Global Provenance To Highlight Sale At Benefit Shop Foundation Feb. 6

  • MOUNT KISCO, New York
  • /
  • February 01, 2019

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A Tang-style hand painted carved wooden horse statues will gallop across the block ($30/38,000).

The Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc., sources its auctions from area estates so there are items with global connections or provenances that pop up here from time to time. The next sale here on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 10 am, however, will up the wow factor exponentially as it comprises a wealth of offerings with ties to South Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Spanning a wide range of collecting interests, including fine art, furniture and decorative arts, the auction largely comprises a consignment from a hospitality design firm, whose custom designed furniture for European luxury hotels and Middle Eastern royalty will cross the block here.

“This auction has an especially global aesthetic,” said Pam Stone, owner and founder of The Benefit Shop Foundation. “Anyone on the market for designer furniture will appreciate the fine pieces in this auction, which run the gamut from custom seating pieces in French silk taffeta or velvet to striking one-off designer tables and much more.”

Before delving into the designer furniture however, there are three notable standouts in the sale to mention, all expected to be top performers and all crossing the block in the first 15 minutes of the sale. First up is a carousel horse sized antique Tang style horse statue ($30/38,000). Purchased in France, where it graced the foyer of a French castle, the wood body horse has intricate, multicolored, hand painted cloisonné-inspired designs of animals, flowers and vine, decorative flourishes, and gold toned highlights. It measures about 59 by 56 by 15 inches.

A framed and signed mixed media artwork by Brian Liebenthal, 2012, “Uncommon Valor,” is estimated at $20/40,000 and measures 49 inches square.

Next comes a striking one-of-a-kind Argentinian cowhide sofa ($5/10,000) originally designed for an Aspen, Colo., project. The two-piece sofa is upholstered in Argentinian cowhide covering all surfaces except the back, which is upholstered  in white leather, 122 by 40 by 33 inches.

The very next lot on offer, is an important signed artwork by Brian Liebenthal. The 2012 mixed media resin on panel, titled “Uncommon Valor,” is estimated at $20/40,000 and measures 49 inches square framed. Born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa, the artist came to Los Angeles in the early 90s to further his music studies. A trip to Europe however put him on a new course after he was deeply moved and inspired to paint professionally after seeing contemporary and classical art masters up close. Immediately after this lot will be another Liebenthal mixed media on board, “Black Eagle” ($4/6,000).

Among the best of the custom designed pieces in the designer furniture category — all project merchandise from a European luxury brand hotel design firm — are a loveseat with laser cut Kilim design ($3/6,800) in black and brown leather with turned legs and silver-toned nail head trim, 66 by 38 by 34 inches; a set of six Art Deco style French grey velvet and wood dining chairs ($3/7,000) in a dark tone with with round backs, 38 by 20 by 21 inches; and a one-of-a-kind designer carved black wood coffee table ($2/5,000) boasting a large square modern design with a hand-carved lined textured, 55 inches square and 18 inches tall.

A two-piece Argentinian cowhide sofa ($5/10,000) originally designed for an Aspen project would make a striking addition to East Coast homes also.

Also on offer are a custom designed Jean Michael Frank style couch ($2/5,000) upholstered in French green-on-green velvet with quatrefoil patterned fabric on the base and silk  sage green upholstered cushions, oversized at 111 by 39 by 31 inches; and a hand-carved Indian table with bone and ebony inlay ($2/3,500). The latter is a circular wooden pedestal table on a three-footed base featuring an intricate bone and ebony-toned inlay in a floral, vine and star design, 36-inch diameter and standing 30 inches tall.

The design firm featured in this auction had a particular affinity for Art Deco furniture, which is well represented here, including an Art Deco style designer sofa ($4/5,000) in a dual toned chartreuse French silk taffeta upholstered fabric, 93 by 37 by 33 inches; an Art Deco style high gloss dining table ($3/6,000) with a high polished dark toned wooden top having a diamond pattern and chrome U-shaped legs, 82 ¼ inches long; and a pair of vintage Art Deco mirrored circular side tables with mirrored pinwheel and cream toned top/base and gold toned painted legs ($300-600).

Rounding out the auction are an antique handmade Kerman wool rug ($4/6,000) having multi-toned floral, leaf and vine detail, 190 by 109 inches; a folk art carved wood Americana pier mirror ($200-500) and a W. Homer (possibly William Innes Homer), oil on canvas portrait of a young girl in the Impressionist style, 35 by 39 inches ($400-800) and a Japanese bronze vessel with a bird and cherry blossom design in relief ($50-100).

The monthly Red Carpet sales feature choice collections of antique, Midcentury Modern, brand furnishings, sterling, china, crystal, jewelry and fine art. With a mission of  “to donate, to discover and to do good,” the foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit and auction proceeds support community organizations. Consignors get a tax deduction, the buyer gets a great deal and local non-profits get much needed funds.

The auction will take place at 185 Kisco Avenue. For more information, https://www.thebenefitshop.org or 914-864-0707.

Contact:
Andrea Valluzzo
AV Communications
2033007123
AVcommunications66@gmail.com

Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc.
185 Kisco Ave Suite 201
Mount Kisco, New York
auctions@thebenefitshop.org
914-864-0707
https://www.thebenefitshop.org/
About Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc.

The Benefit Shop receives donations from the finest estates in Bedford and beyond and showcases them in one convenient and beautifully-staged location. The estates get a tax deduction, the buyer gets a great deal and non-profits in the community get the money. This elegantly-conceived, eco-friendly concept is the brainchild of Pam Stone and she is thrilled at the response from the community. It’s no secret that non-profits, from hospitals to homeless shelters, are having a tough time in this economy. Responding to the call for funding to fill the gaps , local resident Stone imagined a new possibility, an auction gallery with donated merchandise from the grand estates that surround the area. For 10 years, Stone has been busy visiting estate sales in the area, encouraging people to make high quality, tax-deductible donations for the satisfaction of helping a host of community organizations, including Neighbors’ Link and the Boys and Girls Club, as well as the continued support of Northern Westchester Hospital. According to Pam, “Often these kinds of shops benefit a big national charity, but I really wanted the beneficiary to be my community, for the people who live and work here.” Mission statement: To donate, to discover, to do good.


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