WAG's in the News
Let’s Talk Style….
An Observation of 17th C English & French Furniture
Just as fashion often tells a story about an individual, countries' identities are similarly reflected in the design of their furniture with most having distinguishing traits. That being said, in border regions, the character of one will often be reflected in that of the other. One glaring exception has been the divergent furniture styles of England and France, especially since the Middle Ages.
Prior to the 17th century, when the influence of the Italian Renaissance set the tone for furniture design in Europe, this pattern remained consistent even across the English Channel. However, moving into the 17th century, there was a sharp divergence particularly in French design. English artisans ushered in the Jacobean era (1600-1690), largely maintaining Tudor and Gothic elements while incorporating subtle changes such as less massive pieces with slightly more ornate carvings. In contrast, particularly under the reign of Louis XIV (1638-1715), French artisans began exhibiting opulent designs including the use of exotic woods, gold, marble and fine carvings. Within this transition, we observe a clear example of the English culture mirroring their refined, traditional and steadfast mindset, and the French, illustrating their flamboyant, complex and trendy culture.
Pieces representing the style of both countries are being offered in the March 7th, auction at Winfield Auction Gallery. One of the crown jewels is a sculpted 17th century Jacobean drop-leaf table from the
Glastonbury Abbey, England having deeply carved reserves of Biblical scenes. In contrast, also being offered is a rare and most striking French Louis XVI bedroom suite by Francois Linke (1855-1946), the foremost 19th and 20th century Parisian ebeniste of fine Louis XIV, XV and XVI furniture featuring the traditional and more refined elements of the period to include crisply cast ormolu and delicately inlaid parquetry.
Also highlighted is a private collection of 17th-20th century English items which includes furniture, silver, art, early metal ware and stoneware. Also being offered is 19th and 20th century fine art headlined by Adolphe-Etienne Piot’s The Sea Maiden, 17th-20th century European and American furniture with tall case clocks including an 18th century Chinoiserie decorated longcase by Thomas Bevan. Leading the lighting category is a Pairpoint lamp exhibiting a Copley shade. A selection of Persian and Navajo rugs features a fine silk Kashan with inscribed cartouche. The fine porcelain category encompasses a Doulton Sung vase with stylized seascape as well as Meissen, Sevres and KPM. Art pottery includes an Essex jug and artist signed American Indian portrait mug by Rookwood with art glass including Steuben, Tiffany and a Loetz School oversized vase. Gold, sterling silver, pocket watches and Southwestern Navajo round out the jewelry with collectibles having military items as well as German and American tin toys to include a Buddy L Flivver. The variety of music boxes includes a Stella floor model with 49 discs and an early bronze Shiva and mahjong set are featured selections of Orientalia.
The Winfield Auction Gallery Antiques, Fine and Decorative Arts Auction is being held Saturday, March 7, 2020, beginning promptly at 12:00pm EST. Preview hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm EST beginning February 8, 2020 in Gallery II of Antique Revival, 26 Palmer Road N, Big Flats, NY 14814. Although the auction is being offered online through LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com, bidders are welcome to phone bid or place absentee bids with arrangements made in advance. For additional information including Quick Quotes for shipping and delivery visit www.winfieldauctiongallery.com, email wags.auctions@gmail.com, or call (607)438-3082.
WAG's in the News
Important Pennsylvania Impressionist Work to be Auctioned
While most associate the Impressionist Movement with 19th century French painters such as Claude Monet and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, a significant American Impressionist movement was in play in tiny New Hope, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. This was the first modern movement in American art and set the tone for those that followed including Cubism and Abstraction. Highly influenced by earlier French Impressionists, works of this movement represented the antithesis of academy art of the day. Largely defined by a limited and vibrant color palette, the technique used short strokes in immediate juxtaposition to interpret the effect of light on the subject. Scenes most often depicted spontaneous real-life impressions of the moment and were painted outdoors, referred to as “plein air” painting.
A newly discovered work by Esther M. Groome (1857-1929), noted Impressionist of the period and resident of Carlisle, PA, will be auctioned November 2, 2019 by Winfield Auction Gallery. Schooled at the PAFA with recognized artists such Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber and Walter Baum, Ms. Groome’s styling with figure and landscape seems to take its cue in color and composition directly from the New Hope School via the French influence. This work is a striking example of the New Hope School’s impact on this important artist’s work with similarities to the works of Arthur Meltzer and George
Sotter. This work is particularly significant for its large size and subject as Ms. Groome rarely painted landscapes, with only a select few known works which include figures. Appropriately seated in a giltwood Newcomb Macklin frame, frequently used by New Hope School artists, this important oil on canvas is sure to draw attention.
Additionally, this event will offer fine art to include a Douglas Arthur Teed orientalist work (View of a Mosque), a G. W. Waters seascape oil on canvas and many Neoclassical and historical sculptures in bronze, marble and alabaster including an important and rare pair of monumental French Napoleon III parcel gilt and crisply detailed bronze sculptural candelabra depicting Anglo Indian figures beneath parcel gilt palm trees having a deep brown patina. Leading the lighting category is a diminutive Tiffany glass banded acorn lamp exhibiting excellent color and contrast. Offerings of Persian and Caucasian rugs include a rare 19th century Caucasian Dragon Soumak with highly stylized dragons and an unusual running dog border, an early 20th century inscription signed large Mohtasham Kashan with its exceptional Manchester wool sheen, and a Kuba Perepedil rug.
Other categories include fine porcelain with monumental Meissen urns, Sevres and KPM as well as a private selection of artist signed art pottery by Rookwood and art glass including Lalique, Baccarat, Steuben and Tiffany. Collectibles include a military issued WWII leather bomber jacket and a rare Fada L-56 radio in green and butterscotch catalin. In furniture, a large selection of 19th and 20th century American and European includes early Philadelphia Queen Anne, Stickley Arts & Crafts and Mid Century Modern.
The Winfield Auction Gallery Antiques, Fine and Decorative Arts Auction is being offered Saturday, November 2, 2019, beginning promptly at 12:00pm EST. Preview hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm EST beginning October 25, 2019 in Gallery II of Antique Revival, 26 Palmer Road N, Big Flats, NY 14814. Although the auction is being offered online through LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com, bidders are welcome to phone bid or place absentee bids with arrangements made in advance. For additional information visit www.winfieldauctiongallery.com, email wags.auctions@gmail.com, or call (607)438-3082.
By Hope C. Thomas