A number of rare pieces and notable collections mark Bonhams’ upcoming 20th Century auction. Taking place on December 9th the sale will offer a diverse and meticulously chosen selection of furniture and decorative arts representing all styles of 20th Century design.
Cause for excitement is the offer of the renowned Matt Wyse Collection of cold-painted Vienna Bronzes. Consisting of twenty-five pieces, it is one of the largest of its type to come to market. The well-documented collection includes several pieces from the renowned Franz Bergman foundry as well as work by Chotka and Titze. Estimated at $30/40,000, Bergman’s “Prince & Mandolin Player” lamp (c. 1900) is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the collection. Also certain to garner much attention is the Davidson Collection of Contemporary Ceramics. The remarkable collection features over fifty pieces of work by legendary ceramic artists such as Adrian Saxe, Phillip Mayberry, Michael Lucero, and Steve Montgomery. Certain to spark some of the most competitive bidding within the collection will be a towering polychromed and glaxed work by Michael Lucero, titled Blue High (est. $10/15,000) and an electric blue, six-foot long horizontal work by Steve Montgomery titled U-20 (est. $5/7,000). Rounding out the section of works by Contemporary Artists are major pieces by Toshiko Takeazu, Dale Chihuly and a rare carved double bench by Sam Maloof.
The Gregory D. Coster Collection of French Art Deco is drawing notice as well. The carefully amassed group features work by iconic furniture makers Sue et Mare, Jules LeLeu, and Emile Jacques Ruhlmann. Estimated at $70/90,000, a 1927 fine, rare tooled, stained leather and silvered-wood cabinet, attributed to Sue et Mare is sure to be the center of spirited bidding.
Additionally, a collection of over forty, Art Deco Catalin radios will be of great interest. Made out of the first synthetic plastic, these radios are highly collectible and eagerly sought after at auction. With radios spanning from the early to late 1930s the collection includes models by Emerson, Motorola, and General Electric.
However, collections are far from the only highlights of the sale. Not to be overlooked are two rare Ron Arad chairs- the artist’s “Pappardelle” chair is estimated at $130/150,000 and the “Italian Fish” chair is estimated at $40/60,000. Additionally, a rare and complete 1926, nine piece Tiffany Studios carved, painted and gilded wood Royal Venetian bedroom set will be offered. Comprised of two twin beds, one night table, two dressing table group, one armchair, two dressing table chairs, and one mirror the exceptional set is estimated at $30/50,000.
The sale will be on view at Bonhams New York from December 6th until the day of the auction which takes place on December 9th at1PM EST. The illustrated auction catalog for the sale will be online at www.bonhams.com/us in the weeks preceding the preview and auction. For more information about the department, please visit www.bonhams.com/newyork