At The Auction with Vyna, Auction Houses, Brooke Astor, Decorative Arts, Fine Arts, Life and Style, Sotheby's
The Stately Home of Brooke Astor
“Brooke Astor’s enthusiasm for every detail pertaining to the furnishing and decorating of her rooms is charmingly effective. No one can equal her gaiety of spirit, her joyous laughter, and her keen wit.”
Albert Hadley, famed decorator who designed rooms for both Holly Hill and the Astors’ Park Avenue apartment
Brooke Astor’s property revealed a woman who was well travelled and had a keen eye for English and French pieces from both the 18th and early-19th centuries, as well as Chinese lacquer furniture primarily dating to the Qing dynasty. The beloved philanthropist and legendary figure in New York society also had a penchant for both Old Master drawings – including works by
Riches: Holly Hill, Staircase, The main staircase at Holly Hill, showing a selection of dog pictures. Courtesy Sotheby’s
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Canaletto and Nicolas Lancret – and Chinese export reverse-painted glass pieces. I must have looked at the Sotheby’s catalogue at least half a dozen times before I was able to choose a few items which I thought would be quite fitting for a “modern” interior.
The Park Avenue duplex apartment of Brooke Astor in the Rosario Candela designed building is on 73rd street. It is one of New York City’s most famous residences, and housed the iconic library that is one of the most photographed rooms in the history of American interior design
EDITOR’S TOP PICKS
Portrait of Brooke Astor by Sir Cecil Beaton, signed Beaton lower right, watercolor over pencil on paper
In The Mix: Louis XV style ormolu-mounted Chinese blue-glazed porcelain clock, 19th Century, The Dial
signed Balthazar A Paris
Mid 20th Century Art: James Montgomery Flagg, I Like It This Way, signed James Montgomery Flagg lower right
A pair of Louis XV/XVI transitional style carved beechwood
Bergères en gondole, 20th Century
For a completely different look, I would have these chairs upholstered in a Shagreen – pebbled surface cowhide (see below)
Image Courtesy Kick Shaw Productions
A George III style mahogany etagere
One is not enough. Etageres should come in twos, so I would have Rosini & Sons, my furniture maker,
duplicate this snazzy piece of furniture.
A pair of Chinese Cizhou-type baluster vases, mounted as lamps from the Qing Dynasty,
from the 19/20th Century
A pair of Chinese carved celadon-glazed brushpots from the Kangxi period (1662-1722)
The muted celadon is spot on for a modern look.
1 of 2 polychrome-painted and carved figures of sheep, Dan Falt, northeast harbor,
Maine 20th Century
There’s no rule that says you cannot bring these painted sheep into your indoor space. I personally like a whimsical element in my decor, because it invigorates an interior and makes it that much more interesting
The Dog Show by Vicente Viudes, signed Vicente Viudes lower right (signed again and inscribed Madrid)
Mrs. Astor surrounded herself with objects she loved, and her gardens reflected her life and passions. Although the dogs were the center piece for this painting, the outdoors reference was a singular reminder. BTW: A multitude of her beloved dogs will form a significant selection in the September auction.
A view of the famed library at Mrs. Astor’s duplex Manhattan apartment
Mughal-style “chrysanthemum” gem-inlaid jade hand mirror from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Every room should have a mirror, even if it is just a small one
Bon Voyage: A sixteen-piece T.Anthony red canvas luggage set comprised of thirteen suitcases and three handbags. Together with two similar handbags, All initialed B.R.A.
A modern, neoclassical style cream and green painted low table
One of the very few pieces from the sale which is estimated below $2,000. Sometimes you just have to mix the highs with the lows. And this lovely piece fits the bill
Three gold photo frames, Cartier, New York and another maker, Mid-20th Century
The September auction will include property from the Holly Hill, Westchester mansion. The estate was designed in 1927 by architect Paul William Delano
According to Sotheby’s “The sale will comprise fine and decorative art from Mrs. Astor’s Park Avenue apartment in New York City and her Westchester County estate, Holly Hill, as well as a selection of jewelry from her personal collection. The approximately 900 items in the sale will be on exhibition in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries beginning 17 September.”
Rare and important pair of Japanese export black and gilt lacquer covered jars circa 1680-1700
La Sortie Des Six Metegrave; Tres from Raoul Dufy, circa 1935
Sir Cecil Beaton, Lilac, signed Beaton (twice)
An English or Dutch chinoiserie painted and embossed leather eight-panel screen mid 18th century
Images Courtesy Sotheby’s
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