An impressive 355 lots will head to auction at Richard Stedman Estate Services on May 16. The sale will feature fine and decorative arts from around the world, with highlights from America, Europe and China.
This May, the Tampa-based auction house brings collectors an eclectic selection of works, including a William R. Leigh bronze buffalo, signed editions from Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso, and an Incantesimo vase by Dino Martens.
William R. Leigh, Bronze Buffalo Sculpture
From the collection of Gregory Perillo, believed to be the only student of celebrated American artist and illustrator William R. Leigh, this rare bronze buffalo sculpture demonstrates not only the formal quality of the works on offer but also their storied provenance. Captured mid-motion yet frozen in time, Leigh’s bronze buffalo exemplifies the dramatic visual storytelling that characterised his body of work. Best known for his depictions of the American West, Leigh shared his lifelong love of nature with Perillo during his later years. Adding to its personal significance, the lot also includes a framed autograph by W.R. Leigh on a page from the artist’s own biographical novel.
Chinese Hardwood Inlay Table
Venturing eastward, this barrel-shaped hardwood table from the Ming–Qing period reflects important principles in ancient Chinese philosophy and cosmology. Though lacking an actual square aperture, the inlay evokes the form of the ancient Chinese coin, or qian. The symbolic union of a circular heaven and square earth represents harmony between the natural and human worlds — an elegant design language still admired by collectors today.
Oil on Copper in the Manner of Jan Brueghel
Offered as a painting in the Continental European manner, this work bears a somewhat illegible signature resembling “Brueghel”, particularly under UV inspection. Executed in oil on copper — a medium frequently favoured by Jan Brueghel the Elder — the painting’s subject matter and style strongly recall the Dutch Old Masters. In dialogue with the style of his father, Brueghel’s brushwork was often lighter and more atmospheric, creating idyllic landscapes with rich, velvety textures.
Pablo Picasso, Aquatint and Drypoint
Despite being largely self-taught as a printmaker, Picasso maintained a prolific career in the medium. Hand-signed in pencil, this portrait of a smoker and companion, numbered 27 from an edition of 50, combines two distinctive printmaking techniques. Characterised by dark tonal washes created through acid-etched resin, aquatint contrasts with the sharp, expressive lines of drypoint intaglio. The result is a masterful display of technical virtuosity in which the intimacy of the subject mirrors the intensity of execution.
Paul Cézanne, Les Baigneurs
This original print from an edition of 100, also signed by the artist, features one of the defining motifs of Cézanne’s oeuvre. Drawing upon techniques associated with his watercolours, the French Impressionist situates his bathers within layered, airy fields of colour. Shades of green and blue complement the delicate anatomical contours of the figures, while parallel hatching builds volume without overwhelming the composition. Lithography, with its close relationship to drawing, allowed Cézanne to achieve remarkable balance and transparency within the scene. Catalogue annotations and citations on the verso, including a reference to the “Ancienne Collection Claude Roger-Marx”, further enrich the work’s provenance through the collection of the noted French writer, critic and collector.
Dino Martens, Incantesimo Vase
Possibly from the same Boca Raton estate collection as several other featured lots, this important Incantesimo vase further demonstrates the sophistication of European artistry. Unlike many international design movements of the period, Italian Mid-Century Modernism prioritised luxurious craftsmanship and individuality over mass production. Renowned designer Dino Martens studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, exhibiting paintings at the Venice Biennale in 1924 and 1930 before becoming artistic director of the glassmaker Aureliano Toso. Both elegant and functional, the sculptural form of this vase combines traditional Venetian glassmaking techniques with modern aesthetics. Carefully carved and internally decorated with swirling bands of colour, the Murano masterpiece, created around 1954, reflects the optimism and experimentation of the post-war era.
With previews running from May 11–15, the online-only auction will take place on May 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM BST.
