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| Oct 16, 2013 |
San Francisco socialite’s interiors up for sale
Boh staff
By Staff

On Tuesday, October 22, Christie’s will present a notable sale entitled Michael Taylor and the Alchemy of Design: The Diana Dollar Knowles Collection. The collection encompasses approximately 300 objects from the Knowles’ homes in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Pebble Beach—all designed by Taylor.

Over 90 years old, Knowles epitomized the refined, intellectual style that earned San Francisco the distinction as a “Paris of the West.” Knowles was “one of the grandest dames in San Francisco Society,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

A fine and rare Chinese Brown and Polychrome Coromandel Lacquer Twelve-Panel Screen

Michael Taylor’s chief mission was to create interiors best suited for each individual client, and among his most loyal San Francisco clients were Gorham and Diana Knowles. Taylor collaborated closely with Knowles on each commission, resulting in an especially close design partnership.

A Royal Copenhagen 'Flora Danica' Porcelain Dinner Service

European furniture, Asian works of art, fine porcelain and silver, ceramics by Pablo Picasso, contemporary art and botanical prints are among the highlights of the sale. Items include a Chinese export black and gilt lacquer bureau bookcase, circa 1740 (estimate: $150,000 – 250,000); Barnett Newman’s Untitled Etching 2 , 1969 (Estimate: $60,000 - 90,000); and a fine and rare Chinese brown and polychrome coromandel lacquer twelve-panel screen from the Kangxi Period (1662-1722) (estimate: $200,000 - 300,000).

A Chinese Export Black and Gilt Lacquer Bureau

Estimates within the rest of the sale range from $300 to $300,000.

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