Krehbiel collection of furniture and decorative arts 97% sold at Hindman

Pair of George III carved gilt wood armchairs, $56,700


Pair of George III carved gilt wood armchairs, $56,700

CHICAGO & PALM BEACH – The private collection of the late Fred A. Krehbiel and his wife Kay Krehbiel realized more than double its expected total across three days of sales from March 15 to 17 at Hindman. Overall, the auctions were 97 percent sold, with 58 percent of lots selling at or above the high estimate. The remarkably provenanced and diverse collection from the Krehbiels’ Chicago and Palm Beach homes brought in bidders from 39 countries. In addition, 28 percent of all buyers were new to Hindman. The collection realized more than $3.5 million.

“The outstanding results of the recent suite of sales on behalf of the Krehbiel family are a testament to the taste and connoisseurship of both Fred and Kay Krehbiel. The beautifully crafted interiors, created with the guidance of Imogen Taylor and Colin Orchard, resonated with the collecting and design communities in equal measure,” said Hindman Vice President and Senior Specialist of European Furniture & Decorative Arts Corbin Horn. “The sale saw exceptional international interest, including strong bidding from both trade and private clients alike, on the suite of Chippendale and important 18th-century English furniture, which was one of the high points of the collection.”

Italian specimen marble and carved white marble table, $16,380


Italian specimen marble and carved white marble table, $16,380

The Krehbiels built an extraordinary collection of more than 800 objects, including fine English, French, and Italian furniture, porcelain, and decorative arts from renowned dealers around the world. While known as a respected Chicago businessman, Fred Krehbiel also had a passion for preservation and collecting that was reflected in the homes he designed with his wife, Kay, and the restoration of Ballyfin, an important Irish country house and demesne dating to circa 1820. The pair worked closely with interior designers Imogen Taylor and Colin Orchard (both of whom worked at the renowned Anglo-American design firm founded by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler) to imagine remarkable houses.

Part I, March 15 | Chicago

An impressive offering of English and Irish furniture and decorative arts soared past their estimates during the first sale of the series in Chicago. Highlights included:

A Cartier carved rock crystal, aventurine and moonstone Lily of the Valley flower study, which realized $63,000 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

Cartier carved rock crystal, aventurine and moonstone Lily of the Valley flower study, $63,000

Cartier rock crystal, aventurine and moonstone Lily of the Valley flower study, $63,000

A pair of George III carved gilt wood armchairs, which achieved $56,700 against an estimate of $50,000-$70,000.

Also performing well were an Irish George II gilt-gesso table that brought $53,550 against an estimate of $20,000-$40,000; a George III mahogany and ebony-inlaid serving table in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, which romped to $50,400 against an estimate of $5,000-$7,000; a pair of George III gilt wood wall brackets, described as being in “Chinese Chippendale” style, which sold for $37,800 against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000; and a pair of George III provincial mahogany corner seats earned $28,350 against an estimate of $800-$1,200.

Part II, March 16 | Palm Beach

French and Italian furniture and decorative arts from the Krehiels’ iconic Cuban Colonial-style house in Palm Beach achieved top prices during the second sale. Highlights included:

George III Blue John urn, $15,120

George III Blue John urn, $15,120

A George III Blue John urn that realized $15,120 against an estimate of $3,000-$5,000.

An Italian specimen marble and carved white marble table that attained $16,380 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

Other standouts included a pair of George II-style carved pine marble-top pier tables that brought $20,160 against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000; a set of five Italian 19th-century panoramic views in the manner of Claude Joseph Vernet, which went for $18,900 against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000; and a George III-style painted and parcel-gilt oval mirror that sold for $13,860 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500.

Part III, March 17 | Online

The final sequence of the collection was led by outstanding porcelain pieces and furniture. Highlights included:

Pair of Chinese porcelain-inset polychrome lacquer panels mounted as tables, $28,350

Pair of Chinese porcelain-inset polychrome lacquer panels mounted as tables, $28,350

Two Chinese porcelain-inset polychrome lacquer panels mounted as tables, which realized $28,350 against an estimate of $500-$700.

Set of Pierre Frey for Limoges Les Gloriettes porcelain plates, $16,380

Set of Pierre Frey for Limoges Les Gloriettes porcelain plates, $16,380

A set of Pierre Frey for Limoges Les Gloriettes porcelain dinner and salad plates that earned $16,380 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500.

Other compelling lots included a pair of Chinese Export porcelain parrots that flew away with $12,600 against an estimate of $200-$300; a pair of shell-encrusted baluster-form urns with covers that settled at $11,970 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000; and a Mason’s bamboo ironstone dinner service, which sold for $10,080 against an estimate of $500-$700.

 

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