A Meissen coffee cup and saucer, circa 1740, blue crossed swords marks, saucer with Pressnummer 17

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blue crossed swords marks, circa 1740, coffee cup and saucer, Meissen, Pressnummer 17

A Meissen coffee cup and saucer, circa 1740, blue crossed swords marks, saucer with Pressnummer 17. Estimate £1,200 – £1,800 ($1,837 – $2,756). Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2015

Painted with harbour scenes of Turkish and European merchants at the shore, further figures and ships in the distance, above or within concentric iron-red line bands

Christie’s. CHRISTIE’S INTERIORS, 24 February 2015, London, South Kensington

A Meissen small teabowl and saucer, circa 1740, blue crossed swords marks, gilder’s 52.L.

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blue crossed swords marks, circa 1740, gilder’s 52.L., Laub-und-Bandelwerk, Meissen, teabowl and saucer

A Meissen small teabowl and saucer, circa 1740, blue crossed swords marks, gilder’s 52.L. Estimate £1,500 – £2,000 ($2,297 – $3,062). Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2015

The exterior of the teabowl painted with a continuous scene of figures in a landscape, the interior painted with a traveller before distant buildings, the saucer with a horseman, with concentric iron-red line bands and Laub-und-Bandelwerk borders

Christie’s. CHRISTIE’S INTERIORS, 24 February 2015, London, South Kensington

A Louis XV ormolu-mounted black and gilt vernis Martin commode, circa 1740, in the manner of Bernard II Van Risen Burgh

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black and gilt vernis Martin, circa 1740, commode, in the manner of Bernard II Van Risen Burgh, Louis XV, Ormolu mounted

Collection of Principessa Ismene Chigi Della Rovere. A Louis XV ormolu-mounted black and gilt vernis Martin commode, circa 1740, in the manner of Bernard II Van Risen Burgh. Estimate £25,000 – £40,000 ($37,700 – $60,320). Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2015

The serpentine moulded Brêche d’Alep marble top, above two drawers sans traverse, decorated with figures in landscapes, on cabriole legs headed by cabochon, rocaille and foliate chutes, terminating in pierced scrolled sabots, bearing spurious stamps ‘B.V.R.B.’ and ‘JME’; 33 ½ in. (85 cm.) high; 48 ¾ in. (124 cm.) wide; 24 in. (61 cm.) deep

Provenance: Antiquités Masi, Bealieu-sur-mer, from whom purchased by Principessa Ismene Chigi Della Rovere in 1975.

Note: This elegant Louis XV commode dates from circa 1740 and illustrates both the European passion for using materials from the Far East and the Parisian taste of transforming such materials into the most luxurious pieces of the time. This fashion of mounting lacquer onto furniture was promoted by the marchands-mercier of Paris in the 1740s and 1750s, such as Lazare Duvaux and Thomas-Joachim Hébert. These marchands-mercier held a monopoly on the import of such precious goods from the Far East as lacquer and porcelain. This commode, decorated with Vernis Martin panels, is a demonstration of the Paris fashion for creating decoration in imitation of Oriental lacquer, due to the increasingly high cost of imports from the Far East. Vernis Martin was created by the Martin brothers, Guillaume and Etienne-Simon, who were instrumental in developing the technique.

Christie’s. THE COLLECTIONS OF PRINCIPESSA ISMENE CHIGI DELLA ROVERE AND A NOBLE GENOESE FAMILY, 4 February 2015, London, South Kensington

2015 Winter Antiques Show in New York showcases 3,000 years of timeless art and design

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'Maximilian' lounge chair, 1880, “bouquetière”, Candelabrum, circa 1630, circa 1690, circa 1740, circa 1942, Desk and Chair, Egyptian bronze, England, George II Mahogany Windsor Chair, George III Satinwood and Marquetry inlaid secretary bookcase, Harlem Street Scene, Heart-and-Hand Love Token, Herter Bros., Hiram Powers, Jacob Lawrence, John Singer Sargent, John Vesey, King Willem III, marble bust, Mayhew & Ince, Proserpine, Queen Mary II, seated cat, Turner’s-Thrown Fruitwood Armchair

Herter Bros., NY. Desk and Chair, 1880. Maple, at Associated Artists. 

