Someone at CRN Auctions†January 29 sale really admired but did not bid on a colorful Fifteenth or Sixteenth Century Isnik earthenware dish. Sold to a phone bidder for more than double its estimate at $2,925, the glazed deep dish with blue, green and red floral decoration and black circles in the border, turned up missing when the buyer arrived later in the day to collect the plate, according to the auction house.

A forward-looking, gifted artist who used his training, intelligence, faith, discipline and perseverance to overcome enormous obstacles to become an internationally respected figure, Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859‱937) occupies a special place in American art history. A fresh look at this artist⁳ remarkable career and oeuvre, ⁈enry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit†is on view at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) through April 15.

It is the merest hint, and what a tease! Twelve Russian enameled silver objects from a major collection are on view at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Md., an hors deuvre to the full repast of the 260 Russian enamels bequeathed to the museum by Jane Montgomery Riddell of Washington. The larger collection is still in the process of being cataloged and will go on view in the spring of 2015, ultimately scheduled to travel. In the meantime, museum visitors are more than pleased with the dozen exquisite items on view. Riddell, a Washington area arts patron and collector who died last year at 100, gathered her collection with a focus on enamels made by the masters in Moscow during the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries. Most major silversmiths, as well as artists from the post-revolution artist collectives who worked in enamels are represented.

“This is the best one yet,” said an admiring fan, one of several gathered around show promoter Melvin “Butch” Arion a couple hours after the Original York Antiques Show opened to the public on Friday morning, February 3. And even though similar comments are repeated at each of the twice-yearly shows, they certainly rang true once again.

After an impressive turnout of more than 1,500 guests at the opening night preview on Thursday, February 9, the inaugural Naples Art, Antique & Jewelry Show opened its doors on Friday, February 10, to an enthusiastic crowd of art connoisseurs, private collectors and serious buyers that traveled from all over South Florida to attend the event. The show ran through February 13.

On December 18, Michaan⁳ Auctions’ final sale of the year also became its third highest grossing auction to date. Just shy of a 75 percent sell-through, the 427 offered lots brought in an impressive sales total of $1,270,770. The auction also made this the firm⁳ third Asian works of art sale to break the $1 million mark.

Julia⁳ February 2‴ auction was filled with American, European and Asian treasures †from paintings, furniture, folk art, marine and nautical items to bronzes, silver, weathervanes, Oriental rugs, historical items, porcelain, Orientalia and more. Auctioneer James Julia called it possibly the firm⁳ most diverse auction ever †and he got it right.

When the hammer fell for the last time on Sunday, January 22, Sotheby⁳ had grossed $17,900,261 in Americana Week sales.

Provincetown, Mass., in summer turned out to be an ideal place for artists. Artists of many disciplines and supporters of the Provincetown Playhouse flocking to the Outer Cape art colony gave rise to a Bohemian atmosphere, which in turn attracted more artists and art schools. This important saga is explored in ⁔he Tides of Provincetown: Pivotal Years in America⁳ Oldest Continuous Art Colony (1899-2011),†a splendid exhibition organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art, currently on view at the Wichita Art Museum, Wichita, Kan., through April 29. Curated by Alexander J. Noelle of the New Britain Museum, the show⁳ more than 100 works document the legacy of the art colony ⁡t the end of the world,†which has had such a significant impact on America⁳ artistic development. With the help of an excellent catalog, the show makes a good case for New Britain Museum director Douglas K.S. Hyland⁳ assertion that Provincetown is ⁴he preeminent American art colony. 

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries†January 28′9 sale was packed to the rafters with choice items ranging from sublime European paintings to fine furniture, Asian arts and more. Buyers responded in kind to the wealth of offerings here and flocked to the gallery, driving up prices on most items beyond their estimate, and resulting in what the gallery termed ⁡ very strong sale.