Top-lot status was awarded to this circa 1948 Steinway & Sons Dutch Rococo parquetry piano and bench, which played a tune to $19,500 ($10/15,000).
GLEN COVE, N.Y. — Roland Auctions NY conducted its Holiday Estates Sale on December 13, with 651 lots in various categories crossing the block. A rare Steinway & Sons Dutch Rococo parquetry piano and a Neoclassical bronze and micro-mosaic top coffee table taking the top spots of the day. Contemporary art, always a crowd pleaser at Roland, also had a very good showing for the holidays.
Both of the above pieces were expected to do well, with the Steinway & Sons piano and bench selling for the highest price at $19,500. The instrument, a Model O, was inlaid and carved. The Neoclassical coffee table, made in the last half of the Nineteenth Century, had an antique micro-mosaic of a floral wreath on its top, which may have originated from the atelier of Michelangelo Barberi. Its bronze and metal figural base depicted the three graces and flower scrolling. Engraved on the table’s underside was “This Mosaic table is made for J.A. Lehman whist in Rome, Sept. 1, 1857 and it is his wish that it always remains in the Lehman family.” While that wish may not have been upheld, it did sell to its new home for $13,000.
Contemporary art was led by the oil on canvas “Painting #426” by Jean Xceron, a blue, red and black abstract work on a white and shaded background. The work bore several labels on its reverse — the Rose Fried Gallery (New York City), The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, a 1966 RISD circulating exhibition, Zappeion Museum (Athens), the Museum of Modern Art and Embassies-Brussels. With additional provenance to Katherine Orphanos, a personal friend of the artist, the work sold for $13,000.
“Painting #426” by Jean Xceron (Greek/American, 1890-1967), oil on canvas, 38 by 49 inches framed, led a selection of the artist’s paintings for $13,000 ($3/5,000).
Additional works on paper that did well included Martiros Sarian’s gouache landscape on board dated “1945” and signed “M. Sarian” in script on its lower left ($9,100); “Liseuse au Bouquet de Roses,” a 1925 lithograph on paper by Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954) numbered “48/50” ($7,150) and “Personaje Sentado,” a 1976 framed and matted abstract figural relief print (mixografia) by Rufino Tamayo (Mexican, 1899-1991) ($1,800).
An large round early Twentieth Century Italian School marble relief depicting a profile study of an archangel in the clouds with wings was a standout lot in the sculpture category. Despite being unsigned, the 28-inch in diameter work had a crescent moon mark on its upper right. It carved out $2,730 against a $1/1,500 estimate.
Jewelry and silver were also well represented, with a 95-piece sterling silver flatware service by Georg Jensen in the Acanthus pattern leading silver selections at $6,175. Housed in a wooden box, the set totaled 84.5 troy ounces, excluding the knives and butter spreaders. A Tiffany & Company sterling and inlaid mahogany tray with cutout corners also did well, serving up a $2,925 finish against a $100/200 estimate. The wooden inlay featured a center medallion with a sun motif.
This Tiffany & Company sterling silver and inlaid mahogany two-handled butler’s tray, 1907-47, 3 inches high by 25 inches long by 16 inches wide, was served for $2,925 ($100/200).
A 14K white and yellow gold hinged bangle bracelet was inset with a platinum, diamond and sapphire watch case, with its movement marked “Didisheim.” It ticked to $4,225, eclipsing its $2,5/3,500 estimate and leading the jewelry category. Selling for $2,340 was a pair of Seaman Schepps turbo shell cabochon sapphire ear clips with 14K backers.
Highlights in the decorative arts category included an unsigned antique carved and polychrome carousel horse, possibly by Gustav Dentzel or Charles I. D. Looff, which galloped off to $4,225. Standing 55 inches high on its wheeled carpet base, the horse had a pierced wavy mane and flowing tail, a saddle painted red with a blue star and leather reins and stirrups.
Also attracting bidder attention was a pair of Landier & Fils Cristalleries de Sevres faux onyx, opaline and gilt metal mounted vases. Made circa 1945 in France, the Louis XVI-style vases had marks to their bases and sold for $1,430.
Roland’s January 2026 Estate Sale will take place on the 10th of the month. Prices quoted include buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, 212-260-2000 or www.rolandantiques.com.
