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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;PepperAnna, post: 5446800, member: 17332&quot;]Three pieces by Wilhelm Schmidt are/were up for auction in December. One is described by Schmidt in his correspondence as one of his masterpieces. Schmidt developed a technique to carve opals and often used the brown matrix as another surface for carving.</p><p><br /></p><p>The masterpiece was recently auctioned by Bonhams. It is a bust of Mars on a plinth with a cameo on each side. It is spectacular.&nbsp; It is signed on the back, although I wonder if it is a real signature, as it is supremely messy.&nbsp; The link has multiple pictures from all angles. There is also a video.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]415523[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]415524[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]415525[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>The estimate was very high and the lot was not purchased.</p><p><a href="https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27690/lot/222/wilhelm-schmidt-an-exceptional-boulder-opal-gem-set-and-hardstone-bust-circa-1890/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27690/lot/222/wilhelm-schmidt-an-exceptional-boulder-opal-gem-set-and-hardstone-bust-circa-1890/" rel="nofollow">https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27690/lot/222/wilhelm-schmidt-an-exceptional-boulder-opal-gem-set-and-hardstone-bust-circa-1890/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>The next piece sold today. It was not mounted, but beautifully carved on both sides and signed at the back of the helm.[ATTACH=full]415648[/ATTACH] .</p><p>[ATTACH=full]415649[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>The final piece is a stick pin up for auction next week attributed to Schmidt. It is a cute little owl sitting in an old log.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]415650[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>I am amazed at the carving prowess of the pieces, the use of the dark matrix, and the fire in the opals. Just lovely.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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