Lark Mason Associates Collection of James Greenfield
Thursday, October 17 – Thursday, October 31, 2024 on iGavelAuctions.com
 contact niki@larkmasonassociates.com

NEW YORK CITY — Lark Mason Associates announced the upcoming auction of the collection of James Greenfield, a distinguished editor, journalist, statesman and avid world traveler. The collection will open for bidding on iGavelAuctions from October 17 through October 31.

Greenfield, known for his urbane and well-traveled lifestyle, began his illustrious multi-faceted career as a foreign correspondent for Time Magazine, covering the Korean War in the 1950s. His assignments led him to live in Hong Kong, India, Japan and Myanmar, sparking a lifelong fascination with Asia and its diverse cultures.

In 1967, Greenfield joined The New York Times overseeing international coverage, including the Vietnam War. His contributions were crucial to the paper’s Pulitzer Prize-winning publication of the Pentagon Papers, a secret Defense Department report on American involvement in Vietnam.

During his extensive travels across Asia, Greenfield forged close relationships with antiques dealers in Hanoi’s back alleys, Hong Kong’s Hollywood Road, the sprawling markets of Bangkok and Cambodia’s flea markets. With a keen and discerning eye, he unearthed small, unassuming objects that often turned out to be rare and extraordinary treasures. Collecting became a lifelong passion, a pursuit that paralleled his career in journalism and public service, which included a pivotal role in the Kennedy administration as deputy assistant secretary of state for public affairs.

By the late 1960s, while working in London as a correspondent for The New York Times, Greenfield’s passion for collecting expanded to English furniture, paintings and decorative objects discovered in the Cotswolds and Bath.

Upon returning to the United States, Greenfield continued his pursuit of art and antiques, frequenting regional auctions, tag sales and small shops. His collection became a diverse showcase of Chinese ceramics, Southeast Asian bronzes, European bronze sculptures and scientific instruments, many of which will be available in the upcoming iGavelAuctions sale.

Notable highlights from the Greenfield collection include a pair of Tibetan gilt bronze figures on deer and buffalo, Eighteenth Century ($4/6,000); a Chinese huanghuali table, Qing dynasty ($5/8,000); four Chinese Export paintings, interior scenes, gouache on paper, Qing dynasty ($5/8,000); two Thai bronze Buddha heads ($1/2,000); two Chinese bronze mirrors ($1,5/2,000); a pair of Chinese porcelain lotus form libation cups, Guangxu mark and period ($4/6,000).

Among the collection’s paintings are John Ferneley II (1815-1862), English School, “Horse,” oil on canvas ($4/6,000); and Claude Lorraine Ferneley (1822-1892), English School, “Melchrea Movbrey,” oil on canvas, 1867 ($1,5/2,000).

Decorative objects feature a celestial globe, John and William Cary, London, 1816 ($3/5,000); English Regency Joseph Smith brass telescope and stand, Royal Exchange, London, circa 1820 ($800-$1,200); a Chinese Export armorial porcelain with American flag, including five tureens and three serving dishes, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century ($2/4,000); and a pair of Swedish gilt and painted wood armchairs, circa 1790 ($1/2,000).

“We are honored to present the collection of James Greenfield,” said Lark Mason, founder and chief executive officer of iGavelAuctions. “This auction offers a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces — with accessible estimates — from the personal collection of a man who not only influenced history through journalism and public service but also cultivated a deep and lifelong passion for art and collecting.”

For information, additional www.larkmasonassociates.com or 212-289-5524.

The Collection of James Greenfield: Editor, Journalist, Statesman, International Collector and Traveler
During his illustrious journalism career James L. Greenfield worked at Time Magazine, served in the Kennedy administration, and spent 25 years as Senior Editor at the New York Times. His travels spanned the globe, and his vast collecting interests are well-represented in this curated auction which Lark Mason Associates is pleased to present.
New Celestial Globe John and William Cary, London 1816