eBay find of the day

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Folks,

I think that Jeremy absolutely has to have this for his office wall: http://cgi.ebay.com/18-19th-Century-Oil-on-Canvas-Man-with-a-Pearl-Earring_W0QQitemZ110045859265QQihZ001QQcategoryZ20129QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Zeide

 

[effisk]

The street name is "rue de la Michodi?re".

The complete stencil text at the back is: "M.Belot, rue de la Michodi?re, n?2 ? Paris"

Cottoz & Belot were painting merchants in the XIXth.

This information above adds some serious value to the art. You can double the current bid by ten, it would still be a bargain.


edit: I'm just joking, I don't thing it adds any value. I know of a couple of paintings with the same stencil at the back. They're all from the same time (early-mid-XIX).

 

[jshepherd]

Hmmmmm, interesting thought. We just launched natural pearl, finished jewelry today. The earring is a natural... I bet we would not sell any earrings for men though!

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Jeremy,

If you don't want it let me know. Although I just found another eBay treasure I am contemplating

The reason why I suspect that the 5-strand necklace contained naturals was the fact that it was a multi-strand of graduated pearls in an unusual size range with strong obvious overtones and offroundness in some of the pearls that looked quite different from the strained, pregnant look of thin-nacre akoyas. I am by far not 100% sure that the 5-strand necklace contains even mostly naturals but it sure looks like a good contender to find some mixed in, maybe even a substantial proportion. I would have preferred pictures on a white background rather than a red one, but I did not get to choose that.

Zeide

 

[jshepherd]

Looks to be a strand of old Akoya, mixed with what appear to be quite a few naturals. If there are naturals mixed in, and the ratio is good, it is not a bad deal... But it is a bad appraisal.

 

[jshepherd]

Could be... Except the large center pearls look Akoya, save for the outer strand. I will check it out. Why not, it is only 2.5k. There must be some usable pearls in it one way or another.

 

[pattye]

Hi Jeremy and Zeide, That necklace was definitely worth a look! You'll have to let us know how it turns out!
Pattye

 

[pattye]

Oh Yah, in an ideal world! Those photos were so much better than most. Usually there is 1 or 2 little photos and no close upl Obviously Zeide, you have an amazingly educated eye when it comes to pearls.
I hope Jeremy will let us know how they turn out. Also the picture! It looks quite unusual, and he might be surprised to find a few guys who would try an earring (preferably a stud). The photos of the necklace will probably be available for awhile through the link, so others can have a look.
Pattye

 

[effisk]

I don't know much about paintings, but the paint is in good condition, I don't see any cracks.
The frame seems to be of good quality.
These two factors indicate the painting was valued or at least cared for (wich is often a good sign).


It might need a bit of restoration though. All these oil on canvas darken with time. Restoration will certainly make the signature apparent.

The style makes me think of a Dutch artist.

Don't tell them.

too late. (I only told about the stencil).

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Jeremy
You the one who got the necklace?

I love the painting. I thought it was a Rembrandt when I first saw it, but logic tells me it must be a lesser known artist from the era or someone experimenting with his style. In any case, I agree that it would be great for Jeremy and his new natural collection.

Great tips, Zeide!

 

[pattye]

Hi Zeide, Back to the pearl necklace that Jeremy bought, why do you think the appraiser listed it as B grade? Matching? Off round? Just guessing---
Pattye

 

[Taylor]

I just bought an ebay necklace and I was hoping you might do a comparison for me. To my uneducated eye, the pearls look a great deal like those above. They are very shiny; so shiny I'd be tempted to say they are fake. But the surface has some blemishes and not all are perfectly round. They are not as heavy by feel in the hand as my nabatees or my Freshadamas. They pass the tooth test. They were advertisized as Edwardian 1900-1910. Could you tell me why you think the 5-strand is for real and what you think of these by comparison? I've sworen off ebay once, maybe I need to for good. I'm about to cut the tread for a good look down the drill holes.
Thanks

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Taylor,

From your picture I'd say they are probably new golden Chinese akoyas. Whether they are a good deal or not depends on their size, how they have been processed (particularly in terms of color and luster enhancements), and what you paid for them. Assuming that they are 7mm uniform and cost US$ 225.00, you got a good deal retail-wise although the mere fact that they are not graduated makes it extremely unlikely that they are Edwardian or natural.

