Freeman’s | Hindman European Furniture & Decorative Arts Auction Surpasses $1 Million Over Two Days
Freeman’s | Hindman’s European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction presented over 400 lots across two days, showcasing a rich array of English and Continental furniture, sculpture, paintings, and decorative arts spanning the 17th through early 20th centuries. The sale achieved a total of $1,274,612, with 83% lots sold, and welcomed 13% new buyers to Freeman’s | Hindman, underscoring continued interest and market strength in this category.
Lot 257 | A Matched Pair of German Carved Amber-Mounted Pricket Sticks, 16th Century | Sold for $57,600
Lot 234 | Attributed to Augustin Terwesten, Bacchus and Ariadne, Dutch, 1711-1781 | Sold for $25,600
Lot 153 | An Italian Micromosaic and Parcel Gilt Oak Center Table, Second Half 19th Century | Sold for $38,400
“We are delighted with the auction results for superlative examples of sculpture, ceramics and works of art. Bidders were drawn to the extraordinary, the unusual or to familiar forms embellished with opulent materials.” – Corbin Horn, Senior Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts.
At the heart of the auction was a distinguished private collection from California, which achieved an impressive 88% rate of lots sold. This refined assemblage of paintings, rare objects, and fine furniture contributed significantly to the sale’s success, with several of its pieces ranking among the top-selling lots, including an Italian micromosaic and parcel gilt oak center table, micromosaic possibly by Cesare Roccheggiani, second half 19th century sold at $38,400 (Lot 153); attributed to Augustin Terwesten, Bacchus and Ariadne, (Dutch, 1711-1781) sold at $25,600 (Lot 234); and a pair of continental patinated and parcel gilt bronze plaques of Roman emperors, 19th century sold at $19,200 (Lot 170).
Noteworthy Highlights
Additional standout lots include a matched pair of German carved amber-mounted pricket sticks, 16th century, which sold for $57,600 (Lot 257). Amber carving flourished during this period, particularly in the Prussian region. The material’s aesthetic quality and ease of carving made it a prized object of trade used in jewelry, decorative objects, and amulets. A pair of English lead allegorical garden urns, dating from the mid-late 18th century, were consigned by the Art Institute of Chicago and sold for $25,600 (Lot 348). The museum has owned the urns since 1935.
Additional Highlights
· Lot 420 | A Serapi Carpet, Northwest Persia, circa 1900 | Sold for $21,760
· Lot 364 | A Carved Wood Model of the Paestum Temple of Hera II in a Rosewood Display Case, The Temple Modern, The Display Case | Sold for $19,200
· Lot 156 | An Italian Micromosaic Table Top, Possibly Cesare Roccheggiani, Second Half 19th Century | Sold for $17,920
· Lot 242 | A Brussels Mythological Tapestry, 18th Century | Sold for $16,640
· Lot 248 | Christopher Wilhelm Eckersberg, A Group of Three Male Nudes, 1824-1830, (Danish, 1783-1853) | Sold for $16,640
· Lot 94 | A French Articulated Walnut Maquette of a Horse | Sold for $12,800
· Lot 303 | An English Green-Dyed Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy | Sold for $11,520