12/31

slug: Outstanding Berninghaus Was Sold At Selkirk’s Winter 2004 Gallery Auction

#614056

TG – 4 cuts, emailed

ST LOUIS, MO. — On December 4–6, Ivey-Selkirk conducted The Winter 2004 Gallery auction, which offered impressive American, Continental and English paintings and furniture as well as more than 450 lots of fine jewelry. The auction, in its entirety of 958 lots, totaled $1,329,278.

On December 4, an outstanding painting by Oscar Edmund Berninghaus, 1931, entitled “Autumn Aspens,” measuring 25¼ by 30 inches, sold for $189,500 to a West Coast telephone bidder. An inscription was on the reverse of the painting describing the setting by the artist: “An Aspen forest in early Autumn near Twinning, 25 miles from Taos — difficult approach — dense growths — these beautiful trees in the mountains at an altitude of 9000 feet — favorite hunting grounds of the Pueblo Indians — painting made in 1931 while on a large painting and hunting expedition.”

American artist Birger Sandzen changed his original Tonalist early style after he began many trips to Colorado, to pointillist, as depicted in “Early Moonrise, Logan, Utah,” 1937, measuring 20 by 24 inches. His painting sold to a West Coast telephone bidder for $57,500.

Ivey-Selkirk was chosen to offer a number of pieces for the benefit of the acquisition fund for the Saint Louis Art Museum. Among those items was a fine American Chippendale period mahogany high chest of drawers, circa 1760–90, with swan neck pediment that sold for $41,400. A Nineteenth Century American mahogany settee tripled its presale estimate selling at $10,350.

The Continental Furniture session included a very rare Italian Eighteenth Century hand painted and gilded harpsichord, circa 1740, sold for $14,950. The inside lid is bears painted genre scenes, possibly done in the Seventeenth Century. An English George II walnut secretary bookcase with beveled mirrored paneled doors sold for $13,800, exceeding its presale estimate.

A wide range of fine jewelry was offered. A rare brilliant yellow 6.06-carat diamond ring set in platinum and 18K yellow gold sold for $82,250. Another diamond ring weighing approximately three carats with a yellow gold split band sold for $23,000, selling above its $10/$15,000 presale estimate. A kunzite and diamond suite comprising era clips and an 18K white gold ring with kunzite weighing 38 carats and 31.5 carats respectively, sold for $8,280. A matching bid was made for an Alexandrite and diamond ring with the Alexandrite weighing 2.65 carats.

Fine Meissen porcelain reticulated vases that were part of the collection of former US Vice President Alben Barkley, who served under President Harry S. Truman, also sold. A fine pair of Meissen vases, contained geometric piercing and flowering sprays and fruits with the Pommel Sword mark of the late Nineteenth Century, sold for $7,187. An important English silver neo-classical footed basket by Paul Storr, London, fully marked and dated 1799, weighing 37.5 troy ounces, reached a bid of $9,315.

Among the selection of approximately 50 Oriental rugs in the auction, an early Twentieth Century, circa 1930, Persian Mahal palace carpet showing an oversized floral ivory medallion with anchor lobes depicting the Naser Mallek palace in Shiraz, sold for $10,925.

All prices include a buyer’s premium. Ivey-Selkirk is now accepting consignments for its Spring 2005 gallery auction taking place March 19–20. For information, IveySelkirk.com, 314-726-5515 or 800-728-8002.

1/7 OR 1/14

NEW YORK DESIGN FAIR

WD #614084

NEW YORK CITY — The New York Design Fair, sponsored by House & Garden magazine and coordinated by Wendy Management, will be conducted from February 10 to 13 at the Seventh Regiment Armory. The fair will emphasize today’s major style trend — mixing antiques with contemporary designs. Period fur-nishings and accessories will be exhibited alongside their more modern counterparts in a wide ranging display blending indoor and outdoor living — furniture, paintings, jewelry, garden sculpture, silver, glass, porcelain and an array of tabletop items.

Noteworthy is that for the first time in six years, dealer Anthony G. Victoria will return to the fair with an exhibition from Chez Soi, his Bridgehampton, N.Y.-based gallery, featuring English and American designs from the Arts & Crafts movement to Art Deco. A total of 75 dealers will be exhibiting at the event.

A preview gala on February 9 will benefit Project ALS, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds toward effective treatments and a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Tickets are available for $250. The honorary chair is Dominique Browning, editor-in-chief of House & Garden magazine. Six hundred guests are expected to attend this special evening from 6:30 to 9. For ticket information, 212-420-7382.

Regular show times are Thursday and Friday, 11 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 7:30 pm; and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is $15.

The Seventh Regiment Armory is at Park Avenue at 67th Street.

For information, 914-698-3442 (212-472-1180 during show only), or www.Wendy AntiquesShows.com.