MONROE, Conn. – Furniture, artwork and decorative accessories from the estate of Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron will be sold Sunday, July 17, by Fairfield Auction. Styron’s best-known works include The Confessions of Nat Turner, Lie Down in Darkness and Sophie’s Choice, later made into a film that earned Meryl Streep an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1982.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. The 300-lot auction will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern.
Styron (1925-2006) moved to Roxbury, Conn., in 1954. Over the following five decades he entertained presidents, authors, musicians and actors at his 19th-century Rucum Road farmhouse. His Tiffany floor lamp, Federal tall clock, Eric Hoglund chandelier and an assortment of fine Continental furniture are expected to be among the top lots.
Aside from the Styron estate the sale will include a strong selection of fine art, mostly from a Putnum County, Conn., estate. An iconic Guy Wiggins view of Trinity Church in winter together with another fine Wiggins of the New York Public Library are included in a family trove all purchased at the Salmagundi Club Auctions in the 1930s. A pair of oils by John Fabian Carlsen as well as works by Emile Gruppe, John Folinsbee and a large marine painting by Michael Zeno Diemer round out the collection. Other paintings to be sold include works by Leon Richet, Carleton Wiggins, James Crawford Thom and five works by Harry Newman, consigned by the artist’s family. Additionally, a pencil drawing by Diego Rivera will be sold.
A collection of firearms and edged weapons includes a Smith’s Patent carbine and a scarce cased Unwin and Rodgers pistol knife, which operates much like a Swiss Army knife except a pistol is part of the array. A finely carved Krupps double-barrel shotgun with gold inlay, a Russian kindjal and an unusual 18th-century English powder tester by Hardy & Sons will also be sold.
Twentieth-century design is lead by the Hoglund chandelier from the Styron house, but also being sold is a group of Handel and Pairpoint lamps, a Roycroft storage box with hammered hardware, pottery by Newcomb College and Rookwood as well a large cold painted bronze of a falconer by Paul Berthier.
Americana to be sold includes a Connecticut Queen Anne lowboy and porringer top tea table found in the servant’s quarters of an old family compound on Fenwick. Also from the Fenwick estate is a large collection of early Delft, Tiffany silver, a Northwest Coast totem and a group of Chinese ceramics.
Of special interest is a 1985 Mercedes 380SL convertible in clean original condition, estimated at $8,000-$12,000. A Steinway model M grand piano, a 1920s Brunswick pool table and an extensive coin collection round out a diverse sale.
Preview will be during auction week, Wednesday 4-7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and auction day 9-11 a.m.
Fairfield Auction is located at 707 Main St., Monroe, Conn., and can be reached at (203) 880-5200 or online at www.fairfieldauction.com.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
