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The consignor purchased this secretary bookcase across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in 1988. It features an arched crown of carved fruit and flowers and a fitted interior with bird’s-eye maple trim. It stands 84 inches high and 40 inches wide. The estimate is $1,000-$1,200. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.

Cowan’s announces inaugural Décor auction, Jan. 8

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

The consignor purchased this secretary bookcase across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in 1988. It features an arched crown of carved fruit and flowers and a fitted interior with bird’s-eye maple trim. It stands 84 inches high and 40 inches wide. The estimate is $1,000-$1,200. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.
The consignor purchased this secretary bookcase across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in 1988. It features an arched crown of carved fruit and flowers and a fitted interior with bird’s-eye maple trim. It stands 84 inches high and 40 inches wide. The estimate is $1,000-$1,200. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.
CINCINNATI – Cowan’s Fine and Decorative Art Department will hold its first Décor auction on Jan. 8 at Cowan’s saleroom. The inaugural sale will include a fine selection of paintings and prints, furniture spanning the 18th to the 20th centuries, ivories, carved and gilt frames, rugs, baskets, sterling, and early and Bohemian glass. LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

Bidders can participate in person or place absentee or phone bids.

Diane Wachs, director of Fine and Decorative Art, noted that “buyers for this auction are interested in great looking pieces within a good price range. This is a sale for everyone, from dealers to retail collectors, to people looking to furnish their house with great art.”

Highlights of the auction include several fine paintings by listed artists. An oil on panel by American artist Herbert Phillip Barnett (Ohio/Massachusetts 1910-1972) titled L’eglise St. Germain, is estimated to sell for $1,000-$1,500. The painting is signed and housed in wooden frame with papier-mâché around the interior. A label on the back notes Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio.

A selection of mid-century modern furniture and other decorative arts are featured. A Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair, designed by sculptor Harry Bertoia in 1950 and later manufactured by Knoll Furniture, is offered with an estimate of $600-$800. A unique circa 1956 Sputnik star bust chandelier, with an estimate of $100-$200, is a rare but affordable find.

Victorian and early American furniture account for more than 100 lots in the auction. An English Queen Anne table, 1750-1770, will be offered. Made of walnut and oak, the swing-leg drop-leaf table features an oval top and demilune leaves, above a bowed and scalloped apron. The drop-leaf table is estimated to bring $800-$1,200. Also featured is a rosewood grain-painted Rococo Revival secretary bookcase, circa 1840-1850, which was found by the consignor in Covington, Ky., estimated to sell for $1,000-2,000.

Rounding out the auction are dozens of collections of fine porcelain, including a 32-piece Minton Rose luncheon service, from the mid- to late 20th century, decorated in polychrome floral swags and detailing. The service, which contains footed cream soup bowls, demitasse cups and saucers, and luncheon plates, is estimated at $800-$1,000.

The auction catalog is available online at www.cowans.com. For details phone 513-871-1670.

To view the 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 Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.’s complete catalog.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

‘L'Eglise St. Germain’ by Herbert Phillip Barnett (American/Ohio/Massachusetts, 1910-1972) estimate: $2,000-$3,000. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.
‘L’Eglise St. Germain’ by Herbert Phillip Barnett (American/Ohio/Massachusetts, 1910-1972) estimate: $2,000-$3,000. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.

Minton Rose luncheon service by Minton, 32 pieces, 20th century, includes nine footed cream soup bowls with saucers, eight demitasse cups and saucers, and 15 luncheon plates; all marked with Minton Laurel backstamp ‘Minton Rose/A.4807,’ estimate: $800-$1,000. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.
Minton Rose luncheon service by Minton, 32 pieces, 20th century, includes nine footed cream soup bowls with saucers, eight demitasse cups and saucers, and 15 luncheon plates; all marked with Minton Laurel backstamp ‘Minton Rose/A.4807,’ estimate: $800-$1,000. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.

Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair, designed by Harry Bertoia, 1950, later manufactured by Knoll Furniture; in bent steel with Knoll replacement cushion; estimate: $600-$800. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.
Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair, designed by Harry Bertoia, 1950, later manufactured by Knoll Furniture; in bent steel with Knoll replacement cushion; estimate: $600-$800. Image courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Inc.

Sputnik star burst chandelier, polished brass; circa 1956; diameter 40 inches, 32 inches high; estimate: $100-$200.
Sputnik star burst chandelier, polished brass; circa 1956; diameter 40 inches, 32 inches high; estimate: $100-$200.