NEW YORK, NY.– Ancient Egyptian bronze sculpture, gilded Herter Brothers side chairs owned by John Pierpont Morgan, and paintings by celebrated American artists William Merritt Chase, John Singer Sargent, and Childe Hassam, will gather for the 61st year of the Winter Antiques Show from January 23-February 1, 2015 at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. The Show is America’s most prestigious antiques show, providing museums, collectors, dealers, design professionals, and first-time buyers with opportunities to see and purchase exceptional pieces showcased by 73 renowned experts in American, English, European, and Asian fine and decorative arts, from antiquity through the 1960s. Every object exhibited at the Show is vetted for quality and authenticity.

“The Winter Antiques Show offers unparalleled access to the world’s most exquisite and astounding historical objects—and this year is no different,” said Peter Pennoyer, the renowned classical architect who together with his wife Katie Ridder, the celebrated interior designer, are the Show’s 2015 Honorary Co-Chairs. Ms. Ridder continued, “We both feel that timeless pieces with history add a distinctive character to today’s interiors, whether the spaces are designed to evoke a period of yesterday or even something a bit more contemporary. We’re thrilled to be part of the Show, and look forward to seeing all of its remarkable design opportunities.”

Exhibitor Highlights:

• Fine English furniture will reign supreme as the Winter Antiques Show welcomes four new UK-based leaders in the field: a pair of commodes (c. 1775-80) by Mayhew & Ince at Apter-Fredericks Ltd.; an early Turner’s armchair (c. 1630) and a George II Mahogany Windsor Chair (c. 1740) at Thomas Coulborn & Sons Ltd.; and a George III Satinwood and Marquetry inlaid secretary bookcase (c. 1790) at Hyde Park Antiques.

Pair of commodes, circa 1775-80 by Mayhew & Ince at Apter-Fredericks Ltd.

Early Turner’s-Thrown Fruitwood Armchair, England, circa 1630 at Thomas Coulborn & Sons Ltd.

Rare George II Mahogany Windsor Chair, England, circa 1740 at Thomas Coulborn & Sons Ltd.

George III Satinwood and Marquetry inlaid secretary bookcase, circa 1790 at Hyde Park Antiques.

• Museum quality paintings by famed American masters will be prevalent at the 2015 Show: Boy in Red: Portrait of Josiah Lasell (c. 1895) by William Merritt Chase and Royal Palms, Melena, Cuba (c. 1895) by Childe Hassam at Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc.; The Candelabrum (1885), an impressionist portrait study by John Singer Sargent at Adelson Galleries; Sunrise at Mid-Ocean (1907), a significant seascape by Thomas Moran, at Schwarz Gallery; and Harlem Street Scene (c. 1942) by Jacob Lawrence at Jonathan Boos, LLC.

John Singer Sargent, Candelabrum. Oil on canvas, 1885. Signed lower left by John S. Sargent at Adelson Galleries.

Thomas Moran, Sunrise at Mid-Ocean. Oil on canvas, 1907 at Schwarz Gallery.

Jacob Lawrence, Harlem Street Scene, circa 1942 by  at Jonathan Boos, LLC.

• Showcasing the breadth and diversity of the show are a dozen exhibitors in early to mid-20th century design. This year’s highlights include a pair of iconic leather, aluminum, and steel Maximilian lounge chairs (c. 1958) designed by John Vesey at Liz O’Brien; colorful Italian glass at Glass Past; and a French desk and armchair (c. 1925), made of fine mahogany and leather, by Louis Süe and André Mare at Maison Gerard.

John Vesey (1925-1992), pair of iconic leather, aluminum, and steel ‘Maximilian’ lounge chairs, circa 1958 at Liz O’Brien.

• Maintaining the Show’s strong American core are more than 15 Americana dealers, and important folk art pieces will be exhibited by many: a paper and watercolor Heart-and-Hand Love Token (c. 1820) at Olde Hope Antiques, Inc.; a vibrantly decorated Pennsylvania cornercupboard (1863) at new exhibitor Kelly Kinzle; a handsome pair of portraits of a young couple seated in red chairs, attributed to George G. Hartwell of the esteemed Prior Hamblen School, at Frank & Barbara Pollack American Antiques & Art; and an early ambrotype if a calls of students and their teacher (c. 1855) at David A. Schorsch-Eileen M. Smiles American Antiques.

