AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- DECEMBER 30TH: CATCHALL AT BONHAMS NEW YORK
by Kelly Keating on 01/01/14
Happy New Year! And a wonderful and prosperous 2014 for everyone!
All of this week's finds are from the upcoming auction at Bonhams New York on January 23, 2014. The sale is a bit of a diverse catchall of lots featuring American and European furniture, silver, folk and decorative arts and clocks. This week's ten finds will cover almost all of those catagories, so like the sale, there will be something for everyone and a perhaps a piece will help you create your own interior space by adding one object that changes its whole meaning.
This week's first discovery is an American Classical carved and veneered mahogany recamier circa 1820-1835. Lot 1068 has a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-6,000. A recamier is a sometimes backless sofa with a high curved head rest and a low foot rest. It is a gorgeous piece for the eyes, but at almost 7 feet in length it is not exactly practical in today's modern interior, unless you treated it as an objet to be looked at, talked about and admired, yet it doesn't really solve the problem of seating in your living room especially when there are guests. That said I would have it in a second as I myself have a modified recamier in my own drawing room with a large head rest, no back or footrest and so am partial to the form. It looks beautiful, but it is not practical like a regular sofa, but practical is not the look I am going for in my interior space.
The Bonhams recamier has wonderfully carved feet with Classically inspired details such as the head of an eagle, part of the bird's wing, swags of drapery acanthus leaves and scrolled feet. The acanthus leaves and volutes of the feet are repeated in the side of the head rest and the top of the partial back rest. A nice touch to the piece is the inlay of figured maple above the foot whose grain and honey color contrast nicely with the darker, more predominant mahogany. It will be interesting to see how this piece fairs at the sale, since it is impractical and not by a big name maker. Stay tuned.
The next find is a pair of Aesthetic Movement circa 1880 gilt side chairs that have been attributed to Herter Brothers New York, the premier name in American Aesthetic furniture. The Aesthetic Movement for the most part looked to Japan for its design inspiration and spark. I collect Aesthetic Movement silverplate and pottery which you can read about on my personal blog The Great Within. Check out these posts and this one and that one and finally this too about Aesthetic pottery and silver. Lot 1089 has a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000. The oval back splat features a stylized inlaid floral motif of lighter wood on a slightly darker ground which is not gilded as are the rest of the chairs. Interestingly, the chairs retain their original silk satin upholstery with flowers. The chairs have an almost Lincoln Log quality in the way the are put together, particularly the back of the chair with its numerous turned parts assembled together.
This week's next treasure is also a piece of Aesthetic Movement furniture. Lot 1091 is an ebonized and brass-mounted cabinet, circa 1870-1880 with a pre-sale estimate of $15,000-25,000. It is definitively by Herter Brothers, New York; Herter Bro's is stamped on the back of the piece. The cabinet retains its original red silk lining. The central cabinet doors are mounted with brass. Carved panels on the side of the cabinet form an intricate lattice work of varying size circles with central carved floral motifs. The ebonized wood of the piece clearly looks to the laquer of Japan for its inspiration and there is something in the carved side panels that also speaks to Japanese influence. This piece would be perfect to display my Aesthetic silver.
A beautiful mirror can make a wonderful focal point in any room. It reflects light and the objects that surround it and creates an illusion of greater space. How about this grand mirror for your living room? Lot 1127 is a George III carved and giltwood pier mirror in the Chinese taste circa late 18th/early 19th century with a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-6,000. This piece is an impressive 75.5" in height and 42.5" in width. I love all of the acanthus leaf C-scrolls of the gilt frame and how the frame of the mirror covers some parts of the glass creating smaller shaped looking glasses. This mirror is pure Rococo by way of China. It will be interesting to see what it fetches at the sale. It's size limits it as does the fact that it probably began its life as one of a pair, the other one now lost.
