Exquisite decorative arts enliven New York auction, Feb. 9

Circa-1960s Stilux Milano chrome table lamp, est. $1,000-$1,200

NEW YORK – On Wednesday, February 9, starting at 7 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will conduct a sale of Exquisite Decorative Arts. The 266-lot lineup contains a three-piece British sterling silver tea set; mid-century Italian furniture; several sculptures in the Classical style; a Herend Queen Victoria extra-large vase; Russian lacquer boxes; a delicate-looking Chinese nephrite jade carving of a butterfly; a Maori swordfish bill carved in a traditional Rauponga pattern; several lamps and light fixtures by Stilux Milano of Italy, including a circa-1960s table lamp with a golden-colored blown-glass dome; sets of matryoshka (nesting) dolls; a 1981 sculpture of a pine tree by Curtis Jere; a Steuben blue Aurene glass funnel vase created in 2012; and a pair of 18th-century Chinese famille rose porcelain figures. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

First among the highlights is a three-piece British sterling silver tea set, estimated at $3,500-$4,000. Produced in London, the set dates to 1886 and features family crests on each piece. It appears to contain a teapot, a double-handled bowl and a pitcher or ewer.

British sterling silver tea set, est. $3,500-$4,000

Equally worthy of attention is a circa-1960s Stilux Milano chrome table lamp crowned with a gold-colored dome of blown glass. The vintage, never-used piece is in original condition and retains its label and tag. It is estimated at $1,000-$1,200.

Pair of 18th-century Qianlong era famille rose porcelain figurines, est. $174,000-$209,000

The final standout is a pair of 18th-century Qianlong era famille rose porcelain figurines in the forms of laughing men or boys. Each is hand-painted and glazed in indulgently vivid hues; one boasts Imperial yellow and the other enjoys a rich shade of green. Both are depicted wearing traditional Chinese silk garbs with a bat (aka a “fu”) design and also typical Qing Manchu collars. Chinese artisans use bat patterns to represent the five blessings: health, long life, prosperity, love of virtue and a peaceful and natural death. The pair is estimated at $174,000-$209,000.

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