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Massive Napoleon III gilt bronze boulle ebonized bonnetiere, est. $6,000-$8,000. Michaan's image.

Fine furniture, decorations and jewelry to debut at Michaan’s, Dec. 7

Massive Napoleon III gilt bronze boulle ebonized bonnetiere, est. $6,000-$8,000. Michaan's image.

Massive Napoleon III gilt bronze boulle ebonized bonnetiere, est. $6,000-$8,000. Michaan’s image.

ALAMEDA, Calif. – On Friday, Dec. 7, Michaan’s will auction period and modern furniture as well as exceptional jewelry pieces to appeal to discriminating collectors worldwide. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide the Internet live bidding.

The sale begins with a selection of over 150 lots of fine jewelry. A substantial variety of gemstone jewelry and period pieces as well as certified jade lots are available. Designer jewelry is also represented by famous maker names such as Bulgari (lot 3034), Boucheron (lot 3078), Foutis (lot 3023) and Cartier (lot 3003). Quality timepieces are evidenced as well, with manufacturer names such as Patek Philippe (lots 3134, 3136), Chopard (lot 3057), Hamilton (lots 3135, 3139) and Gianni Versace (3150).

Highlighting the jewelry offerings is a stunning bracelet being auctioned for charity. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit is an order of priests and brothers who were gifted with the piece. The generous donation of an emerald, diamond and white gold bracelet was made to Fr. Edward Grimes, C.S.SP., who has worked for 30 years in Ghana and The Gambia. Profits from the sale of this fine jewelry piece will be used to aid a mission in Africa.

The glamorous bracelet is quite sizable, providing a beautiful and opulent look. A stunning, approximately 5-carat natural emerald centers the piece. It is generously accented by 289 diamonds weighing approximately 27 carats in total, with nine additional emeralds complementing the center stone. The stones are then set in an articulated link, 18K white gold mounting, forming an 8-inch bracelet (lot 3132, $25,000-$30,000).

Other highlights in the sale include substantial gemstones such as an approximate 4-carat diamond and platinum ring (lot 3130, $18,000-$25,000), another ring bearing an over-4-carat fancy yellow diamond (lot 3119, $12,000-$15,000) and a ring centering an over 5-carat sapphire (lot 3092, $18,000-$25,000). Also noteworthy is a natural gold with quartz crystalline specimen measuring approximately 60 x 40 x 30 millimeters and weighing 133.1 grams (lot 3143, $6,000-$9,000).

The period furniture and decorations section of the auction features over 190 lots, primarily of European and American origins. Property ranges from the 18th to 20th centuries and Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Victorian stylings are represented. Decorative items include an assortment of Tiffany & Co. lots including lamps, vases and fine silver. A rare collection of eight decorative Russian icon lots that include depictions of the birth and resurrection of Christ are also now a part of the sale as they were acquired from local estates. Amongst the selection of fine china are numerous sets from Royal Copenhagen, with estimates ranging from $3,000 to $8,000.

Highlighting the period furniture offerings is a grand Napoleon III bonnetiere. The piece measures a statuesque 81 x 47 x 16 inches and will be offered as lot 3191. Furniture and Decorations Specialist Elizabeth Dalton reflected, “I was thrilled to secure this 19th-century Napoleon III bonnetiere for the fine auction. It is one of many impressive French furniture pieces in the sale from several Bay Area estates. The ebonized wood coupled with the gilt bronze work is beautifully complementary. I also love the boulle work and the detailed depictions of Greek figures, including Ceres and Diana. For a furniture piece of this quality and size, I believe the estimate of $6,000 to $8,000 to be quite conservative.”

In addition, over 40 lots of exceptional sterling silver and silver will be presented at auction. Lots include a superb Arthur & Bond Yokohama sterling five-piece tea service set (lot 3273, $7,000-$9,000). The detailed craftsmanship of the pieces is evident in their clever, three-dimensional bamboo design. The fine silver also holds the distinction of originating from the estate of the previous owners of the Royal Palms Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, who also hold ties to New York politics, banking and the railroad industry. Similar export silver of this quality is also found in a Chinese three-piece tea service by Hung Chong & Co. (lot 3272, $3,000-$5,000) and a Chinese silver footed bowl marked Luen Wo (lot 3271, $1,500-$2,000).

