Past Auction

Doyle New York's Auction of Property From the Estate of Lee B. Anderson on September 19, 2012 Surpasses Pre-Sale Estimate

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 at 10am EDT |
New York
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Tiffany Studios Arrow Head Lamp Base Achieves $98,500

  • Tiffany Studios Arrow Head Lamp Base Achieves $98,500
  • Sale Totals $870, 545, Surpassing the Pre-Sale Estimate of $486,475-758,375
  • Auction Showcased American Gothic Revival Furniture, Decorative Arts, Paintings and Objects by Tiffany Studios

On Wednesday, September 19, 2012, Doyle New York auctioned property from the Estate of Lee B. Anderson (1918-2010), one of the most prominent collectors of American Gothic Revival furniture. The sale showcased over 600 lots of 19th century furniture, decorations and paintings from Mr. Anderson’s historic townhouse in New York’s Renwick Triangle.

Featured in the auction was furniture from his collection that was included in the landmark 1976 exhibition, The Gothic Revival Style in America, 1830-1870, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Also noteworthy were Mr. Anderson’s collections of objects by Tiffany Studios and 19th and early 20 century landscapes and still lifes.

The top lot of the sale was an unsigned Tiffany Studios bronze, favrile glass and mosaic Arrow Head lamp base of bulbous form, height 6 7/8 inches. Estimated at $3,000-5,000, the lot sold for a staggering $98,500.

Also noteworthy were two early 19th century Sevres porcelain cabinet cups and saucers in the Gothic taste by Jean-Claude Rumeau. One was decorated with a scene from Sleeping Beauty and the other with a depiction of the tomb of El Cid, after a print from Alexander de Laborde’s Voyage pittoresque et historique en Espagne. Offered as two separate lots, each was estimated at $12,000-15,000 and sold for the identical price of $34,375.

Furniture offerings were highlighted by a circa 1850 American Gothic Revival carved mahogany pier table by the New York firm of J. & J. Meeks estimated at $7,000-9,000 that achieved $13,750.

Painintings in the sale featured an 18th century English School depiction of the Meeting between General Clive and the Nawab Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey. The painting relates to a series of four decorative canvases painted in 1762 by Francis Hayman for the Rotunda of Vauxhall Gardens. The defeat in 1757 of the Nawab of Bengal and his French Allies by the British at the Battle of Plassey confirmed the dominance of the British East India Company in South Asia for the next century. International bidding sent the painting far past its estimate of $2,000-4,000 to achieve $18,750 from a buyer in the United Kingdom.

With competitive bidding from the bidders in the salesroom, on the telephones, and live on the Internet, the sale totaled a strong $870,545, surpassing the pre-sale estimate of $486,475-758,375 with an exceptional 87% sold by lot and 95% by value.

Lee B. Anderson

Mr. Anderson’s love for the Gothic style began after serving in World War II when he visited Strawberry Hill, Horace Walpole’s 18th century Gothic villa in England. Upon his return to the States, Mr. Anderson, an art education teacher, began collecting American school paintings and eventually, Gothic Revival furniture. Over the years, his passion for the style lead him to become a prolific collector, amassing hundreds of highly romantic and elaborate pieces. His opulently decorated rooms became the mise-en-scène for memorable parties, which drew such friends as Halston and Lee Radziwill.

Mr. Anderson’s collection has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, House & Garden, The World of Interiors, Art in America, Art & Antiques, and The New York Observer, among others. He also shared his knowledge with other collectors, including Cher, who visited Mr. Anderson and toured his home, drawing inspiration for her own collection of Gothic furniture.

Lee B. Anderson Memorial Foundation

Property from the Estate of Lee B. Anderson is being auctioned for the benefit of the Lee B. Anderson Memorial Foundation, whose mission is to support programs that advance the understanding of and appreciation for the decorative arts.

Additional Paintings From the Anderson Collection

Additional paintings from the Estate of Lee B. Anderson will be offered on NOVEMBER 19 in Doyle New York’s auction of American Furniture, Decorative Arts & 19th Century Paintings.  (more)

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  • Estate of Lee B. Anderson
  • Sold to Benefit the Lee B. Anderson Memorial Foundation
  • Sold to Benefit the Lee B. Anderson Memorial Foundation

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