Kaminski Auctions, one of Massachusetts’ premier antiques and fine art auction houses, has announced its Holiday Estates Auction. The auction features a diverse array of fine art, antiques, collectibles and fine 18th and 19th Century Italian furnishings from descendants of Conte Gennaro Balamo. Additional furnishings from early settlers of Salem, Hamilton and Wenham are also offered. The auction takes place Saturday and Sunday December 27 and 28 at Woodman’s Function Hall, 122 Main St., Essex, MA. Bidding commences at 10am each day and preview periods are scheduled Friday, December 26, 4-8pm and 8-10am on the days of the auction. A complete catalog is available online at www.KaminskiAuctions.com and the auction will also feature live online bidding through eBay Live Auctions. For more information, call 978-927-2228.
Highlighting this exciting auction is a painting by 19th Century American artist John Leslie Breck. The painting (Est. $10,000-$20,000), a colorful landscape with haystacks, is a prime example of Breck’s avant-garde Impressionist style. The artist lived in Giverny, France for the majority of his career and worked under the tutelage of Claude Monet. He and Monet had a close relationship and Beck even became romantically involved with Monet’s stepdaughter Blanche Hoschede-Monet.
A marble sculpture (Est. $20,000-$40,000) by Italian artist Cesare Fantacchiotti crosses the block at this two day auction. The statue measures 54 inches tall and is titled “Rosi”. Fantacchiotti’s sculptures are highly sought-after and regularly achieve five figures at auction.
A Gorham sterling silver tea set (Est. $2,500-$4,500) is also featured. The set includes a long serving tray weighing a substantial 113 ozt. The pieces are monogrammed “VWC” and weigh 224 ozt. in total. Gorham silver has a distinguished history, counting First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, Admiral George Dewey and President George W. Bush among its admirers and collectors.
Furniture offerings include three lots of 18th Century Italian walnut furniture. A pair of two-drawer night stands ($3,500-$5,500) boasts canary marble tops and brass handles and feet. Two desks (Est. $3,000-$5,000 and $3,500-$5,500 respectively) each features fine brass hardware and burlwood and marquetry inlay.
“This two-day auction event gives us the opportunity to wrap-up on an incredibly successful year,” comments Frank Kaminski. “We are always looking for items to feature in upcoming auctions and can take consignments in any volume, from a single piece to an entire estate.”
About Kaminski Auctions
Kaminski Auctions, headed by Frank Kaminski, specializes in appraising and auctioning fine art and antiques. As part of a complete estate service package, Kaminski provides expert appraisals, local and national advertising for all sales, competitive fees, itemized accounting of all transactions for heirs and representatives. In addition to full estate auctions, Kaminski accepts partial estate liquidations, as well as individual pieces and collections for consignment. The firm’s extensive clientele includes museums, historical societies, corporations, non-profit organizations and private individuals. In early 2007, Kaminski launched a second operation in San Diego, California. For information, visit www.KaminskiAuctions.com or call 978-927-2223.
