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CUSTOMER SERVICE: 800-708-7311 EXT. 257   
KOVELS ANTIQUES AND COLLECTING #12345_20260803  
FOR RELEASE AUGUST 3, 2026
BYLINE: By Terry and Kim Kovel  
PHOTO CREDIT: Fairfield Auction  
PHOTO CAPTION: Fauvist artist Maurice de Vlaminck brought his use of bright colors, simple shapes, and free brush strokes to ceramics as well as canvases. 
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Fauvism Art 
Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958), born in Paris, was one of the painters who exhibited at the 1905 Salon d'Automne, considered the beginning of the Fauvism art movement. The name "Fauvism" came from a critic's negative reaction to the exhibition, insulting the paintings on display as the work of "wild beasts" ("fauves" in French). 
Fauvism was characterized by the use of highly saturated color, abstracted shapes, and loose brushwork, a marked departure from the naturalistic, representational styles that dominated the art world at the time. Although de Vlaminck's fame never quite reached the heights of fellow Fauvists like Henri Matisse, he had considerable success at exhibitions. Art dealer Ambroise Vollard, known for taking risks on avant-garde artists, bought his entire stock of paintings in 1906 and introduced him to ceramist Andre Metthey. 
De Vlaminck and Metthey enjoyed a fruitful collaboration for several years, producing about 300 pieces together. De Vlaminck painted the decorations on the ceramics. While the subject matter is different -- most of de Vlaminck's best-known paintings are scenic, but his ceramics often feature flowers, like the vase pictured here -- the vibrant colors and simple shapes that characterize his work are clearly visible. This vase sold for $1,905 at Fairfield Auction. Considering that oil on canvas paintings by de Vlaminck can sell for about $20,000, it's arguably a bargain.
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Q: I found some old black-and-white photographs of famous musicians in my basement. The names of the musicians are printed underneath the picture. I have Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Muddy Waters. Can you help me find out how much they are worth?
A: Photographs of famous musicians like the ones you listed have been widely reproduced. You said the pictures have the musicians' names printed on them, so check for other information, like the photographer's name, copyright date, publisher, or edition number. These will help you determine the values of the photographs. If they are originals, they could be very valuable, and you may want to contact an auction house that sells photographs or celebrity memorabilia for more information. If they are copies, they are probably worth fairly little; about $10 to $20 each.
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TIP: Don't put a runner or a vase on your wooden table if it is in sunlight. Eventually the finish will fade around the ornaments and leave a shadow of the items on the wood.
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CURRENT PRICES
Toy, set, Aero Circus, two airplanes, lead blimp, tower pieces, instructions, box, Newton, 16 inches, $265.
Medical, cabinet, apothecary, wood, overhanging top, 55 compartments, gilt character labels, metal mounts, shaped base, Chinese, 37 1/2 x 40 inches, $510.
Print, Japanese, Katsushika Hokusai, The Great Wave, frame, 18 x 22 inches, $895.
410.
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