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On December 6th Sotheby’s will offer a sale of Important English and Continental Furniture, silver, ceramics and clocks.
The sale will include fine pieces from the late 17th to 19th centuries, many from distinguished collections which have not been on the market for many years
This December Sotheby’s will offer Property from the Collection of Dodie Rosekrans. A celebrated philanthropist, style icon and patron of both fine and decorative arts, Dodie Rosekrans was known internationally both for her sense of adventure and unfailingly generous spirit. A trailblazer and trendsetter in fashion, the arts and society, she made a name for herself in each of the cities in which she lived with her late husband John Rosekrans: San Francisco – where she was born to Michael Naify, founder of the movie chain that became United Artists – Paris and Venice. Mr and Mrs Rosekrans’s charitable contributions were numerous, highlighted by their efforts to support the museums of San Francisco and Paris, the latter of which earned Mrs Rosekrans France’s Légion d’Honneur.
This December’s Evening Sale of Old Master and British Paintings is led by a pair of landmark Portraits by the artist Johann Zoffany. Painted in 1762, soon after the artist’s arrival in England, they depict the célèbre du jour David Garrick, the highly revered actor and theatre manager, in a rare moment of repose in the grounds of his Hampton Villa. They represent Zoffany’s first essay into the genre of the Conversation piece and have been part of the same distinguished collection since they were acquired in 1823 from the sale of the estate of Garrick’s widow.
A masterpiece of seventeenth century genre painting, by Jan Steen, leads the Dutch paintings category. It is a beautifully preserved and typically humorous Steen and, with it, one of the most technically dazzling examples of his art. Alongside it is one of the most important works by Jacob van Ruisdael to come to the market in recent years. It is unusually large and depicts the dunes before Haarlem, as evening approaches and the rains just passed, evocative of both Ruisdael’s fascination with nature as well as his mastery with the brush. A copper by David Teniers from 1647, when he was at the very height of his powers an artist, depicts tric-trac players in a guardroom interior and completes the triumvirate of Dutch and Flemish masterworks.
Bernardo Daddi’s jewel-like Madonna and child enthroned, exquisite in its detailing, leads the Italian field and is supported by two other small devotional panels from early 14th century Florence, another Daddi and a portable triptych by Jacopo del Casentino. Complimenting these, from the 18th century, is a set of seven views of the island and harbours of Malta by Alberto Pullicino, the largest and most complete set to have survived from the eighteenth century and the only such set to have remained together since its acquisition or commission.
Design Masters Tuesday 13 December 4pm
Auction 450 Park Avenue New York
Viewing 7 – 13 December
Design Wednesday 14 December 2pm
Auction 450 Park Avenue New York
Viewing 450 West 15 Street New York
7 – 13 December
The sale of Western manuscripts and miniatures on 6 December 2011 includes a number of remarkable items, including a lost miniature from a lavishly illuminated Book of Hours by the Master of Claude de France, produced in Tours in the early sixteenth-century.
It also features a monumental twelfth-century English copy of Isidore of Seville’s Etymologies; and a previously unrecorded English devotional compendium in Latin and Middle English from the mid-fifteenth century, with a large illustration of a soul being plucked from its body by two hairy devils.
To the best of our knowledge, these three items have never been offered in public auction before, and the latter two have almost certainly passed by descent since the Reformation.
Antique, Modern, Digital, and Vintage Photography the most diverse show of photographs.
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4.3-carat diamond ring known as ‘The Headlight’ could make $35,000-$45,000
4.3-carat European-cut diamond and platinum ring, VVS2 clarity, I-J color, 1930s, est. $35,000-$45,000. Quinn’s Auction Galleries image.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Sparkling diamonds, lustrous pearls and spectacular Victorian cameos join a select array of Swiss watches and other high-quality estate jewelry in a 300-lot sale to be held Wednesday, Dec. 7 at Quinn’s. The family-owned auction house that serves the Washington, D.C. and Mid-Atlantic region has built a strong following for its annual pre-Christmas Estate Jewelry Auction, which perennially includes the types of glittering stocking stuffers that never go out of style.
An impressive offering of diamond rings is led by a 1930s example featuring a 4.3-carat old European-cut diamond in platinum setting. The stone is graded VVS2 for clarity and I-J color. “The last woman who wore the ring referred to it as ‘The Headlight,” said Quinn’s Jewelry specialist Lynnae Henderson, who has cataloged the auction headliner with a $35,000-$45,000 estimate. Another beautiful ring is the Hearts on Fire succession band with six graduated diamonds of 1.85 carats total weight set in 18K white gold. Estimate: $4,000-$5,000.
In addition to rings, the diamond section includes a pair of 3-carat (total weight) diamond stud earrings, est. $2,000-$3,000; a 7- to 8-carat diamond tennis bracelet in 14K gold, $1,000-$1,500; and a platinum and diamond brooch of Art Deco design, $4,000-$4,500.
Four examples from a large selection of rare antique cameos. Quinn’s Auction Galleries image.
