Global Provenance To Highlight Sale At Benefit Shop Foundation Feb. 6

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc sources its auctions from area estates, so there are items with global connections or provenances that pop up from time to time. The Benefit Shop’s next sale, on Wednesday, February 6, at 10 am, however, will up the wow factor exponentially, as it comprises a wealth of offerings with ties to South Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Spanning a wide range of collecting interests, the auction largely comprises a consignment from a hospitality design firm whose custom-designed furniture for European luxury hotels and Middle Eastern royalty will cross the block.

“This auction has an especially global aesthetic,” said Pam Stone, owner and founder of The Benefit Shop Foundation. “Anyone on the market for designer furniture will appreciate the fine pieces, which run the gamut from custom seating pieces in French silk taffeta or velvet to striking one-off designer tables and much more.”

There are three notable standouts in the sale to mention, all crossing the block in the first 15 minutes of the sale. First up is a carousel-horsesized antique Tang style horse statue ($30/38,000). Purchased in France, where it graced the foyer of a French castle, the wood body has intricate, multicolored, hand painted cloisonné-inspired designs of animals, flowers and vines, decorative flourishes and gold-toned highlights. It measures about 59 by 56 by 15 inches.

Next comes a striking, one-ofa-kind Argentinian cowhide sofa ($5/10,000) originally designed for an Aspen, Colo., project. The two-piece sofa is upholstered in Argentinian cowhide covering all surfaces except the back, which is upholstered in white leather, 122 by 40 by 33 inches.

The very next lot on offer is an important signed artwork by Brian Liebenthal. The 2012 mixed media resin on panel, titled “Uncommon Valor” ($20/40,000), measures 49 inches square framed. Born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa, the artist came to Los Angeles in the early 1990s to further his music studies. A trip to Europe, however, put him on a new course; he was inspired to paint after seeing contemporary and classical art masters up close. Immediately after this lot will be another Liebenthal mixed media on board, “Black Eagle” ($4/6,000). Among the best of the custom-designed pieces in the designer furniture category are a love seat with laser-cut Kilim design ($3/6,800) in black and brown leather with turned legs and silver-toned nail head trim, 66 by 38 by 34 inches; a set of six Art Decostyle French grey velvet and wood dining chairs ($3/7,000) in a dark tone with round backs, 38 by 20 by 21 inches; and a one-of-a-kind designer carved black wood coffee table ($2/5,000) boasting a large, square modern design with a hand carved lined textured, 55 inches square and 18 inches tall.

Also on offer are a customdesigned Jean Michael Frankstyle couch ($2/5,000) upholstered in French green-on-green velvet with quatrefoil patterned fabric on the base and silk sage green upholstered cushions, oversized at 111 by 39 by 31 inches; and a hand-carved Indian table with bone and ebony inlay ($2/3,500). The latter is a circular wooden pedestal table on a three-footed base, 36-inch diameter and standing 30 inches tall.

The design firm featured in this auction had a particular affinity for Art Deco furniture, which is well-represented here, including a designer sofa ($4/5,000) in a dual-toned chartreuse French silk taffeta upholstered fabric, 93 by 37 by 33 inches; and a high gloss dining table ($3/6,000) with a high-polished, dark-toned wooden top having a diamond pattern and chrome U-shaped legs, 82¼ inches long.

Rounding out the auction are an antique handmade Kerman wool rug ($4/6,000) having multi-toned floral, leaf and vine detail, 190 by 109 inches; a folk art carved wood Americana pier mirror ($200-500); a W. Homer (possibly William Innes Homer) oil on canvas portrait of a young girl in the Impressionist style, 35 by 39 inches ($400-800); and a Japanese bronze vessel with a bird and cherry blossom design in relief ($50-100).

Benefit Shop Auction Galleries are at 185 Kisco Avenue, Suite 201. For more information, www.thebenefitshop.org or 914-864-0707.