Enameled Art is Still Hot

Every now and then, a unique piece of Cleveland School art comes up for auction. Most collectors have a few watercolors, a painting or perhaps a sculpture. Names such as Edris Eckhardt, William Sommer and Carl Gaertner are some of the most recognized names.

You may have seen this name, Edward Winter, and never thought twice about it. Maybe while perusing a yard sale or estate sale, you picked up one of his items but the name didn't mean anything. Until now...

Edward Winter (American, 1908-1976)  was a enamelist, painting with fire. He wrote the book. Literally, he wrote the book "Enamel Painting Techniques, glass fused on metals" (1970). He had a successful career as an artist and worked at Ferro Enamel Corporation, an industrial enameling company, having access to to industrial kilns, where he spent most of the 1930's experimenting and creating large scale works of art.

One of his enamels from this period came up for sale today at Aspire Auctions. It was a circular panel, reaching 24" in diameter and created in 1939. The estimate was $1,000.00-$2,000.00. It sold today for a total of $2,127.50, including a 15% buyers premium.

So next time you see a vintage looking enamel, turn it over and see if it's signed by Edward Winter. It may not be as valuable as the one auctioned today, but it can be affordable and still hold significance as small piece of Cleveland history in art.

Ref: Painting With Fire, Masters of Enameling in America, 1930-1980, by Bernard Jazzar and Harold B. Nelson. www.aspireauctions.com  lot 1500 9/25/10 auction