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French 19th-century gilt bronze and cut glass vase, 29 7/8 inches high. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.

Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches to sell Rubinsteins’ property Jan. 10-11

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

French 19th-century gilt bronze and cut glass vase, 29 7/8 inches high. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
French 19th-century gilt bronze and cut glass vase, 29 7/8 inches high. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches will conduct a single owner, two-session auction on Jan. 10 and 11, offering the personal property of Florence Rubinstein and the late Irving Rubinstein. The Rubinsteins were the owners of the renowned Madison Galleries in New York City before retiring to Delray Beach. The auction will feature over 600 lots of antiques, fine art, and objets d’art that were previously in their home at 20 Sutton Place South in Manhattan.

LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

This collection was amassed over 70 years of dealing and collecting by the Rubinsteins. Their eye for antiques is clearly evident in the fine selection of items offered. Each object has a quality in execution and detail that is a testament to the Rubinsteins’ discerning taste.

Some of the highlights are a group of Russian bronzes including a large selection by Lanceray, a collection of Russian enamels, over 75 lots of silver, a collection of fine Japanese and Chinese ivories and bronzes, 19th-century figural bronze and Baccarat crystal vases, a Satsuma collection, a fine collection of 17 Pietra Dura plaques, three paintings by Johann Berthelsen (1873-1972 American), a 19th-century Pietra Dura inlaid cabinet on stand, a collection of fine English porcelain service plates, a fabulously large Meissen dog, 273 pieces of Tiffany sterling flatware set in the Castilian pattern and an amazing Tiffany glass vase 14 inches high, pair of Royal Sevres vases, 18th- and 19th-century Chinese porcelain and jade objects including an impressive 18th-century covered vase, coral carvings, a collection of European bronzes, European paintings and much more.

This auction will be an excellent opportunity for collectors and dealers to bid on an array of fine quality antiques and art that are fresh to the market, after seventy years of collecting.

Madison Galleries was founded by Florence’s father, Abe Ash, in the 1930s and its first location was on Madison Avenue in Midtown. As the gallery became more successful in the 1950s, Ash branched out and opened two locations in Atlantic City and expanded the Manhattan gallery to 45th and Fifth Avenue. As Madison Galleries continued to grow with new connections in Europe, the gallery became too small and relocated to 56th Street and Second Avenue.

By the time Irving and Florence Rubinstein took over the running of Madison Galleries from Abe Ash, Madison Galleries had become recognized as one of the major retailers in the antique industry. Their business was expanding and their reputation as a leading supplier of antiques to the retail and antique auction trade was flourishing. Madison Galleries became a recognized destination for collectors, designers, and decorators. In the 1980s, the gallery re-located to 840 Broadway and operated there until 1995 when the Rubinsteins retired to South Florida. Mr. Rubinstein passed away in 2004 and Mrs. Rubinstein now in her 90s has chosen to auction her extensive collection with Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches Inc.

For more information, condition reports, and images of this outstanding collection please see the auction company’s website at www.AGOPB.com or call 561-805-7115 and ask for Mr. Leslie Baker or Mr. Brian Kogan. Preview will begin in the gallery Jan. 6. The gallery is at 1609 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 5, in West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Evgeni Lanceray, ‘The Capture,’ bronze group, F. Chopin mark, 16 3/4 inches high x 25 1/8 inches long. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Evgeni Lanceray, ‘The Capture,’ bronze group, F. Chopin mark, 16 3/4 inches high x 25 1/8 inches long. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Russian silver gilt and enamel pedestal bowl by Anton Kuzmichev, 1899, 5 3/4 inches high, 9 7/8 inches long. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Russian silver gilt and enamel pedestal bowl by Anton Kuzmichev, 1899, 5 3/4 inches high, 9 7/8 inches long. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
English silver Monteith bowl, London 1891, 75 ounces, 8 3/4 inches high, 12 1/2 inches diameter. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
English silver Monteith bowl, London 1891, 75 ounces, 8 3/4 inches high, 12 1/2 inches diameter. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Massive Chinese 18th-century Famille Rose vase and cover, 32 inches high. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Massive Chinese 18th-century Famille Rose vase and cover, 32 inches high. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Northern Italian 19th-century Pietra Dura and gilt bronze cabinet on stand. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.
Northern Italian 19th-century Pietra Dura and gilt bronze cabinet on stand. Image courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches.