Painting owned by Leonard Bernstein in Benefit Shop auction March 21

This floral still life on canvas painting, Italian School, circa 1800, depicting tulips, roses and chrysanthemums in a basket, was bought at Sotheby’s in December 1997 from the estate of the late conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Benefit Shop Foundation Inc. image

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. – Pam Stone, owner of the Benefit Shop Foundation Inc., was about done cataloging her Red Carpet auction, slated for Wednesday, March 21, at 10 a.m., when a donation came in that was too good to hold for another month. It was a fine painting, an Italian School still life on canvas, circa 1800, depicting tulips, roses and chrysanthemums in a basket and had solid provenance. It was bought at Sotheby’s in December 1997 from the estate of the late conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. The painting is expected to perform well in the March auction. Absentee and Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

The 28½-by-36-inch painting is in a gold leaf carved wooden frame marked for Pocker and Sons. Accompanying the painting is the Sotheby’s auction catalog describing the contents of the Bernsteins’ luxe apartment in the landmark Dakota in New York City’s Central Park West, said to be the most famous apartment building in New York City, where they famously entertained celebrities and their friends in music, arts and entertainment worlds. The couple avidly collected art, antiques and high-end furnishings.

“This is a gorgeous painting that just came in and we knew we had to put it into this month’s auction,” said Stone. “Its beauty is underscored by the symbolism in its flowers, the meanings of which can be hard to ferret out in modern times. It was well suited to the Bernsteins’ home in the luxurious Dakota and will look lovely in the home of its future owner.”

The monthly auctions feature choice collections of antique, mid-century modern, brand furnishings, sterling, china, crystal, jewelry and fine art. With a mission of “to donate, to discover and to do good,” the foundation is a nonprofit and all auction proceeds support community organizations. Consignors get a tax deduction; the buyer gets a great deal and local nonprofits get needed funds.

For more information, https://www.thebenefitshop.org or 914-864-0707.