| Press Contact: | Stuart Slavid, Director | Catherine Riedel, Director |
| European Furniture & Decorative Arts | Marketing & Public Relations | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
978-779-6241 ext. 306 |
978-779-6241 x231 |
EUROPEAN FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS
AT SKINNER OCTOBER 2ND
BOSTON, Mass. - September 16, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will host an auction of European furniture and decorative arts in Boston on October 2nd, 2004 at 10 a.m. The sale features a very strong selection of American and European silver, as well as an interesting and varied group of furniture and decorations. "This is one of the finest offerings of silver that we have presented in quite some time," remarks department director Stuart Slavid.
American and European Silver
Approximately 350 lots of silver will be offered, with especially fine examples of Georg Jensen. These include two lots by Johan Rohde: a seven-piece tea and coffee service (1915-32, design number 45, $50/70,000), and a wine pitcher (1925-32, design number 45 B, $12/15,000); as well as an eight-piece "Blossom" tea and coffee service ($25/35,000), and several flatware services, including the popular "Acorn" pattern.
Continental silver is also represented by a group of Russian items, including the early Paul I of Russia gold-washed silver coffee pot made in St. Petersburg in 1797 ($8/1,200). Additional examples include a gold-washed silver, enamel, stone-set and mother-of-pearl mounted boudoir timepiece (1896-1908, $6/8,000), and a silver and Niello pagoda-form tea caddy made for Tiffany & Co. ($4/600), as well as other Russian hollowware and flatware, including a few items from the Faberge Workshops.
Both British and American silver offerings span the 18th through 20th centuries. British examples feature several fine Georgian vessels, among them an early George III silver coffeepot crafted by makers Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp (London, 1762, $1,8/2,200). Others include a George III silver tankard made by silversmith Walter Brind (London, 1767, $3/4,000), and a George III silver tankard by Alice and George Burrows (London, 1813, $3/4,000).
Highlighting American silver are a three-piece Federal coin silver tea set by Peter Chitry (New York, circa 1815, $1,8/2,200), and a Tiffany & Co. sterling repoussé pitcher densely chased and embossed with flowers (New York, 1875-91, $3/5,000). Also of interest is a late 19th/early 20th century Gorham Martele .950 silver four-piece coffee service, chased and embossed with flowering nasturtium vines in the delicate and sinuous Art Nouveau style ($15/20,000), as well as a Kirk & Son sterling repoussé six-piece tea and coffee service (1880-90, $5/7,000).
Those in need of a wedding gift for a loved one, or thinking ahead to the setting of a sumptuous Thanksgiving table would be well-advised to peruse Skinner's other silver offerings during preview, as there are many excellent and well-priced items to be offered, including several flatware sets. Many styles, and many price points are available, ranging from a Reed & Barton sterling "Classic Rose" flatware service for six ($4/600), to a Gorham sterling "Cromwell" flatware service for twelve ($1,2/1,800), to the Jensen sets mentioned above, or a Buccellati sterling "Grande Imperiale" flatware service for twelve ($4/6,000).
Furniture
Furniture in the sale is led by a fine English parcel-gilt walnut writing table from the second quarter of the 19th century, with a rectangular top and two frieze drawers, a trestle carved with foliage, and carved ball feet ($7/9,000). An American Renaissance Revival carved walnut oval library table (circa 1880, $1/1,500) also graces the selection, as well as an Italian Renaissance Revival ivory inlaid part-ebonized rosewood cabinet on stand (Milan, 1860-1880, $1,5/2,500), and an assembled group of nine 19th century English Victorian Elmwood and yew-wood Windsor chairs ($2/4,000).
Decorative Arts
The sale also features a varied selection of European decorative arts, highlighted by a group of painted porcelain plaques, many of them KPM. Subjects include beautiful maidens, such as the late 19th century Berlin porcelain plaque of a Woman with Long Tresse ($3/5,000). Others range from mythological subjects, including the late 19th century Berlin plaque of Lorelei ($7/900), to the tavern scene after Teniers on a late 19th century Berlin plaque impressed with KPM and a scepter mark ($1/1,500).
Also highlighting the decorative selections is a group of bronze figures. Examples include a whimsical figure titled "A Trouville", depicting two girls playing leapfrog at the beach, by Ernest Rancoulet ($5/7,000), and an Art Deco Figure of a Nymph and a Fawn, by Jean Verschneider ($8/1,200), as well as a late 19th/early 20th century Bergman cold painted and bead-set bronze Figure of a Snake Dancer ($1,5/2,500), a lovely and large model by this major Austrian foundry. The Bergman foundry was established circa 1885 in Vienna by Franz Bergman (1838-1894). After his death, the foundry was taken over by Bergman's son, Franz Xavier (1861-1936), who employed several artists, creating diverse, often exotic and whimsical pieces, until the original foundry closed in 1930.
Other interesting offerings include a fine late 19th/early 20th century German carved fruitwood Cherub Band on Stand. This wonderful and extensive group includes a cymbal player, flutist, drummer, and guitarist, two singers, a trombone player, a cellist and a conductor, with a gray painted neoclassical style stand carved with a lyre motif ($2/3,000). One can almost hear the music when looking at the pudgy, earnest little figures.
Previews and Catalogue Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Thursday, September 30th, and 12 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 1st. Illustrated catalog #2252 is available by mail for $29 ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $26. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.