The marble-top Pottier & Stymus sideboard houses the leaves for the table. Clars Auction Gallery image.
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Topping the furniture category, Clars is honored to bring to market for the first time a rare and exquisite dining suite executed by Pottier & Stymus, New York in 1874-1875 for the A.A. Cohen Estate in Alameda, Calif. Held privately for over 125 years, this American Renaissance Revival work of art in furniture is only the third time that contents from this renowned estate have reached the market. This dining suite is comprosed of the table complete with all of its leaves, 12 chairs that retain the original leather embossed backs, the marble-top sideboard designed to house the leaves, as well as the original servants bell that was attached to the table. The Cohens’ palatial estate, known as Fernside Mansion, and for which this dining suite was executed, was built in 1872 for the staggering sum of $300,000. Designed by architects Wright and Sanders, this massive home was regarded as “the most splendid of all Italian villas in the East Bay … resembling a luxury hotel at a luxury spa.”
Surviving only 25 years, the mansion was destroyed in 1897 by fire. The dining suite to be offered at Clars was saved by the family who removed it amid the flames to the safety of a smaller building on the property. The suite remained in the Cohen family until is was privately acquired in 1957 by Raul A. Pena and kept in his family.
The A.A. Cohen – Pottier & Stymus dining suite is both a rich piece of American history and example of the finest in American design. According to Deric Torres, Director of Furnishings and Decorative Arts for Clars, this suite has been assigned an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
Historic photos and information courtesy: The archives of the VPCO’s Cohen/Bray House, 1440 29th St., Oakland. Calif., 510-536-1703, email cohenbrayhouse@gmail.com Copyright Hank Dunlop, Professor Emeritus. California College of the Arts.
In addition to this dining suite, an important furniture piece with California gold rush history will be offered. An impressive American Neo Grec bedroom suite attributed to Herter Bros. New York, 1875, will be offered with an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. This bedroom suite was part of the Harrah’s Pony Express Museum Collection until 1976.
Turning forward 100 years, a stunning bronze and enameled metal Chan low table designed by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne is estimated to sell for $4,000-$6,000.
In decorative arts, a spectacular Mexican sterling seven-piece hollowware suite of organic freeform and lobed bodies, weighing 279.78 troy ounces is estimated to sell for $15,000-$17,000. This sterling suite is comprosed of a hot water kettle on stand with warmer, coffee pot, teapot, cream jug, covered sugar basin, waste bowl and tray. A Georg Jensen sterling silver flatware service in the Pyramid pattern will likely sell for over $10,000 and an exceptional collection of over 80 A. Michelsen, Copenhagen, sterling-gilt enameled Jul commemorative spoons representing years 1911-1990 carries a $7,000-$9,000 estimate.
A nice collection of Santa Clara blackware pottery including Blue Corn, Marie & Julian will also be offered as will a selection of 19th and early 20th century windmill weights.
In fine art, Man Sitting on Quilted Bed, 1949, a framed oil on canvas, is an excellent example of the works of Claude Howell (American, 1915-1997) who is regarded as the most important painter of native North Carolina art (estimate: $15,000-$25,000). Furthering the American works, the oil on canvas Triple Boats, 1972-1977 by Raimonds Staprans (California, b. 1926) is estimated to earn $8,000-$12,000 and View of the White Mountains, New Hampshire, an oil on canvas by Hudson River School artist Paul Ritter (German/American, 1829-1907) is expected to sell for $7,000-$9,000.
From European artists, Portrait of a Lady, an oil on canvas attributed to Franz Xaver Winterhalter (German, 1805-1873), is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Winterhalter was both a painter and lithographer known for his portraits of royalty in the mid-19th century. British artist Edgar Hunt (1876-1953) will be represented by his oil on canvas, Cockerals in a Hutch, which is expected to earn $6,000-$8,000.
Highlighting the exceptional antique and estate jewelry offerings for Sunday, July 15, will be a spectacular men’s oval cabochon cut natural gold-in-quartz and platinum ring estimated at $3,000-5,000 and an elegant lady’s Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring in platinum, set with a cut cornered square mixed cut diamond, weighing 2.16 carats, H color and VVS2 clarity. This beautiful Tiffany piece is estimated at $30,000-$40,000. To be offered during the Saturday session, is a large group of loose gemstones, which will include ruby, spinel, opal, amethyst, citrine, peridot, rose, quartz, topaz, rutilated quartz, labradorite, sunstone and emerald.
And for the Asian offerings, the highlights of this category will be a Chinese mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden display cabinet, late Qing/Republic period measuring 81 1/2 inches high high followed by a pair of Chinese Dehua porcelain figures of the bodhisattva Manjusri and Samantabhadra, late Qing/early Republic period. A hanging ink and color on silk scroll bearing the signature Xiao Xian of the Immortals, late 19th/early20th century, will be offered as will a selection of Chinese scholar’s objects.
For complete information on Clars dazzling July 14-15 fine art and antiques sale, visit www.clars.com, call 510-428-0100 or email: info@clars.com. Previews for this sale will be held Friday, July 13, from 1-6 p.m. and 9 a.m. each auction day. A full catalog will also be available online at www.clars.com prior to the sale.
Bidding for Clars auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online through www.liveauctioneers.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
The marble-top Pottier & Stymus sideboard houses the leaves for the table. Clars Auction Gallery image. The Pottier & Stymus dining suite in a smaller building on the Cohen estate after it was saved from the fire. Clars Auction Gallery image. The exquisite dining table and chairs, executed by Pottier & Stymus in 1886, as it appears today. Clars Auction Gallery image. Attributed to Herter Bros., 1875, this bedroom suite comes to Clars’ auction with an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. Clars Auction Gallery image. ‘Man Sitting on Quilted Bed,’ 1949, is an excellent example of the works of Claude Howell (American, 1915-1997), who is regarded as the most important painter of native North Carolina art. Estimate: $15,000-$25,000. Clars Auction Gallery image. ‘Portrait of a Lady,’ an oil on canvas attributed to Franz Xaver Winterhalter (German, 1805-1873), is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Clars Auction Gallery image. This elegant lady’s Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring in platinum, set with a cut cornered square mixed cut diamond, is estimated at $30,000-$40,000. Clars Auction Gallery image.
