MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. – While the Benefit Shop Foundation Inc. sources its auctions from area estates there are items with global connections or provenances that pop up here from time to time. The next sale on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. Eastern time, however, will up the wow factor exponentially as it contains a wealth of offerings with ties to South Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Spanning a wide range of collecting interests, including fine art, furniture and decorative arts, the auction is largely composed of a consignment from a hospitality design firm, whose custom designed furniture for European luxury hotels and Middle Eastern royalty will cross the block.
“This auction has an especially global aesthetic,” said Pam Stone, owner and founder of the Benefit Shop Foundation. “Anyone in the market for designer furniture will appreciate the fine pieces in this auction, which run the gamut from custom seating pieces in French silk taffeta or velvet to striking one-off designer tables and much more.”
Before delving into the designer furniture, however, there are three notable standouts to mention, all expected to be top performers and all crossing the block in the first 15 minutes of the sale. First up is an antique Tang-style horse statue (above) that carries a $30,000-$38,000 estimate. Purchased in France, where it graced the foyer of a French castle, the wooden horse has intricate, multicolored, hand-painted cloisonné-inspired designs of animals, flowers and vine, decorative flourishes, and gold-toned highlights. It measures about 59 by 56 by 15 inches.
Next comes a striking one-of-a-kind Argentinian cowhide sofa ($5,000-$10,000) originally designed for an Aspen, Colo., project. The two-piece sofa is upholstered in Argentinian cowhide covering all surfaces except the back, which is upholstered in white leather, 122 by 40 by 33 inches.
The next lot is an important signed artwork by Brian Liebenthal. The 2012 mixed media resin on panel, titled Uncommon Valor, is estimated at $20,000-$40,000 and measures 49 inches square framed. Born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa, the artist came to Los Angeles in the early ’90s to further his music studies. A trip to Europe, however. put him on a new course after he was deeply moved and inspired to paint professionally after seeing contemporary and classical art masters up close. Immediately after this lot will be another Liebenthal mixed media on board, Black Eagle ($4,000-$6,000).
Among the best of the custom designed pieces in the designer furniture category—all project merchandise from a European luxury brand hotel design firm—are a loveseat with laser cut Kilim design ($3,000-$6,800) in black and brown leather with turned legs and silver-toned nailhead trim, 66 by 38 by 34 inches; a set of six Art Deco style French gray velvet and wood dining chairs ($3,000-$7,000) in a dark tone with with round backs, 38 by 20 by 21 inches; and a one-of-a-kind designer carved black wood coffee table ($2,000-$5,000) boasting a large square modern design with a hand-carved lined texture, 55 inches square and 18 inches tall.
Also on offer are a custom designed Jean Michael Frank-style couch ($2,000-$5,000) upholstered in French green-on-green velvet with quatrefoil patterned fabric on the base and silk sage green upholstered cushions, oversized at 111 by 39 by 31 inches; and a hand-carved Indian table with bone and ebony inlay ($2,000-$3,500). The latter is a circular wooden pedestal table on a three-footed base featuring an intricate bone and ebony-toned inlay in a floral, vine and star design, 36-inch diameter and standing 30 inches tall.
The design firm featured in this auction had a particular affinity for Art Deco furniture, which is well represented here, including a designer sofa ($4,000-$5,000) in a dual toned chartreuse French silk taffeta upholstered fabric, 93 by 37 by 33 inches; a high-gloss dining table ($3,000-$6,000) with a high polished dark toned wooden top having a diamond pattern and chrome U-shaped legs, 82¼ inches long; and a pair of vintage Art Deco mirrored circular side tables with mirrored pinwheel and cream toned top/base and gold-toned painted legs ($300-$600).
Rounding out the auction are an antique handmade Kerman wool rug ($4,000-$6,000) having multi-toned floral, leaf and vine detail, 190 by 109 inches; a folk art carved wood Americana pier mirror ($200-$500) and a W. Homer (possibly William Innes Homer), oil on canvas portrait of a young girl in the Impressionist style, 35 by 39 inches ($400-$800) and a Japanese bronze vessel with a bird and cherry blossom design in relief ($50-$100).
For details contact the Benefit Shop Foundation Inc. at 914-864-0707.
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