BOSTON, Mass. – June 26, 2008 – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses, today announced its upcoming European Furniture and Decorative Arts auction will take place on Saturday, July 12th in its Boston gallery. More than 900 lots will be sold, featuring an extensive offering of ceramics.
CERAMICS
English ceramics are well represented in this sale with Wedgwood, as always, a feature and includes approximately seventy lots from the Frank and Eleanor Elsner Wedgwood collection of black and white jasper. The Elsner’s are well known from their many years of attendance in the Wedgwood International Seminars (WIS). Also consigned are forty lots of a variety of Wedgwood wares from the Frank and Shirley Coleman collection. The Coleman’s were also longtime participants in the WIS as well as the Boston Wedgwood Society. In addition there are also lustre wares, black basalt, and a fine private collection of yellow and black jasper.
A major selection of Royal Doulton from the Piper collection will also be offered. Lee Piper, a past president of the Royal Doulton International Collectors Club, New England Chapter, began collecting, specializing in Charles Dickens, Cecil Aldin, Kingsware, Flambe, Samuel Johnson and especially Doulton animals following a career in dealing antiques. The Charlton book of animals, in fact, revised their format to include new color ways and photos from his collection.
Over 150 steins from a private Chicago area estate are also featured, and include early German stoneware and faience, Royal Vienna porcelain and numerous Mettlach and character steins. Good early toby jugs, hand-painted Royal Worcester, jeweled Coalport, fine Mintons Marc Louis Solon pate-sur-pate decorated porcelains and an important English porcelain hand-painted luncheon service round out the sale.
SMALLS
The sale’s cover lot is a finely painted KPM porcelain plaque of Judith (lot 616, est. $4/6,000) after the painting by August Riedel, retailed by Shreve, Crump & Low. Other highlights include two carved ivory figures of Napoleon (lots 584 and 585, est. $1,2/1,500 and $1,5/2,000 respectively) and a very impressive gilt bronze figural Shakespeare-themed clock (lot 750, est. $15/20,000) from the late 19th century.
The sale also offers a nice group of large and decorative bronze figures, including Diana the Huntress by Marthurian Moreau (lot 756, est. $3/5,000); a pair of Commedia dell’Arte figures by Paul Dubois (lot 811, est. $8/12,000); and Emile Louis Picault’s figure of a Renaissance solider (lot 840, est. $4/6,000). Other bronzes of note include an alluring figure of a lady disrobing by Ernst Seger (lot 564, est. $8/1,200) and a Russian bronze figure of a speeding troika (lot 678, est. $1,2/1,600).
A fine selection of Meissen porcelain figures adds to the sale with a variety of subjects such as a perched eagle (lot 444, est. $1/1,500); a dandy playing badminton (lot 682, est. $6/800); and two blue and white figural groups (lot 861, est. $8/1,200).
Also being offered are a variety other European ceramics, including a French Aesthetic Movement faience charger (lot 760, est. $5/700); a Royal Copenhagen “Flora Danica” tureen and platter (lot 542, est. $2,5/4,000); and a pair of Sevres jeweled cabinet plates (lot est. 742, est. $1/1,500).
FURNITURE
Among the featured furnishings is a American empire dressing table (lot 334, est. $8/1,200); a George III sofa (lot 433, est. $3/5,000); a South German baroque two-part chest from the 18th century (Lot 522, est. $3/5,000); and a Dutch marquetry mahogany Kast (lot 538, est. $10/15,000). Other highlights include a William IV table (lot 560, est. $1,2/1,800); a French Art Noveau two-tier table (lot 613, est. $4/6,000); a late regence commode (lot 687, est. $2,5/3,500); and a pair of Biedermeier maple bergeres (lot 724, est. $3/4,000).
The sale also includes all types of seating and dining furniture, mirrors and chandeliers, in a variety of ages and styles.
SPECIAL EVENT, PREVIEWS AND CATALOG INFORMATION
In conjunction with a preview of the July 12th European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction, Skinner will host a gallery walk at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 10th. Reservations are limited, R.S.V.P. to 617/350-5400. Previews for the auction will be held on Thursday, July 10th from 12 to 5 p.m. and on Friday, July 11th from 12 to 8 p.m.
Illustrated catalog #2417 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. 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 catalogs online.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Discovery sale held on the evening of July 16th in Skinner’s Bolton gallery will offer a nice selection of Wedgwood. For more information, please contact Garrett Sheahan at 978 586-1246 or [email protected]
For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com