A group of nine colorful and charming love tokens. One with associated note dated ‘1848’, and two noted as Philadelphia origin, at Olde Hope Antiques, Inc.

• Sculpture from all ages will be especially prevalent in 2015, due to the addition of two new exhibitors specializing in the medium: an Egyptian bronze seated cat (c. 715332 BC), perhaps used as a vessel for a mummified cat, at Rupert Wace Ancient Art Limited; a marble bust of Proserpine by famed American sculptor Hiram Powers at new exhibitor Conner • Rosenkranz, LLC; Tete de Femme (1929), a bronze art deco bust by Gustave Miklos at The Fine Art Society; and Saul Bazerman’s mid-century Self-Portrait (c. 1952) at Gerald Peters Gallery.

An Egyptian bronze seated cat (c. 715332 BC), perhaps used as a vessel for a mummified cat, at Rupert Wace Ancient Art Limited.

A marble bust of Proserpine by famed American sculptor Hiram Powers at Conner.

A bronze art deco bust by Gustave Miklos at The Fine Art Society.

• Exhibitors in Chinese and Japanese material add to the Show’s eclectic mix: a rare Chinese export porcelain tureen and cover modeled as a goose (c. 1750) at Cohen & Cohen; a Yayoi Neolithic earthenware vessel (c. 2nd -3rd century AD) at Joan B. Mirviss, Ltd.; a pair of paintings depicting Chinese women accompanied by pipes and pets (c. 18th century) at Martyn Gregory; and a pair of green and yellow Fu Lions (c. 1662-1722 AD) at Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc.

A pair of paintings depicting Chinese women accompanied by pipes and pets, circa 18th century, at Martyn Gregory.

Pair of Chinese Green Glazed Biscuit Porcelain Fu Dogs, Kangxi period, AD 1662-1722, at Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc.

• After an intense search, Aronson of Amsterdam (a 134 year old family firm specializing in Dutch Delftware) has recently reunited a pair of unusual bouquetieres depicting Their Majesties King Willem III and Queen Mary II (c. 1690). The figures are attributed to The Greek A Factory, where Queen Mary ordered many magnificent pieces of Delft for Hampton Palace. The pair will be exhibited together for the first time at the 2015 Winter Antiques Show.

Pair of unusual bouquetieres depicting Their Majesties King Willem III and Queen Mary II, circa 1690, at Aronson of Amsterdam.

• Objects with noteworthy provenance include a Herter Brothers “Pompeian” side chair (c. 1880) that was probably commissioned for John Pierpont Morgan’s lavish Madison Avenue mansion at Associated Artists, LLC; an English Palace Wall Regulator (c. 1770) by John Arnold that was commissioned by a member of the Russian royal family for Catherine the Great at Thomas Coulborn & Sons Ltd.; a Chinese Famille Verte quandrangular vase (1662-1722 AD) from the collection of Henry Clay Frick at Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Inc.; and a grand scale Chippendale looking glass (c. 1760) that was part of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary project and was discussed in correspondence between Franklin and his wife at Bernard & S. Dean Levy.

An English Palace Wall Regulator (c. 1770) by John Arnold that was commissioned by a member of the Russian royal family for Catherine the Great at Thomas Coulborn & Sons Ltd.

A famille rose five-piece garniture, circa 1740

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circa 1740, famille-rose, five-piece garniture

A famille rose five-piece garniture, circa 1740. Estimate 7,000 – $10,000 USD. Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2015.

Comprising a pair of beaker vases and three vases with covers, each of square form and brightly enameled with scenes from a romance; 12 ½ in. (31.7 cm.) high, the baluster vases and covers.

Christie’s. MANDARIN & MENAGERIE: THE SOWELL COLLECTION AND CHINESE EXPORT ART FROM VARIOUS OWNERS, 26 January 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza.

