MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM E. BENjAMIN II, MANALAPAN, FLORIDA

Pro PE r T y F ro M T h E Co LLECTI on o F Mr. A n D Mr S . W ILLIAM E. B E nj AMI n II

Mr. and Mrs. William E. Benjamin II have preserved the rich history of their longtime home, Casa Alva, since taking ownership in 1957 and opening the estate as a private social club. Designed by society architect Maurice Fatio, the Mediterranean-style house was built in 1935 by the former Duchess of Marlboro, Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan, as her dream home with second husband Jacques Balsan. “The house was built for her to share with her true love,” Mrs. Benjamin says. “We poured a lot of love into the house to preserve that feeling.” Among the guests Consuelo Balsan hosted at Casa Alva – named for her mother, Alva Vanderbilt – was Sir Winston Churchill, who visited several times and often painted scenes around the grounds. In 1976 the Benjamins closed The Manalapan Club and restored the home to their private residence, retaining many of its original features including the 18th and 19th century French boiserie installed by the Balsans. The Benjamins spent the subsequent years collecting for their home, often while abroad. “Everything had a story and a purpose,” said Mrs. Benjamin, “we were restoring the house to its original splendor.”

William “Bill” Benjamin, former Mayor of Manalapan, played an active role in the development of the coastal town since moving there in 1957. He served as the president of various banks in Palm Beach and was the first organizing president of the Palm Beach County Community Foundation. Mrs. Benjamin was an assistant editor of Better Homes & Gardens. She is involved in many charitable organizations and was the 2003 recipient of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Woman of Distinction award. Both have served on the boards of the Norton Museum of Art and the Society of the Four Arts.

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1* A Pair of Italian Walnut Hall Chairs, 18th century and later, having pierce carved shell decorated crests over the upholstered backs and seats, raised on cabriole legs joined by H-form stretchers. Height 43 inches. $400-600

2* A Set of Four Spanish Walnut Side Chairs, 19th/20th century, each having a carved shell crest rail over a pierced vertical splat, above the upholstered seat, raised on carved cabriole legs ending in claw feet and joined by a turned H-form stretcher. Height 43 inches. $1,000-2,000 3* A Spanish Colonial Hardwood Cabinet, likely 19th century, having two carved panel doors above two short drawers, a single long drawer and two sets of lower panel doors, raised on square feet. Height 76 x width 52 1/2 x depth 25 3/4 inches. $1,500-2,500

4* A Spanish Colonial Side Cabinet, 19th century or later, having two drawers above an openwork base centered by a single panel door, raised on slightly splayed legs. Height 37 x width 42 x depth 25 1/2 inches. $800-1,200

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5* A Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Console Table, 17th century, the rectangular top above three carved drawers, raised on turned legs joined by plank stretchers. Height 33 x width 80 x depth 30 1/4 inches. $4,000-6,000

6* A Set of Four Italian Walnut Open Armchairs, two 18th century and two later, each having an upholstered rectangular back and seat within scrolling arms, raised on conforming legs and stretchers. Height 52 inches. $2,000-4,000

7* A Pair of Neoclassical Wrought Iron Andirons, each with three graduated spherical finials over the foliate cast base, together with a set of associated fireplace tools comprising a poker, a brush and a scoop on a conforming stand. Height of first 22 inches. $300-500

8* A Pair of Iron Torchieres, each cylindrical standard with tole leaf decoration set on a tripartite scrolling base. Height 74 1/2 inches. $600-800

9* Seven Continental Ceramic Chargers, comprising 18th and 19th century examples, each of various size, origin and decoration, including figural, foliate and animal examples. Diameter of largest 16 3/4 inches. $300-500

10* A Brittany Style Diminutive Mahogany Openwork Chest, the rectangular top over the balustrade frieze, above four panels, two of them sliding doors, opening to shelves, raised on a carved apron and carved tapering legs. Height 17 3/4 x width 16 7/8 x depth 6 1/4 inches. $200-400

11* A Brittany Style Mahogany Diminutive Armoire, having a rectangular top over an openwork panel door, inset with a clock having a circular dial with Arabic hours within the conforming case, raised on bracket feet. Height 17 3/4 inches. $400-600

12* A Continental Carved Wood Table Casket, the rectangular hinged lid having a carved floral spray within beaded borders. Width 11 1/2 inches. $200-400

