On July 28th, Auctions at Showplace will present the second of two summer auctions featuring choice offerings from an important silver collection in addition to other luxury items of the first order. Spanning centuries and continents, the collection boasts pieces from the Americas, Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia spanning the 17th century to the present and representing examples from the world’s leading silversmiths.
Among many highlights is a Tiffany & Co. sterling silver and partial gilt box richly ornamented with cabochon sapphires, rubies and emeralds and a finely crafted enamel lid depicting an odalisque scene. Other fine silver includes a 1778 Paul Storr and John Houle Regency centerpiece with four candleholders and the engraved coat of arms of Featherstonehaugh made for Richard James Meade-Featherstonehaugh, a pair of Art Nouveau candelabra by Viennese silversmith J.C. Klinkosch, imperial silversmith to Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph, and 122 pieces of Celsa Mexican mid-century modern flat and servingware.
Complementing the silver is a private collection from Park Avenue of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts. These objects, created nearly a half millennium ago demonstrate the skill and craftsmanship of early metalworkers. Ranging from jewelry to ritual objects, the collection includes a Sinu double deer finial with braid-work, a pair of Quimbaya Tumbaga earrings with open scrollwork, a Tairona Tumbaga figural ocarina, two Sinu Tumbaga animal finials and a Tairona bird pendant.
A robust selection of mid-century modern furniture and design includes an Eero Saarinen for Knoll oval “Tulip” coffee table with white marble top and an oval dining table with wood top, a Philippe Starck for Cassina "235-236 Mister" sectional sofa with charcoal upholstery, a Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia lounge chair, six Mies van der Rohe “Brno” chairs and a “Barcelona” coffee table, a pair of Kazuhide Takahama and Dino Gavina “Marcel S Poufs” upholstered ottomans, and a Bielecky Brothers “Rattan, Cane, & Wicker” dresser. Buyer’s will also have an opportunity to acquire a selection of Frank Lloyd Wright reproduction furniture by Cassina and lighting by Yamagiwa that is rarely seen at auction. Also illuminating the sale will be a Jean Prouvé Ansorg for Vitra "Potence" pivoting swing-jib wall lamp, and Örni Halloween for Artemide "Macumba" pendant light ceiling fixture.
Luxury timepieces are strongly represented by Rolex 18K yellow gold and stainless steel two-tone Oyster Perpetual GMT Master Superlative Chronometer watch, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King Precision bracelet watch with stainless steel case, an Omega Pilot's limited edition gentleman's Museum Collection 1938 watch, Baum & Mercier 18K yellow gold and stainless steel back chronograph two-tone watch, and a Tudor Geneva Hydronaut II Rotor self-winding watch, and an Omega sterling silver and enamel table desk clock with hand-painted dial.
Fine art by hotly sought after artists includes an Andrew Shunny still life with flowers, Jacques Bartoli’s “Fleurs a la Chaise Blanche,” two brightly colored oils by Nicola Simboli, an Arnold Blanch acrylic, and attractive abstract expressionist works by Margaret Wirstrom Evangeline, Anita Dammin, Enrique Tabara, and Hal Schwarze.
Showplace Antiques is located at 40 West 25th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. For more information, please visit www.nyshowplace.com, or call (212) 633-6063, ext. 808.
