March 3 Auction Contains Mysterious Tapestry, Roman Micromosaic, Turkish Sultan's Private Photo Album
ORANGE, Calif., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- An incredible photorealistic Italian micromosaic artwork depicting the Roman Forum, composed of thousands of hand-laid miniature pieces of glass, is featured in Don Presley's March 3 "Once in a Lifetime" auction. The circa-1870s artwork was executed in the manner of Vatican master mosaicist Cesare Roccheggiani. Micromosaics of this type were commissioned by nobles and aristocrats visiting Rome during the Grand Tour. Each artwork was painstakingly designed and reflected the artist's unique impression of the subject. One of four antique micromosaics in Presley's sale, it is expected to make $15,000-$25,000.
The most talked-about item in the auction is a remarkable mid-19th-century sultan's photo album containing exotic pictures of his concubine, and other people and views of Constantinople.
The album was donated to the LA Scottish Rite Temple decades ago. An accompanying letter reads: "While on duty with the Navy from 1919-1921 in Constantinople, an assistant postmaster gave me this album as we were jointly photographing mosques and other places of interest. The original photographer is unknown. Originally the album was probably in the archives of the sultans, as the gold insignia on the cover is the Official Seal of the Sultan ... many photos are priceless, [created using] the "wet plate" process in which the photographer would wet a sheet of glass with collodion, put it in the camera and take the picture as soon as possible thereafter. The edges of the plate would dry, leaving a reticulation ... the "fingerprints" of the wet plate process."
"This photo album has to be seen to be believed," said Presley. "I can't imagine there is another one like it anywhere." Its presale estimate is $6,000-$10,000.
Another Scottish Rite Museum deaccession is a metallic tapestry donated around 1900. Woven with silver and gold threads, it bears arcane Masonic or possibly Knights Templar symbols including a skull and bones, stonemasonry tools, a handshake, and a diamond-overlaid pentagram.
"This tapestry is a mystery. We can't identify some of the symbols," said Presley, a longtime Mason. "It may have been a burial shroud. Two textiles experts said it is 200-400 years old. They'd never seen anything like it before." Estimate: $15,000-$25,000.
Presley's auction also includes fine paintings, Chinese ivory carvings and Asian antiques. A pair of Chinese cloisonné elephants is estimated at $12,000-$25,000.
SOURCE Don Presley Auction
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