GLEN COVE, NY.- Roland Auctions NY will now present their next very high-profile auction, the collection of legendary New York socialite Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff, on May 4th, 2024 at 10am. The Baroness own personal collection, coming mostly from her two residences at The Pierre Hotel and another NYC Upper East Side apartment, will now be offered at auction, along with select items from her 33-acre beachfront Long Island home, which she sold in 2020.
Roland Auctions NY will present this much anticipated auction with previews for the May 4th auction taking place on Thursday, May 2nd & Friday, May 3rd, 10am - 6pm. Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff, who passed away last summer, had led a very storied, at times controversial, life, having married four time while being a New York high-society mainstay for many decades.
Raised in Germany and The Netherlands, she came to the U.S. after the war and in the early 1960s married industrialist William Klopman, who founded Burlington Textiles, the innovator of synthetic fabrics. He built the 40 acre Villa Riele for his wife on the shore of Lloyd Harbor in Long island and together they purchased art treasures and jewels, including the fabled 77 carat Lesotho diamond from Harry Winston. The diamond was cut from a much larger stone, with the other portion going to Elizabeth Taylor.
After Klopman passed away, she married his longtime friend, perfume manufacturer Baron Peter Langer von Langendorff, the creator of world-renowned White Shoulders perfume. She went on to lead a jet-set lifestyle in New York, Palm Beach and Monaco. Her clothes and jewels were always featured in society columns around the world, most prominently known her extravagant emeralds. She maintained a lifelong friendship with Harry Winston, who helped create many of these jewels. Shes been profiled in Vanity Fair and the New York Daily News once dubbed her the Jet Sets Most Controversial Woman with a large photo on their cover of her wrapped in chinchilla. Later, after the Barons demise. The Baroness would go on to marry twice more.
Her main residences, up until she died in summer 2023, were the two apartments at The Pierre Hotel and another apartment on East 63rd Street in Manhattan. Now, Roland Auctions NY will present a vast selection of The Baroness personal collection amassed over decades, mainly from the three luxury apartments.
One main focus of the auction will be diamond and gemstone jewelry, which will have a commanding presence at the auction, including complete sets with necklaces, while her collection will also feature, silver, bronze, Fine Art, furniture, decorative items, clothing and rare pieces of all kinds. Just a few of the notable lots is a stunning Gold and simulated Gemstone Suite inspired by Elizabeth Taylors Daisy Parure Reine Marquerite by Van Cleef & Arpels. Compromising necklace, bracelet and a pair of ear clips. Estimated at $15,000-25,000 (necklace shown in photo). Jacques Timey for Harry Winston Sapphire, Diamond, Diamond Simulant and Gold Pendant with Necklace. Est. $25-35,000 and a French Gold and Diamond Purse by Soubrenie et Bois Est. $12,000-18,000.
Highlights in the Decorative Arts arena include two Silver Buccellati Rearing Stallions, each an Italian silver model of a stallion in rearing position. Marked Buccellati. [Approx. 12" H]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Sold separately. Estimate for each $6,500 - $8,500, a Renaissance Revival .800 silver three-masted galleon ship centerpiece having vermeil accents on wheels. Bears makers mark of Karl Sohnlein & Sohne (Hanau, Germany) and Austrian assay marks. [19" x 18" x 5 1⁄4"]. (79.30 ozt.). Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $3,000 - $5,000, Two Bronze Dore Caskets - A group of two bronze Dore caskets, including: one mounted with malachite and marked "Howell, James, & Co. - Regent St."; the other mounted with tigers eye and marked "Melliship & Harris - Baker St.". [Larger: 4" H x 8" sq.]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $1,000 - $1,500 and a Large Baccarat Crystal & Bronze Urn, urn having bronze mounts of Bacchus and grapevines. Lacking original cover. [15" H x 9" W]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $800 - $1,200.
In addition, theyll offer a Cartier bronze and lacquer carriage clock having a gold sterling vermeil face and wind-up movement. [7" H x 4 1/2" W]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $400 - $600 and an Enamel on Silver Jeweled Peacock [6 1/4" H]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $200 - $400, while the vast selection of silver will include A George III reticulated sterling silver basket-form centerpiece, the makers mark of Burrage Davenport. [4 1⁄2" (with handle up 12") x 13 1⁄2" x 10 1⁄4"]. (21.04 ozt.). Estimate $1,500 - $2,500 and a Reed & Barton sterling silver vermeil centerpiece bowl having grape bunch decor and scalloped rim. [6 3⁄8" x 11 1⁄4" Diameter]. (41.92 ozt.). Estimate $750 - $950.
Fine Art will also have a strong showing at the auction, featuring an Emmanuel Mane-Katz (Ukrainian, 1894-1962) Rider on Horseback - O/C gilt framed oil on canvas painting depicting a rider on horseback with sword in hand. Signed lower left, "Mane Katz". [Frame, approx.: 51" H x 41" W]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $5,000 - $8,000, an Alton Tobey (American, 1914-2005): Baroness von Langendorff - gilt framed oil on canvas painting depicting a portrait of Baroness Gabriele von Langendorff. Signed lower right, "Alton S. Tobey". [Frame, approx.: 31 1?2" H x 27 1?2" W]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $3,000 - $5,000 and a Gilt framed oil on canvas painting depicting a garden party. Bearing a plaque, "Bonaventure de Bar / 1700-1729". Unsigned. [Frame, approx.: 37" H x 30" W]. Relined and restored, in a later frame. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $2,500 - $4,500.
One of the many furniture offerings will be a Louis XVI-Style Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat, rosewood bureau plat with ornate bronze mounted details throughout and leather writing top, in the style of Reisner. [31 1/2" H x 71 1/2" W x 35" D]. Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Gabriele Langer von Langendorff. Estimate $1,000 - $2,000.
Rolands May 4th auction will also feature their monthly selection of Fine Art, Decorative Art, 20th Century Modern, Antique & Vintage Furniture, Textiles, Silver, Gold and Silver Jewelry, Rugs, Collectibles, Asian Art and Decorative Arts, and Lighting pieces from other estates.