Weschler’s first Capital Collections Estate auction of the season begins Friday, September 14th at 10 a.m. with a stunning selection of jewelry, American & European fine art, furniture and decorative arts, Asian works of art, and rugs. Exhibition preview will run from Saturday, September 8th through September 13th at Weschler’s Washington, D.C. gallery.
A striking Cartier choker length tested 18-karat yellow-gold citrine and diamond necklace-brooch ($50,000-$75,000) is expected to be the top lot of the auction. Circa 1940s, the center floral spray portion of the necklace can be removed and worn as a brooch. Two platinum solitaire diamond rings will be offered by separate consignors, both ranging from $15,000-$20,000. The first, set with one round brilliant-cut diamond weighing 2.15 carats and flanked by two baguette-cut diamonds, is accompanied by a G.I.A. grading report stating an E color, VS1 clarity. The second, set with one round European-cut weighing 2.98 carats, is flanked by two tapered baguette-cut diamonds. The sale also offers a fine collection of Ippolita jewelry including two, three and four piece ensembles, bangles, earrings, necklace and a ring ranging from $500 to $3,500 respectively.
Also on the block are one of the most distinctive and important books in Americana, History of the Indian Tribes of North America by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall. The three volumes contain an extensive biography and one-hundred and twenty hand-colored lithographed portrait plates of the most prominent Indian leaders of the nineteenth century and are expected to fetch $40,000-$60,000.
Leading the American & European Fine Art is a Eugene Verboeckhoven (Belgian 1799-1881) oil on canvas titled Sheep Fold with a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$50,000. Other top lots include a painting by John P. Beaumont (American 1831-1876), View of Niagara Falls ($12,000-$18,000); a delicate Still Life of Pink and White Roses ($8,000-$12,000) by Gerardina Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen (Dutch 1826-1895); an unusual depiction of Joshua Battling the Amalekites ($3,000-$5,000) and fine prints by Frank Stella, River of Ponds I: From the Newfoundland Series ($4,000-$6,000) and David Hockney, Flowers Made of Paper and Black Ink ($5,000-$7,000). Other artists represented include Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Reginald Marsh, Berto Lardera, Gustave Jean Jacquet, Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen and Constantine Kluge.
Delft and Meissen enthusiasts will be intrigued by a large local collection up for auction at the Friday sale. Delftware highlights include landscape and pictorial plaques, urns, tile pictures, table-form jewelry boxes and miniature bombé commodes all having pre-sale estimates ranging from $500-$1,500 respectively. Among the Meissen you will find a pair of Figures of Gardeners estimated for $4,000-$6,000; a ninety piece ‘Blue Onion’ dinner service ($1,200-$1,800); thirty-two piece ‘Blue Onion’ dessert service ($800-$1,200); and several lots of motto figures of putti with pre-sale estimates ranging from $700-$1,800. Additionally, a large selection of English cameo glass perfume bottles are expected to fetch in the $700-$1,800 range.
Twelve American yellow gold late 19th-century teaspoons estimated at $3,000-$5,000 highlight the silver selection. Each spoon was a birthday gift to Philena C. Winslow, given to her from 1889 to 1900 by her father, Jacob Snow Winslow. Winslow’s shipping firm, Winslow & Co., controlled the largest fleet of sailing vessels on the Atlantic coast.
Furniture highlights include a Queen Anne cherry bonnet top highboy from the Connecticut River Valley, circa 1770 ($20,000-$30,000); a Baltimore Federal satinwood inlaid mahogany serpentine sideboard, circa 1800 ($8,000-$12,000); and a William & Mary oyster laburnum veneer cabinet on a later walnut stand, circa 1700 ($3,000-$5,000).
Three pianos will be on the block, the first being a Steinway & Sons ‘Louis XVI’ style gilt gesso mahogany semi-concert grand piano, circa 1889, expected to fetch $12,000-$18,000, as well as an ebonized Steinway & Sons baby grand piano, circa 1917, estimated at $4,000-$6,000 and a white enamel painted Yamaha baby grand piano, circa 1955, estimated at $5,000-$7,000.
A complete illustrated catalogue for this auction and details on exhibition hours can be found at www.weschlers.com. For live online bidding, Weschler’s is in partnership with Artfact, AuctionZip and Invaluable. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Weschler’s next Capital Collections Estate Auction will be held November 16, 2012 with a consignment deadline of September 28.
