Cover: Kenneth Noland
Sand Glass, 1983
The Estate of Violet Werner Estimate: $100,000-200,000 Sold for $252,000
Le Baiser, 3ème réduction
Bronze with brown patina
Height 15 1/2 inches
The Estate of Marjory H. Cohen Estimate: $250,000–350,000 Sold for $289,800
Doyle is a dynamic company with a reputation for professional, personalized, and discreet service. Doyle has a history of more than fifty years of providing comprehensive appraisal and auction services tailored to the individual needs of each estate or collection. Our knowledgeable team of world-class professionals brings together decades of experience for a sophisticated analysis of today’s marketplace. Estate executors, fiduciary advisors, collectors and heirs trust us to provide fair market value appraisals and state-of-the-art auction services that adhere to our guiding principles of integrity, expertise and service.
Headquartered in New York with offices from coast to coast, Doyle is strategically situated to serve families and fiduciaries in all areas of the country. We excel in presenting property from estates and collections to our vast network of the world’s leading private collectors, advisors, dealers and curators. With our creative outreach in both traditional and digital media, our auctions are seen by buyers throughout the world. Our record-breaking sales demonstrate the depth and strength of our global reach.
Doyle's New York-based team and regional advisors are always available to discuss the appraisal and sale of a single object or an entire collection. Let us share our passion and expertise with you. We invite you to partner with us to ensure an outstanding, successful, and personalized appraisal and auction experience.
The Thorn Family Jewels
Kashmir Sapphire, 5.12 carats Est. $100,000–200,000 Sold for $409,500
‘Pigeon Blood’ Burma Ruby, 3.90 carats Est. $150,000–250,000 Sold for $510,300
Strategically located at the center of the international art and auction world, Doyle’s New York gallery is the ideal venue for the sale of collections to a global audience of buyers.
Our additional galleries in Palm Beach and Beverly Hills host events and previews of jewelry, fine art, and other highlights, drawing collectors from far and wide.
Doyle offers a full array of live and online auctions. As a pioneer in innovative digital technology, Doyle broadcasts our auctions globally with clear and convenient interactive capabilities. Last year, our buyers represented ninety countries on six continents.
Among the many advantages that Doyle brings to the sale of collections is our superior team of specialists. They offer meticulous scholarship, decades of auction experience, deep relationships with new and established collectors, and up-to-date knowledge of auction markets around the world.
Robust marketing strategies intensify interest from both established buyers and new collectors and promote spirited competition between our diverse audiences of bidders. As a result we consistently achieve world auction records across all collecting categories.
• Live auctions in our New York salesroom, and exhibition galleries in New York, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills
• A wide range of object values at auction, ensuring we can accommodate more of your property
• Flexible seller’s commissions and fees
• Coordination of transport to Doyle
• Insured storage
• Auction catalogues with biographical introductions for private collections
• Live auctions transmitted worldwide
• Live, interactive internet bidding with Doyle’s “BidLive!” technology and via other auction platforms
• Live telephone bidding
• Optional outright purchase of property
• Comprehensive liquidation of entire estates or collections, with property of moderate value handled by Doyle’s online-only auction subsidiary Hayloft Auctions®
Marie-Victoire Lemoine (French, 1754-1820)
Madame Leclerc, née Pauline Bonaparte Circa 1798-99
Oil on canvas, 77 x 54 1/8 inches
Private Collection, Washington, D.C.
Est: $40,000 – 70,000 Sold for $387,000
A World Auction Record
Doyle is an industry leader in providing fair market value appraisal and auction services customized to the requirements of each client. Our prime objective is to coordinate and simplify the process of appraising estate property and private collections, complemented by the seamless transition to the successful sale at auction for maximum prices.
• Fair market value appraisals for estate tax purposes, family division, estate planning and auction sale
• Regional offices across the country to assist clients with multiple residences
• Preliminary consultation visits to assess the scope of a collection
• Complimentary auction estimates based on first-hand inspection and/or preliminary auction estimates based on photographs
• Competitive appraisal fees, with illustrated appraisals upon request
• Authentication and gemological testing services
• Real estate services through our exclusive relationship with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network members
• Access to the fine and rare wine market through our exclusive alliance with Zachys – the world's premier wine auction house.
Doyle’s worldwide database of buyers and sellers allows us to quickly and discreetly facilitate private sales across a wide range of collecting categories.
Doyle has long been privileged to present the landmark auctions of property from prominent estates, private collections, celebrities and distinguished institutions. These historic sales attract a global audience of enthusiastic buyers who converge at Doyle’s salesrooms or participate from around the world via telephone and the internet.
