Estate furniture, antiques lead Nye & Co. Sept. 8-9 auction

Queen Anne figured maple high chest of drawers, est. $3,000-$3,500

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – Nye & Company Auctioneers’ two-day, online Chic and Antique Estate Treasures auction features property from the Bishop-Peabody-Metcalf family; the NAMITS collection; the Princeton, New Jersey estate of Peter Benchley, the author of JAWS; and several private collections. It is slated for September 8 and 9, starting at 10 am Eastern time on both days. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Headlining the auction are works from a private collection in New England featuring a delightful group of early American furniture, folk art and Northeastern Indian baskets. Of particular note is a richly figured maple Queen Anne high chest. The face of the chest is so vigorously figured that bidders’ eyes will dance with delight.

Cast zinc and iron optician’s trade sign, late 19th century, est. $3,000-$3,500

The NAMITS collection, which derives its name from a combination of parts of the owners’ first names, features a superb gilt and paint-decorated zinc and iron optician’s trade sign. Purchased from the highly respected dealer Alan Katz, this piece can’t help but garner collectors’ attention with its superbly painted eyes.

Pair of Christian Astuguevielle-designed chairs, est. $5,000-$10,000

The collector’s tastes also ranged into the contemporary and modern design aesthetic and include a terrific pair of hemp rope and wood Christian Astuguevielle-designed chairs. These tall-backed chairs are reminiscent of weeping willow trees that can be seen in early folk art needlework and paintings and are a nice complement to the folk art in the auction.

Cast bronze vase, Chinese, possibly 16th century, from the Heber R. Bishop collection, est. $5,000-$10,000

Another collection rich in the traditional decorative arts comes from the descendants of the early New England Bishop-Peabody-Metcalf families. Of note is a collection of Asian arts that includes carved jade, Japanese baskets and carved boxes that were part of the collection of Heber R. Bishop, who assembled one of the finest collections of carved jade in the world. A large portion of his collection was bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1902 and is recognized as a hallmark collection. Of particular note is a cast bronze vase that possibly dates from the 16th century.

Queen Anne carved hardwood armchair, Chinese, mid-18th century, est. $8,000-$12,000

Queen Anne hardwood armchair, Chinese, mid-18th century, est. $8,000-$12,000

Further strengthening the connection with the Far East is an exceptional Chinese Queen Anne carved hardwood armchair. This delicately carved chair was made in the George II manner and is a magnificent example of Chinese artisans imitating the English Georgian style at the height of the Queen Anne period.

Chippendale mahogany blockfront chest of drawers, Boston, 1760-1780, est. $8,000-$12,000

Chippendale block-front chest of drawers, Boston, 1760-1780, est. $8,000-$12,000

Representing the Chippendale period, Nye & Company will be offering a boldly sculpted circa-1770 block-front chest of drawers from Boston. This exceptional chest stands proudly and is wonderfully proportioned and balanced. The large original brass back plates would have reflected the dancing and shimmering light of 18 th-century candles.

Sterling silver presentation repousse footed bowl, Bigelow-Kennard & Co., Boston, est. $1,000-$1,500

Sterling silver presentation repousse footed bowl, est. $1,000-$1,500

Speaking of bright objects, the sale includes one of Nye & Company’s largest offerings of silver for the year. A standout is an incredibly large and sophisticated early Tiffany & Company sterling silver punch bowl with Bacchante handles. This piece is a pure showstopper and hails from an old Virginia family. Equally impressive is a sterling silver presentation repousse footed bowl, Bigelow-Kennard & Co., Boston. Bold and impressive, this footed bowl would have been the envy of all dining guests seated at the table.