Romanov Material and Luxurious Taste Prevail at Freeman’s
Philadelphia, PA-Freeman’s October 17 sale of Silver, Objets de Vertu & Russian Works of Art and British & European Furniture and Decorative Arts yielded a number of extraordinary prices, and a top ten list of breadth and interest.
Freeman’s offering of “The Lintern Archive” and “The Storojev Legacy” underscored a strong market for Romanov-related materials. Featuring photos of the Russian Imperial Family, “The Lintern Archive” achieved over double its high estimate, selling for $106,250. “The Storojev Legacy” realized $46,875 and showcased a group of Russian liturgical and personal objects belonging to Father Ivan Vladimirovich Storojev, one of the last to see the Romanov family alive.
...Top honors in the American Silver section went to an extensive silver-gilt service in the “Richelieu” pattern by Tiffany & Company. The service sold for $22,750 against an estimate of $10,000-15,000. In addition, the sale boasted 95 percent sell-through of works by Danish silversmith Georg Jensen. The top lot of this grouping was a rare hardstone mounted bonbonniere which sold for $15,000 against an estimate of $5,000-7,000.
Later the same day, Freeman’s held the British & European Furniture and Decorative Arts sale. A highlight of the afternoon was a pair of impressive Napoleon III Sevres style urns soaring above their estimate to fetch $68,750 against an estimate of $3,000-5,000.
Additionally, a fine Italian tin glazed earthenware charger by Ulisse Cantagalli sold for well above its estimate for $21,250, indicating a high interest in ceramics. A Louis XVI clock with case by Ormond and works by Tavernier also caught the eye of collectors, selling for $10,000.
Lastly, luxurious taste prevailed with a pair of Louis XIV Style Bibliotheques fetching $9,375 against an estimate of $4,000-6,000 and the cover lot, a George I giltwood mirror, sold for $10,000.
SVP and Division Head of Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts, Nicholas B.A. Nicholson, has established Freeman’s as an authority in British & European Decorative Arts and Furniture as well as Russian Works of Art, Silver and Objets de Vertu. As such, Freeman’s is currently reviewing exceptional pieces for its upcoming spring sales.
