BY ANDREA VALLUZZO
PHOTOS COURTESY MILLEA BROS
BOONTON, N.J. — Just over 800 lots crossed the block at the Millea Bros’ spring auction April 18–19,
offering a good mix of furniture, fine art and decorative items that brought prices well above estimate.
As predicted by Michael and Mark Millea before the auction, the top lot of the sale was the Tiffany Studios
Pond Lily table lamp, circa 1910, that sold just above high estimate at $86,250. Also lighting up the auction
block were a pair of antique Anglo Irish crystal chandeliers at $17,500 and a pair of Italian neoclassical
giltwood chandeliers at $11,250.
The furniture market at auction has been a bit soft in many auctions, though standout pieces always bring
good money. Several pieces performed well here, led by a Biedermeier figured walnut dressing table,
Nineteenth Century, having columnar cabinet supports, 37 by 49 by 29½ inches, that bested its
$800–$1,200 estimate to achieve $18,750. A Louis XVI-style cabinet attributed to F. Linke with fine bronze
work went out at $11,250, just above high estimate.
Other furniture lots performing well over their estimates included a pair of Regency-style rosewood gilt
eagle consoles, Twentieth Century, having green marble tops, $7,500; an Elizabethan carved and paneled
oak tester bed, $6,250; and an attractive George III satinwood inlaid Pembroke table going out at $8,125.
Leading paintings across the block was Edgar Farasyn’s (Belgian, 1858–1938) oil on canvas, “The Artist’s
Daughter with her Dog,” that outperformed estimate to bring $41,250 early into the second day’s session.
Also bringing strong money were Leon Charles Cannicioni’s (French, 1879–1957) painting, “Scene de
marche Corse,” that doubled its high estimate to fetch $15,000 and a seascape painting after Childe
Hassam (1859–1935), bearing the artist’s signature and dated 1918 that bested its conservative $300/500
estimate to realize $11,875.
Rounding out the fine art category were a large oil on canvas attributed to Ludovico Mazzanti (Italian,
1686–1775), “Death of Lucretia,” 85½ by 62 inches, that sold within estimate at $15,000; a Lesser Ury
(German, 1861–1931) portrait of young woman at $15,000 and two works from the circle of Jan Breughel I
(Dutch, 1868–1625), bringing $18,750 and $13,750, respectively.
Highlighting sculpture was John Willis Good’s (British, 1845–1879) bronze depicting a huntsman and
hounds that came out of the estate of Edgar M. Bronfman, which figured heavily in this auction. It sold for
$10,000.
Other auction highlights included a circa 1900 Royal Doulton porcelain exhibition urn, artist-signed by C.
Beresford Hopkins, that doubled high estimate at $8,750, a rare Minton majolica tortoise teapot at $12,500
and among ten lots of Russian items came a Russian Art Nouveau silver overlaid art pottery vase
($300/500), circa 1905, with textured blue glaze and jeweled mounts, that despite its poor condition, brought
a strong $17,500.
Two miniature wheellock pistols, possibly Seventeenth Century German, shot past their $1/1,500 estimate
to bring $11,250, while a fine set of 12 Mintons porcelain cabinet plates crossed the block early on the first
day. Each had a hanging floral chinoiserie basket design and the set bested its $1/1,500 estimate to achieve
$15,000.
Leading a compact selection of Judaica was a Ludwig Wolpert Judaic sterling silver matzah holder that
went out at $5,000, while the silver category included such standouts as a Georg Jensen, Denmark, Acorn
silver flatware set and a Cartier silver and 18K gold Christmas fantasy box, each bringing $7,500, and an
English sterling silver caviar server by Asprey & Co. for $6,875.
Rounding out the auction were a Karadja Serapi carpet, about 13 by 10 feet, leading a group of nearly two
dozen Oriental rugs, at $9,375, a rare French bisque head violinist automaton for $11,250 and a Egyptian
Revival bronze and marble clock garniture for $16,250.
All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
For additional information, www.milleabros.com or 973-377-1500.
