A William and Mary mahogany and maple dressing table, 1700–1730. 28 x 32 1/4 x 20 3/4 in. Estimate $250,000–500,000. This work is offered in our American Furniture, Folk Art and Silver auction on 22 January at Christie’s New York.
Andrew Holter, Specialist, Head of Department: Elegant in design and in pristine condition, this rare table is the epitome of the Baroque aesthetic. Of particular interest is the date of inception — perhaps as early as 1700. While the colony was still trying to establish and define itself, Philadelphians were importing mahogany and creating these fanciful masterpieces. Seemingly paradoxical, but so advanced in design.
Martín Ramírez (1895–1963), Untitled (Seven Stags), 1953. Graphite and crayon on pieced paper. 28 x 24 in. Estimate $60,000–100,000. This work is offered in our Liberation through Expression: Outsider and Vernacular Art auction on 22 January at Christie’s New York.
Cara Zimmerman, Specialist: Martín Ramírez’s personal story is enough to make this piece worthy of attention, but it is the artist’s command of line, space and form that makes the work truly outstanding. After being institutionalized with a diagnosis of manic depression (later changed to schizophrenia), Ramírez turned to art. Out of the steady supply of paper and pencils provided by his psychiatrist, he rendered this chorus of miniature stags, championed by one mesmerizing, anthropomorphized central animal with furrowed brows and large eyes.
Attributed to Joseph Whiting Stock (1815–1855), Portrait of Two Girls in Pantaloons. Oil on canvas. 42 x 34 1/2 in. Estimate $30,000–50,000. This work is offered in our American Furniture, Folk Art and Silver auction on 22 January at Christie’s New York.
Abby Starliper, Specialist: In the 1980s Andy Warhol was a fixture at Americana auctions and fairs and amassed a sizeable collection of furniture and folk art. Attributed to the paraplegic folk artist Joseph Whiting Stock, this portrait of two young girls in their vibrant red dresses hung above the mantel in Warhol’s bedroom. Not surprisingly, Warhol created works very much in the spirit of those with which he surrounded himself, making a tenable link between Stock and the iconic Pop Art figure.
The extraordinary joined oak and pine polychrome “Hadley” chest-with-drawers, circa 1715. Estimate upon request. This work is offered in our American Furniture, Folk Art and Silver auction on 22 January at Christie’s New York.
Andrew Holter, Specialist, Head of Department: This chest is a virtual time capsule, merging early 18th-century cabinetmaking with changes in preferred aesthetics. The original paintwork survives underneath layers of varnish and would have been unbelievably vibrant and brilliantly coloured at the time of production. Its bulls-eye-like style has a modern appeal that speaks across centuries of design. Although barely visible, but definitely a bonus feature, a shingle was nailed to the back of the piece in the 18th century to cover up a mouse hole — those darn mice!
William Hawkins (1895–1990), Yaekle Building, 1982. Enamel and glitter on thick paper. 44 x 52 1/4 in. Estimate $20,000–30,000. This work is offered in our Liberation through Expression: Outsider and Vernacular Art auction on 22 January at Christie’s New York.
Cara Zimmerman, Specialist: The Ohio-based artist rendered only three variations of the Columbus landmark and completed only five large-scale enamel-on-paper works, making this an exceptionally rare and engaging objet d’art. Yaekle Building is an early piece that reveals the artist’s love of geometry and his innate understanding of colour theory. Hawkins took great pride in his role as an artist, always signing his work in large block lettering. This work features a precise date, an element not often included in the foreground of his paintings.
Attributed to Samuel McIntire (1757–1811), The Jerathamiel Peirce Federal carved mahogany, circa 1801. 34 1/2 in. high. Estimate $20,000–40,000. This work is offered in our American Furniture, Folk Art and Silver auction on 22 January at Christie’s New York.
Abby Starliper, Specialist: There is something magical about knowing a complete provenance. The wealthy merchant Jerathamiel Peirce commissioned this armchair on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter in 1801. As one of a set of eight, designed and expertly carved by Samuel McIntire, the chair served as an integral part of the interior scheme for the east parlour in the Peirce-Nichols home — the carved triglyphs on the chairs’ crests echo those on the wall’s chair rails. Cherished by the Peirce-Nichols family and subsequent collectors of Americana, this piece is the last remaining chair from the set still in private hands.
To learn more about our New York sales of American Furniture and Decorative Arts, please visit christies.com/americana.