Morphy’s June 11-12 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction is crowned by luxury watches, Tiffany lamps, American art, rare Amphora pottery
Featured: Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Mystery Tourbillon limited edition platinum, diamond and sapphire wristwatch; Monumental carved Black Forest clock with five bears; Chiparus bronze, James Bard painting
DENVER, Pa. – Those entering the preview area at Morphy’s flagship gallery in Pennsylvania can almost hear the roars coming from one of the June 11-12 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction’s most eye-catching attractions. Standing 79 inches tall and capturing its well-deserved share of attention is a monumental two-panel Black Forest clock whose case is meticulously carved with the images of five bears. Composed of linden wood, a soft wood from Germany’s natural forests that is ideally suited to carving, the clock might very well be described as a masterpiece of its genre.
The motif is a visual delight, with four differently-modeled fully-dimensional bears climbing a pine tree as a fifth bear who has reached the tree’s pinnacle gazes down at them. Throughout, the artist’s attention to detail is obvious, with the trunk and branches fastidiously “grained,” the leaves minutely detailed, and the bears themselves realistically represented with furry coats, painted red tongues and white teeth. In excellent condition, the clock comes to auction with a $10,000-$20,000 estimate.
The Clocks & Watches category shifts from Bavaria to picturesque Switzerland with a boutique selection of coveted Swiss-made timepieces. Leading the group is an exceptionally rare and important Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Mystery Tourbillon limited edition platinum, diamond and sapphire wristwatch, Ref. No. 7990093. Only 99 watches of its type were made, and the auction example is identified as No. 1 of those 99.
“Ulysse Nardin has been producing timepieces since 1846. Their watches are fit for kings and known to be favored by many high-profile entrepreneurs, athletes and celebrities,” said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions. “Ulysse Nardin is part of the exclusive circle of Swiss watchmakers called the Fondation Haute Horlogerie. Their watches are unique in that they combine cutting-edge technology with a unique heritage of marine chronometry. Collectors of luxury watches know the cachet that comes with the Ulysse Nardin name, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer them the firm’s very first Royal Blue Mystery Tourbillon from its limited edition.” Auction estimate: $150,000-$200,000
Another fine Swiss production is a circa-1967 men’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual 200m/660ft Submariner 40mm watch in stainless steel with a black dial and bezel insert. Its Ref. No. is 5512 and its Serial No. is 1585764. It has an Oyster bracelet with a 10-hole clasp marked 9315 on its last link, 6521H on its clasp blade, and the date-code 1/68 on the opposite clasp blade, with 380 ends. In VG-Excellent condition, it carries a $14,000-$20,000 estimate.
The Fine Jewelry section is topped by a gorgeous platinum multicolor sapphire and diamond necklace with 100 genuine unheated mixed brilliant-cut sapphires having a total weight of 124.19cts. The largest of the colored gems measures approximately 12mm x 10mm. Adding to the glamour aspect are 216 natural round brilliant-cut diamonds with a total weight of 3.06cts. The elegant 18-inch-long (clasped) necklace has a gross weight of 84.9 grams and is marked Oscar Friedman PT950 SA124.19ct D3.06ct. It will convey to its new owner with the original GIA Sapphire Report and AIGL Appraisal Report showing an estimated retail replacement value of $432,500. Auction estimate: $60,000-$90,000
Some think of Morphy’s as “The House of Tiffany” because of its long tradition of offering rare and especially fine Tiffany Studios leaded-glass lamps. A glorious example in the June 11-12 sale is a table lamp with an 18-inch-diameter shade in the Oriental Poppy floral pattern. The motif displays multicolored reds, ranging from deep ruby red to coral and highly complex tones of mixed reds, with blues and purples interspersed. In excellent condition, the shade is signed Tiffany Studios New York 2598 and rests on a patinated-bronze Tiffany Studios Tyler-style base whose underside is signed Tiffany Studios New York 368. Estimate: $125,000-$175,000
A classic expression of mid-19th-century Americana, a James Bard (American, 1815-1897) nautical oil-on-canvas was created around 1853 and is titled U.S. Mail Paddle Steamer George Law. It is signed at its lower right Picture drawn & painted by James Bard, N.Y. The jaunty depiction of a patriotically-themed vessel crossing a lake measures 31¼ inches by 51¼ inches (sight) and is the very example illustrated in the book J. & J. Bard: Picture Painters by A.J. Peluso Jr. A receipt attached to the back of the painting indicates it was purchased for $75,000 from Northeast Auctions in 2001. It comes to auction at Morphy’s with a $40,000-$80,000 estimate.
The American art selection continues with a wonderful circa-1880s Samuel Robb full-size cigar store Indian wearing a V-shape headdress (a Robb characteristic) and holding packages of cigars and tobacco. Masterfully sculpted and painted in a subtle color palette, this all-original 78-inch-tall figure is fresh to the market and likely to settle in the $20,000-$50,000 range.
Although it does not bear an advertising slogan or message, a Villeroy & Boch (Germany) terracotta Santa figure might elicit crossover interest from antique advertising fans in addition to those who collect Christmas antiques. The 52-inch-tall figure is pictured in the manufacturer’s 1900 catalog and is believed to have been made for a department store to display in its front window. It has scrupulously detailed facial features and is finished in tasteful colors. The Christmas gift-giver holds a fir tree in one of his hands and stands on a custom-made wood base. The small hooks affixed to its side may have been included in the design for the purpose of hanging ornaments or candy. In excellent condition and one of few known examples, this fresh-to-the-market treasure is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.
Many elusive Amphora ceramics have passed through the doors of Morphy’s gallery, and that tradition will continue on June 11 when 34 pieces of the desirable Czech pottery crosses the auction block. Among the top highlights is a possible “unicorn,” an extremely rare Amphora vase decorated with the scene of a double-headed water serpent fighting a mythological prehistoric fish. The vessel stands 16½ inches tall, has a nicely-aged iridized glaze to its body, and bears all of the requisite Amphora markings. This is not a piece that would not be easy to forget, yet there is no record of its ever having appeared at auction before, and further, it is not illustrated in any Amphora reference book. In mint condition, it will make its auction debut with a $12,000-$18,000 estimate.
Another prized European artwork is a cold-painted patinated bronze figure by Demetre Chiparus (Romanian/French, 1886-1947) titled Les Amis Toujours (Friends Forever). Executed circa 1925, the tableau depicts a lady with two hounds on an onyx base. It is signed Chiparus on the base and the skirt is stamped 204 / BRONZE and MADE IN FRANCE with the foundry seal L.N. / PARIS / J.L. Its size (inclusive of base) is 25¼ by 6¾ by 25 inches, it is in mint condition and is similar to examples pictured in three respected reference books. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000
Other noteworthy lots from the widely varied auction lineup include an incredible 9lb 7oz Mexican Laguna Agate mineral specimen showing predominant shades of pink and purple in a natural fantasy design, $5,000-$10,000; and an 1893-S PCGS CAC VF30 Morgan Silver Dollar, estimate: $5,000-$8,000
Morphy’s Wednesday/Thursday June 11-12, 2025 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction will be held live at Morphy’s gallery, 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517, starting at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Jewelry/watches preview by appointment only. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone and live via the Internet through Morphy Live. Enquiries: call 877-968-8880, email [email protected]. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.
