate its anticipated one-thousandth auction-house client, Internet live-bidding services provider LiveAuctioneers.com has announced details of a month-long promotion that will culminate with the awarding of a grand prize package valued at no less than $16,000.

With 990 auction houses currently on its roster, the Manhattan-based company expects to record its 1,000th auction-house sign-up sometime during the month of October.

“Because it is such a significant milestone for us, we’ve organized a fantastic prize for one of the auction houses that signs up with us between now and October 31st,” said LiveAuctioneers CEO Julian R. Ellison. “All October sign-ups will be entered in a drawing to be held on November 1st at our corporate offices. The winner will receive a full year of unlimited Internet live bidding services at the platinum-plus level, as well as several other premium-level bonus gifts.”

The additional gifts include a custom-created iPhone app from LiveAuctioneers App Technologies, and a custom-designed LiveAuctioneers White Label platform, which enables an auction house to integrate its LiveAuctioneers catalog and Internet live bidding into its own Web site, branded under the auction house’s own name. “Factoring in an average usage of LiveAuctioneers’ services at four to five times during a calendar year, the total prize package tops $16,000 in value,” said Ellison.

Ellison said there is no limit to the number of auctions the winner will be allowed to conduct through LiveAuctioneers during the one-year period from Nov. 1, 2010 through Oct. 31, 2011. “And at the platinum-plus level, the winner will have access to every imaginable feature and service available through LiveAuctioneers,” said Ellison, “from the creation of an electronic catalog, online ads and editorial support, to bidder-console training, audio/video and postsale statistical reports.” (See full list of features online at http://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneersetup/platform.html)

In order to be entered in the drawing, auction houses must be licensed (if required in their state) and in the business of selling antiques, fine or decorative art, or vintage collectibles. The winner must agree to a two-year commitment with LiveAuctioneers.com, with the first year being free. There is no set number of auctions that the winner would be required to conduct during the second year of the commitment. The winning auction house is responsible for ensuring it has sufficient technology in place to support Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.

The drawing is open to both new customers and returning auction houses that are not presently using LiveAuctioneers for their Internet live bidding. LiveAuctioneers does not require exclusivity of its customers and places no restrictions on auctioneers who may wish to use other Internet live-bidding companies concurrently with LiveAuctioneers.

For additional information regarding the drawing, call LiveAuctioneers.com tollfree at 888-600-2437 or e-mail sales@LiveAuctioneers.com. Visit LiveAuctioneers online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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About LiveAuctioneers.com:

Founded in November 2002, LiveAuctioneers.com provides real-time Internet bidding capability to 990 auction houses worldwide. LiveAuctioneers.com has opened up once-exclusive antiques and fine art sales to the cyber community through online publication of auction catalogs, and Internet live bidding. For further information, log on to www.liveauctioneers.com.

Media enquiries:

pr@liveauctioneers.com

Furnishing Commissioned by East Indian Royalty Headlines Austin Auction’s Sept. 25-26 Multi-Estates Sale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date of Release: Sept. 14, 2010

Extensive research suggests lavishly appointed dressing table was made under order of fabulously wealthy 7th Nizam of Hyderabad

AUSTIN, Texas – An extraordinary mahogany “Beau Brummel” dressing table fit for a princess has swept into the spotlight of Austin Auction’s Sept. 25-26 Estate Auction.

The circa-1930 triple-mirrored dressing table is of the highest-quality construction and is fitted with a key-lock safe and exquisite 30-piece Art Deco vanity set of sterling silver and cut glass. The well-marked table and its accessories were crafted by the premier London firm Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.

Each hallmarked vanity accessory is finely enameled and adorned with an Islamic moon-and-star motif as well as one of three images of a regally attired gentleman believed to be Asaf Jah VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam of Hyderabad (1886-1967).

In a Feb. 22, 1937 cover story in Time magazine, His Exalted Highness, The Nizam of Hyderabad was reputed to be the richest man in the world, with a fortune of $2 billion. Among those who enjoyed the lavish lifestyle The Nizam provided were his seven wives and 42 concubines. Austin Auction Gallery associate Chris Featherston said “intensive research into the dressing table’s background gives every indication that the piece was commissioned by the Indian prince, perhaps for one of his wives or concubines.”

