Auction: April 17

Our curators picked their favorite items from our upcoming April 17 Sophisticated Palate: Fine & Decorative Arts from the Collection of Frederick H. Schrader, Napa Valley Signature® Auction.
| Samantha's Picks Director, Decorative Arts & Design
A Fine Italian Renaissance Carved Walnut Bambocci, circa 1550
This ornately carved and well-preserved commode a bambocci is accompanied by extensive provenance, which includes noted 19th century Italian collector and dealer Stefano Bardini. Executed in Tuscany in the mid-16th century, this chest of drawers features namesake figures adorning the vertical supports, a central cartouche is a heraldic emblem, lion’s head pulls, and paw feet. It would have likely resided in a wealthy household or palazzo and stored textiles, documents, or other valuables.
Antonio María de Reyna Manescau Venetian backwater
A primary focus of Fred Schrader’s collecting was exceptional works depicting scenes of Venice, Italy, with its timeless allure, shimmering canals, domed basilicas, and ornate palazzi, which has inspired artists for generations. Spanish-Italian painter Antonio María de Reyna Manescau is particularly well represented in the Schrader collection. His finely detailed Venice scenes are found in the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and even the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. In Venetian Backwater , the artist captures a tranquil moment along one of the city’s many canals, the nearby the structures and foliage reflected in the still, mirror-like water.
A Pair of Italian Gilt and Silvered Wood Console Tables with Painted Faux Marble Tops, late 18th century
This striking pair of 18th century Italian console tables would make a statement in any room. The griffin-form supports feature “Mecca,” a decorative finishing technique that involves the application of silver leaf then amber-tinted varnish, revealing a slightly cool, nuanced golden hue. The tops are painted to mimic marble. Both techniques were popular in Italy from the Renaissance onward.
August Gerasch The harvest festival, circa 1854
It is no surprise that objects and artworks related to or depicting the harvest, fermentation or consumption of wine were of particular interest to Fred Schrader, who created many of the world’s finest cabernet sauvignons. This monumental painting of a harvest festival by Austrian artist August Gerasch serves as a celebration of this portion of Fred’s career. The auction concludes with rare early prints that depict wine-making and -drinking, perfect for any wine collector or connoisseur.
| Christianne's Picks Associate Specialist, Decorative Arts & Design
An Italian Carved Sandstone Figure of a Mermaid, 16th century
Carved in the 16th century, this sandstone mermaid sculpture reflects the Renaissance-era fascination with the grotesque and the unknown. This enigmatic work combines mythological allure with the enduring elegance of classical sculpture, making it a striking statement piece for any collection.
A Venetian Painted Carved Wood Two-Part Secretary, 18th century
A rare blend of elegance and function, this exquisite 18th-century Venetian secretary showcases intricate hand-painted decoration and refined craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Originating during a time when Venice was a center of luxury and artistic innovation, the piece reflects the city's penchant for theatricality, asymmetry, and richly layered ornamentation. Today, it continues to serve as a statement of status and taste, embodying the opulence of a bygone era.
An Important Venetian Gothic Rosso de Verona Portal Surround, early 15th century
This monumental portal was part of a group of arches imported from Italy in the early 20th century by renowned architect Addison Mizner. Intended for inclusion in Casa Bendita—a grand oceanfront estate in Florida designed for lawyer and businessman John S. Phipps—the portal was ultimately not incorporated into the final construction. It remained stored at the villa until Phipps’s passing in 1961, preserving its exceptional condition as a rare and architecturally significant example of Venetian Gothic stonework, distinguished by its harmonious blend of structural grandeur and intricate detail. A truly one-of-a-kind work.
Browse and bid on these unique works in our April 17 Sophisticated Palate: Fine & Decorative Arts from the Collection of Frederick H. Schrader, Napa Valley Signature® Auction. Sincerely,
|  | Samantha Robinson Director, Decorative Arts & Design SamanthaR@HA.com (312) 260-7233
|  | Christianne Teague Associate Specialist, Decorative Arts & Design ChristianneT@HA.com (214) 409-1932