Sothebys : Sotheby's Presents Autumn 2017 Auctions of Furniture & Decorative Arts | Auctions 19 & 27 October in NY

New York | +1 212 606 7176 | Darrell Rocha | Darrell.Rocha@Sothebys.com | Alexandra Fizer | Alexandra.Fizer@Sothebys.com

PRESENTING SOTHEBY'S AUTUMN 2017 AUCTIONS OF FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS IN NEW YORK

A Cabinet of Curiosities

Spanning Five Centuries & Over Five Hundred Objects

Featuring Property from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit the Acquisitions Fund

AUCTIONS 19 & 27 OCTOBER

NEW YORK, 18 October 2017 - In the lead-up to TEFAF New York Fall, Sotheby's is pleased to present our autumn auctions of furniture and decorative arts in New York. The two auctions − Collections & Curiosities: Silver, Ceramics, and Objects of Vertu (19 October) and Collections: European Decorative Arts (27 October) − celebrate the art of collecting through an enthralling

selection of rare objects. With estimates ranging from $500 to $150,000, the sales offer both new and experienced collectors the opportunity to acquire hundreds of these storied pieces, and incorporate them into their everyday lives.

Captivating works from the Collections & Curiosities: Silver, Ceramics, and Objects of Vertu sale, many of which are being offered without reserve, are on view in Sotheby's York Avenue galleries today until 5pm. Pieces from the Collections: European Decorative Arts sale will remain on public exhibition from today through 26 October.

COLLECTIONS & CURIOSITIES: SILVER, CERAMICS, AND OBJECTS OF VERTU

Auction 19 October

The sale is distinguished by a diverse offering of objects united under the concept of a cabinet of curiosities, such as a striking group of animal and marine figures by Mario Buccellati. Highlights from that group include a monumental Italian silver flamingo (pictured left, estimate $80/120,000), which was modelled to scale of the majestic bird, with textured feathers and an engraved beak. An Italian silver marine-theme centerpiece (estimate $50/70,000), An Italian silver panda (estimate $50/70,000), and An Italian silver marine-theme oyster platter (estimate $25/35,000) accentuate the fantastical group of 20th-century silver figurines by the famed Milanese goldsmith.

Other outstanding works on offer include a rare group of twelve English silver stirrup cups (estimate $18/22,000), in the forms of hounds, foxes, boars and horses - a nod to their traditional use during hunting expeditions - and an engrossing Carrara marble sculpture, Zephyr Teaching Cupid To Fly (pictured right, estimate $30/50,000) by Charles Francis Summers - one of Australia's first noteworthy sculptors, whose work seldom appears at auction. A George II silver coffee pot (estimate $20/30,000), chased with shells and scrolling foliage, by Paul de Lameri − one of England's finest silversmiths - and A pair of Sèvres vases and covers (estimate $60/80,000) by acclaimed sculptor, Louis-Simon

Boizot, which were featured in an exhibition of his work at Versailles in 2001, round out the whimsical works on offer.

Discover 8 Ways to Style Heirlooms, Curiosities and Treasures

COLLECTIONS: EUROPEAN DECORATIVE ARTS

Auction 27 October

This fall's naturalistic concept is continued through the 27 October Collections: European Decorative Arts auction, with many of the works on offer showcasing floral and animal flourishes.

The sale features property from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, sold to benefit the acquisitions fund. The group on offer was gifted to the Museum in 1973 by Lesley and Emma Sheafer. Their bequest comprised nearly 700 items of 18th-century French furniture, Impressionist and American paintings, and most notably, the finest group of 18th-century German decorative arts outside of Europe, of which 132 are being offered for sale. Emma Alexander married stockbroker Lesley G. Sheafer in 1914, and, given Mr. Sheafer's family ties to Germany, began buying decorative arts during their visits abroad.

Among the highlights from the Sheafers' collection are Two Meissen figures of gray parrots (pictured left, estimate $70/100,000), recently attributed to circa 1731-34, Two rare Meissen figures of golden orioles circa 1733-40 (estimate $50/70,000), which bear Japanese Palace inventory numbers on the bases, and a dynamically proportioned and exquisitely decorated South German Rococo ormolu-mounted, carved, parcel-gilt and cream-painted commode (estimate $50/80,000) − a rare surviving example of the

region's rococo furniture from the mid-18th century.

Outside of the Met works, additional sale highlights include a pair of early 19th-century Regency giltwood and ebonized armchairs with owl armrests (estimate $40/60,000), which belonged to the family of the celebrated Regency connoisseur and designer Thomas Hope, and a

lavishly-carved Italian Baroque parcel-gilt walnut console table (pictured right, estimate

$50/80,000), overflowing with rocks, shells and flowers, which underscore the sale's naturalistic themes.

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Sotheby's has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby's became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973), India (1992) and France (2001), and the first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby's presents auctions in 10 different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris, and Sotheby's BidNow program allows visitors to view all auctions live online and place bids from anywhere in the world. Sotheby's offers collectors the resources of Sotheby's Financial Services, the world's only full-service art financing company, as well as the collection advisory services of its subsidiary, Art Agency, Partners. Sotheby's presents private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby's Global Fine Art Division, and two retail businesses, Sotheby's Diamonds and Sotheby's Wine. Sotheby's has a global network of 80 offices in 40 countries and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (BID).

*Estimates do not include buyer's premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Images are available upon request

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