Throughout the month of October, major auction houses are gearing up for sales across the country and abroad. Editor at Large pulled a selection of upcoming auctions from Rago, Christie’s, Wright, Sotheby’s and Bonham’s that offer a range of treasures from modern furniture by Charles and Ray Eames to Louis XV-style European furniture as well as lighting, tapestry and accessories.
Early 20th Century Decorative Arts (Rago, October 18, New Jersey)
Ceramics by Newcomb College and Martin Brothers, plus a rare vase by George Ohr by the New Orleans Art Pottery, and rare examples by Rookwood and Weller make up the Early 20th Century Decorative Arts auction put on by Rago. Highlights include a superb collection of French ceramics from the collection of Robert A. Ellison, furniture by Gustav Stickley, an important early desk by Charles Rohlfs, and an exceptional table lamp by Galle. The sale begins at 11:00 a.m.
Modern Design (Rago, October 19, New Jersey)
Many fine works by Paul Evans, including rare wavy front cabinets as well as sculpture front and deep relief cabinets will be featured in Rago’s Modern Design Sale. Highlights include furniture by George and Mira Nakashima, Phil Powell, Jacques Adnet, Pierre Jeanneret, Paul Frankl, Vladimir Kagan, Piero Fornasetti, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Federico Armijo, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, and Tom Dixon. The sale begins at 11:00 a.m.
The Connoisseur's Eye (Christie’s, October 21, New York)
A selection of European furniture, sculpture and ceramics will be up for auction as part of Christie’s The Connoisseur’s Eye sale. Highlights feature a George II mahogany and ebonized side cabinet, a pair of late Louis XV ormolu-mounted blue John vases, a German walnut ash and fruitwood cabinet-on-chest and a Flemish historical tapestry. The sale begins at 10:00 a.m.
Design (Wright, October 23, Chicago)
Wright will present a selection of modern works by some of the 20th century’s most renowned designers including notable works by Alexander Girard, Paul Evans, Gio Ponti and Ettore Sottsass. Single owner collections stand prominently in this auction with remarkable works from the design collection of the pioneering dealers, Full House and an exceptional group of furniture by Charles and Ray Eames from the original owner. The sale also features more than 20 lots designed by Tommi Parzinger for the Appleman Commission in 1956. Parzinger thoughtfully designed every detail of the Appleman interior and the collection includes lighting, tables, and seating along with specially designed door hardware and construction drawings from the project. The sale begins at 11:00 a.m.
This major private collection offers masterpieces of 19th century furniture by the period’s pre-eminent craftsmen, including François Linke, Alfred Beurdeley, Guillaume Grohé, Mathieu Befort and Henry Dasson. Assembled by a private American collector, it focuses on signed pieces in the French royal styles of the Ancien Régime and evokes the Beaux Arts building projects of the 19th century, when a new international elite competed to furnish their Renaissance-style châteaux with palatial furniture and objects. The sale beings at 2:00 p.m.
Collections (Sotheby’s, October 28, London)
Sotheby’s Collections sales are renowned for bringing together eclectic groups of furniture, decorative and fine art from private collections. Highlights of this fall edition include a group from Italy, which offers a colorful array of Chinese objects alongside Italian classics; a charming collection of early oak and English Country furniture adds a folk flavor; while a rich assortment of tapestries provide a feast for the eyes. The sale beings at 10:30 a.m.
The Connoisseur’s Eye (Bonham’s, October 28, San Francisco)
Bonham’s upcoming auction, The Connoisseur’s Eye, features a private collection of European furniture, paintings and decorative arts. Highlights include a Louis XVI giltwood side chair, an Italian Renaissance revival walnut and leather library chair and a Renissance-style brass and iron small demilune console cabinet and chair. The sale begins at 10:00 a.m.
Property from the Estate of Rochelle Sepenuk, Part II (Sotheby’s, October 29, New York)
Following the successful 2008 sale of the Estate of Rochelle Sepenuk, Sotheby’s is offering the second part of her 19th century sculpture and fine art collection. Sepenuk often sought large-scale works for her gallery and private collection, including the monumental carved marble figural group of Cupid and Psyche by Rinaldo Barbetti after a painting by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Sepenuk had an exceptional eye and great taste; the works that dominated her collection were grand in size and theme with rich, expressive narratives. The sale begins at 10:00 a.m.
19th Century Furniture and Decorative Art (Sotheby’s, October 29, New York)
Continuing to offer the pieces made by the best cabinetmakers and firms of the 19th century, this fall Sotheby’s will present to the international market a wide range of decorative art objects in a tradition of extraordinary luxury of the preceding centuries as well as the opulence of the Belle Époque. Highlights include a pair of gilt-bronze mounted malachite veneered obelisks, a Louis XV style gilt-bronze mounted polychrome decorated bombe commode and a group of five Wedgwood lustre bowls. In addition, this sale will offer a group of sculptures from the Property of the Art Institute of Chicago, sold to benefit future acquisitions. The sale begins at 2:00 p.m.
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