LOS ANGELES, CA.- Bonhams Elegant Home auction on 14-15 November exceeded expectations by achieving $3.3million in sales as a result of vigorous worldwide bidding across all genres.
Fine Silver began the sale with highlights including a Tiffany & Co. Chrysanthemum pattern pitcher and a pair of Belle Époque five-light candelabra, both designed by Charles Grosjean, which fetched $18,750 and $31,250 respectively. The top lot of silver was offered on the second day of the auction, the pair of Important Regency covered entrée dishes by Paul Storr from the dinner service of the 12th Duke of Norfolk, bringing $81,250.
“We saw buoyancy and strength in the more traditional decorative arts collecting categories which is encouraging for the market going forward. A great number of private collectors were reinvigorated by the offering of exceptional pieces with interesting provenance," said Andrew Jones, Director of Furniture and Decorative Art for North America.
Property from the Warner Bros. Studio Collection, includedan impressive and stylish Empire style gilt-metal-mounted tulipwood and kingwood side table with figural supports and monopodia that made $35,000. Two remarkable lots from a San Diego Estate are a set of three Black Forest carved lindenwood panels and a related three piece clock garniture by Johan Huggler of Brienz (1834-1912) which fetched $35,000 and $20,000. A remarkably rare pair of George II walnut oval stools, which were part of a wonderful collection of English Furniture from the The Estate of Mrs. Clyde G. Whelden of Northern California,far surpassed their pre-sale estimate when they achieved $27,500.
The varied selection of porcelain and ceramics featured two monumental Meissen ewers emblematic of fire and water after the models by J.J. Kändler, which sold for $18,750 and an imposing and unique pair of French champlevé enamel and gilt-bronze mounted porcelain jardinières garnered much pre-sale interest and made $22,500. A charming and colorful Hungarian painting of parrots attributed to the circle of Jakob Bogdani (1660-1724) brought $21,250.
The Elegant Home includes European and American furniture, chandeliers, tapestries, paintings, mirrors, clocks, sconces, candelabra, bronze and marble sculpture, ceramics and glassware, silver, works of art and Oriental rugs spanning the 16th through the 20th century. The next auction will be 27-28 February 2017.
