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Bonhams New York 580 Madison Avenue NY, NY 10022 2126449001 2126449009 fax
www.bonhams.com/us
Press Release For immediate release Photos Available Upon Request
13 April 2009 New York City…
Last Major Studio Collection of Herter Brothers Work Goes to Auction This May
Herter Brothers mirrored cabinet, circa 1872
Following the recordbreaking January sale of American Renaissance furniture commissioned for the Milton Slocum Latham residence, Thurlow Lodge, and executed by Herter Brothers, Bonhams New York is set to auction the final historic pieces from the Warner Bros. Studios Collection on May 5th. The collection was originally purchased by Warner Bros. in the Butterfield & Butterfield auctions of property from the Estate of Mary K. Hopkins, which were held in San Francisco and Menlo Park on October 5 and 22, 1942. Three major Hollywood studios were the largest buyers in this auction; the other two studio collections have long since been dispersed, making the
Warner Bros. collection the most comprehensive remaining collection of the furnishings of both Thurlow Lodge and the Mark Hopkins San Francisco residence. Certain to spark competitive bidding is a fine Herter Brothers American Renaissance carved, inlaid and polychromed maple mirrored cabinet, circa 1872. Estimated at $30,00050,000, the piece, commissioned for a Second Floor Bedroom of the famed Milton Slocum Latham Residence, is painted with grisaille roundels depicting classical busts, decorated with marquetry and walnut panels and measures almost 8 feet in height. Three delicate walnut and ivoryinlaid ebonized side chairs, commissioned for the Master Bedroom of Thurlow Lodge, will be offered with an estimate of $15,00020,000. Five pieces from the bedroom suite sold in January for an impressive combined total of $736,800. Rounding out the Herter Brothers pieces created for Thurlow Lodge is a pair of American Renaissance carved walnut armchairs (pictured, left). Commissioned for the Billiard Room of the residence, the armchairs are robustly carved with large herons, male masques and festoons and carry a presale estimate of $15,00020,000. A large buffet and matching decoration commissioned for the same room, sold in January for $192,000. Supporting the longheld theory that Herter Brothers not only supplied furniture to Thurlow , but also served as interior designers, is the dining room furniture offered in this auction. As was fashionable in the 1870s, the Thurlow Lodge dining room was decorated in a prevailing hunt motif. The dining table, chairs, cabinets and fireplace were all carved with massive hounds. Herter Brothers commissioned this furniture from one of the leading Parisian firms, Guéret Frères. Of special note is a set of nineteen carved oak Renaissance Revival chairs, comprised of seventeen side chairs and two armchairs carved with hound head terminals; the set is estimated at $30,00040,000. Also commissioned for the Dining Room is a large carved oak console on seated houndform supports (pictured, right). Measuring over 9 feet 9 inches in length, the substantial piece is estimated at $20,00030,000. Another focal point of the Dining Room was a massive and finely carved walnut fireplace mantel carved with large figures of hounds; this mantel is now in the collection of the deYoung Memorial Museum, San Francisco. Also originally part of the furnishing of Thurlow Lodge is a monumental French patinated bronze figure of a tambourine player (pictured, left). Cast by F. Barbedienne after a model by Jean Baptiste Clessinger, Rome, dated 1858, the lot carries an estimate of $10,00015,000. The bronze originally rested on a walnut pedestal which is also to be offered. Created by John Easton in San Francisco for Thurlow Lodge in 1873, the pedestal is mounted with four Barbedienne patinated bronze relief panels depicting Classical water carriers. This rare pedestal is estimated at $10,00015,000.
“Warner Bros. Studios has been an extraordinary caretaker of this historic property for over sixtysix years;” states Director of Bonhams New York, Jon King. “We are extremely pleased to offer yet another excellent group of iconic Herter Brothers pieces and related works.” The sale will take place at 580 Madison Avenue on May 5th at 10AM and 1PM EST, followed by the Severin Wunderman Collection on May 6 at 1PM. The illustrated auction catalogs for the sales are now online at www.bonhams.com/us . End Press Contact: PRNY@bonhams.com, Staci Smith, 9173455157 NOTES FOR EDITORS Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. (0108) For other press releases, go to www.bonhams.com/press.