The auction also features a collection of exquisite cameos, some exhibiting rare subjects in their design. A Victorian brooch finely carved with the image of Britannia retains its original box from a jeweler in Edinburgh. Other cameos in the auction depict the goddess Diana, the dance muse Terpsichore, and a Classical Roman woman carved in high relief with her hair swept back. The subject of the latter piece, which is a lava cameo with greenish tinge, is one that Henderson said she has never seen before.
Pearls are a flawless choice as a holiday gift, whether the recipient is a wife, mother, daughter or grandmother. Options available to holiday shoppers include a double strand of baroque pearls in white-to-gold color with 14K gold clasp and matching mabe pearl earrings, est. $300-$400; and a diamond-clasped opera-length strand of graduated pearls ranging from 5½ to 9mm in diameter. Additionally, the sale includes several multi-strand freshwater pearls.
18K gold men’s Patek Philippe wristwatch with ellipse blue dial, est. $8,000-$9,000. Quinn’s Auction Galleries image.
Among the timepieces to be auctioned are a ladies’ Rolex and two men’s Rolex watches – an 18K gold President model, est. $8,000-$12,000; and a stainless steel with 14K gold Datejust. An 18K gold men’s Patek Philippe watch with ellipse blue dial could bring $8,000-$9,000.
Circa-1953 Antonio Pineda (Mexico, 1919-2009) sterling silver pendant with sizable amethyst and accent pearl on handmade silver-link necklace, est. $900-$1,000. Quinn’s Auction Galleries image.
Mexican silver jewelry is known for its purity and craftsmanship. A collection of mid-century pieces is led by a circa-1953 Antonio Pineda pendant with sizable amethyst and pearl on a handmade silver-link necklace. It is estimated at $900-$1,000. A Parure 3-piece mid-century sterling set comprised of necklace, bracelet and earrings features rhomboid-shape silver elements adorned with finely worked green cabochon stone bezels, rendering what Henderson describes as “a spectacular effect.” Estimate: $350-$400. Those who appreciate fire opals will find many tempting items in the sale, including a 1940s-50s ring whose stone is green with orange fire, with small diamonds surrounding the bezel.
The sale features an extensive selection of approximately 100 14K gold rings with semiprecious stones, including garnets, aquamarines, a London blue topaz and an outstanding Tanzanite. Additional highlights include two Art Deco rings – a clear aquamarine in white gold, and a flat white gold ring with four sapphires and diamonds cut in unusual geometric shapes – and an Art Nouveau pendant with a hand-painted picture of a woman detailed with rhinestones.
A special group lot consists of two 14K yellow gold Masonic pieces – a signet ring and a pendant. The ring has Masonic designs and engraving, and a central diamond within the familiar fraternal motif of architectural instruments. The hexagonal pendant is enameled gold and opens on two sides to reveal symbols inside. A diamond and double-head eagle further adorn the pendant, which is in pristine condition. “A jeweler’s assessment was that the pendant is old but has been well preserved,” said Henderson.
Exquisite jeweled bird pin from a selection of 14K and 18K mid-century animal-form pins. Quinn’s Auction Galleries image.
Many mid-century animal pins in 14K and 18K gold will be offered, with forms including birds in nests, turtles, bees, a bull and a hummingbird. Also, Quinn’s will auction several vintage charm bracelets, several 14K and 18K gold necklaces in various weaves, a David Yurman choker, and two Tiffany designs – a mesh cuff bracelet and graduated silver-bead necklace. “There’s a huge selection that ranges from the affordable to the very high end. All of it is realistically estimated.” said Henderson.
Quinn’s Estate Jewelry, Gold & Precious Gems auction will commence at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. The gallery is located at 431 N. Maple Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046. All forms of bidding will be available. For additional information, call Lynnae Henderson at 703-532-5632 or e-mail info@quinnsauction.com. Visit Quinn’s online at www.quinnsauction.com.
The December sale of Egyptian, Classical, and Western Asiatic Antiquities will include a selection of bronze, marble, other stone, and terracotta pieces representative of these cultures. We will offer these items in an evening session following the sale of the Collection of Dodie Rosekrans which will also feature some antiquities.
Our highlights include a marble figure of Leda and the Swan made around the 2nd century A.D. with provenance going back to the late 18th century and coming to us from Aske Hall and the collection of the Marquess of Zetland.
We are also pleased to be offering a Roman Imperial marble head of Zeus Ammon, made in Alexandria circa 120-160 A.D. from the collection of Dodie Rosekrans. This head, inspired by a type originating with the 5th century Greek artist Phidias, would have been inserted in a cult statue of the Greco-Egyptian god but remains imposing on its own.
This sale features first editions, presentation copies, letters and manuscripts, from the mid-sixteenth century to the present day.
An exceptional highlight is an unpublished manuscript by Charlotte Brontë, written in miniature script when she was aged just fourteen.
The sale also includes, from a separate source, a series of presentation copies of the works of the Brontë sisters, given to their close friend Ellen Nussey.
Also in the sale are the second folio edition (1632) of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, first and inscribed editions of the works of Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde and Graham Greene, a very rare item of seventeenth-century postal history, family copies of works by Darwin, manuscripts of Karl Popper, and an E.H. Shepard original illustration of Piglet.
The sale also includes manuscripts of the Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz.