“We have convincing photo similarities for the three portraits that appear on most of the items in the vanity set, which include hairbrushes, jars, bottles, scissors, nail files and even an 8-day clock,” Featherston said. “Our expert in India told us that, in his opinion, the person whose images are the focal point of the vanity items is, indeed, The Seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, one of India’s last princes.” The vanity was purchased by the consignor in the 1990s from a private antiques dealer, the dressing table is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

Many significant artworks, as well as furniture, decorative art, estate jewelry and ladies’ designer handbags, will be auctioned in the Sept. 25-26 auction. Standing 84 inches tall inclusive of black granite base, a life-size Neapolitan marble statue of Bacchus (a k a Dionysus), the god of wine, is adorned by garlands of grapes around his head and waist, and holds a bowl of grapes with one hand and a cluster of grapes with the other. The mid-18th-century sculpture’s age and region of origin have been authenticated by a Professor Emeritus and PhD from the University of Texas’ Art History department. It carries a presale estimate of $20,000-$30,000.

The influence of visionary architect Antonio Gaudi (Spain, 1852-1926) is strikingly obvious in the design of a Gothic Revival carved walnut and stained glass armoire consigned to the auction. The circa-1890 design incorporates four decorative glass-embedded doors, the two central doors displaying artistic leaded-glass panels with an intricate botanical theme. A stunning presentation, the 113-inch-tall by 81-inch-wide armoire is entered in the sale with a $2,000-$4,000 estimate.

Other highlights of the furniture section include a 14-foot dining table from northern Spain, 18th- and 19th-century French furniture, a pair of MacKenzie-Childs rattan chairs, and a circa-1890s six-piece walnut parlor set with carved heads, attributed to John Jelliff. Non-traditional and sure to attract attention on auction day, a Carol Hicks Bolton for E.J. Victor “Bollywood” sofa of beaded and sequined burgundy velveteen could make $2,000-$4,000 at auction, while a Renaissance Revival 3-piece parlor set upholstered in long-haired cowhide and embellished with winged-griffin crests and figural hand rests is cataloged with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate.

A grand dore bronze figural mantel clock and garniture set by Japy Freres (France) features three winged putti resting over profuse foliate and floral decoration. This exceptionally beautiful ensemble is estimated at $10,000-$15,000. In all, more than 40 figural clocks will be offered, some of them after Auguste Moreau and standing 3feet tall, and others of the Black Forest genre. Within the latter group is a highly detailed 4-foot parcel gilt wall clock mounted with a stag, wolfhound and boar.

Dating to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), a Chinese white jade bear carving is conservatively estimated at $400-$600. Another figural piece with charm and eye appeal is the large presentation drinking horn decorated with a three-dimensional finial shaped as a drunken gnome – estimate $1,000-$2,000. The latter piece is one of a large collection of unusual drinking horns to be auctioned.

The profusion of top-tier antiques continues with a Tiffany dresser set in fitted leather travel case, a scarce and unusual George B. Sharpe gilded sterling ice cream set in fitted leather case from Robbins, Clark & Biddle; and an 1890s handwoven tapestry. Made around 1890 in Leipzig, Germany, an upright Polyphon Musikwereke music box, walnut with crank handle, is accompanied by 36 discs. Its estimate is $4,000-$6,000.

Modern master Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941-) designed and created the three artist-signed glass sculptures included in the auction. Of billowing and striated yellow glass, the “Radiant Persian Pair” is expected to fetch $8,000-$10,000. A marine-blue creation of similar concept, known as “Paradise Persian,” is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

Austin Auction has enjoyed great success in the past with designer handbags. The September event includes an excellent assortment of purses by Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton – one of the Vuitton bags is lotted with matching shoes.

Leading the estate jewelry category are a diamond and alexandrite ring, and several pieces of Brazilian beaded accessories with 18K gold clasps. A selection of coveted David Yurman designs will be auctioned, as well.

All forms of bidding will be available for Austin Auction Gallery’s Sept. 25-26 Multi-Estates Sale, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information, call 512-258-5479 or e-mail info@austinauction.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com. Visit Austin Auction Gallery’s Web site at www.AustinAuction.com.

CAPTION:

An extraordinary circa-1930 “Beau Brummel” dressing table with 30-piece Art Deco silver and cut glass vanity set produced by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd., London. Estimate $20,000-$25,000. Austin Auction image.