Soulis Auctions to sell best of old St. Joseph, Mo., families, Dec. 5

The eight-day time-and-strike movement is on this French doré bronze and marble portico clock is signed ‘Etienne Maxant Brevette.’ It is 22 1/2 inches high and 17 inches wide. The estimate is $3,000-$5,000. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.
The eight-day time-and-strike movement is on this French doré bronze and marble portico clock is signed ‘Etienne Maxant Brevette.’ It is 22 1/2 inches high and 17 inches wide. The estimate is $3,000-$5,000. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.
The eight-day time-and-strike movement is on this French doré bronze and marble portico clock is signed ‘Etienne Maxant Brevette.’ It is 22 1/2 inches high and 17 inches wide. The estimate is $3,000-$5,000. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dirk Soulis Auctions will conduct an estate auction Dec. 4-6 that features fine art and antiques from several prominent families from St. Joseph, Mo. The cataloged portion of the sale comprised of 444 premier lots will be offered on Dec. 5, beginning at 10 a.m. Central Time and featuring Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com.

The estate auction of John Townsend Smith and Elizabeth Wyeth Campbell Smith represents a confluence of important heirlooms from four of St. Joseph’s oldest and most prominent families.

“This estate really was a time capsule of elegance,” said auctioneer Dirk Soulis.

Lots include antique French and Persian rugs and tapestries; bronze, marble and porcelain decorative arts; choice 19th century French furniture; a Mason & Hamlin baby grand piano; more than 100 lots of fine and sterling silver; numerous paintings and signed prints; and rare Steuben crystal sculptures

The Wyeths, related to the pharmaceuticals firm and the Brandywine artist, came to St. Joseph in 1865 and established a hardware store and saddlery company that was, at the time, the largest in the world.

The Campbells were a family of physicians and professors who held a number of patents on medicines and procedures at the turn of the last century. The Smiths were doctors and wholesale druggists.

The Townsends operated a large chain of department stores, and other branches of the family tree were equally successful. Since 1947 Mrs. Smith maintained the family heirlooms in her St. Joseph mansion until her death earlier this year at the age of 96. To settle her estate the entire contents of her home will be sold without reserve.

The KCI Expo Center is at 11730 N. Ambassador Drive, across I-29 from Kansas City International Airport.

For details phone 816-697-3830.

View a fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet during the sale at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Click here to view Dirk Soulis Auctions’ complete catalog.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Hans Wegner designed this chair to neatly hang a suit. Johannes Hansen, Denmark, manufactured the chair in 1953. It has a $1,000-$3,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.
Hans Wegner designed this chair to neatly hang a suit. Johannes Hansen, Denmark, manufactured the chair in 1953. It has a $1,000-$3,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.

This pair of mid-19th century six-light candelabra with two different figures of cupid, a boy and a girl, both hold gilded bronze floral bouquets. Each measures 28 1/2 inches high and approximately 17 inches across. The estimate is $1,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.
This pair of mid-19th century six-light candelabra with two different figures of cupid, a boy and a girl, both hold gilded bronze floral bouquets. Each measures 28 1/2 inches high and approximately 17 inches across. The estimate is $1,000-$3,000. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.

High relief repoussé and chased designs of floral swags above landscapes, lovers and Pan with cherubs decorated this large Hanau sterling silver wine cooler. Dating to the early 1900s, it has a $1,000-$3,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.
High relief repoussé and chased designs of floral swags above landscapes, lovers and Pan with cherubs decorated this large Hanau sterling silver wine cooler. Dating to the early 1900s, it has a $1,000-$3,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Dirk Soulis Auctions.