| 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 JANUARY 15TH
BOSTON, Mass. - December 21, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will host an auction of European Furniture, Decorative Arts, and Ceramics in Boston on January 15, 2005 at 10 a.m. The sale features a broad range of selections bound to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Highlights will include a fine selection of ceramics, an interesting collection of Swiss country painted furniture and related decorative arts from a Vermont estate, and a large group of decorated tole and papier mache articles from the Collection of Robert and Cornelia Keegan of Hudson, Ohio. It was the Keegans' scholarship and dedication that resulted in the founding of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration, this provenance being such an integral part of the collection.
Ceramics
Wedgwood will be a featured item in the auction. Included in this portion of the sale is part IV of the Kanter collection of medallions, a number of large Wedgwood plaques, some fine jewelry, a Fairyland Lustre malfrey pot and cover in Bubbles II, a collection of Keith Murray, and a good variety of body types and wares. There is also an extensive collection of Moorcroft, Doulton stonewares, Clarice Cliff, Poole, fine English and Dutch Delft, Parian wares, eighteenth and nineteenth century Staffordshire pottery, and a major collection of Royal Worcester including a number of pieces attributed to George Owen.
Decorative Arts
The exceptional selection of decorations in the sale is highlighted by a number of finely carved ivories. Bidders will be especially interested in two pairs of Continental carved ivory cherubs (lots 764 and 765, $5/7,000 each), and a small ivory putto (lot 588, $1/1,500). A strong group of Sevres and Sevres-style porcelains also will be sold, including a "Sevres" Porcelain Napoleonic-themed coffee service (lot 544, $5/7,000), and a monumental "Sevres" vase on a carved wood stand (lot 549, $6/8,000). Eighteenth century Sevres will be offered in a number of lots, including lot 997, a wonderful oval platter decorated with exotic birds ($7/900).
Additional highlights in decorative arts include two lots by one of the most famous English makers of papier maché, Jennens & Bettridge: a large ovoid tray with an ogee shaped rim (lot 786, $6/800), and a charming letter box at (lot 713, $4/600), both from the Keegan collection. The variety and scope of decorations on offer also features a number of KPM painted porcelain plaques, including a large interior genre scene (lot 700, $5/7,000), and a lot of two bronze figures of big cats, Lion qui Marche and Un Tigre qui Marche, by Antoine Louis Barye (lot 546, $4,5/5,500). An outstanding figural bronze and marble ship's bell clock (lot 948, $1,5/2,500), a large Flemish verdure wool tapestry (lot 724, $2/4,000), and a whimsical Austrian cold painted bronze figural "Arabian" lamp (lot 627, $1/2,000) are also bound to attract attention.
Furniture
Furniture includes a group of Biedermeier, highlighted by a rare set of eight parcel-gilt ash dining chairs (lot 171, $10/15,000), an asymmetrical sofa attributed to Josef Danhauser (lot 109, $3/4,000), and a maple extension dining table (lot 177, $4/6,000). An interesting reformed Gothic oak library cabinet (lot 545A, $5/7,000), and an impressive American Renaissance Revival carved oak long case clock (lot 133, $8/12,000), will also cross the block. A number of good English Georgian pieces will be offered, including a pair of plum pudding mahogany card tables, circa 1790 (lot 247, $4/6,000), and a variety of sofa tables, tallboys, Pembroke tables and dining tables. From a Vermont estate, the collection of eighteenth and nineteenth century Swiss painted country furniture and related decorative art includes a polychrome painted pine two-door shrank (lot 487, $2,5/3,500), a pine miniature hanging hutch (lot 523, $1/1,500), and a polychrome floral decorated and grained marriage chest (lot 725, $1/1,500), among other highlights.
Previews and Catalogue Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Thursday, January 13th, and 12 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 14th. Illustrated catalog #2264 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.