Auction Blog
Connecticut Marine/Nautical Collection Featured In Schwenke November 20th Fine Estates Auction
Posted November 18th
 American Scrimshaw Whale Tooth, Lincoln Portrait  Alexandre Cabanel OC, Angel Looking Out to Sea  Chinese Lacquered & Parcel Gilt Metal Luohan |
Marine & Nautical Collection
A private collection in New Haven County yielded over one hundred choice lots of marine and nautical items, including whalebone and shark canes; miniature carved whalebone items; nautical lighting; naval uniforms and accessories; several miniature cannon; several scrimshaw whale’s teeth; scrimshaw busks, tools, weapons, game sets, and various other sailor made items.
Romanian & Russian Fine Arts
This auction also features the remainder of Romanian fine arts from the estate of Ion Petrae, a long time New Haven CT collector. The art includes numerous works by Corneliu Petrescu (Romanian, 1925-2009) and a group of Russian icons.
Original costume designs by noted Russian artist Nikolia Akimov (Russian, 1900-1968) will also be offered on behalf of a Maine collection. Over 20 original watercolor designs of theatrical productions are included, along with a group of related theatrical posters.
Furniture & Decorations
Formal furniture from a Fairfield County estate includes a fine Federal serpentine chest; an early inlaid Queen Anne lowboy; a set of six Maryland federal side chairs; two rare Georgian long benches; a George III carved mahogany pie crust tea table; a William IV bronze mounted sofa table; a painted Federal cabinet; a French 18th century commode; a Swedish painted cabinet dated 1828; and an early Continental carved low chest.
Fine Art
A New York City estate yielded a fine oil on canvas by Alexandre Cabanel (French, 1823-1889) of an angel looking out to sea, signed and dated lower left "Alex Cabanel 1877." Frame size: 27 1/4" high, 34 1/2" wide. Numerous other fine art examples are being offered as well.
Sterling Silver
Several sterling silver lots are on the block from Fairfield and Litchfield County estates and collectors. Notable among the sterling offerings is a Pierre Queille French silver flatware service comprising monogrammed fourteen dinner forks, eight luncheon forks, fourteen soup spoons, eight tablespoons, two teaspoons, eighteen dinner knives together with a sterling server, jigger, tongs and liquor label and various silver plate utensils, total weight 120.725 ozt.
Asian Decorative Arts
The Schwenke firm has become known for upside surprises in the area of Asian decorative arts, ever since the sale a few years ago of a double sided jade panel for a record $392,000. This sale has several lots of Asian decorative arts on offer from three separate estates. Notable items include a monumental bronze censer; a Chinese double sided carved white jade plaque; a Ming dynasty Chinese inlaid lacquer box; a Chinese carved white jade bi-disc; and several groups of Chinese jade jewelry.
Oriental Carpets
The sale also includes estate oriental carpets including Persian, Caucasian and Turkoman room and scatter sized rugs, and other regional and modern rugs of varying sizes. Of particular interest is a rare Kilim double panel weaving measuring 12' 11" long, 5' wide.
The catalog for the sale is viewable at www.woodburyauction.com. Internet, absentee and phone bidding are available for this live-online auction by registering directly with Schwenke Auctioneers. The sale will be broadcast for pre-sale internet absentee bidding on the firm’s own site Hibid, and for both absentee and live bidding on Live Auctioneers and Invaluable. For additional information please call Schwenke Auctioneers at 203-266-0323.