New York, New York
Estimate $1,103,400 – 1,620,950 Total $9,167,156
Chinese White Jade Covered Wine Pot, 18th Century, Length 6 3/4 inches. Est: $200,000–300,000. Sold for $2,965,000
New York
Estimate $665,780 – 1,010,420 Total $2,369,231
The Charter of the City of New York, 1735, First Edition. Est: $20,000–30,000. Sold for $233,000
New York, New York
Estimate $910,605 – 1,395,060 Total $3,464,183
Alberto Pasini, Arab Oasis, 1875, Oil on canvas, 28 3/4 x 23 7/8 inches. Est: $100,000–200,000. Sold for $194,500
The Estate of Ambassador Nicholas Ruwe
Washington, DC
Estimate $217,100 – 305,900 Total $1,198,386
Russian Gilt Silver Stemware, Flatware and Dinner Service marked with the Imperial Warrant, St. Petersburg, circa 1908-1917. Est: $125,000–175,000. Sold for $912,000
The Collection of Mrs. Lewis A. Shea featuring Empress Eugenie’s Pearls
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Estimate $150,000 – 270,000 Total $3,606,000
Pair of Rare and Exceptional Natural Pearls. Est. $100,000–200,000. Sold for $3.3 Million A World Auction Record.
The Estate of Samuel Mills Damon Honolulu, Hawaii
Estimate $1,415,400 – 1,987,750 Total $3,884,000
Extremely Rare Centennial Year Proof Set with Original Presentation Case, 1876. Est: $250,000–300,000. Sold for $548,000
The F. Gordon Morrill
Collection of Chinese and Chinese Export Porcelain
Del Ray, Florida
Estimate $2,664,450 – 3,811,450 Total $12,047,000
Massive Blue and White Porcelain ‘Pilgrim’ Flask Yuan Dynasty, Circa 1345, Height 14 1/2 inches. Est: $500,000–750,000. Sold for $5,831,500 A World Auction Record.
Estimate $819,276 – 1,303,230 Total $2,411,700
Cartier Art Deco Rock Crystal ‘Model A’ Mystery Clock. Est: $200,000 –400,000. Sold for $515,000. A World Auction Record.
New York
Estimate $521,620 – 717,780 Total $1,653,266
Tiffany & Co. Colombian Emerald Ring, 5.78 cts., circa 1920. Est: $15,000–20,000. Sold for $114,000
Beach, Florida
Estimate $567,800 – 850,700 Total $1,417,000
Kakiemon ‘Hampton Court’ Jars, Circa 1673-1681. Est: $30,000–50,000. Sold for $91,750
Louis XV/XVI Petit Commode, Third quarter of the 18th century. Est: $20,000-30,000. Sold for $168,750.
Palm Beach, Florida
Estimate $1,275,450 – 1,855,650 Total $2,663,156
Ceylon Sapphire Ring, France, 46.31 cts. Est: $80,000–120,000. Sold for $150,000.
Natural Fancy Yellow Diamond Ring, 22.96 cts., VVS2 clarity. Est: $200,000–300,000. Sold for $384,500
Palm Beach, Florida
Estimate $242,480 – 371,820 Total $1,123,857
Mrs. Henry Ford II at her Palm Beach home, 2006.
Bedford, New York
New York, New York
Estimate $1,640,670 – 2,493,180 Total $2,619,218
Chinese Lacquer Cabinet on Stand, late 17th century. Est: $15,000–25,000. Sold for $68,750
Estimate $1,216,195 – 1,775,460 Total $5,168,406
Cartier Burma Ruby Ring, 6.29 carats. Est. $60,000–80,000. Sold for $1,314,500
Newton, New Jersey
Estimate $542,755 – 863,995 Total $1,891,662
Cartier, Silver, Nephrite Jade and Lapis Partners Clock, Circa 1930. Est. $20,000–30,000. Sold for $239,000
Locust Valley, New York
Estimate $1,473,150 – 2,886,900 Total $2,414,176
New York Mets 2000 National League “Subway Series” Championship Ring. Est: $8,000–12,000. Sold for $13,750.
James Edward Buttersworth, Yacht Racing Off Sandy Hook, Circa 1877, Oil on canvas, 20 1/8 x 36 inches. Est: $200,000–300,000. Sold for $348,500
The Estate of an Italian Philanthropic Family
Beverly Hills, California
Estimate $931,100 – 1,418,900 Total $2,865,725
An Important Burma Sapphire, 19.05 cts., Graff. Estimate: $150,000–250,000. Sold for $453,600.
The Estate of Aileen 'Suzy' Mehle
New York, New York
Estimate $346,095 - 509,760 Total $930,362
David Webb, Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Earclips. Est: $20,000 - $30,000. Sold for $43,750
The David Easton Collection Suffern, New York New York, New York
Estimate $786,800 – 1,179,550 Total $1,663,440
Interior of Balderbrae, David Easton’s country home in Suffern, NY.