The next discovery this week is a French clock. Lot 1184 is Directoire (1795-1799) patinated and gilt bronze allegorical mantle clock with a figure personifying Africa with a pre-sale estimate of $25,000-35,000. The female figure representing Africa sits whimsically on the round clock dial with a bow and a quiver of arrows while holding the leash of her pet panther. A tortoise sits between her feet. The "darkness" of her skin contrasts beautifully with the gilt elements and the white enamel dial. A problematic representation to be sure, but of its time and period. It is related to Rousseau's idealized homme naturel as portrayed in popular literature of the time. This particular clock is after a design dated 1799 by Jean-Simon Deverberie (1784-1824) which is preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. I think French clocks are quite wonderful in their own way. One can always spot them and they come in a variety of price points and themes and seem to me to often have a touch of whimsy or frivolity. In this example, notice the playing cupids on the clock base.
This week's next discovery is a wonderful architectural fragment. Lot 1198 is a large Continental or English painted plaster dolphin circa 18th century with a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-6,000. At 42" in height the dolphin is large, but not too large to be simply used as an objet for one's sideboard or as part of a tablescape on a dining room table. And I love it's grotesque character, so typical of the period as is its position of tail up and head down. There is something about a ruin or its fragment that illicits romantic dreams in a fantastic way. I would have this piece in my own collection tout suite!
The next treasure for this week is a French painting entitled Le Vieux Montlucon by Leon Barillot (1844-1929). Lot 1219 has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-3,000. I chose this work because it simply appealed to me on several levels. The painting is small 14"x10.75" and intimate. I love the way the old buildings are silhouetted against a cloud filled sky and how the figures and animals in the foreground seem dwarfed by them. And the wealth of detail that exists in such a small canvas. There is a sense of time here and of permanence and perhaps nostalgia that I think is really appealing. My criteria for artwork is always when I see it everyday will it affect me good, bad or indifferent. I think this humble painting would continually hold my attention.
This following lot is a bit of an oddball, but it appealed to me greatly. It was made in the same period of the Directoire as the French mantel clock discussed above. Lot 1242 is a cast and green painted bathing tub circa late 18th/early 19th century with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,000. I love the great big swag decoration on the side held up by 2 rondels. At only 54.25" in length by 21" in width it is probably too small to be refitted for use today. What could one do with such an object? Perhaps a garden ornament filled with flowers. Maybe, but it would ruin the patina of the tub eventually. Oversized magazine rack? No, of course not! An objet to decorate your conservatory? "Oh that. That's my late 18th century French bathtub. Isn't it grand?" I am not sure what to do with it, but I like it. Any ideas readers?
The last two finds for this week are silver which is always my first love. Lot 1342 is an almost 20" tall Art Nouveau floral encrusted sterling silver trumpet vase most likely by Whiting circa 1907 with a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-8,000. The vase is beautifully covered with chrysanthemums particularly around the opening of the piece. I don't go much for Art Nouveau silver, but my love of chrysanthemums attracted me to this object. It's impressive size and workmanship would look gorgeous filled with flowers or just empty.
The final discovery this week is lot 1400 a pair of Danish sterling silver 2 light candelabra by George Jensen circa 1945-1977 with a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-6,000. A small pair at 6" tall, they were designed by Harald Nielsen (1892-1977). They are a nice modern design with some sparingly used, but essential organic decoration- a leaf and bud motif that is under the candleholders and at the base making them quite elegant and wonderful for a modern interior.
This week's discoveries were all guided by my personal taste. I wouldn't mind having any of these ten lots in my home. However, I think my favorite piece is the small jewel of a painting by Leon Barillot and that darn Directoire tub! I hope this week's treasures will spark your creativity for your own space and home. If you are looking for a particular item, antique to vintage, modern to traditional, large to small, I can assist you. Check out my website and email me at [email protected]
And be sure to followup on these lots on my Facebook Page where I post the sale results for items in the Auction Finds posts.
Until next time,
All the best for 2014,
Kelly T Keating