A famille rose Pronk ‘doctors visit’ plate, circa 1740

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circa 1740, famille-rose, Pronk 'doctors visit' plate

A famille rose Pronk ‘doctors visit’ plate, circa 1740. Estimate $1,200 – $1,800. Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2015

Enameled after a design by Cornelis Pronk with three doctors seated around a table, a peacock sitting on a fence beside them looking at a parrot perched on a flowering branch above, within a border of four cartouches of fish and water-birds, the underside with yellow trellis-pattern; 12 ½ in. (32 cm.) diameter

Christie’s. MANDARIN & MENAGERIE: THE SOWELL COLLECTION AND CHINESE EXPORT ART FROM VARIOUS OWNERS, 26 January 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

A pair of famille rose Pronk ‘Arbor’ plates, circa 1740

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circa 1740, famille-rose, Pronk 'Arbor' plate

A pair of famille rose Pronk ‘Arbor’ plates, circa 1740. Estimate $8,000 – $12,000. Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2015

Each decorated after the Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk’s design with the classic topiary garden scene, the border with cartouches of moths, butterflies, flowers and fruit, the reverse with an iron-red and purple lambrequin border; 9 in. (23 cm.) diameter

Christie’s. MANDARIN & MENAGERIE: THE SOWELL COLLECTION AND CHINESE EXPORT ART FROM VARIOUS OWNERS, 26 January 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza

A Meissen gold-mounted snuff-box and cover, circa 1740, the mounts contemporary

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circa 1740, Meissen, snuff-box and cover

A Meissen gold-mounted snuff-box and cover, circa 1740, the mounts contemporary. Estimate £20,000 – £30,000 ($31,800 – $47,700). Photo Christie’s Image Ltd 2014

Of cartouche shape, painted after Watteau with a continuous scene of gallants and companions in parkland, the base with elegant figures beside a fountain, the hinged cover with a gentleman attending two ladies before a classical building with indistinct inscription above arches and statues and a tall pedestal supporting an urn in the foreground, within a gilt scroll border, the interior with a lady reading from an indistinctly inscribed letter, with Cupid peering over her shoulder, the box interior richly gilt, the gold mount with shell thumbpiece (slight wear to enamels at edge of base, small flake to gilt interior); 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) wide

Provenance: Anonymous sale; Finarte, Milan, 18 May 1983, lot 191.
With Winifred Williams, London, from whom it was acquired on 13 June 1983.

Notes: The classical buildings and fountains depicted on this snuff-box appear to be inspired by Italian architecture. The monument painted in the background on the cover is similar to the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola fountain on Janiculum Hill in Rome. Giovanni Battista Falda created a series of engravings ‘Le fontane di Roma nelle piazze e luoghi publici della citta‘ which were published between 1665 and 1691 and included a depiction of the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola; this may have provided the inspiration for the painting on the cover of the present lot.

Christie’s. THE JOHN SHEARER COLLECTION OF IMPORTANT MEISSEN, VINCENNES AND SEVRES, 25 November 2014, London, King Street

A rare black-ground enamelled Pronk ‘Trumpeter’ spoon tray, Qing dynasty, circa 1740

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black-ground enamelled, circa 1740, Pronk, Pronk ‘Trumpeter’, Qing dynasty, spoon tray

A rare black-ground enamelled Pronk ‘Trumpeter’ spoon tray, Qing dynasty, circa 1740. Estimate 2,000 — 3,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby’s

of lobed oval form, the interior enamelled against a rich black ground with two musicians playing the French horn and a trumpet respectively, all between gilt spearhead and geometric bands, the exterior similarly decorated with gilt spearhead borders on a black ground – 13cm., 5 1/8 in.

Sotheby’s. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Londres | 05 nov. 2014, 10:00 AM

A rare black-ground enamelled Pronk ‘Trumpeter’ milk jug and cover, Qing dynasty, circa 1740

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black-ground enamelled, circa 1740, milk jug and cover, Pronk, Pronk ‘Trumpeter’, Qing dynasty

A rare black-ground enamelled Pronk ‘Trumpeter’ milk jug and cover, Qing dynasty, circa 1740. Estimate 3,000 — 5,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby’s

the pear-shaped body supported on a stepped foot, rising to a waisted neck with the rim extending to form the spout, set with a loop handle, the exterior enamelled against a rich black ground with two musicians playing the French horn and a trumpet respectively, all between gilt spearhead and geometric bands, the domed cover surmounted by a knop. Quantité: 2 – 13.7cm., 5 3/8 in.

Sotheby’s. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Londres | 05 nov. 2014, 10:00 AM