The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. New York, New York Palm Beach, Florida
Estimate $317,150 – 510,050 Total $561,000
Midnight Blue Dress Suit, London. Est: $300–500. Sold for $6,250
Oyster Bay, New York New York, New York
Estimate $578,185 – 884,260 Total $1,307,931
Fashion Sketches including Jacqueline Kennedy’s Inaugural Gala gown, early 1960s. Est: $1,000-1,500. Sold for $3,437 Opposite: Cassini’s Gramercy Park townhouse showcased a 16th century suit of armor Est: $20,000-30,000 Sold for $262,500 A World Auction Record.
Original sketch after workshop drawings for Mrs. Kennedy, early 1960s. Est: $800–1,200. Sold for $7,500. Cassini dancing with Jacqueline Kennedy at the Belmont Ball, Florida, 1954.
The son of Russian aristocrats, Oleg Cassini was raised in Italy before immigrating in the 1930s to the United States, initially settling in New York. Following his service in the U.S. Cavalry during World War II, he worked as a costume designer in Hollywood before returning to New York and establishing his eponymous label. Mr. Cassini’s career-defining opportunity came in December 1960 when he was chosen by Jacqueline Kennedy to design her fashions for the White House. From 1960 to 1963, Oleg Cassini would design over 300 items for Mrs. Kennedy, creating the “Jackie Look” that contributed not only to a fashion revolution but also the dawn of a new age.
The worlds of fashion, art and design converged at Doyle on June 27, 2019 for the auction of the Estate of Oleg Cassini, the legendary fashion designer best known for creating Jacqueline Kennedy’s signature style as First Lady. Prior to the auction, Doyle was pleased to present an exhibition at Moorelands, Mr. Cassini's home in Oyster Bay Cove, Long Island.
With competitive international bidding in the salesroom, on the telephones, and via the internet, the 755-lot auction far surpassed its estimate with an exceptional 100% sold – a “White Glove Sale.”
Highlighting the sale was a rare 16th century suit of fluted armor in the Maximilian style that soared past its estimate of $20,000-30,000 to achieve a stunning $262,500 – An American Auction Record for European Armor.
Fashion memorabilia featured original Kennedy-era design sketches by Mr. Cassini, including an important group of large format drawings with a pencil drawing of Mrs. Kennedy’s Inaugural Gala gown. The drawings sailed past their estimate of $1,000-1,500 to achieve $3,437. A detailed Cassini ledger with fabric samples dating from 1960-64 chronicling orders during the Kennedy White House years sold for $2,812, many times over its estimate.
The Estate of Sarah Belk Gambrell
Charlotte, North Carolina New York, New York
Estimate $752,425 – 1,338,250 Total $3,730,242
Chinese Imperial Falangcai Porcelain Vase
Qianlong four-character seal mark Height 4 7/8 inches Est: $100,000–300,000 Sold for $2.45 Million
Vienna (du Paquier)
Porcelain Tobacco Box, Cover and Tamper Height 6 1/4 inches
Est: $15,000–25,000 Sold for $94,500
The daughter of Belk department store founder William Henry Belk, Sr., Sarah Belk Gambrell (1918-2020) spent her life as a trailblazer. Charting a path in a retail world run by men, she coordinated the women’s wear and cosmetics businesses for hundreds of Belk stores across the South. In 1952, she married banker Charles Glenn Gambrell, and the pair maintained homes in Charlotte and New York. Mrs. Gambrell was a generous philanthropist and a tireless advocate for women and other marginalized groups nationwide, and in her native city of Charlotte.
A sophisticated collector, Mrs. Gambrell assembled an extensive collection of important English and Continental porcelain. Doyle was honored to present The Estate of Sarah Belk Gambrell and promoted the auction locally in North Carolina, nationally across the United States and internationally to reach bidders throughout Europe and Asia.
On June 24, 2021, Doyle held the highly-successful auction of The Sarah Belk Gambrell Collection of European Porcelain, which topped $1 million. The top lot of the sale was a rare and important Vienna (du Paquier) porcelain tobacco box, cover and tamper (Tabaktopf) that soared past its estimate of $15,000-25,000 to achieve a stunning $94,500. The circa 1730 tobacco box was offered complete with its porcelain crossbar lock, which doubled as a tamper.
A rare and important Chinese Imperial falangcai vase decorated with a continuous scene of two European women and a child in a garden, created during the reign of Chinese Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796), achieved a stunning $2.45 million at Doyle’s highly-anticipated Asian Works of Art auction on September 20, 2021. Determined bidders from around the globe competing via telephone sent the vase soaring over its pre-sale estimate of $100,000-300,000.
