Sold in Christie’s, New York’s The Connoisseur’s Eye sale on June 7, 2013, this early west Anatolian Oushak carpet, approximately 35 feet 2 inches long by 16 feet 7 inches wide, also had provenance to a New York apartment designed by Renzo Mongiardino and rolled out for $23,040, the highest price of the two-day sale ($6/8,000).
Review by Kiersten Busch
HUDSON, N.Y. — Stair Galleries’ third auction of December spanned two days, from December 11-12, and celebrated the best of the best of interior design that the house had to offer. Icons of Interior Design featured more than 400 lots; 95 came from the New York City residence of interior designer and architect Robert Couturier and were offered on day one, while 308 lots of property from additional New York City residences were offered on day two.
“We were absolutely delighted with the results of the sale,” shared Holly Stair, director of marketing. “The whole concept came together organically, and we were thrilled to partner so closely with clients like Robert Couturier and Patricia Altschul to market the sale. Our consignors were a joy to work with.” With an approximately 97 percent sell-through rate over the course of the two days, the sale made $1,033,885 in total.
In terms of the bidding pool, more than 90 percent were private collectors, according to Stair. “As with many of our sales, we attracted a vast global audience of registered bidders across the US, Asia and Europe,” she continued. US bidders came from all across the country, with notable purchases heading to California, Texas, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina and remaining in New York.
“The high caliber and quality of these collections did not go unrecognized. Our client base respected these icons and their interiors — and they stepped up to the plate,” commented Stair about the lots offered on both days.
Leading day one was a pair of bronze gingko garden benches by David DeSantis after a model by Claude Lalanne, 4 feet 3½ inches long each; they sold together for $14,080 ($2/4,000).
Leading the sale was an Eighteenth Century early west Anatolian Oushak carpet sold on day two. The carpet had provenance to a New York apartment designed by Renzo Mongiardino and a 2013 Christie’s, New York sale titled The Connoisseur’s Eye. According to catalog notes, “This carpet, although showing some wear, still has its original brilliant colors and much of its original pile.” It rolled out a $23,040 finish, surpassing its high estimate by slightly less than three times.
Day one was led by a pair of David DeSantis bronze ginkgo garden benches which bloomed to $14,080. Designed after a model by Claude Lalanne, the pair were in very good condition and had provenance to the New York penthouse of Robert Couturier. Three additional lots of DeSantis ginkgo furniture sold in the sale, with two in the top 10 best-selling lots, including a garden bench ($11,520), a pair of armchairs ($9,600) and a garden table ($5,440). Of the furniture, Stair added, “The bronze furniture proves that craftmanship will always find the right audience.”
A Dutch chinoiserie painted leather six-panel screen, also with provenance to the Couturier penthouse, earned the second-highest price of day one. The screen was in good, restored condition, with antique panels and a modern frame. The catalog described it as having “impressive scale,” each panel measuring 7 feet by 21½ inches. Despite some wear, splits, losses and in-painting, the screen folded to $14,080.
This terracotta statue of Madame du Barry, mistress of King Louis XV, modeled after a Sphinx, perched at $14,080. The Louis XV-style piece measured 16 inches tall, 20 inches long and 8 inches wide ($4/8,000).
Settling at $14,080 was a Louis XV-style terracotta model of the king’s mistress, Madame du Barry, modeled as a Sphinx. Continuing the trend of provenance to the Couturier penthouse, the statue also had provenance to Daniel Katz Gallery (London) and Ian Irving Fine Art N.Y. The sculpture was in good overall condition but contained a few scattered old restorations. “Structurally sound and beautifully modeled,” according to the auction catalog, the figure far surpassed its $4/8,000 estimate to achieve the third highest price of day one. “The Louis XV terracotta model of Madame du Barry modeled as a Sphinx is a rare piece, and we’re thrilled it found the right price,” explained Stair. “It came to our client from a very good dealer in London.”
Looking ahead to day two, sculpture continued to be popular with bidders, as a pair of Clare Potter porcelain models of foxgloves bloomed to $20,480, the second-highest price of the day and the sale overall. The 18½-inch-high plants suffered from minor wear and were “potted” in intentionally distressed pots. The pair had provenance to a New York apartment designed by Vivien Greenock of Colefax and Fowler. “The Clare Potter foxgloves were a highlight of the sale,” commented Stair. “It’s amazing that a piece of modern pottery, albeit executed beautifully, did so well. It may even be a record price.”
Also with provenance to the same New York apartment was a large cotton chintz slip-covered three-seat sofa. Designed by Colefax and Fowler, the down-filled sofa was raised on brass casters and was in good condition, with only minor wear to the muslin under its slipcover. The couch comfortably went for $16,640.
The saying “the more, the merrier” applied to this large cotton chintz slip-covered, three-seat sofa designed by Colefax and Fowler, 8 feet long, which crossed the block for $16,640 ($1,2/2,400).
Furniture designed by Vivien Greenock continued to do well with bidders, as a large, appliquéd fabric ottoman, also by Vivien Greenock, was raised to $11,520, earning more than four and a half times its high estimate. Despite some minor stains, fading and a few loose pieces to its top, the ottoman was described as “structurally sound” and “charming” in the auction catalog notes.
A “fine and rare” Biedermeier metal-mounted mahogany and parcel-gilt fall-front desk also found success, earning $10,240 on day two. With provenance by repute to Philippe Farley Antiques (New York City) and Dee de Ganay (New York City and Southampton, N.Y.), the desk was manufactured in North Germany and was in good overall condition. It was fitted with white marble columns in both its upper and lower sections and had a mirrored back panel. The catalog notes further explained that it was “beautifully inlaid and of grand scale” and was “impressive in person.”
Of the top lots mentioned, Stair shared that their buyers were “a healthy mix of private collectors and decorators. Almost all bid with us directly online.”
“We will kick off 2025 with American and European Fine and Decorative Arts on January 29, followed by the esteemed Collection of Sanford L. Smith on January 30, and an assortment of modern and contemporary art in February,” Stair added, when asked about upcoming auctions. “We’re thrilled to continue to sell interesting things from interesting people to interesting people. We love all our customers, from private collectors to the trade.”
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, 518-751-1000 or www.stairgalleries.com.
