Over 450 lots, all of them fresh to the market, will come under the gavel in two sessions.
(PALM BEACH, Fla.) – The partial contents of a prominent Palm Beach oceanfront estate, fine Asian works of art and Persian carpets from a private Delray Beach collection and many other quality consignments will be sold in a two-session auction slated for Sunday, May 5, by A. B. Levy’s, in their main gallery located at 211 Worth Avenue. In all, over 450 lots will come up for bid.
Session one will begin promptly at 11 a.m. (EST) and feature lots 1-135. After a brief break, starting at around 2 p.m., session two will see lots 136-449 cross the auction block. For those unable to attend live, Internet bidding will be available through the A. B. Levy’s website (ablevys.com). Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.
“The entire sale is loaded with fabulous jewelry, art and antiques, but we’re especially excited about the items from the Palm Beach oceanfront estate,” said Albert Levy of A. B. Levy’s. “We also have a wonderful selection of estate jewelry, including a twice-signed Patek Philippe men’s wristwatch that was offered by Tiffany (est. $10,000-$20,000) and outstanding period furniture.”
Two lots are expected to sell for $100,000-$200,000 each. One is a Cartier certified 6.01-carat fancy intense yellow diamond ring. The other is an original gouache painting (not a lithograph) by Alexander Calder (Am./Fr., 1898-1976), signed in the artist’s hand and executed in 1969. Calder was renowned as a sculptor and probably became best known for his kinetic abstract mobiles. But he also did floor pieces and was proficient as a painter in watercolor, oil and gouache (opaque watercolor paints).
Another estate jewelry lot is expected to draw serious bidder attention. It is an important GIA-certified 1.14-carat pink diamond. It should command $50,000-$70,000.
From the Palm Beach mansion, a pair of 18th century carved, painted and gilt female figures standing just over five feet tall, should fetch $20,000; and a pair of Italian carved marble blackamoors, a man and woman, each on a raised circular pedestal, should hit $10,000-$20,000.
A Francois Linke Louis XVI-style bureau a cylinder (roll-top desk) carries a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$50,000. Also, a pair of 19th century French Louis XV/XVI-style carved, painted and gilt-wood consoles, is expected to sell for $2,000-$4,000.
Other period furniture pieces will feature an English chinoiserie (Chinese-patterned) secretary bookcase (est. $4,000-$6,000); a Louis XVI-style painted dressing mirror and console (est. $800-$1,200); and a French provincial carved and painted side cabinet (est. $800-$1,200).
Asian lots – red-hot among collectors, both here and abroad – will include Chinese ink on silk paintings, ivory, jade, snuff bottles and porcelain. Several KPM (Berlin) porcelain plaques will be offered, one showing a young girl holding flowers; it’s expected to bring $9,000-$12,000. Also, a sculpture by French artist Henry E. Dumaige (1830-1888) should realize $1,000-$2,000.
Other creations by artists such as Dale Chihuly and Pablo Picasso will also change hands. Additional recognizable names to be chanted that day will include Lalique, Baccarat, Bergman, Louis Vuitton, DuPont, Montague Dawson, Yabu Meizan and Kinkozan (the last two Satsuma). From estate jewelry the roster will include Rolex, Piaget, Chopard, Cartier and Patek Philippe.
A Tiffany Studios glass and bronze lamp in the Pomegranate pattern is expected to light up the room for $8,000-$12,000; a pair of Karl Springer lamps are estimated at $7,000-$10,000 for the pair; a fine Victrola mahogany music cabinet should play a sweet tune for $1,000-$3,000; two large patinated white metal figural candelabra should make $4,000-$6,000; and a pair of Continental gilt-bronze and ivory mounted candelabra are estimated to realize $3,000-$5,000.
The auction will also feature Persian carpets, certified $500 and $1,000 bills, a Hermes Kelly bag, English and European silver and boxed flatware and tableware. Previews will be held daily through May 4, at A.B. Levy’s Worth Avenue gallery, from 10-6, including Sunday. There will be no preview prior to sale on auction day. A buyer’s premium will apply to all purchases.
A.B. Levy’s is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single piece, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them at (561) 835-9139, or you can e-mail them at [email protected]. To learn more about A.B. Levy’s and the May 5th auction, which is currently online, you may log on to www.ablevys.com. Updates are posted frequently.
