December 2007
New York – Christie’s is honored to present an extraordinary collection of property from the Estate of Robin Roberts on December 18, 2007. Mr. Roberts was the founder of Clarence House, the world-renowned textile firm. His contemporary Westchester estate, “Twin Ponds”, with its extravagant gardens and carefully curated collection of fine art and furniture was an homage to his keen sense of Twentieth Century style.
Christie’s will offer more than 200 pieces from the Milton Klein designed home as well as items from Mr. Roberts’ Morks of art, 20th Century contemporary, decorative and fine arts and Impressionist prints and paintings.
This collection also features exquisite furniture, pre-Colombian art, silver, fine carpets, porcelain, glass and ceramics. To be offered across multiple sales into Spring 2008, the entire Robin Roberts’ Estate is estimated to realize between $2.0 - $3.5 million.
Robin Roberts founded Clarence House in 1961 at a time when the era of American home design was beginning to come of age. Mr. Roberts set a standard for Clarence House and was quickly sought out by and partnered with the premiere European textile firms not only for his uncompromising commitment to design integrity but also for his accuracy regarding the trends of the growing textile marketplace.
Through the years, the Clarence House brand has supplied the fabrics for pre-eminent museums and important historic homes and businesses and has been consistently featured in every important design and architectural magazine. From Buckingham Palace to the White House, one can find Clarence House fabrics.
During the later half of the 20th Century, Robin Roberts was heralded as one of the influences behind the scenes, his work prominent in the homes of style arbiters and even gracing designs from some of the world’s couture fashion houses.
Works of Art
The auction at Christie’s will offer a wide variety of paintings, sculptures and other works of art by such noted artists as Laura Knight, Lynn Chadwick, Fernando Botero, Louise Nevelson, Ernest Trova, Charles Sargeant Jagger, Eugene Spiro, Raoul Dufy, Pavel Tchelitchew and Alfred Janniot.
Among the works to be offered are a Charles Sargent Jagger patinated bronze relief, Scandal, which is a rare remnant of the Mulberry House (estimate: $150,000-200,000); a painting by Raoul Dufy Palmier et terrasse a L’estasque (estimate: $70,000-$90,000) and a large gilt plaster sculpture by Alfred Janniot (estimate: $30,000-40,000).
Asian Works of Art
The sale will include a lovely collection of Asian works, including a pair of Ming style cabinets (estimate: $8,000-12,000); a cast bronze head of the Ming dynasty period (estimate: $2,000-4,000); a pair of Chinese stools (estimate: $800-1,200) and a group of 15 Japanese Oribe bowls, each mostly estimated under $1,000.
Porcelain, Furniture, and Decorative Objects
The Robin Robert’s Collection also includes such 20th century tastemakers as Armand Albert Rateau, Jean Dunand, Pierre Chareau, Emile Ruhlmann, Alberto Giacometti, Sue & Mare, Edouard- Marcel Sandoz and Edgar William Brandt, Giovanni Michelucci, Pablo Picasso, Donald Desky and Jean Puiforcat. The sale will highlight a Rateau chair (estimate: $600,000-800,000); a floor lamp by Chareau (estimate: $100,000-150,000); Engraved Face plate by Pablo Picasso (estimate: $3,000-4,000); a Cannes Pattern silver flatware service by Puiforcat (estimate: $20,000-30,000) and a colorful silvered and gilt bronze fish form jardinière on an iron stand by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz and Edgar Brandt (estimate: $60,000-$80,000).
Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.
This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.
