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PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF DR. VALLO BENJAMIN‌Dr. Vallo Benjamin (1934-2021) was known by all around him as a unique and exceptional person. He was a big-hearted, generous man with a great sense of humor and humanity. Dr. Benjamin cherished his family, whom he took care of all his life. ‌ ‌Dr. Vallo Benjamin was born in Hamedan, Iran to Christian Assyrian/Armenian parents. He first came to the United States to complete his medical training in neurosurgery at New York University, carrying only $100 in his pocket, eventually becoming a world-renowned neurosurgeon and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Langone Health. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Benjamin had a great passion for life and an amazing eye for art and beauty. In the late 1970s, he sought out architect Paul Rudolph and together they succeeded in creating an austere, luxurious, and singularly beautiful New York City apartment. The great room had white marble floors, a soaring eighteen-foot ceiling, state-of-the-art lighting, painted fabric walls and a wide, clear Plexiglas staircase. Rudolph also designed white and clear Plexiglas furniture to harmonize the space. The apartment was celebrated for its unique style and was featured on the cover of the Art section of The New York Times in 1984. Dr. Benjamin collected and displayed Assyrian reliefs fragments mounted on Plexiglas plinths, and later added a collection of cylinder seals. A fifteenth-century Isphahan palace carpet led to a Helen Frankenthaler painting, Medieval Italian furniture, and stained glass. Chinese classical furniture, jade and Tiffany leaded lamps, and a Robert Motherwell filled his library. He created a harmonious and serene home to enjoy and entertain friends and family, often quite lavishly. Christie’s is honored to present the following works of art from the collection of Dr. Benjamin Vallo (lots 802-808).

A HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIR

19TH-20TH CENTURY

Details

A HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIR
19TH-20TH CENTURY
The plain backsplat supports a carved crestrail terminating in rounded ends above the mat seat and plain, beaded apron and spandrels. The whole is raised on round-section legs joined by stretchers at the sides and a footrest at the front.
45 1/2 in. (115.6 cm.) high, 27 in. (68.6 cm.) wide, 21 1/2 in. (26.8 cm.) deep

Provenance

Nils Nessim Collection (1916-1974), Sweden.
Sotheby's New York, 23 April 1987, lot 528.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

Please note the correct size of this lot should be 45 ½ in. (115.6 cm.) high, 27 in. (68.6 cm.) wide, 21 ¼ in. (53.9 cm.) deep
請注意此拍品之正確尺寸應為45 1/2 英吋 (115.6 厘米) 高，27 英吋. (68.6 厘米.) 寬，21 ¼ 英吋. (53.9 厘米.) 深

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist

asianartny@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

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