Tiffany masterpieces return to USA for Michaan’s Nov. 17 auction
Louis Comfort Tiffany (American 1848-1933) Family Group with Oxen Oil on board 22 ¾ inches x 35 1/8 inches c. 1888 unsigned Provenance: Artist’s family, thence by descent; The Garden Museum Collection, Matsue, Japan
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Many of the finest known masterworks by Louis Comfort Tiffany will be offered at auction for the first time after many decades of revered stewardship in Asia. The Tiffany Studios selections, which come from the Garden Museum Collection in Matsue, Japan, are the proud legacy of museum founder and director Takeo Horiuchi. They will be offered my Michaan’s in a special Nov. 17, 2012 auction, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com.
After the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, and with the knowledge that other substantial earthquakes were predicted for the region near Mount Fiji, Horiuchi felt he must take decisive action, a Michaan’s spokesperson said. His beloved Tiffany glass collection would almost certainly be destroyed if it were to stay on museum grounds. With this understanding, Horiuchi made the magnanimous decision to forego his passion and send the collection elsewhere for sake of safety. It was the ultimate sacrifice to make in the name of artspreservation.
Takeo Horiuchi began a search for a worthy successor to his museum collection. His search ended earlier this year when Michaan’s owner Allen Michaan and a small group of investors purchased the collection. The consortium will make a major portion of the collection available to the public for the first time ever at the Nov. 17 auction.
No expense was spared in compiling the Garden Museum Collection, which was regarded by many as a national treasure in Japan. A supreme example within the collection is a Tiffany Cobweb table lamp, one of only seven known. From its inception, the Cobweb table lamp was one of the most extravagant lamp productions to be crafted by Tiffany Studios. This costly work of art was originally created with the intention of targeting the firm’s wealthiest patrician clients and, to this day, remains one of the most desirable of all Tiffany designs.
There are many “jewels” in the auction, from an exceptional lava glass vase that was a part of Louis C. Tiffany’s personal collection until his death to a painting by Tiffany that remained in his family for multiple generations. Michaan’s believes the museum collection is the finest one ever assembled. Apportioned into approximately 175 lots, it includes not only lamps, but also windows, vases, paintings, enamels and mosaics.
For additional information on any items in the sale, contact Allen Michaan 510-227-2503. E-mail info@michaans.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Louis Comfort Tiffany (American 1848-1933) Family Group with Oxen Oil on board 22 ¾ inches x 35 1/8 inches c. 1888 unsigned Provenance: Artist’s family, thence by descent; The Garden Museum Collection, Matsue, Japan
Tiffany Studios Hanging Cameo Glass Globe Estimate: $80,000 / 100,000
Tiffany Studios Aquamarine Vase Estimate: $100,000/120,000
Tiffany Studios Peony Table Lamp Estimate: $300,000/500,000
Pair of Tiffany Studios Wisteria Landscape Windows Estimate: $250,000 / 350,000
Tiffany Studios Exposition Silver Gilt Mounted Scent Bottle Estimate: $100,000 / 120,000
Tiffany Studios Cobweb Table Lamp Height: 30 1/3 inches. Diameter of shade: 19 inches Shade: unsigned. Base: impressed TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK Estimate: Available upon request
