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Joseph Wright of Derby, ‘Miss Elizabeth Carver,’ estimated at $70,000-$90,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

Estate of dealer Peter H. Tillou presented at Brunk Auctions, Sept. 29-30

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Joseph Wright of Derby, ‘Miss Elizabeth Carver,’ estimated at $70,000-$90,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Joseph Wright of Derby, ‘Miss Elizabeth Carver,’ estimated at $70,000-$90,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Brunk Auctions will conduct a single-owner sale of The Estate of Peter H. Tillou on Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30. Tillou was a legendary art dealer for more than 65 years, with galleries on two continents and a home base in Litchfield, Connecticut. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The auction will include more than 700 lots spanning the 17th through the 21st century representing the categories and styles that Tillou was known for, from Old Master still lifes to important portraits from the 17th and 18th century; from British and European furniture to Dutch and German glass; from Chinese and German ceramic, stone, and bronze objects to contemporary trompe l’oeil paintings and Native American artifacts; from early American folk art to works by Winfred Rembert. In addition, bibliophiles will have the chance to bid on his personal library of more than 1,100 volumes of rare books.

Winfred Rembert, ‘Hungry Eye,’ estimated at $40,000-$60,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Winfred Rembert, ‘Hungry Eye,’ estimated at $40,000-$60,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

American painting highlights in The Estate of Peter H. Tillou Auction include a Stephen Scott Young portrait titled Faith and estimated at $60,000-$80,000, as well as Joseph Stock’s portrait Jane Tyler with Cat, which has an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Among the extensive offerings of contemporary trompe l’oeil paintings is Michael Theise’s The Boys are Safe, estimated at $3,000-$5,000. The September 29-30 sale lineup also features two Winfred Rembert paintings on leather chronicling his time in the deep South: Hungry Eye and Chain Gang Picking Cotton #4, each estimated at $60,000-$80,000.

W. Mertens still life, estimated at $100,000-$150,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
W. Mertens still life, estimated at $100,000-$150,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

European painting highlights will be led by a still life by W. Mertens, estimated at $100,000-$150,000. Fred Meijer had high praise for the work, stating, “Next to the former Heinz painting, it is the most prestigious by this artist.”

Pair of 17th-century Spanish School portraits of noblewomen clad in extravagant French costumes, estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Pair of Spanish School portraits of noblewomen clad in extravagant French costumes, estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

Another standout is a pair of 17th-century Spanish School portraits of a noblewoman in extravagant French costumes – one a riding habit. Each stand almost 80in tall and will be sold as a pair with an estimate of $20,000-$30,000.

Joseph Whiting Stock, ‘Jane Tyler with Cat,’ estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Joseph Whiting Stock, ‘Jane Tyler with Cat,’ estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

The auction includes two important 18th-century Joseph Wright of Derby portraits of Miss Elizabeth Carver and Reverend John C. Carver of Morthen, South Yorkshire, estimated at $70,000-$90,000 apiece. These portraits and two more were originally commissioned by Reverend John Griffiths, D.D., Rector of Eckington. A portrait of their sister, Miss Ann Carver, sold for $212,500 at Christie’s New York on April 22, 2021.

Circa-1745 George II mahogany bureau cabinet, estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers
Circa-1745 George II mahogany bureau cabinet, estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

Furniture highlights include an exceptional George II mahogany parcel gilt bureau desk and bookcase from Trace Tillou, which carries an estimate of $50,000-$70,000. Also featured are early German and Spanish furniture, strong boxes, medals cabinets and Gothic revival case forms. Pottery in the sale includes early Chinese figures, vessels, and jars; a large German Bellarmine jug estimated at $800-$1,200, and also numerous lots of German stoneware steins from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Stephen Scott Young, ‘Faith,’ estimated at $45,000-$65,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

Stephen Scott Young, ‘Faith,’ estimated at $45,000-$65,000. Image courtesy of Brunk Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

For more information about The Estate of Peter H. Tillou Auction, please email info@brunkauctions.com or visit www.brunkauctions.com.

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