Orient & Flume glass blooming April 8-22
The Spring auction at Witherell’s, set for April 8-22, features a diverse selection of California mid-century modern art and antiques, such as 29 exquisite examples of decorative glass.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California mid-century modern art and antiques will highlight Witherell’s spring auction, April 8-22, 2015.
A lot of four Eames chairs, Andreas Roth California paintings, former California
governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown papers and exquisite Orient & Flume vases add to the important California items in this auction.
“California is known for its stand-out design,” said Witherell’s COO and “Antiques Roadshow” appraiser Brian Witherell. “We are very pleased to have so many of these types of items in our spring auction.”
With mid-century modern design doing well at auction, Witherell’s hopes the items in this spring auction carry on the trend. A lot of four Charles Eames for Herman Miller Bikini chairs, all bearings original labels, one black, one blue and two of greenish tan, are among the lots expected to prompt a bidding battle.
The oil paintings by Roth (German, 1871-1949) include landscapes from his days in Los Angeles and Southern California. The three canvas pieces — that once hung in the Balboa Island Ferry Building — show early views of Newport Beach, Harbor Island and Balboa Island. Estimated at a mere $500 to $1,000, the unframed or loosely framed, signed and dated works could benefit from minor conservation.
Witherell’s also is offering 29 examples of popular Orient & Flume glass. A 1995 glossy jack-in-the-pulpit vase of stretch glass, designed by Dave Smallhouse, is signed and accompanied by the register card. It is estimated at $300 to 400.
Important political pieces also bring interest to this auction.
A limited-edition caricature of Henry Kissinger — inscribed “To Pat and Bernice Brown with warm good wishes, Henry Kissinger” is part of a collection that comes to Witherell’s by direct descent. An ink drawing by Swiss abstract expressionist Hans Burkhardt — also honoring Henry Kissinger — and also belonging to Brown, father of current California governor, Jerry Brown, will cross the block.
Another historic document, a framed 1812 land grant signed by James Madison, former U.S. President, and James Monroe, former U.S. President when he was Secretary of State, is one of the most valued items in the quarterly auction.
Among other notable offerings in this sale is a monumental, 19-inch high Baccarat baluster-shaped, crystal vase with facets and geometric pattern.
Looking further ahead, Witherell’s will present the Grass Valley Old West Antiques Show May 8-9, 2015. For more information, visit www.witherells.com.