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13* A Set of Four Continental Walnut Side Chairs, each with a cruciform backsplat over the upholstered seat, raised on turned legs joined by stretchers, together with two similar examples with a shaped horizontal splat. Height 40 1/4 inches. $1,000-2,000

14* A Set of Four Italian Side Chairs, each having foliate carved finials over the upholstered back and seat, raised on turned legs joined by conforming stretchers. Height 41 inches. $1,000-2,000 15* A Pair of Italian Walnut Inlaid Corner Cabinets, 18th century and later, each with a triangular banded hinged top, opening to square, over two paneled doors, raised on tapering square legs. Height 32 x width 29 x depth 29 inches (open). $1,000-2,000

16* An Italian Mahogany and Fruitwood Inlaid Marquetry Commode, the rectangular top having a central urn with flowers issuing scrolling vines, over two long drawers also having urn and foliate decoration, raised on cabriole legs. Height 31 1/2 x width 53 x depth 20 inches. $400-600 17* An Italian Painted Commode, having a faux marble top with canted front corners, above the conforming case set with two drawers, raised on cabriole legs, having neoclassical floral and profile decoration throughout. Height 30 1/2 x width 24 x depth 13 1/2 inches. $800-1,200

18* An Italian Painted Corner Cabinet, having a shaped triangular top over the bombé form case fitted with a single door, raised on slightly splayed tapering feet. Height 34 1/2 x width 29 1/2 x depth 20 inches. $1,000-2,000

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19* A Pair of Italian Polychrome Decorated Console Tables, one 18th century, the other later, both likely later decorated, having serpentine faux marble tops over the conforming friezes raised on cabriole legs, with foliate decoration throughout. Height 32 x width 58 x depth 30 inches. $6,000-8,000

20* An Italian Red Lacquered and Parcel Gilt Decorated Tall Case Clock, 18th century and later, the domed hood above the conforming glazed door revealing the circular dial with Roman hours and time and strike movement, above the straight trunk having overall floral decoration and genre scenes within cartouches. Height 93 inches. $3,000-5,000

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21* A Pair of Venetian Giltwood Mirrors, 19th century, each of cartouche form with a pierce carved foliate crest. Height 31 inches. $1,000-2,000

22* A Continental Painted and Parcel Gilt Wall Clock, the cartouche form face having a circular dial with Roman hours and Arabic minutes with further foliate decoration, containing a German time and strike movement stamped H & B, with two cylindrical faux weights. Height 18 1/2 inches. $300-500

23* A Pair of Italian Turned Giltwood Lamps, each having a twist carved columnar standard set on a square base with concave corners. Height overall 34 1/4 inches. $300-500 24* A Pair of Cast Metal Figural Tulipières, each in the form of a standing blackamoor holding ropes with glass liners. Height 13 inches. $400-600

25* A Pair of Tole Models of Palm Trees, each of naturalistic form set in a squared white cast metal jardinière. Height 18 inches. $600-800

26* Four Limestone Garden Statues, depicting putti representing three of the seasons, comprising one holding a floral swag, two with grape clusters and the last with a sheaf of wheat, each set on a square base. Height 28 inches. $3,000-5,000

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27* A Pair of Cast Garden Statues, each depicting a seated putto, the first with Bacchic grape decoration, the other with a floral headband and sash. Height 19 1/2 x width 19 inches. $500-700

28* A Carved Pine Ship’s Figurehead, early 19th century, depicting a robed woman with her left arm clutched to her chest, having polychrome additions to the eyes, lips and sash. Height 51 1/2 inches. $10,000-20,000

29* A Continental Cast Metal Bust, 19th/20th century, depicting an admiral, raised on a conforming socle. Height 18 inches. $300-500

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30* An Italian Bronze Ornithological Group, G. Cappelletti, 20th century, depicting two birds standing on a naturalistic ground, signed and titled. Height 17 1/2 inches. $800-1,200

31* An Italian Bronze Ornithological Group, Sirio Tofanari (1886-1969), depicting a standing stork feeding chicks in a nest, raised on a marble plinth base, having Marinelli foundry mark. Height 19 1/2 inches. $5,000-7,000

