Bonhams is pleased to offer Fine European Furniture and Decorative Arts on December 5 in Los Angeles. The 350-lot sale will feature an array of works for varied tastes and collecting levels from the 16th through the 20th centuries, with a focus on English, French, Italian, Spanish and German properties. Highlights from the sale include a strong selection of property from the Collections of Candy and Aaron Spelling, Rod Stewart, noted philanthropist Iris Cantor and the Estates of Charles Bronson and the late Dr. Scott Schubach as well as more than 50 lots from the Warner Bros. Studios Collection.
Chinese Export black and gilt lacquer secretary cabinet probably made for the Danish market mid 18th century
Andrew Jones, Los Angeles Director of European Furniture and Decorative Arts at Bonhams & Butterfields said of the sale, “The winter auction boasts a good balance of 16th-20th century furnishings, porcelain and decorative arts. Bonhams is delighted to offer collectors a unique opportunity to bid on property from Candy and Aaron Spelling, Rod Stewart, Mrs. Iris Cantor and the Estate of Charles Bronson as well as Warner Bros. Studios.”
The highly anticipated winter sale will feature select works from the Collection of noted philanthropist Iris Cantor. Cantor is chairman and president of the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation. Established in 1978, the Foundation supports the visual arts as well as medical, educational, and cultural institutions and programs in the United States and abroad.
Works of note from the Collection of Iris Cantor include the auction catalogue’s cover lot a handsome pair of Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted marquetry inlaid rosewood and kingwood commodes, 19th century (est. $25,000-35,000); an impressive Continental Rococo walnut and oyster veneered secretary bookcase, mid 18th century (est. $20,000-30,000); an impressive Continental Rococo walnut and oyster veneered secretary bookcase, mid 18th century (est. $20,000-30,000); an impressive pair of Régence style carved giltwood mirrors (est. $20,000-30,000); a Neoclassical partial paint decorated carved giltwood console, possibly Baltic, fourth quarter 18th century (est. $15,000-20,000) and a stunning Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted inlaid satinwood bureau à cylindre, Maison Krieger, late 19th century (est. $15,000-20,000).
Luminary highlights from the December sale also include a patinated bronze figure of Mephistopheles, after a model by Mark Matveevich Antokolsky, late 19th century (est. $10,000-20,000) from the Collection of Candy and Aaron Spelling; a Louis XV gilt bronze mounted walnut commode (est. $6,000-8,000) from the Collection of Rod Stewart and an imposing Continental Rococo walnut metamorphic armchair (est. $2,000-4,000) from the Estate of Charles Bronson as well as early and unusual decorations from the Estate of the late Dr. Scott Schubach.
An impressive Chinese Export black and gilt lacquer secretary cabinet highlights the offering from the Warner Bros. Studios Collection (est. $60,000-80,000). Created in the mid 18th century, probably for the Danish market, the cabinet stands an impressive 90 inches high and 40 inches wide.
Additional works of note from the Warner Bros. Studios Collection include an imposing pair of intricately painted Sèvres style gilt bronze mounted covered urns measuring 48 ¼ inches high, late 19th century (est. $20,000-30,000); a breathtaking Sèvres style porcelain gilt bronze mounted covered urn, signed M. Demonceaux, late 19th century (est. $20,000-30,000); a 5 ft tall French bronze figural torchère after a model by Jean-Alexandre-Joseph Falguière, F. Barbedienne foundry, late 19th century (est. $15,000-20,000); the auction catalogue’s back cover lot, a stunningly handsome early Italian carved marble bust of the Apollo Belvedere by Camillo Pacetti, circa 1815 (est. $15,000-20,000); an oversize oil on canvas painting titled “Plowing of the Fields” signed and dated ‘E. Debat-Ponsan 1891’ (est. $15,000-20,000) and a 4 ft tall Italian carved marble figure of Venus, 19th century (est. $12,000-18,000), among others.
The illustrated auction catalog is online for review and purchase in the weeks preceding the sale at www.bonhams.com/us.
Preview: December 2-4, Los Angeles
Auction: December 5, 2011, Los Angeles