AMESBURY, Mass. – An auction largely dedicated to mid-century modern pieces but also to include furniture and furnishings from the Art Deco period, fine paintings, pottery and decorative accessories – more than 500 lots in all – will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, by John McInnis Auctioneers. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
The sale will feature items from the collection of Elmar Oliveira and Sandra Robbins, removed from their home in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Mr. Oliveira is a world-class contemporary violinist and the first and only American violinist to win the gold medal at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, 1978. The items in the sale reflect his and Ms. Robbins’ refined taste.
Fans and collectors of mid-century modern will have a field day. Offerings will range from a set of three Charles and Ray Eames splints made for Evans Company, all 42 inches long, stamped by the manufacturer and in like-new condition (est. $400-$600); to a Philco Predicta external tube 20-inch-screen TV set from circa 1958, mounted to its original rolling cart (est. $300-$500).
Two lots, both with estimates of $500-$1,000, are a Johannes Andersen Capri sofa and chair set by Trensum with wonderfully curved 1958 styling. The sofa features no-sag spring construction and a chrome steel base, while the chair is a low-back. The other is a matching pair of George Nelson Catenary chairs made for Herman Miller, still with original upholstery and metal tag.
A lacquered wood and glass étagère made by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, still with the Dunbar tag and measuring 79 inches tall by 20 inches wide, should hit $1,000-$1,500. Also, a George Nelson mahogany veneer desk (above) made for Herman Miller, with a leather writing surface, a lid and top cabinet that both open to reveal shelves, is conservatively estimated at $300-$500.
The fine art category will be led by a signed and numbered (6/23) print on handmade paper by Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015), titled Colored Paper Image XIII, printed by Ken Tyler and 34 inches by 33 inches framed (est. $10,000-$15,000); and an oil on canvas by Robert Reid (1862-1929), titled Early Spring, artist-signed and 44 inches by 30 inches framed (est. $8,000-$1,200).
An oil on Masonite painting by Gertrude Abercrombie (1909-1977), titled Green House and Fence (below), diminutive at 4 inches by 5 inches and artist-signed, has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000. Also, a Paul Evans ashtray and lighter in copper, bronze and pewter patchwork, each one marked “CC Design” by Evans and showing wear to the bowl of the ashtray, should sell for $200-$400.
A 7-inch bulbous iridescent pottery vase signed Weller Sicard, in very good condition, should find a new owner for $500-$1,000; and a large Fulper pottery two-ring handle vase, 12 1/2 inches tall and one of many pottery pieces in the auction, in very good condition, should make $200-$400.
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