Large Scale Abstract Work by R. Hambleton Featured Among Other Contemporary & Antique Items In Schwenke Auctioneers December 12th Holiday Fine Estates Auction

Posted December 7th, 2021

R. Hambleton, Large Abstract Artwork David Merrill, Southbury CT Landscape Painting O-P Le Siège de La Rochelle, Six Engravings 19th C Portrait of Young Girl Picking Flowers Whimsical Three Panel Painted Wood Folding Screen Renzo Mongiardino Maple & Ebony Double Bed Black Lacquer Modern Organic Credenza Diminutive Continental Parquetry Commode Tabriz Carpet Herman Miller Eames Chair & Ottoman

Woodbury, CT – On Sunday, December 12th Schwenke Auctioneers offers over 485 lots of estate fine and decorative arts sourced from multiple estates and collections in the tri-state area. The 11:00 am online sale will be broadcast live on Invaluable and Live Auctioneers. Absentee and phone bidding is also available directly with the auction house.

The sale includes Asian, American, English and Continental decorative arts, folk art and American country furniture, early English & other sterling silver, jewelry, fine art, miscellaneous decorative arts, and estate oriental rugs. Preview times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the sale from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Preview is also available by appointment. There is no audience on sale day due to COVID-19 considerations.

A prime lot in the sale is #256, a large abstract painting on canvas by Richard Art Hambleton (Canadian, 1952-2017), well-known for his work as a street artist. He was a surviving member of a group that emerged from the New York City art scene during the booming art market of the 1980s, which also included Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The large size work measures 58 1/4" high, 104" long, and is signed and dated 1985 on the canvas verso. While often associated with graffiti art, Hambleton considered himself a conceptual artist who made both public art and gallery works.

Of specific local interest is lot #8, an oil on canvas by David Kenneth Merrill (American, b.1935), a rural landscape with barn in the distance, signed lower right. Possibly Southbury CT near Southbury Training School, as the legend verso "Purchased at STS Fundraiser 1960's, barn located beyond Training School uphill, per Sylvia 2016". Frame size: 20 1/2" high, 36 5/8" wide.

Several rare works are being offered for a Litchfield County collector, including lot #315, a rare version of Jacques Callot (Fr. 1592-1635) complete set of six hand-colored etchings on laid paper, thought to be from the 1815 version, mounted in series on board, depicting incidents in the siege of the port of La Rochelle, a dramatic series of battles at the beginning of the 17th century that claimed the lives of two-thirds of the citizens of La Rochelle. The combined etchings are signed ”Jac. Callot Fec.” in the lower right plate, and the frame size is 51 1/4" high, 59" wide.

Over 120 lots are being sold from the collection of McIver-Morgan, prominent New York City and Washington CT interior design firm. Both antique and contemporary design furniture categories are represented, as well as fine art, the latter including lot #350, a charming large oil on canvas painting of a young girl, shown full length, holding a straw hat filled with fresh-picked flowers. The framed work is unsigned, frame size 55" high, 43" wide.

Contemporary items include lot #71, a whimsical three panel painted wood folding screen with zoomorphic figures on a red ground, measuring 80" high, each panel 28" wide, total width 54", and a mid-century ebonized maple double bed, lot #403, by famed Italian designer Renzo Mongiardino. Also of interest is lot #142, a contemporary black lacquer “organic” form long console table, a two sided shallow and stunning unusual design with abstract amorphous voids. The unique console measures 33" high, 94 1/2" long, 12" deep.

Antique furniture from the McIver-Morgan collection includes an 18th century diminutive Continental parquetry commode, lot #259, with parquetry top and sides, ebonized tapering fluted legs, measuring 28 1/2" high, 31" wide, 18 1/2" deep, Fine oriental rugs from the collection include lot #482, a Persian Tabriz large room size carpet, with central medallion and overall scrolled floral field, dimensions 10' 10" wide, 15' 3" long.

An Essex CT collector is selling a vintage MCM Herman Miller “Eames” chair & ottoman, with original labeling, cataloged as lot #310. The suite has bent rosewood bodies and black leather cushions, with chrome frame. The chair is 32 1/2" high; 33" wide; 34" deep, and the ottoman measures 17 1/2" high; 26" wide; 22" deep.

The catalog for the sale is viewable at www.woodburyauction.com. For additional information please call the auction hall office at 203-266-0323.