Adventurist’s art, antiques will inspire bidders
More than 300 lots of art and antiques amassed by adventurer and Texas oil baron Richard “Dick” Bass will cross the auction block Feb. 20-21 at Heritage Auctions.
DALLAS – A museum’s-worth of personal paintings, furniture, and special objects belonging to adventurist Richard “Dick” Bass, the famous Texas oil baron and first man to climb the “Seven Summits,” the tallest mountains on each continent, highlights Heritage Auctions’ Fine & Decorative Arts, including Estates, Auction Feb. 20-21 in Dallas.
The more than 300 lots from the Bass family include important works such as “Happy Cottagers” and “The Gipsies’ Tent” by George Morland (each estimated at $15,000-$25,000) and “Flower Seller, Tokyo”, 1886, by Theodore Wores ($10,000-$15,000).
“Richard Bass lived life to its fullest and his love of art was extremely important to him,” said Ed Beardsley, Vice President and Managing Director at Heritage Auctions. “His artistic taste was impeccable and we are honored to be stewards of the objects he personally selected for his home.”
Among his list of life accomplishments, Bass was the owner of Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah; was an early founder of the Vail, Colorado, resort scene; and whose pursuit of the “Seven Summits” has been reported as launching a whole new world of adventure travel.” Bass’ son, Jim Bass, told Heritage’s The Intelligent Collector magazine that his father’s art collection was built through auction acquisitions for his home and his ski resort. Bass died in Dallas in July 2015.
The estate’s diverse selection of furniture include classic forms from early American furniture makers and Continental classics, such as a Régence-Style Burlwood Commode with Rouge Marble Top, late 19th century ($2,500-$3,500), and a George III Adam-Style Mahogany Console Table, circa 1820, with provenance to Trenchard Cox, former director of the Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum ($1,500-$2,500).
Additional art on offer in the Feb. 20-21 auction features more than 10, brilliantly-colored works by contemporary artist LeRoy Neiman, including Mirabelle / Paul Getty / Sammy Davis / Charlie Chaplin / Marlon Brando, 1966 ($30,000-$50,000).
For more information, including the online catalog, visit www.ha.com.
