Beaux Auctions Conducts Sale of Specimens from the Suarez Museum Collection in Miami Today

By: BWW News Desk Jan. 25, 2014

Important and rare treasures will be featured in the first auction of 2014 for Beaux Auctions, taking place today, January 25, according to Ynoluz Bacalao, company co-founder.

"Beaux Auctions has the unique privilege of bringing to auction excellent specimens from the Suarez Museum Collection in Miami," explained Bacalao. "With over 75 animals ranked #1, the Suarez Museum Collection in Miami is by far and without question the best in the world."

Headlining this sale is the only Taxidermy Albino Alligator in existence. Albino alligators have an estimated survival rate of only 24 hours in the wild due to their sensitivity to direct UV radiation and because their white color makes camouflage impossible.

Bacalao explained, "This animal was pen-raised and died of natural causes. It is an adult male, 91 inches long. Although this animal is priceless, an estimate of $100,000-$150,000 has been placed on it."

The other main feature from The Suarez Museum collection is an African Lion ranked #1 by Safari Club International among collectors. This is a museum quality lifelike mount and has been estimated at $60,000-$80,000. There are several other outstanding animals from the collection that will also come up for auction. This is the first time specimens from the Suarez Museum Collection have appeared at auction and may very well be the last time. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for serious collectors around the world.

The auction also includes a collection of African antiques, most importantly a very rare 19th century Chokwe African mwana pwo mask. It is a ceremonial mwana pwo (meaning: perfect young woman ready for marriage) chikunga ritual dancing mask of the south Congolese Chokwe people. In the Chokwe tradition, these were much prized ceremonial masks donned by male dancers as a symbolic caricature of a beautiful young woman, adorned with tattoos, earrings and an elaborate coiffure, to honor the founding female ancestor of the lineage. This mask is estimated at $40,000-$60,000. There is a second Chokwe African mwana pwo mask in the sale, from the first quarter of the 20th century. This mask has an estimate of $15,000-$20,000.

"These are two exceptional masks which will be hard to find again," said Bacalao.

Beaux Auctions is known for having a strong fine art component and this sale is no different. Danza afrocubana by Cuban artist Mario Carreno will be up for auction with an estimate of $30,000-$35,000. An original watercolor by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, one of the greatest artists of the 20th Century, is estimated at $20,000-$40,000. Wifredo Lam, one of the most sought after Latin American artists today, is also represented in the sale. Figura by Lam has been estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Works of art by Joaquin Torres Garcia, Carlos Cruz Diez, Jeff Koons, Henry Moore, Salvador Dali, Jean Dubuffet, and Alexander Calder will also be featured in this auction.

Ivory, antique European documents, pre-Columbian and Egyptian artifacts will also form part of the inventory for this January sale.

For additional information on any lot in the sale e-mail info@beauxauctions.com or call 877-572-1708.

View the online catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.liveauctioneers.com/beaux-auctions.

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Beaux Auctions Conducts Sale of Specimens from the Suarez Museum Collection in Miami Today

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