Quinn’s to auction fine paintings and decorative art from estates of Washington, DC notables, Jan. 30
Featured: Classical antiques, marquetry furniture from distinguished D.C. estate, artworks from prominent Potomac, Md., doctor; Asian art, property of national TV correspondent Ray Scherer
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – On Saturday, January 30, Quinn’s Auction Galleries will conduct a Fine & Decorative Arts Auction featuring American, European, Asian and Modern selections from the estates of Washington, DC notables as well as elegant residences in the northern Virginia region. Although not a gallery event with in-person floor bidding, the auction will be accessible by means of several convenient alternatives, including phone bidding on auction day, live online through LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable, and absentee, either via Quinn’s website or ahead of time by phone.
Among the featured consignments in the 650-lot auction are classical antiques and marquetry furniture of superlative quality from the estate of Catherine Spencer Eddy Beveridge and her aunt, Delia Macomb Spencer Field, the second wife of Marshall Field. The goods come directly from the Beveridge family home in upper northwest Washington and include extraordinary selections of Meissen porcelain and high-end marquetry furniture.
A rare 11 1/8-inch ruby-ground famille rose porcelain vase with a six-character Qianlong red-seal mark, probably of the period, is beautifully decorated with good-luck symbols on the neck and shoulder. Its main composition shows children on a residential terrace overlooking a pavilion and landscape. Since its purchase in 1922, the vase has remained in the Beveridge/Field family, passing by descent through subsequent generations. It is expected to reach $25,000-$35,000 on auction day.
From the same estate’s Meissen collection, a 19th-century porcelain Hoopoe Bird, modeled after an 18th-century design by J.J. Kaendler, is marked with faint blue crossed swords and incised with model numbers 278 and 78. Under its base, it retains its original “Bing Jr & Co Frankfurt” retailer paper tag. The piece stands 12 5/8 inches tall and is estimated at $600-$900.
Two marquetry-inlaid and ormolu-mounted gueridons (round side tables) from the Beveridge estate were crafted by Joseph Emmanuel Zwiener (1849-1895) and feature floral inlay on the tops and around the sides. An identical pair, each has two shelves, saber legs and squared feet. Inside the ormolu mountings the tables are marked “ZO.” Lot estimate: $4,000-$6,000
Small and exquisite, a Thomas Webb yellow cameo glass perfume bottle with a silver top dates to the late 19th century. Its motif of masterfully created fruit and leaves reflects the high standard of artistry expected of Thomas Webb creations. Also from the Beveridge estate, it is estimated at $400-$600.
Paintings from the collection of a prominent Potomac, Maryland, physician are predominantly of the European taste. One of the highlights is a Jean Jansem (French/Armenian, 1920-2013) untitled oil-on-canvas depiction of two women. Artist-signed and measuring 63½ by 37½ inches, it is estimated at $15,000-$20,000. Another accomplished work is Herman Herzog’s (German/ American, 1832-1932) Norwegian Highland near a Northern Fjord. The late 19th/early 20th century oil-on-canvas mountainscape measures 17¼ by 23 inches and is faintly signed. Estimate: $6,000-$9,000
Continuing with selections from the Potomac estate, a portrait of an unknown boy reading was created in the manner of Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669) and might have been completed by his pupil Philipp Koning or de Koninck (Dutch, d. 1689). Unsigned, the 17th-century oil-on-canvas measures 23 by 19 inches (framed: 31¾ by 27¾ inches) and comes to auction with a $1,500-$2,500 estimate.
Attributed to Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, aka Cornelius Johnson (British/ Dutch, 1593-1661), a 17th-century oil-on-panel portrait of a Dutch lady wearing a pearl necklace is sized 11¾ by 9 inches (framed: 17¼ by 14¼ inches). Its pre-sale estimate is $2,000-$3,000.
From the estate of a southern Maryland collector/dealer, a 21½-inch carved Chinese lacquer and wood sitting Guanyin, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is finished in red-brown lacquer and gilt overall. Accompanied by X-ray films, it is cataloged with a $4,000-$6,000 estimate.
A Florida estate was the source of a signed 1970 David Maass (American, b. 1929-) oil-on-board depiction of ducks flying over a marsh, titled Feeding Time. An Abercrombie and Fitch Co., label is affixed to the back of the 23- by 35-inch (framed: 33- by 45-inch) painting. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000
Also noteworthy are items from the estate of national television political and news reporter Ray Scherer (d. 2000), who served as a White House correspondent for NBC News and covered six US presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Gerald R. Ford.
“This is one of the best auctions we’ve ever produced,” said Matthew Quinn, Sr. Vice President of Quinn’s Auction Galleries. “Even one of these estate collections would be enough to make an auction special, but there are several in this sale, and we know bidders are going to recognize the quality and take advantage of an excellent buying opportunity.”
Quinn’s Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021 auction will start at 10 a.m. ET. There will be no in-person floor bidding; all bidding will be remote, either by phone, absentee through Quinn’s website (www.quinnsauction.com), or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable. For additional information about any item in the auction or to discuss a future consignment, call Charlotte Taylor at Quinn’s, 703-532-5632 ext. 526, or email [email protected]. Visit Quinn’s online at www.quinnsauction.com.