Mrs. Gambrell’s collection of Fine English and Continental Furniture, Decorative Arts, Silver and Old Master Paintings from her elegant homes in Charlotte and on Park Avenue highlighted Doyle’s Fall 2021 auction season.
Estimate $813,260 – 1,185,265 Total $1,874,700
David Webb, Gold and Bead Necklace and Earclips
Est: $10,000-15,000. Sold for $34,375
Opposite: Graff, Diamond Necklace Est: $50,000-70,000.
Van Cleef & Arpels, Diamond Camelia Brooch
Est: $30,000-50,000.
Cartier, Diamond and Cultured Pearl Earclips
Est: $30,000-50,000. Sold for $68,750
David Webb
Est: $15,000-20,000.
Doyle was honored to present at auction the exceptional and extensive jewelry collection assembled by Rosalind P. Walter (1924-2020), the original “Rosie the Riveter” and a generous benefactor of PBS.
Raised in a refined family with homes on Long Island and Fairfield, Connecticut, the former Rosalind Palmer joined millions of women in supporting the war effort by entering the workforce during World War II. Known by friends as Roz, she worked the night shift as a riveter at the Vought Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut. Society chronicler Igor Cassini wrote about her in his popular Cholly Knickerbocker column, which in turn inspired the hit 1942 song, Rosie the Riveter. Written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb and popularized by the Four Vagabonds, Rosie the Riveter documented the home-front campaign that laid the groundwork for the women’s rights movement of the late 20th century. The song cemented her name in history, while other women went on to model for the well-known depictions of Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell and J. Howard Miller.
Ms. Walter continued inspiring the next generation after the war. In later years, she devoted herself to philanthropy with a focus on public broadcasting. She was one of PBS’s principal benefactors, supporting programming like Great Performances, American Masters and PBS NewsHour. She also became the largest individual supporter of WNET New York, helping underwrite 67 shows or series over forty years. Ms. Walter and her second husband, Henry Glendon Walter Jr., were also benefactors of the American Museum of Natural History, the Pierpont Morgan Library and Long Island University, among others.
A highlight of the Fall 2020 auction season, the Collection was auctioned in our Important Jewelry, Fine Jewelry and Jewelry Online sales. Ms. Walter’s collection included quintessential designs by such storied makers as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Buccellati, Graff and David Webb. Much like the woman herself, these pieces were iconic, timeless and classic. Topping Important Jewelry on October 1, 2020 was a glittering colored diamond and diamond necklace by Graff that sold for $112,500, well over its $50,000-70,000 estimate.
Sam Francis
American 1923-1994 Untitled (SF-#2), 1987 Color monotype 38 x 72 inches
Est: $20,000–40,000 Sold for $50,400
Opposite: Kenneth Noland
American, 1924-2010 Sand Glass, 1983 Acrylic on canvas, 85 x 69 1/2 inches
Est: $100,000–200,000 Sold for $252,000
Violet Werner (1926-2019) and her late husband, Harvey Werner (d. 1998) were passionate about art and philanthropy. Through their Werner Family Foundation, they supported the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Sholom Fund, Walker Art Center, and Jewish Federation. Mrs. Werner was one of the original founders of the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and was a board member at MorseLife. She once told a reporter, “I always gave to those causes that were and are closest to my heart – those causes that which Harvey and I cared most deeply – Jewish issues, museums, and other cultural venues. After all, who else will come forward to make a difference if not us?”
Mrs. Werner was a formidable and enthusiastic sportswoman, particularly excelling at tennis and golf. She won the annual Minneapolis Oak Ridge Country Club golf championship from 1947 to 1992 – 45 continuous years!
A special section of the March 17, 2021 auction of Mid-Century Abstraction featured works from The Estate of Violet Werner of Palm Beach and Minneapolis. The Paintings and Prints from the Estate of Violet Werner reflected her passion for 20th century abstraction, her keen eye for strong images, bold aesthetics, and her unwavering support for artists and their craft.
A 1983 work by Kenneth Noland (1924-2010) from The Estate of Violet Werner realized $252,000 with competitive bidding, far surpassing its estimate of $100,000-200,000. Sand Glass is a large-scale example of the chevron, one of his best-known forms, employed with high-key colors to stunning effect.
In addition to her remarkable collection of Paintings and Prints, Jewelry from the Estate of Violet Werner was offered as a highlight across the Spring 2021 auction season.
Adolph Gottlieb
American, 1903-1974
A Heavy Matter, 1965 Oil on canvas
30 x 24 1/8 inches
The Estate of Dr. James Lawrence Pool
Est: $300,000–500,000 Sold for $756,000
Kathleen M. Doyle Chairman 212-427-4141, ext 215 Kathy@ Doyle.com
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