Manhattan Professor’s Estate To Lead At Benefit Shop Foundation June 14

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — Buyers can count on seeing a little bit of everything to accommodate most tastes at the Benefit Shop Foundation auctions. Sometimes, there is the added bonus of a special estate to headline a particular sale as is the case with its Red Carpet auction on Wednesday, June 14, at 10 am.

This auction, boasting nearly 800 items, features the Manhattan estate of a university professor who lived and taught in Japan for more than 35 years, collecting antiques, antiquities, decorative arts, artifacts and contemporary art from Japan and the Far East.

The professor’s collection was extensive and far ranging. Pottery figured prominently in it, including a Tolita Tumaco bust of a man, possibly pre-Columbian; an antique, two-handled Greek kylix with figures painted in black on the sides; and an antique Southeast Asian pottery head of Vishnu on a wooden stand. All are conservatively estimated at $100/300. Examples of Acoma and Pueblo Native American pottery are also on offer.

Also from this collection are several artworks by Japanese contemporary artist Tadaaki Kuwayama and a vintage Japanese poetic diary box containing more than 200 hand-painted cards, each with gold or silver leaf within a textile wrapping ($50-$200).

Antique and striking decorative boxes were also a favorite item for the professor. Crossing the block will be a Sanborns sterling silver dresser/trinket box ($100/300) measuring 51/8 by 3-3/8 by 1¼ inches and a two-tone hand-crafted bone mosaic keepsake box laid out in a pattern with chevrons, diagonals and checkered pieces, 6 inches long. The auction will be fleshed out with its usual variety of antiques and decorative objects, vintage fashions and more from other estates in the area. Among the highlights are a pair of antique French Louis XVI Empire-style bronze oil lamps ($1/5,000), circa 1785-90, Pierre-Philippe Thomire after Louis-Simon Boizot, 14 inches long; a circa 1915 Wm. B. Durgin sterling silver flatware service for 12 in the Chatham pattern ($1,5/4,000); and a signed Thomire A Paris (Pierre Philippe Thomire) gilt bronze and crystal epergne ($500-$3,000), circa 1920s, and standing 23 inches tall.

Fashion is always well represented at the Benefit Shop Foundation, either through dedicated fashion and jewelry auctions or by sprinkling in pieces throughout the year in its regular auctions. This auction has not one but three Chanel bags: a black lambskin camera crossbody bag, never used ($200-$2,000); a like new black caviar leather maxi classic handbag with box ($200-$2,000); and a metallic silver calfskin Chain Me hobo bag ($500-$1,000)

Jewelry is another collecting category that performs well here, and designer names typically pique interest like a Tiffany & Co lapis lazuli and pearl 14K yellow gold necklace that is hand beaded and double knotted ($200-$2,000); a Swarovski crystal statement bib necklace ($50-$200), 20 inches long; and a 14K yellow gold vintage multi-chain twist necklace ($50-$100), 15½ inches.

Art glass and glassware is another favorite for buyers here, and offerings this month range from a set of four Bohemian cobalt cut-to-clear crystal goblets ($100-$2,000) having a diamond and linear pattern, to a signed and hand blown art glass centerpiece by Romanian artist Ioan Nemtoi ($200-$1,500). The latter is a heavy collector’s piece measuring 14¼ by 11½ by 10 inches. Midcentury Modern furniture continues to do well on the market, and this auction features several unusual tables: a Hohenberg mosaic and wood coffee table ($50-$250), 60 by 22½ by 16 inches, and a Carl S. Hodgen geode stone coffee table, dated 1959 ($40-$200), 46 by 24 by 15 inches.

Rounding out the auction will be an antique hand-carved marble bust of Diana ($50-$250), 8½ by 4¾ by 10 inches, and a Hermes leopard porcelain trinket dish ($100/400) depicting two facing leopards with a black border and 24K gold trim, 7½ inches diameter.

The auction gallery is at 185 Kisco Avenue, Suite 201. For more information, www.thebenefitshop.org or 914-864-0707.