Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Skinner, Inc. to host auction of European Furniture and Decorative Arts on July 14

Boston, MA – Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of European Furniture and Decorative Arts on July 14th in its Boston gallery. With over 800 lots on offer, the sale features a broad array of Continental and British ceramics, silver, glass, statuary, clocks, paintings and prints, lighting, rugs, textiles, and antique furniture.

Fine Ceramics – Wedgwood, Majolica, and Clarice Cliff
Wedgwood will be represented by more than 250 lots. A large selection of jasperware is highlighted by a three-color jasper dip diceware jardinière (lot 132A, estimated between $1,500 and $2,500). Smaller examples of jasperware are available in black, dark blue, yellow, and crimson. A pair of gilded and bronzed Victoriaware vases with covers from the late 19th century (lot 206, $8,000 to $10,000) will also be offered.

Two Meissen Porcelain Ewers Emblematic of Fire and Water, c. 1880

Lustreware is the most prolific of the Wedgwood types. The July auction will feature more than twenty examples of important Fairyland Lustre including an antique centerbowl with handpainted and printed Woodland Elves designs on both the interior and exterior (lot 256, $5,000 to $7,000); and a covered vase decorated with the jewelled tree pattern with a cat and mouse and copper trees (lot 272, $5,000 to $7,000).

Also available is a wide selection of other Wedgwood items, including black basalt, encaustic-decorated wares, dry body wares, moonlight lustre, Emile Lessore-decorated wares, and pieces finished with experimental glazes.
Victorian majolica is well represented with nearly 100 lots of fine and unusual pieces produced by Minton, George Jones, and other manufacturers. Highlights include a Minton heron and fish ewer, dated 1866 (lot 306, $5,000 to $7,000) and a Victor Barbizet Palissy barbotine wall plaque (lot 372, $2,000 to $4,000) with fish, various amphibians, and insects on a mottled blue ground. Vases, tureens, garden seats, figures and centerpieces represent only a few of the forms included in the sale.

Rounding out the selection of primarily British ceramics are two Clarice Cliff collections with a variety of handpainted wares including tea sets, vases, and tablewares. An eight-piece Fantasque Bizarre ware partial tea set decorated in the Gibraltar pattern (lot 406, $800 to $1,200), and a Bizarre ware lotus vase in the Forest Glen pattern (lot 425, $600 to $800) are representative of these two fine collections. An assortment of 18th century Dr. Wall period Worcester porcelains will also be offered

Statuary, Antique Furniture, and Decorative Arts
Notable sculptures include an Italian Carrara marble sculpture depicting an amorous couple (lot 689, $10,000 to $15,000), and another Italian Carrara marble sculpture of a child reaching for his mother’s locket (lot 652, $18,000 to $22,000).

The well-rounded selection of English and continental antique furniture features a group of French Gothic Revival pieces, including a fine carved walnut choir stall chair (lot 537, $1,000 to $1,500), and a court cupboard with tracery work (lot 643, $2,000 to $4,000). Another lot of note is a Louis XVI-style gilt-bronze and Sevres-style porcelain-mounted guéridon depicting Louis XVI surrounded by oval plaques painted with the portraits of prominent court ladies (lot 462A, $8,000 to $12,000).

Decorative arts highlights include an English enamel snuff box with a portrait of George Washington (lot 803, $800 to $1,200), a large Russian church icon depicting the Dormition of the Virgin measuring over 45 inches tall (lot 484, $4,000 to $6,000), and two 19th century Meissen porcelain ewers emblematic of fire and water (lot 715, $10,000 to $15,000).

In addition, there are twenty-five lots of mostly high glaze Gouda pottery vases, chargers, and jars from a variety of manufacturers, including Arnhem Lindus, Zuid Holland, Holland Utrecht, and Rozenburg den Haag on offer.

Previews, Events, Catalogue, and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2012, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, July 13, 2012, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

Illustrated catalogue #2605B is available by mail from the subscription department at #508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!

About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site