32* Six English Equestrian Race Prints, each depicting mounted jockeys at various points along the steeplechase, matted and framed uniformly. Height 7 3/4 x width 13 5/8 inches (visible). $200-400

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38 33* A Group of Four English Hunting Prints, after Henry Thomas Aiken, engraved by Sutherland, titled Weighing, Preparing to Start, Training and Running, matted and framed uniformly. Height 10 1/4 x width 27 inches (visible). $300-500

34* Twelve English Handcolored Engravings, comprising eight plates from Cassell’s Poultry Book depicting prize winning chickens, matted and framed uniformly, together with four associated prints depicting various species of mammals. Height of first 9 1/2 x width 7 1/8 inches (visible). $800-1,200

35* An English Needlepoint Firescreen, of rectangular form with a shaped top decorated with two figures in a landscape. Height 29 1/2 x width 27 inches. $300-500

36* Five Pairs of English Turned and Carved Wood Candlesticks, comprising four of open twist and six of closed twist form. Height of tallest 24 1/4 inches. $400-600

37* A Dutch Mahogany Inlaid Decanter Set, of rectangular form, the hinged lid opening to a fitted interior with six gilt decorated decanters and two stems. Height of case 9 1/4 x width 11 3/4 x depth 7 1/2 inches. $800-1,200

38* A Continental Three-Panel Painted Floor Screen, having a central panel flanked by two smaller panels, the scene depicting figures seated before a wall in a garden, framed. Height 59 1/4 x width 57 1/2 inches. $800-1,200

39* A German Kingwood, Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode, mid-18th century, the shaped rectangular top over the conforming case set with three long drawers having foliate cast pulls and escutcheons, raised on bracket feet. Height 37 x width 62 1/2 x depth 30 3/4 inches. $6,000-8,000

40* A Continental Four-Panel Floor Screen, each rectangular upholstered panel with a rounded top, inset with prints depicting Roman mythological scenes. Height of each panel 81 x width 16 inches. $800-1,200 41* A Suite of South European Gilt Walnut Furniture, mid-18th century, the canapé likely late 19th/early 20th century, comprised of four fauteuils and a canapé, each upholstered within a floral carved crest and seat rail. Width of canapé 53 inches. $4,000-6,000

42* A Louis XV Style Giltwood Three-Panel Fire Screen, the central panel with a foliate carved crest over the rouched fabric panels, raised on foliate carved feet. Height 29 1/4 x width overall 38 1/8 inches. $300-500

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49 43* Two Associated Louis XV Style Occasional Tables, each having a rectangular galleried marble inset top, one fitted with a single drawer, the other with three drawers, each raised on cabriole legs. Height of larger 27 3/4 x width 14 1/4 x depth 11 1/4 inches. $300-500

44* A Set of Four Louis XV Style Giltwood Fauteuils, each with a foliate carved crest over the upholstered back, arms and seat, raised on cabriole legs. Height 40 1/2 inches. $1,500-2,500

45* A Louis XV Style Giltwood Canapé, having a foliate carved crest over the upholstered back, arms and seat, raised on cabriole legs. Width 62 inches. $2,000-4,000

46* A Louis XV Style Burlwood and Gilt Metal Mounted Bureau Plat, having a three-quarter galleried and tooled leather inset reniform top over five drawers, raised on cabriole legs ending in sabots. Height 30 x width 48 x depth 28 inches. $800-1,200

47* A Pair of Louis XV Style Painted and Parcel Gilt Slipper Chairs, each having an upholstered back and seat raised on carved cabriole legs. Height 34 1/4 inches. $300-500

48* A Louis XV Style Carved and Polychrome Decorated Canapé, 19th century, having a carved scrolling crest and seat rail over an upholstered back and seat, raised on cabriole legs. Width 73 inches. $3,000-5,000

49* A Pair of Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Chenets, each cast with rocaille decoration, together with an associated fire guard. Width of fire guard 62 inches. $1,000-2,000

50* A Régence Style Giltwood Mirror, late 19th/early 20th century, having a pierced crest centered with a shell, the beveled plate within a gadrooned border, further set within a plate border, having scrolling mounts to each corner. Height approximately 75 x width 48 inches. $5,000-7,000

