Bonhams 20th Century Decorative Arts auction boasts 348 lots from all the collecting fields—Arts & Crafts to Contemporary Studio Works of Art. The sale will take place in New York on Tuesday June 7th.
Highlights of the Arts & Crafts and Tiffany section of the sale include a rare Tiffany & Co. carved mahogany hall clock designed by Paulding Farnham in 1887 (est. $25,000-35,000). This clock defines the popular Tiffany style at the end of the 19th century and is one of the earliest expressions of the style that became American Art Nouveau. From Tiffany Studios comes a superb Favrile glass and bronze Wisteria Lamp (est. $200,000-300,000). Another highlight is a Charles Rohlfs carved oak armchair, dated 1901 (est. $30,000-50,000).
The Art Nouveau period is represented by three lots from architect Hector Guimard, well known for his decorative work for the Paris Metro stations. Lots include a rare cast-iron fireplace surround (est. $10,000-15,000), a molded and glazed-earthenware jardinière (est. $2,000-3,000) and a cast-iron plaque from the Paris Metro (est. $3,000-5,000). Also in this section is a Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec color lithograph from the private collection of internationally known actress Lauren Bacall. Confetti (est. $12,000-18,000), was a Christmas gift to Ms. Bacall and husband Humphrey Bogart in 1951. There is also a rare Emile Galle internally-decorated cameo glass Cycas-Revoluta vase (est. $25,000-40,000).
A rare Rorstrand glazed-earthenware vase, designed by Alf Wallander for the Paris exhibition of 1900 highlights the Vienna Secession section of the auction. This monumental vase, depicting a struggle between a dragon and an octopus, is molded in high relief around the neck and base of the vase (est. $15,000-20,000).
James Owen Mahoney’s impressive oil on canvas painting titled Etruscans (est. $15,000-20,000), leads off the Art Deco section. Painted during his tenure in Italy, this image demonstrates the artist’s care for line and sculptural forms, tonal grandeur and Art Deco flamboyance. Other exception offerings include a group of Paul Dupre-Lafon furniture and decorations from private collection of Bonnie Pressman, including an oak and leather kneehole desk (est. $40,000-60,000). From a San Francisco estate come three early pieces of furniture designed by Jules Leleu—a rare amboyna and ivory two door cabinet (est. $18,000-25,000), a macassar ebony and upholstered settee from the S.S. Normandie ocean liner (est. $15,000-20,000), and an ivory mounted burled elm sideboard (est. $15,000-20,000).
Rounding out the sale is Contemporary Studio Works of Art with a strong representation of studio glass and ceramics. Dale Chihuly’s large and impressive blown glass, sculpture, “Fiori” is of particular note (est. $30,000-50,000). Composed of vivid red and orange floriforms mounted on a steel base, it is reminiscent of the organic forms that Chihuly creates for his site specific outdoor projects. Other standout lots are Janusz Walentynowicz’s Double Portrait of Anna, a kiln cast oil painted glass portrait (est. $6,000-9,000), a Michael Lucero totemic ceramic figure: “Hanging Man” (est. $8,000/12,000) and a strong Toots Zynsky green fused glass thread vase: “Arrufato” (est. $7,000-10,000).
www.bonhams.com/us20cdecorativeart