John Moran Auctioneers kicks off season of major sales Sept. 10
A gift to American inventor and entrepreneur George Westinghouse from his wife Marguerite, this unusual silver vase was made in Moscow by Antip Kuzmichev for Tiffany & Co. in 1893. John Moran Auctioneers image.
The first act of this four-act play, the Sept. 10 sale introduces more than 200 items from multiple private collections and estates, covering a range of collecting areas. In addition to Continental, British and American furniture, silver, art objects, and fine art, it will feature Asian art and furniture, Native American artifacts, and select contents of a Montana ranch.
September’s silver selection is led by a large Imperial era Russian silver presentation vase. A remarkable piece of craftsmanship made in Moscow in 1893 by noted smith Antip Kuzmichev for Tiffany and Co., it bears silent witness to the life of an American titan of industry in the Gilded Age. Arriving at auction after decades out of sight in a storage facility, it is inscribed with a dedication to George Westinghouse from his wife Marguerite “in remembrance of his mother, Christmas 1895.” George Westinghouse Jr. (1846-1914), founder of Westinghouse Electric and a leading pioneer of the American electrical industry, was married to Marguerite Walker for 47 years. Weighing 94 troy ounces, the vase is of an unusual tripartite form, and covered with an elaborate floral repoussé pattern. A grand piece befitting Westinghouse’s opulent Pittsburgh mansion, it is offered with an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.
Additional silver pieces include a circa 1905 Tiffany centerpiece bowl with a pierced lattice design (estimate: $1,000-$2,000), a set of Buccellati flatware in the rare Winterset pattern, and an Austrian tipping kettle with sinuous, curving lines in the organic style of l’Art Nouveau. Made in Vienna, with maker’s mark “HAG,” the kettle is complete with stand and burner and is expected to fetch $1,000-$1,500. Also of superlative design is a six-piece sterling tea service by important Arts & Crafts-era maker Arthur Stone. Stunningly simple, judiciously detailed and shaped with perfect proportions, it is expected to reach $2,000-$3,000.
Continental and American decorative arts highlights include a large Rococo revival KPM / Berlin porcelain mantel clock encrusted with flowers, swags and masks (estimate: $5,000-$7,000), a large group of KPM / Berlin porcelain plaques, a 17-inch-tall Galle cameo glass landscape vase (estimate: $3,000-$5,000), a Pablo Picasso / Madoura ceramic owl pitcher (estimate: $2,000-$3,000), a rare Rene Lalique “Tete De Paon” blue glass mascot (offered at a low estimate of $2,000-$4,000 due to damages to the base), a Tiffany & Co. Art Deco nephrite jade and enamel desk clock (estimate: $1,000-$2,000), and a French Boulle marquetry center table (estimate: $1,000-$2,000).
Several good examples of English furniture making are to be had as well. Two George III mahogany card tables (estimate: $800-$1,200 each), a pair of delicate Victorian painted satinwood demilune card tables (estimate: $2,000-$4,000), an ornate Victorian gilt bronze-mounted amboyna and ebony bonheur du jour with inset Sevres-style porcelain plaques (estimate: $2,000-$3,000), and a lovely Regency gilt bronze-mounted mahogany cellaret (estimate: $800-$1,200) are all offered from private collections.
Native American items are limited to a high quality selection of pottery, baskets and woven textiles. Several pottery ollas hailing from the Southwestern United States illustrate the skill of passed down through generations of artisans from the 19th century to the present day. A 9 1/2-inch-tall black-on-red olla by Tonita Roybal of the San Ildefonso pueblo is expected to earn $4000-$6,000 on the block. Tonita Martinez Roybal (1892-1945) is regarded by experts as equal in skill to her more famous contemporary, Maria Martinez. Moran’s is also pleased to offer three circa-1900 Acoma ollas (estimates: $4,000-$6,000 each) and a delightful pair of Zia three-color ollas dating from the early 20th century (estimate: $6,000-$9,000), accompanied by photographic documentation from the family of the original owner. Textiles include a circa-1900 Navajo Germantown pictorial sampler on loom ($1,500-$2,500), a circa-1890 Germantown eye dazzler textile (estimate: $4,000-$6,000), and an unusual Navajo regional weaving featuring the letters of the alphabet arranged in two rows within an arrow-tip border (estimate: $1,000-$1,500). Four Apache basketry bowls dating from the first quarter 20th century are remarkable for their excellent condition. One featuring depictions of deer, humans and dogs is offered for $4,000-$5,000, while another pictorial basket with figures of humans is expected to realize $3,000-$5,000.
Serious collectors of horse tack, including saddles, spurs and bits, as well as those who are simply fans of cowboy style will want to compete for the group of furnishings and accoutrements consigned from a ranch in Montana. Moran’s is pleased to offer select contents from both house and stables fresh to the market with attractive estimates.
More than 60 fine art works by listed European, British and American artists are offered, with estimates ranging from $500 up to $7,000. At the higher end of the price scale are paintings by Antoine Blanchard (1910-1988 French), Carl Heinrich Hoff (1833-1890 German) and Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902 Polish, Arthur Wardle (1864-1949 British), and Russian artists Georgii Alexasandrovich Lapchine (1889-1950) and Konstatin Ivanovich Gorbatov (1876-1945). Prints by Marc Chagall (1887-1985 French), Joan Miro (1893-1983 Spanish) and David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974 Mexican) offer excellent opportunities to acquire works by world-renowned artists at affordable prices.
Consignments are accepted throughout the year for Moran’s Antiques and Decorative Arts Auctions. Contact Moran’s offices at 626-793-1833 or info@johnmoran.com for more information about any of their upcoming events.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
A gift to American inventor and entrepreneur George Westinghouse from his wife Marguerite, this unusual silver vase was made in Moscow by Antip Kuzmichev for Tiffany & Co. in 1893. John Moran Auctioneers image.
This Austrian Art Nouveau silver tipping kettle with maker’s mark ‘H.A.G.’ dates from circa 1900 (estimate: $1,000-$1,500). John Moran Auctioneers image.
Measuring 17 1/2 inches in height, this Galle cameo glass vase depicts a serene waterside landscape (estimate: $3,000-$5,000). John Moran Auctioneers image.
Estimated to realize $2,000-$4,000 is this pair of nicely painted Victorian satinwood games tables. John Moran Auctioneers image.
This pair of Zia three-color pottery ollas (estimate: $6,000-$9,000) is among the select group of Native American artifacts in Moran’s Sept. 10 sale. John Moran Auctioneers image.