51* Four French Handcolored Botanical Engravings, Pierre Joseph Redoute (1759-1840), depicting various species of flowers, matted and framed, together with two associated later examples. Height of first 13 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches (visible). $300-500

52* An Assembled Set of Fourteen French Handcolored Engravings, each depicting figures in 19th century attire socializing in various settings, matted and framed uniformly in a set of eight and a set of six. Height 7 x width 9 5/8 inches (visible). $300-500

53* Nine French Handcolored Engravings, Sidney Z. Lucas, depicting various forms of horse drawn carriages, matted and framed uniformly. Height 5 3/4 x width 7 7/8 inches (visible). $200-400

54* A Collection of Five Botanical Prints, comprising a set of four depicting lemons, together with an associated example depicting leafy branches. Height of first overall 14 1/8 inches. $200-400

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55* A French Provincial Carved Oak Dining Table, J. Sarazin, late 19th/early 20th century, having a rectangular parquetry top with rounded corners over the conforming pierce carved frieze, raised on six cabriole legs, the center two of which are adjustable, stamped J. Sarazin multiple times. Height 31 1/4 x width 88 x depth 60 inches. $5,000-7,000

56* A Pair of French White Marble Relief Roundels, 19th century, one depicting a lady, the other a gentleman, each in profile and set in conforming giltwood frames. Diameter 15 1/4 inches. $800-1,200

57* A Pair of Neoclassical Rouge Marble and Gilt Bronze Mounted Urns, 20th century, each having a fruit cluster finial over the ovoid form body, with swan form handles joining swags, raised on gilt bronze circular bases. Height 21 inches. $1,500-2,500

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58* A Pair of French Cut Glass and Brass Five-Light Girandoles, 19th/20th century, the baluster form brass standard having a cut glass finial, hung with prisms and swags throughout. Height 25 inches. $800-1,200

59* A Pair of Louis XVI Style Bergères, each having a carved rounded crest rail over the upholstered back, arms and seat, raised on fluted tapering legs, together with a conforming tabouret. Height of chair 35 inches. $600-800

60* A Louis XVI Style Mahogany and Gilt Metal Mounted Dressing Table, 19th/20th century, having a beveled trifold mirror over the reniform top above a single drawer, raised on tapering legs ending in sabots further set with casters. Height 62 x width 39 1/2 x depth 20 1/2 inches. $800-1,200

61* A Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bouillotte Table, 20th century, having a circular galleried marble top over the conforming frame, raised on tapering fluted legs joined by a medial shelf. Height 28 x diameter 23 1/2 inches. $300-500

62* A Set of Three Louis XVI Style Nesting Tables, each with faux inset marble tops, one having a galleried top, all raised on fluted tapering legs ending in caps. Height of largest 23 x width 22 x depth 15 inches. $300-500

63* A Louis XVI Style Giltwood and Porcelain Mounted Over Mantel Mirror, 19th century, having a torch, quiver and foliate carved crest over the shaped plate, further inset with porcelain plaques depicting putti in the upper corners. Height 52 x width 56 inches. $3,000-5,000

64* A Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Ebonized and Japanned Side Cabinet, 19th/20th century, having a shaped rectangular marble top over the conforming case set with a central cabinet door decorated with a landscape, the whole raised on tapering twist feet. Height 43 3/4 x width 45 1/2 x depth 18 3/4 inches. $5,000-7,000

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65* A Louis XVI Style Five-Panel Painted Canvas Floor Screen, each rectangular panel with an arched top, decorated with figures in Rococo cartouches above urns issuing flowers. Height of each panel 67 x width 23 1/2 inches. $1,500-2,500

66* A Louis XVI Style Giltwood Parlor Suite, 18th/19th century, comprised of four fauteuils and a canapé, each with a carved crest and seat rail, raised on fluted tapering legs, stamped 1832. Width of canapé 63 1/2 inches. $4,000-6,000

67* A Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Table à Écrire, 20th century, having a rectangular tooled leather inset top over the single short drawer with a bronze relief depicting putti and flanked by swags, raised on square tapering legs ending in caps. Height 30 x width 39 1/4 x depth 23 1/2 inches. $800-1,200 68* Four Louis XVI Style Painted Side Chairs, each with a shaped crest rail over three vertical splats above the caned seat, raised on fluted tapering legs. Height 34 3/4 inches. $400-600

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