Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 94

Manuscript & Collectibles Auction

Fine Decorative Arts

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 409		Rare Late 19th Century Bontems Tortoise Shell Gold and Gilt Silver Singing Bird Box. Beautiful 1890s Bontems gold and gilt silver singing bird box. Encased in tortoise shell, this is not a music box, but a highly crafted automaton that when wound, bird arises from the decorated gilt gold lid and begins chirping in the sweetest of tones. The bird itself is in excellent, itself a marvel of craftsmanship dressed with iridescent hummingbird feathers. Tortoise shell box hasalmost no evidence of handling, original key hides in a compartment at rear of box. Winds from the bottom 1¼ x 4 x 2¾". Automaton works beautifully and the bird sound, incredible. However box could use some minor regulating as the bird need careful help retreating into the box and the wings flap slowly. Otherwise remarkable given its 125+ years. These pieces were very expensive in their day and are highly prized and treasured today. Original invoice included which was in excess of $9000 purchased in April, 2000. $5,000 - 10,000 View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 410		Erté, Tirtoff Romain De. Vase de Mystère Oriental. (1892-1990) Erté was considered the father of Art Deco and enjoyed a late career revival in graphic arts and sculpture, a popularity that continues to this day. Offered is a spectacular bronze vase, "The Mystery of the Orient", limited edition of 317/325 by SevenArts in 1990. Cold painted bronze, with brass detailing and boasting Erté's lovely command of fluid movement with his women. 12" x 9" x 9" weighing about 21 pounds and in excellent condition. A lovely piece Be sure to see our other Erté bronze bowl. $1,000 - 1,200 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $630
Lot 411		Erté, Tirtoff Romain De. Fruit of Life (1892-1990) For 75 years, Erté was considered the father of Art Deco and enjoyed a late career revival in graphic arts and sculpture a popularity that continues to this day. Offered is a spectacular, and scarce bronze bowl, "The Fruit of Life" issued in 1985 With a knowing eye one can clearly see the yonic imagery and sensual shape of the bowl. Mounted on a nearly invisible swivel so bowl turns. A striking and unique piece. 8½" x 11" and weighs 12 pounds. $1,000 - 1,200 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $480
Lot 412		Gemstone Art, Peacock Rendered in Cut, Semi-Precious Stones. Chinese gemstone artwork is individually hand crafted with semi precious gemstones layered on black fabric and because by hand each creation is different. Here each stone has been expertly fashioned and polished as opposed to the far more commaon and amateurish natural crushed stone work glued into a design. Peacock is made of tiger eye, jade, coral, lapiz luzuli, quartz, and agate. Piece is large at 18 x 14½" and expertly framed in a shadow box of gold gilt. The Peacock is associated with Kwan-yin in Asian spirituality is also an emblem of love, compassionate watchfulness, good-will, nurturing, and kind-heartedness. In Christianity, the peacock is an ancient symbol of eternal life. These pieces depending on complexity can command thousands of dollars. $1,000 - 1,500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,560
Lot 413		18th Century Engraved Baptismal Shell, Spanish Colonial Philippines. Gorgeous, rare, highly detailed mother-of-pearl-shell with a scene of Saint Anthony of Padua most likely from colonial Philippines from the 18th century possibly earlier. Anthony of Lisbon, was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order and known for his devotion to the poor and sick. This shell and others of the period were used at a baptismal font to scoop up water for pouring over an infant's head during the ceremony. The use of shells aligns with the idea of water and life. Baptismal shells are very scarce but there is a pre-Christian tradition of native peoples of the Philippines wearing hip ornaments of shells engraved with geometric designs and highlighting with dark paints, and these Christian tributes are a logical extension centuries later. Shell has been kept archived safely for years and the detail is extraordinary. There is small fissure in the top layer of the mother-of-pearl layer that is original about 1½ inches in length that in no way impacts the beauty nor does it compromise the integrity of the shell. Stunning piece. $900 - 1,200 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 414		Ledru, Auguste. (1860-1902) Majestic Art Nouveau silver gilt bronze vase. Produced at the Susse Frères factory in 1890, it depicts Neptune at the spout, a water nymph wrapped around it's body. and a fish swimming above its base. In excellent condition 9 x 5 x 5". $800 - 1,200 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 415		Collection of 7 Antique Pill Boxes, Sterling Silver, Agate, Jadeite, Enamel and Brass. Highly prized, quality collection of 7 antique pill boxes, most early 20th century, and boasting exquiste craftsmanship most especially the highly polished sterling and agate but the sterling silver pieces are quite fine as well. Sizes range from 1 x 3 x 2 cm. to 2½ x 6 x 3 cm. with hinges and lids in fine working order. $500 - 800 Formerly Butterfields & Butterfields. