A Hispano Flemish Baroque style inlaid rosewood, etched bone and tortoiseshell parcel-ebonized cabinet on stand, second half 19th century. Sold for US$ 149,000 (€109,165). Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

NEW YORK, NY.- A 19th century rosewood cabinet, inlaid with scenes from the novel Don Quixote, was the protagonist in Bonhams Fine American & European Furniture, Silver, Folk and Decorative Arts & Clocks sale on January 23. Rendered in a Hispano Flemish Baroque style with gilt parcel, etched bone and faux tortoiseshell elements, the cabinet sold for $149,000 – nearly 10 times its pre-sale estimate – after a fierce phone bidding war. 

“The cabinet manages to be both a window into the Renaissance cultural and literary mind, and a highly decorative element that is almost contemporary in its aspect,” explained Karl Green, Director of Furniture and Decorative Arts for Bonhams in New York. “We are seeing the market respond to unique pieces that capture this era’s aspirations.” 

An elaborately carved custom hall clock from Tiffany & Co. provided further evidence of the trend. The Asian-inspired clock, replete with splendid ivory, brass and copper details, was created for the Seligman mansion in New York at the turn of the 20th century. Each room in the opulent home had a theme, as was fashionable among the period’s aristocracy. The clock belonged to the Japanese-style smoking room, and more than doubled its pre-sale estimate to sell for $100,000. From the same time period, an iconic Americana carved and polychromed wing-spread eagle with flag and shield attributed to George Stapf fetched $23,750.  

An elaborately carved custom hall clock from Tiffany & Co. Sold for $100,000 inc. premium. Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

A carved and polychromed wing-spread eagle with flag and shield, attributed to George Stapf (American, 1862-1958), probably Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1890-1910. Sold for US$ 23,750 (€17,400). Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Among the sale’s many outstanding Silver highlights was a William IV ivory-mounted sterling silver two-handled oval footed tray made in London in 1836 by Robert Garrard II, which sold for $40,000. Property of a noble family, the tray was made in honor of the marriage of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1808-1879) to his cousin Charlotte von Rothschild (1819-1884) that same year. 

A William IV ivory-mounted sterling silver two-handled oval footed tray, by Robert Garrard II, London, 1836. Sold for US$ 40,000 (€29,306). Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams.

Chinese Export silver also proved popular, in particular with the sale’s numerous Chinese bidders, including an oval two-handled tray by Luen Hing from early 20th century Shanghai. Featuring pagodas, animals, birds and insects amid an aquatic garden, the finely chased tray fetched $31,250, more than five times its pre-sale estimate. By the same token, collectors of Russian antiques responded to a Russian 84 standard silver figural writing-stand made in Moscow, circa 1899-1908, which brought $35,000. 

A Chinese Export silver oval two-handled tray, by Luen Hing, Shanghai, first quarter 20th century. Sold for US$ 31,250 (€22,895). Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams

A Russian 84 standard silver figural writing-stand, possibly by Dmitry Gorbanov, Moscow, circa 1899-1908. Sold for US$ 35,000 (€25,642). Photo: Courtesy of Bonhams

Victoria Ayers, Bonhams Senior Specialist in Silver, noted, “Silver is timeless and truly international. Quality items that retain close to their original crisp decoration and speak to rich cultural traditions are sure to resonate with sophisticated connoisseurs worldwide.”

Bonhams next sale of Furniture, Silver and Decorative Arts will take place on April 29.