SKINNER TO HOST 20TH CENTURY FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS SALE; AUCTION TO BE HELD IN BOSTON GALLERY ON DECEMBER 8TH
BOSTON, Mass. - November 20 , 2007
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner Inc, one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced its upcoming 20th Century Furniture & Decorations auction to be held in its Boston gallery on December 8th. In time for holiday gift-giving this sale offers material from the Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco and Post War timeframe, including works by contemporary artists. Skinner's 20th century sale will offer something for both amateurs and enthusiasts of the Modern Movement.
This auction highlights two signature collections. First, the Webb English cameo glass collection (lots 120 through 160) comes to Skinner from a Massachusetts gentleman. Webb glass was made in England during the Art Nouveau period of the late 19th/early 20th century and was fabricated by hand. The cameo glass technique creates a form with subsequent overlay(s) of glass. The last overlay is often white, and from that surface intricate floral, foliate and insect decorations are sculpted and carved to reveal layers down to the base. This collection offers some of the finest examples of English cameo glass, including museum and exhibition pieces. Featured highlights include a gilt enameled vase (lot 132, est. $10/15,000) with the gilt by master decorator Jules Barbe, c. 1888, and a Japonesque decorated vase in an elongated bottle form (lot 144, est. $7/9,000).
The second featured collection of more than 20 pieces comes from the studios of Marilyn and Phil Garnick, both clay artists. Marilyn's colorful forms and interesting designs are well suited to the contemporary home. Included in the collection are sculptures, vases and vessels of all shapes and sizes. In speaking about one of the featured items, a pod vessel (lot 305, est. $1,5/2,500), Marilyn revealed that she fired her clay pod vase to make the piece using sawdust she collected from Mr. Nakashima's wood studio, her then neighbor.
And, for those collectors of George Nakashima (1940-1990) furniture, this sale will not disappoint. Three pieces by the master maker will be offered including a coffee table (lot 238, est. $15/20,000); a special black walnut highboy (lot 239, est. $7/9,000); and an English walnut Minugren table (lot 240, est. $15/18,000). Other furniture offerings include a selection of mid-century teak and rosewood pieces from Scandinavia and a number of contemporary studio furnishings.
For those interested in art to decorate the home, the sale has something for every level of collector, with estimates ranging from $200 to $20,000. Fine works include a jute Alexander Calder rug design (lot 261, est. $1/1,500); a Carl Milles naid plaster sculpture of a mermaid (lot 331, est. $20/30,000; and eight Joe Trippetti enamels (lots 460-467, all estimated at $250-350, with the exception of lot 465, estimated at $300 -500). As in past 20th century sales, lighting by Tiffany, Quezal, Handel and Pairpoint will be up for bid. Within the Arts & Crafts furniture and pottery category, a fine Grueby pottery vase made in Boston (lot 67, est. $5/7,000) and an important pair of sunflower andirons attributed to Thomas Jekyll (lot 163, est. $14/18,000) round out the number of exquisite offerings.
Previews & Catalog Informatoin
Previews for the auction will be held from 12 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 6th, 12 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 7th, and from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 8th. Illustrated catalogue #2390 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at
www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sales. For more information on the auctions, auction preview times visit Skinner's website at
www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogs online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series,
Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty 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 & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
