When the Exposition Internationale de L’Est de la France took place in Loraine, France, in 1909, the boys at Baccarat, who already enjoyed world renown at this point, were emboldened by the opportunity to show off their prowess for the decorative arts in their own backyard. The exposition drew more than two million visitors and featured 2,000 exhibitors, including Daum, Gallé and countless others. What resulted from Baccarat’s ambition was a tour de force centerpiece produced by French artist Hippolyte Moreau, “The Three Graces,” which highlights Bonhams’ upcoming decorative arts sale. It joins other lots from around the United States in this week’s picks.
BONHAMS
April 5, 2017
Lot 47
The Three Graces: An Important Baccarat Glass and Gilded Bronze Centerpiece by Hippolyte Moreau
Created for the Exposition Internationale de L’Est de la France, the clear crystal glass vase deeply cut with vertical flutes and mounted with gilded bronze handles, supported above their shoulders by three dancing maidens also in gilded bronze, the maidens partially covered by diaphanous drapery, the two-level base also in crystal glass and with further mounts and feet of gilded bronze, the metal mount at the base of the vase stamped with the Baccarat factory mark, circa 1909–10.
Estimate: $180/240,000
BRUNK
March 24–25, 2017
Lot 691
Rare American Pilgrim Century Joined Oak and Turned Maple Two-Drawer Blanket Chest
Possibly Boston area, circa 1680, lift top with open interior over two side-hung long drawers, turned and applied bosses, turned feet, paneled back, original feet,
44 inches high.
Estimate: $5/7,000
SKINNER
March 21, 2017
Lot 504
Rare Art Nouveau 18K Gold and Enamel Pendant/Brooch, Gabriel Falguieres
“Fecundite,” the voluptuous, bare-breasted female personification of fecundity with long flowing hair among branches with pearl and diamond accents, 3½ inches high.
Estimate: $15/20,000
BERTOIA AUCTIONS
March 25, 2017
Lot 31
Tippco Minnie & Mickey Motorcycle
Germany, circa 1932, comical-looking Mickey and Minnie have big teeth and five fingers on each hand, riding atop a green motorcycle, 9½ inches wide.
Estimate: $35/45,000
KAMELOT
March 25 & 28, 2017
Lot 196
Eighteenth Century Carved Polychromed Mirror
A very large Eighteenth Century Italian carved and polychromed baroque-style mirror frame in gold and silver leaf with six putti. Having upper swag balanced on six putti of various positions framed by foliate, grape clusters and horns of plenty flanking central putti decorated plinth; 50½ inches high.
Estimate: $4/6,000
GARTH’S
March 18, 2017
Lot 20
Pair Of Portraits Attributed To Ammi Phillips (New York, 1788–1865)
Oil on canvas, unsigned. Husband and wife, he sits in a decorated chair, she is near a table with books and holds strawberries. Both have gold jewelry and the wife also has a tortoiseshell hair comb. Relined, framed 36½ by 30¼ inches.
Estimate: $3/4,000
WILLIAM A. SMITH, INC
March 18–19, 2017
Lot 25
Fine Italian Nineteenth Century Micromosaic Panel Of “The Parthenon”
Mounted in original molded wood frame, overall, mosaic inset in iron backing, circa 1920, 10½ by 14 inches.
Estimate: $2/4,000
SHAPIRO
March 18, 2017
Lot 348
A Rare Nicholas I Mourning Hat Of A Russian Royal Palace Messenger, 1855
One of four originally created, this rare hat of a dvortsovyi skorokhod executed in black mourning colors, replacing traditional scheme of red and gold in time of the death of Emperor Nicholas I. Black velvet body trimmed with black ribbon, featuring a double-headed eagle cockade in the center of the front plate, the inside lined with original black fabric and a leather band.
Estimate: $5/7,000
SWANN GALLERIES
March 21, 2017
Lot 31
Jean De Brunhoff, “Le Roi Babar”
Cover illustration for the first French Edition of the third Babar book (Paris: Jardins des Modes/Condé Nast, 1933.) Watercolor over black line proof on paper, 14½ by 12½ inches. Unsigned but hand-lettered by de Brunhoff. A scarce, charming and iconic cover image for the third book from Jean de Brunhoff’s famous Babar series, which was carried on by his son Laurent after his death. It is executed in his usual fashion of watercoloring over the printed line proof created from a drawing. The bright, primary-colored image features Babar the King astride his horse, hoisting a flag containing the book’s title. The later edition, published by Hachette, kept the title and de Brunhoff’s name inside the flag, but moved the publisher’s information to the lower margin. This is one of only seven cover illustrations in existence; the others are known to be held in private and institutional collections.
Estimate: $20/30,000
