Skinner Auction to Feature The Fletcher Collection of Imperial Russia Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of European Furniture and Decorative Arts on Saturday, April 6th in its Boston gallery. This sale will feature The Fletcher Collection of Imperial Russia and over 30
News-Antique.com - Mar 21,2013 - The Fletcher Collection of Imperial Russia
As Russia celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, Skinner is proud to present the diverse and eclectic Fletcher Collection of Imperial Russia. John Fletcher always had an intense interest in Nicholas II and his family. After over fifty years working with auction houses and specialized dealers worldwide, Fletcher has amassed a collection reflecting the splendor of Russia’s cultural Golden and Silver Ages.
Highlights from the collection include a white leather child's shoe, by tradition belonging to Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich (lot 473, estimated between $3,000 and $5,000); a pair of Fabergé gilded silver and enamel napkin rings (lot 387, $6,000 to $8,000); a collodion print of the Russian Imperial Family by the Boisson and Eggler workshop (lot 348, $700 to $900); a letter written by Tsar Nicholas II (lot 536, $2,000 to $3,000); costume designs for a nurse and coachman from Petrushka by Alexander Nikolaevich Benois (lot 458, $500 to $700); and an icon depicting Christ Pantocrator (lot 546, $1,200 to $1,800).
Fine Silver
The silver session features nearly 350 lots, with a broad range of flatware and hollow ware from the United States, Europe, and Central and South America. The bidding will start with British silver, and features an impressive silver trophy from the Victorian Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot made by Hancock & Co. (lot 48, $20,000 to $40,000).
Continental silver follows. Highlights include a five-piece Georg Jensen tea and coffee service with en suite tray (lot 99, $6,000 to $8,000); as well as several fine Buccellati pieces, including four figural table ornaments representing the four seasons (lot 114, $8,000 to $12,000), and a shell-form centerpiece (lot 113, $6,000 to $8,000).
American silver includes a Myer Myers milk pot c. 1760-70 (lot 142, $15,000 to $25,000), which displays the design and craftsmanship expected of this early American silversmith. Highlights from Tiffany & Co. include a seven-piece tea and coffee service (lot 203, $7,000 to $9,000), as well as a Japanesque tea kettle on a stand (lot 153, $1,500 to $2,500). Gorham silver offerings include a four-piece Martele tea and coffee service (lot 225, $12,000 to $18,000).
Sculpture, Ceramics, & European Furniture
Featured ceramic pieces include an extensive Rothschild Bird pattern Herend luncheon service (lot 828, $3,000 to $5,000); a set of twelve Lenox porcelain hand-painted portrait plates (lot 612, $2,000 to $4,000); a Meissen porcelain figural group titled The Broken Bridge (lot 675, $400 to $600); and a Rose Mandarin-decorated porcelain punch bowl (lot 729, $800 to $1200).
Furniture offerings include a Victorian yewwood linen press (lot 588, $1,500 to $2,500), a Renaissance Revival carved oak cabinet (lot 657, $1,500 to $2,500), a late Georgian double-pedestal partners desk (lot 597, $1,500 to $2,000), and a pair of Continental three-drawer commodes (lot 574, $1,000 to $1,500).
Over 100 lots of European bronze, marble and alabaster sculpture will also be available as part of a private collection of a Midwest gentleman. Highlights include an Art Deco bronze and ivory figure of a Spanish
