PHILA., Pa. – Philadelphia’s estate specialists, Stephenson’s Auctioneers, will launch into spring with an April 17 Antiques & Decorative Arts Auction featuring 450-lots of quality items. Almost all of the goods – including furniture, silver, artwork and jewelry – came from private residences in prestigious neighborhoods. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
A professionally decorated home in Yardley (Bucks County), Pa. was the source for the trove of fine midcentury pieces that headlines the sale. The owners are moving to Florida and opted to consign their interior-design collection to Stephenson’s before relocating, said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auctioneers.
“Over a span of many year, culminating in 1984, the owners hired a Philadelphia design firm, TJ Ashjean Interiors, to decorate their home. They kept the receipts for many of the pieces, and those receipts will convey to the items’ new owners,” Stephenson said.
Among the furnishings obtained from the Yardley estate is an Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip table with Bill Stevens chairs covered in Knoll fabric. A fabric swatch in its original Knoll cardboard accompanies the grouping.
Knoll fabric was also chosen to cover 10 Widdicomb chairs that match a handsome custom-crafted cherry dining table.
“The consignors didn’t have children or pets, so everything they displayed in their home – whether functional or decorative – stayed in pristine condition,” said Stephenson. Lighting from the residence, including lamps by Hansen and Daum Nancy (shown below), are already attracting inquiries, Stephenson said.
Within the selection of fine crystal is a set of Baccarat stemware in the Massena pattern, in four or five sizes. Also, there are Lalique figurines and a set of Lalique luncheon or salad plates in the striking Algues pattern, which depicts a stylized swirling sun.
A Southern pottery treasure that came from a different consignor is the Anna Simpson-designed Newcomb College vase in the Moon and Moss pattern, shape 315. Standing 7¼ inches tall, with the designer’s cipher under the base, the vase dates to the mid 1920s and is in perfect condition. Its presale estimate is $5,000-$8,000.
Other featured lots include a hand-tied Persian carpet, a C.E. (Cyrus Edwin) Dallin bronze sculpture of a Native American on horseback, and a selection of exquisitely carved and lacquered Japanese inro. An antique Regina music player is ready to entertain bidders and comes complete with 25 discs.
There is already interest in a collection of pipes, mostly by Italian and other Continental European makers. More than 65 pipes are included, almost all of which are signed. “Some are of burled walnut, and many are quite beautiful. I can see why pipe collectors would be asking about them,” Stephenson said. The pipes have been lotted into groups and will open the auction proceedings.
Stephenson’s Friday, April 17, 2015 Spring Antique and Decorative Arts Auction will commence at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. For additional information on any lot in the sale, call Stephenson’s Auctioneers at 215-322-6182 or e-mail info@stephensonsauction.com. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
