BOSTON, MA – December 18, 2015 – Skinner, Inc. announces an outstanding auction of European Furniture & Decorative Arts, taking place Saturday, January 9 at 10AM in Boston. Nearly six hundred and fifty lots showcase a wide range of fine furniture, ceramics, bronze works, sculpture, silver, glassware, and more, with many examples hailing from significant private and museum collections.

Fine Silver

The silver session opens the sale on Saturday morning with over 150 lots, featuring a broad range of flatware and hollowware from the United States and Europe. The bidding begins with British silver, and features a large George III Sterling Salver (Lot 4, Estimate $1,000-$1,500) as well as an impressive George III Wine Cooler bearing marks for Paul Storr (Lot 8, Estimate $15,000-$25,000). Continental silver follows, with a strong grouping from Germany, including a pair of 18th century plates bearing the armorial of the Elector of Saxony (Lot 20, Estimate $400-$600), a Hanau historismus cup and cover (Lot 30, Estimate $500-$700), and a pair of Art Nouveau candlesticks in the form of poppies (Lot 36, Estimate $1,000-$1,500).

American makers also are well represented, with offerings from Gorham, Kirk, Wallace, Reed & Barton and others. Examples from Tiffany & Co. include an impressive racing trophy (Lot 96, Estimate $4,000-$6,000), a suite of three covered tureens with falcon-form finials (Lot 51, Estimate $2,000-$4,000), and an entrée dish with a repousse floral motif (Lot 64, Estimate $2,000-$3,000). Other highlights include a Reed & Barton Art Nouveau pitcher from the firm’s hand-made .950 silver line (Lot 75, Estimate $1,500-$2,500) and a pair of Kirk covered tureens (Lot 56, Estimate $4,000-$6,000).

Pottery, Porcelain, Furniture and More

Fine pottery and porcelains from England including an extensive collection of jeweled Coalport porcelain as well as Wedgwood, 18th and 19th century Staffordshire pottery, and Royal Doulton are represented throughout the general section of the sale. Wedgwood lots feature a pair of Wedgwood & Bentley rosso antico crocus pots and covers (Lot 366, $1,800-$2,000), tricolor jasper diceware, and a fairyland lustre Candlemas vase (Lot 375, Estimate $2500-$3,500). A private collection of unusual Royal Doulton figurines is highlighted by The Young Knight figure (Lot 257, Estimate $800-$1,200).

European porcelains are highlighted by an exceptional grouping of ten KPM Berlin porcelain plaques of varying sizes and subjects including a woman and child (Lot 572, Estimate $4,000-$6,000), a maiden in a garden (Lot 548, Estimate $4,000-$6,000), and “The Garden of Love” (Lot 582, Estimate $2,000-$4,000). Other highlights include a Meissen nodder in the form of a seated Mandarin (Lot 392, Estimate $200-$300), and offerings by Teplitz and Royal Vienna. European pottery is also well represented with three Galle faience figures of cats and dogs (Lots 509-511, Estimates vary), Longwy, a Westerwald stoneware jug (Lot 165, Estimate $500-$700), and a nice selection of Dutch delftware chargers.

Furniture is strongly represented in the sale with a wide array of styles, exemplified by a Louis XV-style Three-piece Giltwood Suite (Lot 267, Estimate $3,000-$5,000), a Dutch Marquetry Cabinet (Lot 465, Estimate $2,000-$4,000), and a Pair of Neoclassical Italian and Parcel-giltwood Fauteuils (Lot 545, Estimate $1,500-$2,500). Haute couture is also featured with a grouping of Louis Vuitton suitcases, a Goyard trunk (Lot 353, Estimate $2,000-4,000), and a suite of Asprey alligator luggage (Lot 342, Estimate $700-$900).

Other decorative art offerings include Bohemian glassware, a pair of Empire ormolu three-light tazza (Lot 550, Estimate $4,000-$6,000), a selection of fine Oriental rugs and European paintings, as well as a several early tapestry and needlework lots highlighted by an impressive Verdure tapestry (Lot 587, Estimate $5,000-$7,000). Fine sculpture is also featured and is exemplified by several large scale pieces including a pair of cavalry officers (Lot 633, Estimate $3,000-$5,000), a marble figure of a young girl (Lot 645, Estimate, $6,000-$8,000), and two bronze figures of Victorian women by Ernest Rancoulet(Lot 602, Estimate $15,000-$20,000).

Previews, Catalog, Events, and Bidding

Previews will be held in Boston on Thursday, January 7 from noon to 5PM and on Friday, January 8 from noon to 8PM. Illustrated catalogs are available from the Subscriptions Department, at 508-970-3240, or from the Gallery. Prices realized will be available online, at www.skinnerinc.com, both during and after the sale. The Skinner website enables users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs and bid live, in real-time, through SkinnerLive!

About Skinner

Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, Asian art, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as in New York City and Miami, Florida, with bidders participating in person, by phone, and online. Join auctions live with SkinnerLive! and Bidsquare. For more information and to read our blog, visit the website at www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.