Page 22 - May 2020

Auction Team Breker: The Playful Art Auction on May 16

ONLINE – “Man is only fully a human being when he plays.” – Friedrich Parisian toy indus-
von Schiller (1759-1805). It was the unlikely request from a French try during this era, Left and below, lot 340
doll maker that led to an demanding not “Sonette de l’Entracte”
entirely new method of sound only skilled doll by Gustave and Henry
reproduction. In the upcom- makers, but also Vichy, c. 1895. Estimate:
ing The Playful Art Auction, clockmakers and $8,900-$13,200
Team Breker once again gear-cutters, seam-
brings together a fine selec- stresses and
tion of automatons, toys, and mechanics.
musical child-and doll-sized The historian
pieces for collectors around Léo Claretie pro-
the world. vides a contempo-
According to Team Breker, rary view of this
“The market for vintage toys genre in a visit to
and technology may be a an exhibition in
highly specialist one, but a around 1894 where
niche subject it is not. The he was impressed
spectrum of antique musical by several presti-
mechanicals and toys paints gious automata
with a broad brush across the identifiable today
conventions of cultural, social as the work of
and art history.” Gustave Vichy.
The production of One of these was the sleeping clown banjo player or “Sonnette de
automata was a distinctive l'Entracte,” whose appearance and effect upon the public received a
and significant subset of the long and lyrical commentary.
Due to the current restrictions, Auction Team Breker will be
Left, lot 203 conducting this sale via telephone, commission, and online bidding
“Violano Virtuoso,” Mills Novelty
Co., Chicago. Automatic Violin only. The auction will take place in real-time with a video link and live
with Piano Accompaniament; a bidding on liveauctioneers.com, invaluable.com, and the-saleroom.com
popular attraction at hotels, bars, (without video).
and resturants during the 1920s. For more information on this auction and to preview auction items,
Estimate: $16,300-$27,200 visit Breker.com.

Heritage Fine Furniture and Decorative Art Auction May 28

DALLAS, TX – Heritage Auctions’ Fine Furniture & Decorative Arts mid-late 20th century (estimate:
Auction May 28 in Dallas, Texas includes strong ceramics collections and $20,000-$30,000) comes from an
counts among its highlights an array of lots from five private collections: the important Miami, FL, collection and
Virginia Cook Collection, the John Robert Clark Collection, both from marked A. MICHELSEN, COPEN- Victorian chinoiserie
Dallas, TX, the Estate of Randall J. Moskovitz, M.D., and the Sir Arthur HAGEN, DENMARK, STERLING, ironstone fireplace
Bryan Collection. Also featured is a fine selection of ceramics from the (crown-AM), 925S. The set, which surround,
Collection of the Birks Museum at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. includes 12 each of dinner and lunch- c.1830-1850
“This auction brings together some remarkable private collections, with eon knives, dinner and luncheon
choices for collectors of all levels,” Heritage Auctions Silver and Decorative forks, and luncheon spoons, is rarely
Arts Director Karen Rigdon said. “There is also a particularly fine selection offered at auction. The flatware service was made to accompany
of ceramics in the sale, including Sèvres, Meissen Pâte-sur-Pâte, Wedgwood Royal Copenhagen’s Flora Danica porcelain service. Now in
Black Basalt and KPM plaques that ranges from romantic to religious, and the 230th anniversary of its introduction, it is one of the oldest patterns
a wide range of Royal Copenhagen's Flora Danica including the coveted Ice still in production.
Cream Dome.” A John Henry Belter Fountain Elms pattern carved and laminated
The pair of rare Neoclassical gilt bronze mounted mahogany, rosewood sofa and side chair, New York, circa 1860 (estimate: $15,000-
tulipwood and fruitwood parquetry commodes, 3rd quarter 19th century, $20,000), is the most famous pattern by Belter, the popular German-born
(estimate: $20,000-30,000) merge beautiful materials with rare craftsman- American furniture maker and designer. Belter, who reached the height of
ship, marked “JME, A LECLAIRE, PARIS.” The pair has a fascinating his popularity in the 1850s, was revered for his signature technique of
past. The 18th century mark processing laminated rosewood in many layers to achieve thin panels that,
“JME” (Jurande des Menuisiers- once shaped in molds through steam heating, were finely carved.
Ébénistes) is struck to the top of A very rare early Victorian chinoiserie ironstone fireplace surround,
each leg. The legs were later circa 1830-1850 (estimate: $15,000-$25,000), includes an apple green
skillfully incorporated into the ground to body with a serpentine mantel with partial gilt floral garland
making of this pair in the 19th cen- encased between solid gilt banding. Positioned below the mantle are a pair
tury; presumably by Jean-Eugene of polychromed foo lion heads, and the upper hearth apron includes two
Leclaire (granted Master prior to inset painted medallions flanking an oversized scroll with painted avian,
1855), whose mark is struck to floral and court motifs, geometric legs inset with a variety of medallions
the underside. and lozenges with conforming hand-painted floral decoration.
A 60-Piece Royal Copenhagen The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has over
Flora Danica Pattern gilt silver and 1,250,000 registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of five million
porcelain flatware service for past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. For
twelve, (l) Copenhagen, Denmark, breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter.

20 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles