ALAMEDA, Calif. – The private collection of renowned Los Angeles antiquarian Rita Neuman will be offered in an exclusive auction at Michaan’s on Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. Eastern). Over 150 lots of Continental furniture, art and decorative objects will be offered. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
This collection from Neuman’s residence is the culmination of a remarkable career. A native New Yorker, Neuman was at heart a Parisian in her sensibilities, grace and discerning taste. Her lifelong passion for 18th and 19th century French and Continental art and design led her to seek out the finest treasures in of Paris and while traveling the world for nearly 70 years.
Neuman’s self-education began in her 20s and her expertise accrued rapidly as her interests expanded and her collection grew. Over the years, Rita earned an impeccable reputation as a noted connoisseur and respected dealer in the international art community. She held court in her elegant Los Angeles home, entertaining and sharing her expertise with the celebrities, politicians, business executives and titled nobility who were among her clients.
Neuman’s collection included the finest examples of French 19th century cabinetmaking, painting and sculpture, Sevres porcelain, gilt bronze lighting fixtures and objets d’art. One noteworthy example is her personal desk, the Maison Millet gilt bronze mounted parquetry bureau a rognon (below; est. $20,000-$30,000). Another is the coromandel mounted cabinet ($12,000-$18,000) also from Maison Millet.
Collectors seeking an exceptional focal point will find the amazing gilt bronze mounted and paint decorated marquetry Louis XV-style grand piano by Gaveau et Cie, circa 1900, (est. $70,000-$90,000), made for the Buenos Aires market.
Complementing the exquisite furnishings is the imposing Gervais gilt bronze and marble clock garniture (below; est. $20,000-30,000) and a superb pair of large Louis XVI-style gilt bronze and marble cassolettes, possibly by the celebrated bronzier ebeniste Henry Dasson.
Among the rare finds for discerning collectors is the Maison Jansen triple vitrine cabinet (est. $12,000-$18,000). Founded in Paris in 1880, Maison Jansen was the first truly global interior design house.
Neuman’s art collection includes a charming Belle Epoque portrait (est. $2,500-$3,500) by Gustave Jean Jacquet (1846-1909) a student of Bougereau).
Of special note are several lots of floral painted porcelain plaques representing a unique opportunity for collectors. A rare pair is by Joseph Nigg, circa 1830, (top; est. $7,000-9,000) is a highlight. Nigg, a Viennese painter specializing in floral subjects on porcelain plaques, was the most important European master of the genre in the first half of the 19th century.
A special treasure to Francophiles is Gustave Dore’s allegorical figural bronze, La Defense Nationale (approximately 60 inches in height, estimate $15,000-20,000). The original was Dore’s entry to a competition for a sculpture to commemorate the sacrifices of Parisians during the Franco-Prussian war. It was later cast in bronze for the Exposition Universelle 1889. A life-size model of the La Defense Universelle can be found at the Musee du Petit Palais, Paris. Additional sculptures include bronzes of French royalty as well as an impressive pair of marble busts of Spain’s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
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