The Private Collection of Bernie Karr Auction on Nov 19, 2026 by STAIR in NY
The Private Collection of Bernie Karr
George II Black and Gilt Japanned Cabinet, Attributed to John and William Linnell
Group of Three George III Stained Fruitwood Pear-Form Tea Caddies
Chinese Export Porcelain Grisaille Decorated 'Wilkes' Punchbowl

The Private Collection of Bernie Karr

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By STAIR
Starts on:
Hudson, NY, United States
Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Bernie Karr lived a rich life as a master of many trades before discovering his calling as one of America?s greatest dealers of English furniture. A chance encounter with an auction gallery just after his 30th birthday transformed his innate curiosity about furniture and decoration into a lifelong passion. Karr founded Hyde Park Antiques in the 1960s, and the gallery quickly rose to international prominence for its connoisseurship and scholarship, with a particular focus on furniture from the William and Mary, Georgian, and Regency periods. A Way of Life: The Private Collection of Bernie Karr showcases the Furniture, Asian Works of Art, Fine Art and Decorations that he chose to bring home and live with. Each day, he walked through the entry hall past a George II Black and Gilt Japanned Cabinet, Attributed to John and William Linnell (Circa 1755) and a William and Mary Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Tall Case Clock, with Dial Signed Christopher Gould, London. A George II Style Walnut and Needlework Stool lived comfortably in a sitting room flanked with a pair of Geroge III Satinwood Marquetry and Amaranth Crossbanded Bookcase Cabinets by Follows of Lancaster (Circa 1785) that housed his extensive assembled collection of Worcester ?Lord Henry Thynne? Porcelain Dinner Service . Fine Art was displayed throughout each room, with an emphasis on paintings and sculpture by French, Dutch, Spanish, and American artists like Leon Augustin Lhermitte, Paul Fischer, Emilio Sanchez Perrier and Abastenia St. Leger Eberle. A Way of Life: The Private Collection of Bernie Karr STAIR is honored to present A Way of Life: The Private Collection of Bernie Karr following the successful sale of Hyde Park Antiques at STAIR in October 2025. This deeply personal collection offers a final glimpse into the mind of a master of the trade, his refined taste, and high level of connoisseurship.
Muffie Cunningham
Director of Decorative Arts
Two George III Apple-Form Fruitwood Tea Caddies: Two George III Apple-Form Fruitwood Tea Caddies 4 1/4 x 4 1/2 in. diam. Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$800
-
$1,200
$400
Gaudissard: Profile Portrait of a Man: Gaudissard: Profile Portrait of a Man Black chalk heightened with white on paper, 1805, signed 'Gaudissard' and dated center left, with an indistinct collector's mark lower right. 6 1/2 x 5 1/8 in.
Estimate:
$500
-
$700
$250
(1 bid)
Kakiemon Porcelain Figure of a Tiger, Probably Chinese: Kakiemon Porcelain Figure of a Tiger, Probably Chinese Unmarked.6 1/2 x 3 x 7 in. Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$1,000
-
$1,500
$500
Pair of Barr, Flight & Barr Porcelain Conchological Urns: Pair of Barr, Flight & Barr Porcelain Conchological Urns Puce painted and impressed marks.6 1/2 x 5 1/4 in. diam. Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$2,000
-
$3,000
$1,000
Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons (1878-1956): Terriers: A Pair: Edith Barretto Stevens Parsons (1878-1956): Terriers: A Pair Two bronze, both with the artist's copyright signature at bottom. Both 5 1/2 x 7 x 2 1/2 in. Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$1,000
-
$1,500
$500
George III Laburnum and Mahogany Parquetry Side Table: George III Laburnum and Mahogany Parquetry Side Table Fitted with three drawers and raised on casters. 29 3/4 x 15 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Sold Christie's, New York, February 2, 1980, lot 119.Collection of
Estimate:
$2,000
-
$4,000
$1,000
Chinese Export Porcelain Grisaille Decorated 'Wilkes' Punchbowl: Chinese Export Porcelain Grisaille Decorated 'Wilkes' Punchbowl Unmarked.6 3/4 x 16 1/4 in. diam. Sotheby's, Monte Carlo, February 13, 1983, Lot 267Fred Nadler, New YorkThe Collection of Khalil Rizk;
Estimate:
$2,000
-
$3,000
$1,000
George II Style Walnut and Needlework Stool: George II Style Walnut and Needlework Stool 17 1/2 x 20 x 15 in. Note: This stool is apparently identical to one currently unlocated in the Percival Griffiths collection, Sandridgebury, Hertfordshire
Estimate:
$2,000
-
$3,000
$1,000
English Porcelain Tureen, Cover, and Stand: English Porcelain Tureen, Cover, and Stand Unmarked.9 1/2 x 13 x 10 in. (overall). Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$800
-
$1,200
$400
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain 'Elephant' Plate: Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain 'Elephant' Plate Unmarked.9 1/8 in. diam. Sold Christie's, New York, The Property of the Estate of Mrs. Diego Suarez, June 7, 1980, Lot 55.Collection of Bernie
Estimate:
$800
-
$1,200
$400
Chinese Export Porcelain 'Cape of Good Hope' Plate: Chinese Export Porcelain 'Cape of Good Hope' Plate Unmarked.9 in. diam. Sold Sotheby's, London, November 2, 1993, Lot 93.The Ann and Gordon Getty Collection, Christie's, New York, October 18, 2023,
Estimate:
$3,000
-
$5,000
$1,500
Antonietta Brandeis (1849-1920): Scala Contarini, Palermo: Antonietta Brandeis (1849-1920): Scala Contarini, Palermo Oil on board, signed with initials 'AB' lower left. 13 x 9 1/2 in., 23 x 19 in. (frame). Sold Christie's East, February 26, 1997, Lot
Estimate:
$7,000
-
$9,000
$3,500
George III Mahogany Double Chairback Settee: George III Mahogany Double Chairback Settee 38 1/2 x 4 ft. 1 in. x 25 in., seat height 16 1/2 in. Sold Doyle, New York, October 17, 2001, lot 243.Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$1,500
-
$3,000
$700
George I Walnut Console Table with Marble Top: George I Walnut Console Table with Marble Top 31 x 4 ft. 1 x 25 3/4 in. Collection of Bernie Karr.
Estimate:
$2,500
-
$5,000
$1,200
(1 bid)