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 416		18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Mother-of-Pearl Shell Prayer Book Cover. Beautiful 18th Century (likely) from the Colonial Philippines of an intricately carved prayer book cover. The book and hinges are long gone but the clasp still remains. Devotional image of baby Jesus holding a cross in a highly detailed garden setting. In superior condition save for two tiny chips to the upper and bottom right corners, in no way distracting or impacts the beauty of this piece. Approximately 4¼ x 3" and comes in a hammered tin Colonial Mexican frame and easily removable for inspection. $500 - 800 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 417		Collection of 10 Lovely Snuff Bottles. 10 beautiful snuff bottles made from a variety of materials, banded agate, rose quartz, jade, and other hardstones as well as one metal snuff bottle. Six boast intricate carvings including an unusual banded agate bottle with a high relief salamander. Sizes ranges 2 x 1¼" to 3 x 2" overall in fine condition, however the cloisonne is missing several of its cabochons. $400 - 500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288
Lot 418		Collection of 8 Beautiful Hardstone & 2 Glass Snuff Bottles in Presentation Box. Collection of contemporary medium and large snuff bottles. 8 are well hollowed and highly polished agates and hardstones in a spectacular variety of colors and patterns natural to the stones. Also are two glass snuff bottles, one with a carved relief of a game hen the other opaque. All hardstone stoppers present and one gold-toned but affixed for display and not for use. Entire collection comes in an upholstered presentation/display box. $300 - 400 Chait Galleries. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $188
Lot 419		Mid-20th Century Chinese Bronze Vase with High Relief. Beautiful patinated bronze vase in deep chocolate brown tones and beautiful high relief of a bird on a thick tree branch in bloom. Absolutely stunning single stem vase 15 x 5 x 5" and in excellent condition. $250 - 400 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 420		Pair of Antique Cast Bronze Figural Bookends of Roman Soldiers. Pair of antique cast bronze Roman soldier bookends from Germany. Very handsome pairing of soldiers atop very fine marble bases. The figures themselves stand 8½ tall. Overall the bookends measure 11" x 4 x 3½". Bronzes are in pefect conditon. One of the bases has two chips at the bottom of base noticeable only at close distance, and may in fact be easily buffed out to minimize further. Otherwise an elegant pair of bookends each weighing 5½ pounds. $250 - 350 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $163
Lot 421		Collection of 8 Snuff Bottles Carved Agate, Hardstone and Glass, Boxed. A fine collection of 8 snuff bottles with stoppers in a variety of styles. Well hollowed hardstone bottles (one double bottle) banded agate, malachite, two Bejing glass overlay bottles and one very nice inside painted glass bottle of ladies on one side and a couple on the other in gorgeous setting. In upholstered presentation box. $200 - 300 Chait Galleries. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $263
Lot 422		Large, Majestic Carved Rose Quartz Urn of Phoenix and Magpies. Beautiful, large carved rose quartz urn in high relief. A spectacular sculptural piece with two magpies and elaborately carved peonies that form the lid, and an elegantly carved mythical phoenix standing amongst an explosion of exquisitely carved peonies that surround and form the urn. A truly grand piece, actual urn measures 26½ x 17 x 10" which rests on a custom wood base that adds 4½" in height. In superior condition. Please note this piece is heavy, likely approaching 90 to 100 pounds. Buyer responsible for third party shipping, one which we can recommend with respect to this unique piece. $2,000 - 3,000 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 423		Striking 19th Century Bronze Bust of Homer. Legendary blind bard responsible for the Iliad and Odyssey, the 8th century B.C. epic poems regarded by many as the earliest examples of Western literature. Goldberg Auctions is proud to offer this remarkable 19th century bronze bust of Homer, carefully modeled after the established Hellenistic portrait type notable for its careful attention to the slackened treatment of the muscles around the unseeing eyes and the long, luxuriant curls of the beard, much like those seen in contemporary