Briggs Auction Inc. is pleased to present on Friday, March 6, an exciting fine antiques and decorative arts auction featuring an excellent assortment of period and modern furnishings, fine and decorative arts, fine jewelry and silver and much more from several prominent Main Line, Pa., and Delaware estates.
A selection of the featured items have been consigned from the estate of Albert M. and Barbara L. Greenfield, leaders in the Philadelphia real estate industry. The Greenfields were also known for their love of period English and American furnishings, silver, fine Philadelphia artworks, and other decorative items. Special pieces from this collection will include an excellent circa-1820 Chamberlains Worcester botanical dinner service. Each of the 24 pieces is decorated with a different flower surrounded by a gilt-adorned cobalt border. The pre-auction estimate is $3,000 to $4,000. A pair of finely crafted whimsical German silver jousting knights on horseback figures, with an estimate of $2,000 to $4,000, will also be offered.
From the estate of Robert Edwards, of Swarthmore, Pa., an individual renowned as a collector and dealer of Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic Movement furnishings and accessories, comes a variety of impressive lots. Highlights will include three J. Barton Benson wrought-iron fireplace tools. Benson was a student of Samuel Yellin, and his work is featured at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Winterthur, and Longwood Gardens. The estimate will be $700 to $900. Also from the Edwards estate will be an impressive archival collection from the Byrdcliffe arts colony. Lots will include original sketch drawings, stencils, letterhead, brand stamps, and more.
From a prominent Greenville, Del., estate will be a selection of French Louis XV-style furnishings, including a fine Rococo Louis XV-style tall-case clock with bronze mounts and inlaid case with putti, which is estimated at $3,000 to $5,000, as well as an excellent collection of continental artwork. The collection is specifically focused on genre scenes and runs the gamut from contemporary to Old Master. Two standout pieces include a Laura Knight (Great Britain, 1877-1970) oil-on-canvas titled “Oriental Clowns,” which depicts an Asian circus scene. The painting was exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1977. Knight was an English impressionist painter most known for her images of circus performers, gypsies, and dancers. The estimate will be $30,000 to $40,000. A Jacob Jacobsz de Wet (Dutch, 1640-97) Old Master oil-on-canvas, titled “Jacob and the Golden Fleece,” is estimated to sell for $4,000 to $6,000.
The auction will also include a variety of interesting and unusual items selected from other Pennsylvania and Delaware estates and collections.
A diamond engagement ring with an approximately 4.7-carat diamond set in 14-carat white gold (est. $10,000 to $15,000) is in the sale. A vintage 1959 Nash Metropolitan convertible in black and white will be sold. Three rare and interesting 18th-century pocket sundials will be sold. A set of six George Nakashima chairs for Widdicomb (est. $3,000 to $5,000) are also in the sale. A fine collection of pocket watches, fine porcelains, Chinese decorative arts, carpets, and more round out the offerings.
The full catalog is available on the Briggs Auction Inc. website at www.BriggsAuction.com. Live, online bidding will be available through Live Auctioneers. The auction will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 6. Absentee and telephone bidding will be available for this sale.
Briggs Auction Inc. is a three-generation family-owned and operated auction house offering comprehensive auction, real estate auction, and estate appraisal services. The company is based in Garnet Valley, Pa.
For further information, call 610-566-3138 (office) or 610-485-0412 (showroom) or email info@briggsauction.com.