Pietra dura featured in Carstens Galleries auction March 30

Pietra dura plaque, early 1900s, 30in. x 20.5in., frame: 38in. x 28in. Estimate: $20,000-
$30,000. Carstens Galleries image

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Carstens Galleries’ auction March 30 has a splendid selection of classic and contemporary paintings, European and Oriental antiques and an outstanding selection of pietra dura Florentine objects. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

A prime example of the latter is lot 69, a unique and large pietra dura framed plaque depicting roses in several colors (above). Pietra dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images.

Pietra dura plaque by Ceccherin-Firenze, 13in. x 9.5in. Estimate: $6,000-$9,000. Carstens Galleries image

The 242-lot auction also has a few extraordinary malachite items such as a cabinet, lot 37, as well as other museum-quality pieces from the same collection.

Malachite and pietra dura cabinet, 58in. high x 46in. wide x 26in. deep. Estimate: $100,000-$200,000. Carstens Galleries image

The works of Austrian sculptor Franz Bergman are represented in several major works, among which, lot 54 depicting a scene of an amorous couple in a room decorated in the Louis XVI style. This rare 13-inch-tall cold-painted bronze is in the form of a tent with sides that close. Bergman was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronze Oriental, erotic and animal figures.

Signed Franz Bergman Vienna cold-painted bronze tent, 13in. high, with button released double doors. Estimate: $12,000-$18,000. Carstens Galleries image

The auction will be conducted Saturday, March 30, starting at 4 p.m. Eastern time.