Seven auction sessions and more than a thousand items to celebrate the splendour of ancient art: on 22, 23, 24, 25 and 28 October 2024, Antique Furniture and Paintings presents a fascinating journey through the many souls of the past world, including previously unseen works and exclusive collections.
The first session is a tribute to the extraordinary 'Melissa Gabardi-Minervino Collection', the proceeds of which will support the foundation of the same name. This project aims to preserve and enhance the valuable artistic heritage gathered by Melissa Gabardi, a distinguished scholar of 20th-century Italian and French jewellery, and Engineer Enrico Minervino, a well-known connoisseur of Lombard and Northern European works of art.
This is an unmissable opportunity to appreciate some of the finest expressions of ancient art, with a selection of sculptures and art objects from the 15th to the 18th centuries, including notable pieces such as: the alabaster crucified Christ with angels from the Nottingham School (lot 153, € 3,300-3,500); the precious German amber cup from the 17th-18th century (lot 163, € 9,000-10,000); the rare damascened iron travelling chest from the 16th century (lot 165, €5,500-6,000); and the important sculpture of the Infant Jesus from the Andalusian School of the 17th century (lot 164, € 6,500-7,000).
Lot 163
German art, 17th-18th century.
Amber cup with bronze elements (h. cm 20).
Estimate € 9,000 - 10,000
Lot 165
Art of the 16th century.
Wooden travel chest entirely covered in iron with bronze profiles (cm 26x21x15).
Estimate € 5,500 - 6,000
Lot 164
Andalusian school, first half of the 17th century
"Triumphant Child Jesus (Niños Jesus)" painted lead figure on wooden base (h. cm 60).
Estimate € 6,500 - 7,000
Exceptional examples in the field of applied arts include a Lombard wedding chest from the 15th century (lot 298, € 10,000-12,000), while in the field of Russian art, there are pieces of rare significance, such as the icon of Saint George and the Dragon, with a silver and enamel frame by the jeweller Pavel Ovchinnikov (lot 171, € 20,000-25,000).
The nucleus of sculptures, from the 13th to the 18th century, stands out for its variety and quality with the bas-relief depicting Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist, attributed to Benedetto da Maiano (lot 274, € 5,000-6,000), the bronze putto attributable to Ferdinando Tacca (lot 301, € 10,000-12,000) and the Villano with a barrel by Romolo Ferrucci (1544-1621) (lot 304, € 8,000-10,000).
Lot 171
Russian art, 20th century.
An important tempera icon on panel depicting Saint George slaying the Dragon
within its silver-gilt gem-set basma (84 zolotniki), ornate with silver filigree,
polychrome cloisonné enamel, amethysts, citrine quartz, garnet cabochons and colored glass paste.
Moscow, 1908-1917. Silversmith : Pavel OVCHINNIKOV, with mark of Supplier of the Imperial Court (cm 27x31).
Estimate € 20,000 - 25,000
Lot 301
Sculptor of the 18th century.
Figure of Cupid in patinated bronze on base in white marble (h. cm 72).
Estimate € 10,000 - 12,000
Lot 304
Romolo Ferrucci, known as Romolo del Tadda (Fiesole, 1544 - Florence, 1621).
Villano with a small barrel, 1600-1610 ca. White marble statue cm. 155 (with base).
Estimate € 8,000 - 10,000
In the section dedicated to carpets and textiles, two remarkable pieces represent the complexity of the textile narrative and the craftsmanship of their creators: the large Ardebil carpet, inspired by a model conserved at the Victoria & Albert Museum (lot 293, € 18,000-20,000) and the Flemish tapestry "The Stories of the King of China" (lot 307, € 22,000-24,000).
The scientific instruments section offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of human knowledge, with the pairs of 18th century celestial and terrestrial globes by Gerard and Leonard Valk (lot 154, € 3.000-3.500) and by John and William Cary (lot 258, € 5.000-6.000).
The section dedicated to musical instruments, featuring a Euphonicon upright grand piano (lot 897, € 2,200-2,400) and two violins by the Cremonese maker Stefano Conia (lot 904, € 5,500-6,500 and lot 906, € 5,000-6,000), offers a glimpse into an era when music was considered inseparable from culture.
