Kaminski Auction
April 29 & 30 at 11 am
117 Elliot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
www.kaminskiauctions.com
978-927-2223/2228 fax

BEVERLY, MASS. — Kaminski’s April 29-30 auction features the estate of Dr Marcelle Willock, professor emerita of anesthesiology of the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Dr Willock was an accomplished member of the Boston University staff and served as chair of the department from 1982 to 1988. She was among the first women of color to lead an academic and clinical department in the United States. Dr Willock was the first Black woman to receive emeritus status at Boston University. She attended Howard University College of Medicine Class of 1962 in Washington DC.

She had many noteworthy accomplishments throughout her career. Dr Willock served on numerous committees at the university, including leadership positions in the local and national societies of anesthesiologists. She worked as a consultant to the FBI and other police organizations. Upon retirement from Boston University, Dr Willock became the first female Dean of Charles Drew University College of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. She advocated for civil rights and fought tirelessly to ensure equal access to healthcare for minorities. Kaminski Auctions will present her collection with additions from other Palm Beach, Fla., and New England estates.

Dr Willock’s art collection includes a bronze sculpture by the British sculptor John Robinson of Devon, Somerset, U.K. The piece “Leap Frog” measures 48 inches high by 33 inches wide and 28 inches deep and was first exhibited at the Royal Academy summer show in London in 1982. There is an oil on canvas of an ancient tree by the Italian artist Pino Della Selva (b 1904), and several works by the Spanish artist Enrique Senis-Oliver (b 1935), including “Angel of Death,” oil on canvas, 1969, a floral still life, oil on canvas, dated 1974 and a smaller version his “Angel of Death.” A Diana Kan-Schwartz (Chinese/American, 1926-2010) still life, watercolor on linen, and a Joseph Floch still life, oil on canvas, also feature in her collection along with a bronze sculpture by Peter Rockwell, titled “Muybridge.”

Dr Willock had an extensive collection of international gold coins, which include a 1975 USSR commemorative gold medal from the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, an edition of 10,000 of fine gold weighing 1 ounce, a 1975 Republic of Panama 500 Balboas gold coin, several Mexican gold coins, 50 pesos and 2 pesos, a Republica de Chile 100 pesos gold coin, a 1916 Cuba 10 pesos gold coin and a 1907 US Indian Head $10 gold coin, to name a few of the many lots on offer.

Her furniture includes several midcentury pieces of note, including a pair of Frank Gehry chairs made by Knoll and a rolltop desk by Shulla Woodcrafts. A German Art Deco quarter striking tall case clock by Kienzle in a domed walnut case and a Roche Bobois Metropolis 2-3 seat sofa upholstered in Lelievre chintz are both from Dr Willocks’ estate.

Silver includes a Cartier sterling covered vegetable dish, a set of English sterling goblets hallmarked for Sheffield maker JD&S, purchased initially at Harrods in 1975, and a French silver flatware set with the “Minerva” hallmark in its original case.

The auction continues with a jewelry collection. Among the highlights is an 18K yellow gold, diamond and natural sapphire bracelet of approximately 24 grams of troy weight with stones. Necklaces include a fancy 18K white gold diamond necklace, a Tiffany & Co. 18K yellow gold necklace and several South Sea pearl necklaces.

Diamond rings feature prominently with the category led by an 18K white gold diamond ring with a fancy yellow color 1-carat center diamond and VS2 clarity, a ladies platinum, diamond and sapphire ring, a lady’s 18K gold Burmese ruby and diamond ring, and a lady’s 18K yellow gold large amethyst and diamond ring. There is also an Art Deco-style 18K white and gold diamond bracelet.

Other noteworthy additions include several pieces deaccessioned by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston, from Brighton, Mass. They consigned a late Nineteenth Century unsigned plaque, which is likely K.P.M. of the” Madonna of the Chair.” The plaque is polychromed enamel on the porcelain plaque depicting the Madonna and child attended by Saint John. It is after “Madonna della Seggiola” by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, 1483-1520.). It is in its original finely detailed gilt gesso frame. An early Twentieth Century Italian sculpture and pedestal depicting Christ with raised arms is fashioned in two sections. There is also a late Nineteenth Century oil on canvas of the “Madonna of the Goldfinch,” depicting head and shoulder views of the Madonna, after “Madonna del Cardellino” by Raphael in its original carved gilt gesso frame.

Furniture entries from several Florida and New England estates include a Seventeenth Century Italian/Spanish writing desk with rope-turned legs, a pair of antique French boule and brass mounted pedestals with green marble top, a Nineteenth Century English Regency mahogany kneehole desk with a green leather top and a Horner Brothers carved writing desk.

Preview is Monday-Friday, April 24-28, 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 am, and the preview is open while the auction is live. Kaminski’s gallery is at 117 Elliott Street, Route 62. For information, www.kaminskiauctions.com, 978-927-2223 or 508-367-4311.