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Made in the late 19th century by Jollet & Cie, Paris, this Louis XV-style covered urn stands 18 inches high. It has a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.

Simpson Galleries to sell famous Houstonians’ collection Oct. 18

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Made in the late 19th century by Jollet & Cie, Paris, this Louis XV-style covered urn stands 18 inches high. It has a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.
Made in the late 19th century by Jollet & Cie, Paris, this Louis XV-style covered urn stands 18 inches high. It has a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.
HOUSTON – Jerry J. Moore, who died last November, was once known as the shopping center king of Texas and the wealthiest man in Houston. With a net worth estimated to be $500 million, the commercial real estate developer was listed on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in America 12 times.

In addition to building wealth, Moore and his wife, Jean, who died in 2003, could also shop. They bought the finest European furnishings and art for their French chateau, which they had disassembled stone by stone and shipped to Houston, where it was rebuilt.

With their passing, the vast collection of antiques and art will be sold at Simpson Galleries in Houston on Oct. 18 beginning at 1 p.m. Central. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

“The auction has attracted strong interest from not only our regular customers but also family and friends of the Moores who were familiar with the collection,” said Ray Simpson of Simpson Galleries. “It’s an incredible collection that stands on its own merits.”

Furniture highlights include, a Louis XVI carved and giltwood marble-top console, a Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted tulipwood and mahogany vitrine cabinet and a French Provincial carved chestnut armoire from the first half of the 19th century. Each has a $4,000-$6,000 estimate.

More than 60 European and American paintings will be offered, including Cottages by a River by Fritz Thaulow (Norwegian, 1847-1906) and A Hunting Party by Philips Wouwerman (Haarlem 1619-1668). Both are oil on canvas and have estimates of $20,000-$30,000.

A Steinway & Sons grand piano in the auction was made in Hamburg, Germany, and shipped to Steinway in London on Oct. 31, 1903. The Model B piano has an inlaid satinwood case, which is 84 inches long, 56 inches wide and 39 inches high. It is estimated to sell for $25,000-$30,000.

All All-American items in the auction are a Frederic Remington bronze Bronco Buster statue and a rare antique tiger-maple butler’s desk. The bronze statue of the bucking horse and rider is inscribed “Copyright by Frederic Remington” with Roman bronze works New York Foundry mark, and stamped “No. 182” on the bottom of the base. The bronze is 22 1/2 inches high and 21 inches wide. It has a $30,000-$50,000 estimate.

The stately butler’s desk, crafted in Boston circa 1810-1820, is accented with inlaid frieze and features a fall-front escritoire drawer opening to a fitted compartment with drawers and pigeonholes. It is 42 inches high, 59 inches wide and 22 inches deep, and estimated at $8,000-$10,000.

For details call 800-524-0022.

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

Click here to view Simpson Galleries’ complete catalog.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Paris clockmaker Henry Dasson made this Louis XVI-style horloge à rouleau in 1877. The roller has Roman hour chapters and Arabic minute chapters. Made of patinated bronze and with marble, the device has a $3,000-$5,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.
Paris clockmaker Henry Dasson made this Louis XVI-style horloge à rouleau in 1877. The roller has Roman hour chapters and Arabic minute chapters. Made of patinated bronze and with marble, the device has a $3,000-$5,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.

The Moores' chateau housed this 1903 Steinway grand piano. The instrument is estimated at $25,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.
The Moores’ chateau housed this 1903 Steinway grand piano. The instrument is estimated at $25,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.

Johann Berthelsen (American, 1883-1972) painted ‘Trinity Church from Wall Street.' Oil on artist board, the painting is 16 by 12 inches and has a $6,000-$8,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.
Johann Berthelsen (American, 1883-1972) painted ‘Trinity Church from Wall Street.’ Oil on artist board, the painting is 16 by 12 inches and has a $6,000-$8,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.

The movement on this Napoleon III figural mantel clock is stamped 'Popon à Paris.' It measures 23 inches high, 31 1/2 inches, wide and 10 1/2 inches deep. It has a $4,000-$6,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.
The movement on this Napoleon III figural mantel clock is stamped ‘Popon à Paris.’ It measures 23 inches high, 31 1/2 inches, wide and 10 1/2 inches deep. It has a $4,000-$6,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Simpson Galleries.