depictions leading Greek philosophers. A moving representation of this truly foundational figure in the history of Western Civilization. Beautifully cast, unsigned and burnished to a dark patina, bronze bust sits on a base of honey/gold onyx and stands including the base 21 x 13 1/2 x 8" where top of based has been carved to create a plinth for the mounting. The sculpture with base is about 48 pounds. Faded gallery sticker at rear of base still present with $27,500.00 price, purchased in Beverly Hills in the 1970s. A minor rub area to tip of nose (easily touched up) otherwise a perfect piece. Buyer responsible for third party shipping. Past experience tells us bronze should be shipped unbolted from base but a qualified shipper will make their recommendations. $1,800 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 424		Rare Czar Nicholas II Lacquer and Paper Maché Box, Excellent Provenance. Rare Russian lacquer box given as a gift to Marjorie Merriweather Post (socialite, philanthropist, and at the time, the wealthiest woman in the world) and Joseph E. Davies between 1937-1938 while living in the Soviet Union, where he served as the second American ambassador to the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. During this time, Davis and Post acquired Russian works of art and treasures from Soviet authorities, including Stalin, seized from the Romanov family and former Russian aristocrats after the Revolution to help fund the country's industrialization. The box was subsequently given by Post to her granddaughter, Terry Huntingdon Tyclings, California's first Miss USA and a television actress. The box measures 7 x 5 x 3", and is decorated with gilt paint and mother-of-pearl in a scene of Russian folk dance and a balalaika player. Inside the lid, the Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire is surrounded by the most delicate engraving of the artist's name. The box displays some wear from the years and crazing throughout; nevertheless, it is still in splendid condition with the hinges of the box and lid still very tight and secure. The deep burgundy lacquer finish inside the box is quite fine. Handwritten LOA by consignor of history. $1,000 - 1,500 From The Estate of Joseph E. Davies. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,110
Lot 425		Pair of 19th Century Bronze Sphinxes on Iron Bases. French, patinated bronze models of recumbent sphinxes in the Egyptian Revival manner popular in the latter part of the 19th century. Majestic and striking, the pair have aged beautifully in their 100 plus years. The iron bases were likely re-painted decades ago and have blemishes and chips that add immeasurably to the overall appeal of these pieces. Each stands 10½ x 13½ x 6¾" Beautiful pieces. $800 - 1,200 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 426		Bronze Empire Mantle Clock. By Paor Sculptures in Spain, comes this contemporary, Empire styled, large mantle clock of patinated bronze. Boasting excellent detail and craftsmanship this clock measures 23½ x 12½" x 8½. and is absolutely stunning in conveying the aristry of the decorative mid 19th century Empire style that celebrated the opulence and richness based on Greek and Roman splendor. Classic regal female resting, perhaps tipping a container of water which sits securely on a separate but matching bronze pedestal, with panels of chariot racing in relief surrounding. Clock itself is new, battery operated clockwork. Weight 18 pounds. Excellent condition. $400 - 600 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 427		Bronze and Marble WWI Era Infantryman. Striking contemporary WWI era infantryman made of bronze mounted to a carved marble base. Exceptional detail to European soldier captured in motion with grenade and short sword in hand. Marble base roughly hewn and carved to convey rocky terrain. Sculpture is unsigned, measures 14 x 7 x 3" and in flawless condition. $250 - 350 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 428		Carved Rose Quartz Bodhisattva Playing Lute. One of three wonderful carved rose quartz pieces in this auction. In the offer is a lovely carved, rose quartz Bodhisattva atop a horse playing the lute. Beautifully polished to a high sheen sculpture measures 11 x 10 x 3" and with the wood base, overall height is 12½". In excellent condition. $200 - 400 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 429		Carved Hardstone Bodhisattva Kuan-yan (Guan Yin). Beautifully carved, light green hardstone of Bodhisattva Guan Yin, spiritual figure of mercy and compassion. Stone is in soft greens with nicely executed carvings boasting fine details and finish. 14¼ x 15 x 4½". Sculpture is elegant in its angled cut and yet shallow, perfect for mantel or bookshelf. A solid piece weighing about 25 pounds. Excellent condition. $200 - 400 The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly HIlls. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold