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Samantha's Picks
Director, Decorative Arts & Design
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Christianne's Picks
Associate Specialist, Decorative Arts & Design
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Samantha Robinson
Director,
Decorative Arts & Design
SamanthaR@HA.com
(312) 260-7233
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Christianne Teague
Associate Specialist,
Decorative Arts & Design
ChristianneT@HA.com
(214) 409-1932
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