AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- SEPTEMBER 23RD: FABULOUS ITEMS AT BONHAMS NEW YORK
by Kelly Keating on 09/23/13
This week's fabulous finds are all from the upcoming "Fine American & European Furniture, Decorative Arts & Silver" at Bonhams New York to be held on September 25, 2013. I found some interesting silver and furniture lots which I hope will inspire the design of your own space. Sometimes a single object can be the starting point for the design of an entire room.
This week's first find is a gorgeous Art Nouveau silver 3-piece coffee set made by Gorham. Lot 1032 is being offered with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500. The set is in the Athenic pattern, circa 1910 and is comprised of a coffee pot, a cream jug and a sugar bowl which are all decorated with flowers on swirling attenuated stems. This discovery was a bit of a personal choice as I adore silver and collect it myself. I realize that having a coffee or tea set is no longer in fashion. There was a time when every home had one in sterling or plate or aspired to have one, but now a silver tea/coffee set just screams, "Grandma!" This set at Bonhams, however, has a modern feel in its Art Nouveau decoration. Would it not be wonderful to end a dinner party with this set on your table exquisitely serving coffee to your guests? I think so. And if this set is too pricey for you, many antique and vintage silver coffee/tea sets can be found in silverplate at reasonable prices and in stylish designs.
This week's second discover is also made of silver and is a very luxurious item to decorate your dining table. Lot 1146 is an Italian sterling silver fluted oval centerpiece bowl by Mario Buccellati, Milan, 20th century, with a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-30,000. The fluted oval bowl is whimsically supported on legs in the shape of seahorses which are placed all the way around the bowl. The seahorses are wonderfully oxidized to set them off against the shiny mirror finish of the bowl. The piece is elegant and playful at the same time. Perhaps it could work in a modern style Hamptons retreat.
In the beginning of his career, Italian Goldsmith Mario Buccellati (1891-1965) carried on a family tradition dating back from the early 18th Century. In 1919 he opened his shop near the La Scala Opera House in Milan, and was the first among Italian Goldsmiths to to open a shop on Fifth Ave in New York and later in Palm Beach. As his popularity gained, his clientele came to include the Vatican and the Royal Courts of Europe, leading to his nickname, "The Prince of Goldsmiths." Mario Buccellati drew upon the work of the Renaissance and Eighteenth Century craftsman for design.
Mario's son, Gianmaria Buccellati, became apprenticed to his father at the age of 14. Following his father's death in 1965, he expanded the business and opened new shops around the world. Gianmaria became a leading designer of jewelry, as well as silver and gold objects d'art. The quality of Buccellati's product was a a direct result of Gianmaria personally choosing his master craftsmen to execute his designs.
This week's third treasure is a gorgeous Art Deco beaded glass and gilt metal ceiling fixture in the manner of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann and dated second quarter 20th century. Lot 1250 has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-3,000. While not signed by Ruhlmann, this fixture does exude the glamor of the French Art Deco style he designed with its simplicity and elegance. The piece at 22" in diameter and 21" in height would work well in a small dining area of a larger room or in a large hallway or small bedroom. It is a fixture that just whispers "Luxury".
The fourth discovery this week is our first piece of furniture. Lot 1293 are a set of twelve Austrian Biedermeier parcel ebonized mahogany dining chairs in the manner of Josef Danhauser, circa 1830. They are being offered with a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000. The Biedermeier period refers to an era in Central Europe during which the middle-class grew and arts appealed to common sensibilities in the historical period between 1815, the year of the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions. Although the term itself is a historical reference, it is predominantly used to denote the artistic styles that flourished in the fields of literature, music, the visual arts and interior design. I chose these chairs because of the simple, graphic quality of the arch shaped backs and their lack of ornamentation except for the small turned and ebonized dowl of the back splat. They would work well in a modern setting, perhaps used with a glass dining table on an interesting base.
The next treasure is also from the early 19th century, an English William IV rosewood library armchair dating to the second quarter 19th century. Lot 1377 has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-3,000. The armchair is wonderfully covered in leather which gives it a rich look and patina. The simple acanthus scroll of the arms and the fluted decoration of the front legs allows it to work in many settings. Design a gorgeous living room around this chair. It will be a smash!
The next find this week is also an English 19th century chair, specifically a rocking chair that was made circa 1850, but looks like it was made in the modern era. Lot 1399 is a Victorian parcel gilt cast iron upholstered rocking chair after a model by Peter Cooper and made by the R. W. Winfield & Co. with a pre-sale estimate of $2,500-4,500. This design was exhibited at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851. The rocking chair has large curving scrolls and minimal ornamentation. To me it looks like something from the 1930's or even 1950's. A very cool piece that would be a showstopper and conversation piece in any room.
This week's last find is a pair of Biedermeier mahogany console tables from the first half 19th century and later. Lot 1296 has a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-5,000. The tables are wonderfully simple with lovely paw feet. The rectangular tops are supported by large scroll supports which rest on a shaped strecher. Like the Biedermeier chairs above, this pair of console tables could work in many different settings because of their non-fussy nature and relatively small size at approximately 40" wide and only just shy of 18" deep. The tables would look great on either side of a chimmney breast and its fireplace or perhaps in an entry way.
I hope this week's finds inspired you and the design of your own space. If you have a modern setting, but want to incorporate antique pieces look to Biedermeir examples which in their simplicity could serenely fit into that setting. Think about finding a great silver (sterling or plate) tea/coffee set if you like to entertain and wow your guests at dessert. And don't worry about polishing. Simply polish your set and then keep it in silver keeper bags which will prevent tarnish. After each use, just wash with a mild soap and your silver will maintain a lovely bright patina. Think about using vintage and antique lighting fixtures for your space to give a real individual look. Lighting fixtures on furniture, in the wall or on the ceiling are the jewelry of the room.
If you are looking for an antique item and need help finding it, please contact me at [email protected] Or if you are looking to sell your antiques, I can also help.
Details of my various services related to antiques can be found on my website: www.theantiqueflaneur.com
And be sure to check out my Facebook Page for the auction results of these lots.
Until next week!
Kelly T Keating