 

[Taylor]

Thanks Ziede,
I don't think they are brand new. Although they were restrung, there were some dirt circles around the drill holes. From that I can see looking down the holes, the nacre is thick but probably not solid. Are you magic or did you just guess the size and price? I think they may be closer to 8 than 7mm.
I really appreciate the comparison lesson. Now I can add graduation to my list of characteristics on the hunt. How is luster enhanced anyhow?

Jeremy,
If you want to break that necklace up and sell the naturals, I'd be interested.

 

[effisk]

Hi everyone,

the painting intrigued me. I have donne a little bit of research, here's what I've come up with:

The painting is a copy.

The original is a self-portrait by Rembrandt. Here are a few links:
http://cartelfr.louvre.fr/cartelfr/visite?srv=car_not&idNotice=25574
http://www.insecula.com/oeuvre/O0017856.html
http://assoc.orange.fr/art-deco.france/IMAGES/rembrandt_autoportrait_1637_louvre.jpg

another self-portrait:
http://www.deanesmay.com/files/deanesmay-Rembrandt_SelfPortrait_3578.jpg

 

[Caitlin]

Here is a lovely print
I am delighted to see some of these old images, whether copies, imitations or prints.

 

[Slraep]

Doesn't Rembrandt, in this copy, look as if he is on cortisone or something. My friend Alain painted a self portrait of himself in the very garb Rembrandt is in. It's very eye catching and hilarious when you realize it's not Rembrant.

I think Jeremy should get the painting and have some artist overpaint the flabby Rembrandt with his own face. Somewhat like what was done to Tony Soprano's painting with the horse by one of his capos.

That would be cool. I could then design some new jewellery boxes for Pearl Paradise incorporating a copy of the painting on the top.

Slraep

 

[jshepherd]

I think Jeremy should get the painting and have some artist overpaint the flabby Rembrandt with his own mug. Somewhat like what was done to Tony Soprano's painting with the horse by one of his capos.

I think that might be a little much

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Danuta,

Most of Rembrandt's subjects look somewhat chubby, slightly drunk, and a touch on the googly-eyed side since that was apparently the beauty standard at that time and place. The eBay painting is rather more realistic. Judging by the sheer volume of self portraits, I'd say Rembrandt had a little problem with liking himself too much.

Otherwise, I agree. It will probably be a cool idea for PearlParadise as a company to pick a famous portrait of a pearl-wearing person and have it adapted to either Jeremy's or his son's features. I think his son sporting a pearl earring and a skateboard done in Rembrandt or Vermeer style would be hilarious and make a fabulous print inlaid as a center cameo on the boxes. Of course, some may say that this is too reminiscent of MAD magazine's masterpiece gallery featuring Alfred E. Neuman, but what the heck. People who shop at an online pearl store are probably going to find that a major plus rather than a drawback.

Zeide

 

[Valeria101]

Something about this pearl-wearing guy clicked! First, the comment that 'that is not going to sell pearl earrings to men' - OK, I suppose so, but just showing pearls on men at all is so fashion forward, any image would just be a daring one. So I proceeded to show the picture to colleagues (30-ish, rather good looking guys, unmarried but definitely in a conservative work environment) asking what they thought of the pearl... All five folks did not even imagine I was talking about pearls in general or earrings for myself! They naturally got the idea that I was asking whether they would wear pearls at all (not exactly earrings) and took it seriously. I doubt any could show up at work with a pearl on, or at least they might tell me if they do buy any, but there were no adverse opinions: infront of a period painting of a pearl-wearing guy, men wearing pearls became instantly normal and desirable. Funny that, no?

Rembrandt guy and Vermeer lady make such a great image for pearls