On February 20th, Weschler’s Capital Collections Auction will feature a large and well-rounded selection of fine art, furniture, rugs, silver, porcelain, jewelry, and Asian art.

The sale will start off with a selection of 33 lots of rugs, ranging from a beautifully red-beige-blue hued Serapi Rug from the last quarter of the 19th Century ($8,000-$12,000) to a floral spray Sultanabad Rug, post 1950s ($12,000-$16,000). Nearly 50 lots of jewelry follow the rugs; a pair of Belle Époque pierced pendant earrings are a dazzling standout of the sale. Each earring suspends one round old mine-cut diamond weighing approximately 2.45 carats and is joined by a stylized shield motif, which is attached by three graduated collet set chandelier-form links. The earrings, totaling 7.29 carats of diamonds, are expected to fetch $20,000-$30,000. A lovely diamond and platinum wreath brooch by Tiffany & Co. is another knock-out ($7,000-$9,000) as well as a number of exquisite Art Deco pieces, including a stunning platinum and diamond cocktail bracelet by Waslikoff & Sons ($8,000-$12,000) and a platinum, blue sapphire and diamond ring by Tiffany & Co. ($1,500-$2,500).

Clocks highlight the furniture and decorative art portion of the auction. A Federal walnut tall case clock by Goldsmith Chandlee, circa 1790, is estimated to bring $15,000-$25,000 and is a stately example of the fine craftsmanship of the notable American clockmaker. In contrast, an exuberant Régence ormolu mounted parquetry tulipwood and kingwood régulateur, after a design by Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, will be a focal point to the ornate collection of French furniture that will also be part of the sale.

A diverse selection of fine art offerings will be a treat for everyone from lovers of Old Master to iconic modern art. Twenty-six lots of Old Master drawings amassed by William J. Williams were acquired during his thirty-year tenure as a staff lecturer at the National Gallery of Art. Williams was responsible for writing numerous audio guide scripts and brochures for the National Gallery’s exhibitions, most notably those for The Treasure Houses of Great Britain; 500 Years of Private Patronage and Collecting and Old Master Paintings from the Collection of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Lovers of Native American history will be pleased by two unique offerings. The first is an orotone by Edward Sheriff Curtis (American 1868-1952), The Vanishing Race, preserved in its original batwing frame ($5,000-$7,000). Curtis, a photographer and ethnographer, is known for his expansive undertaking, The North American Indian, a project that spanned the course of thirty years. The second offering is the three-volume set, History of the Indian Tribes of North America, With Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs, by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall Esq ($7,000-$9,000). The set includes 120 hand-colored lithographic plates and an additional hand-colored plate, Dedication to the Memory of Washington.

The fine art portion concludes with a number of signed lithographs and etchings: two lithographs by Pablo Picasso from the Barcelona Suite, five etchings from Picasso’s 347 Series, most notably Homme Allongé avec deux Femmes and seven lithographs by Joan Miró.

Exhibition for the sale will be held February 14—February 19 at Weschler’s second floor gallery, located at 909 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Exhibition hours, a complete illustrated catalogue, and online bidding options are available online at www.weschlers.com.

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