Lot 307
Flemish tapestry woven in wool and silk following a cardboard of
"The Stories of the King of China" from the manufacture of tapestries of Beauvais,
end of the 17th century - beginning of the 18th century.
Estimate € 22,000 - 24,000
Lot 258
JOHN AND WILLIAM CARY
Pair of celestial globe and earth globe in wood and paper on wooden tripods supports.
Inscribed and dated cartiglio 1808 (h tot. cm 61).
Estimate € 5,000 - 6,000
Lot 904
Violin by Stefano Conia, Cremona 2016.
Model Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù 1740 "Ysaye",
bottom in a single piece of maple with eyelets and irregular marbling, brown orange paint,
ebony frame with white gold and ruby decorations,
label «"THE SEVENTIETH" / Stefano Conia/ Made in Cremona/ Year 2016. / S. Conia» and internal focus stamp «S. Conia»,
in perfect condition (length of bottom mm 352).
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Stefano Conia (Cremona, 4 October 2016).
Estimate € 5,500 - 6,500
The heritage of furniture and art objects is complemented by the European painting tradition. In particular, a refined group of works by Flemish artists shines through, characterised by high quality and meticulous attention to detail, each piece evoking the vibrant essence of the Northern school between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Of extraordinary interest is the dramatic Pietà attributed to Maarten van Heemskerck (lot 305, € 40,000-50,000). A composition of great emotional impact, it portrays the Virgin Mary in the heartbreaking moment as she mourns the body of Christ taken down from the Cross. The vibrant brushstrokes and expressive realism of this work demonstrate Heemskerck’s mastery in blending a solid classical training with the intense drama typical of the Northern Renaissance.
Also of note is a scene of everyday life by Jan Miense Molenaer (lot 302, € 13,000-14,000), an artist renowned for his vivid depictions of 17th-century popular life. The painting captures a brawl among peasants, exemplifying Molenaer’s ability to depict with humour and authenticity the customs and emotions of ordinary people, making him an exceptional witness to the Dutch artistic tradition.
Another notable work is a painting by David Teniers the Younger (lot 303, € 9,000-10,000), depicting the interior of a butcher’s shop. Teniers, a master of genre scenes, explores with masterful realism a subject typical of his oeuvre, offering a detailed portrayal of everyday life and a skilful handling of light and colour.
Lot 305
Maarten van Heemskerck (Heemskerck 1498 - Haarlem 1574) (attr.).
"Pieta", oil on panel (32.5x36 cm).
Estimate € 40,000 - 50,000
Lot 302
Jan Miense Molenaer (Haarlem 1610 - 1668) (attr.).
"Peasant brawl", oil on panel (39x57 cm).
Estimate € 13,000 - 14,000
Lot 303
David Teniers il Giovane (Anversa 1610 - Bruxelles 1690) (attr.).
"Interior of butcher's shop", oil on panel (62.5x73 cm),
bears trace of DTF monogram at lower left. Dated '1649' on the top right-hand drinker's card.
Estimate € 9,000 - 10,000
Among the works by European artists featured in the catalogue is a painting attributed to Giuseppe Antonio Petrini (lot 271, € 7,000-8,000), a renowned Swiss painter active between Ticino and Lombardy. The painting portrays a virile figure with strong expressive intensity, demonstrating Petrini’s ability to blend local and international influences, giving his artistic language a refined originality.
An exquisite painting by Carlo Dolci (lot 308, € 50,000-60,000), master of Florentine Baroque, depicts Saint Anthony Abbot, emblematic of Christian monasticism. Published in the artist's monograph, the work expresses the saint's devotion with extraordinary intensity, thanks to the skilful use of light and shadow characteristic of Dolci's Baroque virtuosity.
Lot 271
Giuseppe Antonio Petrini (Carona 1677 - Lugano 1759).
"Male figure" oil on canvas (77.5x64 cm).
Estimate € 7,000 - 8,000
Lot 308
Carlo Dolci (Firenze 1616 - 1686).
"St. Anthony Abbot" oil on canvas (82.5x67.5 cm).
Estimate € 50,000 - 60,000