The Maiden dresser jar. Image courtesy A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
This sale, which the auctioneer predicts will set the standards for new values, will take place at the A.H. Wilkens gallery at 299 Queen St. East, in Toronto.
What is Art Deco Noritake? The Noritake factory in Japan has produced everyday porcelain and china, primarily for the Western market, from the late 19th century to present day. Art Deco Noritake was made from 1918 through to the 1920s. The porcelain was influenced by the Art Deco movement in France and the United States, most notably by the graphic artist Homer Conant. Ladies’ dresser jars, powder jars, cigarette boxes and trays were all designed to add a touch of color to the boudoir. The pieces were hand-molded and painted in high-luster glazes that are no longer used today. So many of these pieces were broken over the years—because they were made to be used—they are hard to find in today’s market.
The Marilyn Derrin collection, which includes pottery and porcelain with the “Nippon” or “Made in Japan” mark, as well as Art Deco Noritake, was put together by the late Marilyn Derrin. She was a passionate collector, who was fierce in her antiquing. On seeing her Noritake pieces, the principals of A.H. Wilkens wondered when they had last seen items of such caliber come to the Toronto market. They now realize that Derrin had swept the city clean of its best. She spent 30 years culling antique markets, shows and auctions to assemble one of the largest and finest collections of this Japanese porcelain, which was made specifically for the Western market.
Derrin was considered among the foremost specialists in the field, and participated in almost all of the Noritake Collectors Society’s annual conventions and forums. Pieces in her collection were studied and used as a reference in countless published books and price guides.
The core collection focuses on figural Art Deco Noritake, and includes dresser jars, powders, smoke sets, plates, lamps and condiment sets. Most notable are the Maiden Dresser Jar and The Girl in the Red Dress, both rare examples of European-influenced Noritake porcelain.
The auctioning of Derrin’s collection will be a celebration of her life and dedication to her collection. A.H. Wilkens is honored to be a part of this celebration.
Friday’s auction, which will begin at 7 p.m. EDT, features Art Deco Figural Noritake—230 lots, including dresser jars, portrait plates, flat powder jars, cigarette boxes and condiment sets.
Saturday’s sale, which will begin at 11 a.m. EDT, consists of Art Deco Figural and Hollowware Noritake, Nippon and Made in Japan export porcelain—250 lots including Nippon chargers, humidors, Coralene, early transitional Noritake, Art Deco painted hollowware, figural pieces and the largest collection of Made in Japan porcelain to come to the market.
Previews are Wednesday, May 30, noon-7 p.m.;Thursday, May 31, noon-7 p.m.; and Friday, June 1, 2-5 p.m.
For further information about A.H. Wilkens’ auction of Art Deco Noritake porcelain visit the website www.ahwilkens.com or phone 416-360-7600.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
The Maiden dresser jar. Image courtesy A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. The Lady In the Red Dress. Image courtesy A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. Group of clown dresser jars. Image courtesy A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. Group of figural dresser jars. Image courtesy A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals.
