The estate of James W. Pihos will be sold May 5-6 at Matheson's in Florida The lifetime collection of the late James W. Pihos, formerly of Las Olas Isles, Fla., plus two prominent Miami estates, will be sold at auction May 5-6 by Matheson's AA Auctions in Melbourne, Fla.
News-Antique.com - Apr 12,2012 - (MELBOURNE, Fla.) - The lifetime collection of the late James W. Pihos, formerly of Las Olas Isles, Fla., plus two prominent Miami estates, will be sold at auction the weekend of May 5-6 by Matheson's AA Auctions, in the firm's gallery facility located at 600 East New Haven Avenue in Melbourne, on Florida's Space Coast. Start times both days will be 11 a.m.
Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.
Mr. Pihos, who passed away about a year ago, was a major player in the McDonald's restaurant chain, owning 36 franchises. He also had a discerning eye when it came to putting together his fine collection of 18th and 19th century Chinese coral and ivory carvings. All of these will be offered in the auction, most without reserve (but all lots will carry modest opening bids).
“Mr. Pihos had huge Lalique doorhandles leading into the magnificent master bedroom of his estate home, and that may offer a little insight into the world of a man who lived life large and only bought the very best,” said Lloyd Matheson of Matheson's AA Auctions. “His red and white figural coral pieces – there are 33 in the sale – and his ivory carvings are just outstanding.” The Laliqe doorhandles, incidentally, will also be auctioned as part of his overall collection.
Much of Mr. Pihos's collection will be sold on Saturday, May 5. Also offered that day will be other Chinese lots, to include jade and other hardstone carvings, porcelains and pottery, cloisonné and cinnabar, and jewelry (to include Bulgari, Tiffany, Chanel, Corum, Caroline Dadlani, David Yurman, Girard Perregaux, pearls, diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds).
Silver will also change hands on Saturday, to include Georg Jensen, Tiffany, Gorham and antique English silver. Then, on Sunday, May 6, the session will be packed with fine furniture, decorative arts, lighting and artwork. Furniture will feature a black lacquer ware ivory and ormolu mounted bedroom suite, carved rosewood Chinese furniture and bronze Gucci pieces.
Decorative arts will include Japanese mixed metal vases, Meissen figural groups, crystal (Lalique, Steuben and Baccarat), Picasso ceramics, Karl Mann vases and more. There will also be magnificent and monumental Baccarat chandeliers, sconces and lamps and other lighting. The artwork will feature original paintings and works on paper by a host of noted international artists.
The Chinese coral figural groupings from the Pihos collection are certain to attract keen bidder interest. One example, with a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$50,000, is a fine and massive angel skin coral and melon colored coral group (circa late 17th century, the Chia-ch’ing imperial era). Carved of a single branch, the piece depicts an emperor on a throne surrounded by subjects.
Also carrying a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$50,000 is a stunning bronze side table by Diego Giacometti (1902-1985), the renowned Swiss sculptor and designer, and younger brother of the sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Also in the sale will be tables by Gucci (est. $3,000-$5,000) and Philip LaVerne (est. $4,000-$6,000) who, with his father Kelvin, made cast-bronze tables.
