Imposing Walter Sinz, 'Dolphin Boy' Fountain at Gray's June 27 Gray’s Summer Auction on June 27th features an exciting mix of furniture, paintings, prints, jewelry, books and unique decorative art objects including an impressive fountain designed by Walter Sinz.
News-Antique.com - Jun 19,2012 - Cleveland, OH - Gray’s Auctioneers’ Fine Furniture, Paintings, Decorations & Books Auction takes place on June 27th at 11am in Cleveland, Ohio. This mash-up summer auction features an exciting mix of furniture, paintings, prints, jewelry, fine books and unique decorative art objects that ought not to be missed.
The auction includes some exceptional furniture, such as Lots 320-322, which comprises of a group of Gothic inspired pieces including a carved oak cabinet, a diminutive drop leaf table, and a set of nine dining chairs by the famed Cleveland-based design firm, Rorimer Brooks Co. Also noteworthy is a fine Federal inlaid mahogany and maple secretary from the turn of the nineteenth century that boasts a warm finish, elegant lines, and finials (Lot 316). For more modern tastes there are Lots 345 and 345A, a vintage Casa Bella sectional, non-stop style, modular sofa upholstered in sensual black suede and a set of silk kimono fabric pillows.
Also included in the June auction are several stunning fine art pieces associated with rich histories. One such object is Lot 27, a self-portrait done by Adourdo Valentini after the French master painter, Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. Le Brun is largely recognized as the most important female painter of the 18th century and noted for her service as portrait painter to Marie Antoinette. The image features a spot-lighted portrayal of the artist in her studio with delicate attention shown to the face and in the rendering of her sheer cap and collar. Lot 156 is a fantastic, large-scale, late 16th - early 17th century woodcut print by Giuseppe Scolari entitled The Rape of Proserpina. According to classical mythology, the ruler of the underworld, Pluto, kidnapped the beautiful, young Proserpina to make her his bride. The artist depicts the pair in the dramatic moment of the goddess’ abduction as she struggles to free herself from Pluto’s grasp. By the divine intervention of Jupiter and Mercury, Proserpina was released from the underworld for nine months out of the year and made only to stay with her captor in hell for the remaining three. The time when the goddess was not on earth begot winter, while her return spurred the start of spring.
In addition to fine art, Gray’s June auction also boasts a selection of noteworthy decorative art pieces. Lot 233 is an antique terrestrial globe by cartographer Josiah Loring (1775-1840) of Boston. The globe is covered with twelve copper-engraved paper gores with original full and outline hand-coloring containing all the late discoveries and geographical improvements, as well as the tracks of the most celebrated circumnavigators. It rests within an original four-legged map stand with mahogany horizon ring (with printed astronomical and zodiac data), maple stretchers, brass meridian, and a brass hour pointer at top. Also available is Lot 193, a 109 piece Georgian sterling silver flatware service in a threaded fiddle and shell pattern by various silversmiths including Paul Storr. Some pieces are impressed with interesting family crests in the form of a winged sword, knight