Modern artisan furniture, lighting, decorative objects and jewelry will close the sale, with a selection of over 120 lots. One of the most impressive furniture offerings is seen in a seven-piece Frank Lloyd Wright dining set (lot 3397, $35,000-50,000). The dining furniture is one of the remaining two sets that were commissioned by Frank Lloyd Wright. The table was made by Bauerle Brothers Furniture Company in Chicago, in 1903. It was then given to the great niece of the company owner whose grandfather was a brother of the Bowerly Brothers. The set is strikingly similar to furniture made for the Larkin Building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1903.

A varied group of modern sculptures are also a part of the sale, represented by these one-of-a-kind pieces of differing media. A large wooden sculpture by Adolf Odorfer is directly from the artist’s personal collection (lot 3445, $4,000-$5,000). Odorfer dedicated approximately one month to creating the geometric piece, featuring one standing and one seated figure. The sculpture remains in its original condition and measures 80 inches in height with base dimensions of 21 x 21 inches. Another sculpture from the 1950s is seen in a Miriam Hoffman bronze creation, being sold as lot 3455 ($3,500-$4,500). The seated figure is simple in its approach, with subtle texture variations and a matte finish.

Highlighting the modern sculptures is a pair of intriguing figures by Mavis McClure (lot 3444, $8,000-$10,000). The set depicts a man and a woman, each measuring over 7ft in height. They are fashioned in McClure’s signature style, complete with exaggerated hands and feet. Many in the art world consider McClure to be one of the most talented modern figurative artists of the decade. The decorating capabilities of the statues are apparent, as they could easily be integrated into a garden, living room or foyer.

Rounding out the modern selection mentions are two notable artists, both with more than one lot for sale in the auction. Amongst the modern jewelry pieces are two lots of Margaret De Patta geometric sterling earrings, both offered at an estimate of $800-$900 (lots 3372, 3373). The earrings both date to 1949 and are featured in her original catalog.

Hans Wegner is also handsomely represented in the sale in a variety of modern furniture lots. Available for purchase is a set of five dining chairs from 1952 manufactured by Carl Hassen (lot 3464, $800-$1,200), a sofa for Getama circa 1950 (lot 3465, $1,500-$2,000), a rare form oak and teak desk (lot 3399, $800-$1,200) and a Danish Modern side board credenza (lot 3401, $1,500-$1,800) from the furniture artisan.

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call 510-740-0220.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.


ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE


Massive Napoleon III gilt bronze boulle ebonized bonnetiere, est. $6,000-$8,000. Michaan's image.

Massive Napoleon III gilt bronze boulle ebonized bonnetiere, est. $6,000-$8,000. Michaan’s image.

Foutis diamond, 18K yellow gold bracelet, est. $3,750-$5,000. Michaan's image.
 

Foutis diamond, 18K yellow gold bracelet, est. $3,750-$5,000. Michaan’s image.

Diamond, platinum ring; est. $18,000-$25,000. Michaan's image.

Diamond, platinum ring; est. $18,000-$25,000. Michaan’s image.

Chinese export silver tea service, est. $3,000-$5,000. Michaan's image.
 

Chinese export silver tea service, est. $3,000-$5,000. Michaan’s image.

Set of 12 Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica soup bowls, est. $5,000-$7,000. Michaan's image.
 

Set of 12 Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica soup bowls, est. $5,000-$7,000. Michaan’s image.

Two life-size ceramic figures of a man and a woman, est. $2,000-$3,000.
 

Two life-size ceramic figures of a man and a woman, est. $2,000-$3,000.

Set of five dining chairs Designed by Hans Wegner, est. $800-$1,200. Michaan's image.

Set of five dining chairs Designed by Hans Wegner, est. $800-$1,200. Michaan’s image.

Hans Wegner sofa for Getama, est. $1,500-$2,000. Michaan's image.
 

Hans Wegner sofa for Getama, est. $1,500-$2,000. Michaan’s image.