DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions’ Fine Furniture & Decorative Arts Auction May 28 in Dallas, Texas includes strong ceramics collections and counts among its highlights an array of lots from five private collections: the Virginia Cook Collection, the John Robert Clark Collection, both from Dallas, Texas, the Estate of Randall J. Moskovitz, M.D., and the Sir Arthur Bryan Collection. Also featured is a fine selection of ceramics from the Collection of the Birks Museum at Millikin University in Decatur Illinois.

“This auction brings together some remarkable private collections, with choices for collectors of all levels” Heritage Auctions Silver and Decorative Arts Director Karen Rigdon said. “There is also a particularly fine selection of ceramics in the sale, including Sèvres, Meissen Pâte-sur-Pâte, Wedgwood Black Basalt and KPM plaques that ranges from romantic to religious, and a wide range of Royal Copenhagen’s Flora Danica including the coveted Ice Cream Dome.”

The Pair of Rare Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany, Tulipwood and Fruitwood Parquetry Commodes, 3rd quarter 19th century, (estimate: $20,000-30,000) merge beautiful materials with rare craftsmanship, marked “JME, A LECLAIRE, PARIS.” The pair has a fascinating past. The 18th century mark “JME” (Jurande des Menuisiers- Ébénistes) is struck to the top of each leg. The legs were later skillfully incorporated into the making of this pair in the 19th century; presumably by Jean-Eugene Leclaire (granted Master prior to 1855), whose mark is struck to the underside.

A Sixty-Piece Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica Pattern Gilt Silver and Porcelain Flatware Service for Twelve, Copenhagen, Denmark, mid-late 20th century (estimate: $20,000-30,000) comes from an important Miami, Fla., collection and is marked A. MICHELSEN, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, STERLING, (crown-AM), 925S. The set, which includes 12 dinner knives, luncheon knives, dinner forks, luncheon forks and luncheon spoons, is rarely offered at auction. The flatware service was made to accompany Royal Copenhagen’s Flora Danica porcelain service. Now in the 230th anniversary of its introduction, it is one of the oldest patterns still in production.

A John Henry Belter Fountain Elms Pattern Carved and Laminated Rosewood Sofa and Side Chair, New York, circa 1860 (estimate: $15,000-20,000) is the most famous pattern by Belter, the popular German-born American furniture maker and designer. Belter, who reached the height of his popularity in the 1850s, was revered for his signature technique of processing laminated rosewood in many layers to achieve thin panels that, once shaped in molds through steam heating, were finely carved.

A Very Rare Early Victorian Chinoiserie Ironstone Fireplace Surround, circa 1830-1850 (estimate: $15,000-25,000) includes an apple green ground to body with a serpentine mantel with partial gilt floral garland encased between solid gilt banding. Positioned below the mantle are a pair of polychromed foo lion heads, and the upper hearth apron includes two inset painted medallions flanking an oversized scroll with painted avian, floral and court motifs, geometric legs inset with a variety of medallions and lozenges with conforming hand-painted floral decoration.

An Important Pair of Baccarat Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Five-Light Candelabrum, France, late 19th century (estimate: $15,000-20,000) is stunning in both design and size. Standing 23-1/4 inches high, each features BACCARAT marks to crystal drip pans.

Other highlights include, but are not limited to:

• A Pair of French Louis XV-Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Mounted Commodes (estimate: $12,000-18,000)

• A Four-Part French Louis XV-Style Gilt Bronze Bed After the Model By François Linke (estimate: $12,000-18,000)

• A Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas Louis XV-Style Figural Three Graces Gilt Bronze Clock on a Giltwood Pedestal, mid-late 19th century (estimate: $10,000-15,000)

• A French Louis XV-Style Three-Piece Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Clock Garniture (estimate: $10,000-15,000)

• Audrey Flack Islandia, Goddess of the Healing Waters, 1988 (estimate: $15,000-20,000)

Highlights from the Collection of John Robert Clark include, but are not limited to:

• A Continental Baroque-Style Carved Giltwood Console Table with Marble Top, 19th century (estimate: $7,000-9,000)

• An Italian Neoclassical Partial Gilt Demilune Satinwood Console Table, late 18th century (estimate: $4,000-6,000)

Top lots from the Virginia Cook Collection include:

• A French Ormolu and Jasperware Porcelain Plaque-Mounted Mahogany Commode à Vantaux after the Model by Joseph Stöckel and Guillaume Benneman, late 19th century (estimate: $8,000-12,000)

• A Louis XVI-Style Gilt Bronze Mounted tulipwood, Sycamore and Fruitwood Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, late 19th-early 20th century (estimate: $3,000-5,000)

Other lots from the Miami collection include, but are not limited to:

• A Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica Pattern Porcelain Ice Bell, 1969-1973 (estimate: $8,000-12,000)

• A Set of Twelve Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica Pattern Porcelain Reticulated Dinner Plates, 1969-1973 (estimate: $6,000-8,000)

Top lots from the Estate of Randall J. Moskovitz, M.D., Collection include, but are not limited to:

• A French Louis XVI-Style Gilt Bronze Nine-Light Chandelier, 19th century (estimate: $5,000-7,000)

• An English Pocket Globe with Shagreen Case, 1791 (estimate: $3,000-5,000)

Included among the top lots from the Sir Arthur Bryan Collection:

• A Wedgwood Basalt Bust of George Washington After Jean-Antoine Houdon, England, 1976 (estimate: $1,000-1,500)

• A Wedgwood Basalt Portland Vase, England, first half 20th century (estimate: $1,000-1,500)

Top lots from the Collection of Birks Museum, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois, include:

• A Mintons Partial Gilt Pâte-sur-Pâte Porcelain Jardinière Decorated by Albion Birks, England, circa 1900 (estimate: $3,000-5,000)

• A Pair of Wedgwood Queensware Urns, 19th century (estimate: $3,000-4,000)

Top lots from the Estate of Stuart Cutshall, Dallas, Texas, include:

• A French Gilt Bronze Mounted Center Table with Marble Top, 18th-19th century – from the Estate of Stuart Cutshall, Dallas, Texas (estimate: $2,000-3,000)

• A Harry and Louis Epstein Cloud Leather and Walnut Dining Set, circa 1930 – from the Estate of Stuart Cutshall, Dallas, Texas (estimate: $1,500-2,500)