Wednesday, October 7, 2009

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE: THE WILLIAM F. REILLY COLLECTION AUCTION AT CHRISTIES

Finally, a fall auction to get excited about! Designer Timothy Whealon decorated a magnificent double wide Sutton Place townhouse for late publishing magnate Bill Reilly, an ardent classicist, the contents of which go on the block next week. For over a fourteen year period, Whealon sought out specimen pieces from around the globe, creating a mix of antiques and 20th century pieces for the house. This was done after Bill stated he "wanted to create one of the greatest houses in New York City." By going to country estates, France, Florence, England, and American resources like Brimfield, the sale showcases some of the best George III and approachably priced pieces. Taking a grand tour design perspective, Whealon chose pieces for the home that suited his client's taste. Rarely does the contents of a home this extraordinary come on the block. Whealon, with his art and antiques background and expertise, was so lucky to have a client similar to a Medici in Renaissance Florence. Over the past few days, he has been busy at Christies, recreating vignettes from the house. The drawing room, replete with a custom Benjamin Moore color for the walls, dining room, bedroom, and a vignette of the front sitting room with the George III Irish chimneypiece have been recreated. To see some stunning museum quality antiques, make sure to stop by Christies this weekend to preview the sale. Go pre-sale to get an antique and decorative arts crash course, or to raise your paddle on October 14th, you will be glad you did.

Photo by Joshua McHugh
A round table filled with books, face en face sofas by the fireplace make the living room formal and gracious.


A REGENCY POLLARD OAK ROSEWOOD AND STAINED FRUITWOOD LIBRARY TABLE
CIRCA 1815
Bought from Axel Vervoordt, Belgium (at The International Fine Art and Antique Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show, New York, 2002).

Photo by Joshua McHugh
Another angle shows a round table with benches underneath. The jaunty slipcovers are a charming touch.


A MATCHED PAIR OF ENGLISH GILTWOOD MIRRORS
ONE GEORGE II, CIRCA 1740, THE OTHER MODERN BY CARVERS AND GILDERS, LONDON


A PAIR OF ENGLISH ORMOLU-MOUNTED SATINWOOD-INLAID WALNUT STOOLS
ONE QUEEN ANNE/GEORGE I, CIRCA 1710-1720, THE OTHER REGENCY, EARLY 19TH CENTURY ORIGINALLY IN HAMILTON PALACE, SCOTLAND

Another sun filled view.

Looking out onto the 59th Street bridge, double sash windows in an arced bay enhance the view.


A PAIR OF RUSSIAN BRASS AND EBONY-INLAID MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS
CIRCA 1790, POSSIBLY DESIGNED BY ANDREI VORONIKHIN

Two magnificent chairs flank a Roman bust.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn
Comfort and elegance are buzzwords when describing Timothy's style. Books are part of the landscape, and comfortable seating areas create a certain ease.


AN IRISH GEORGE III WHITE MARBLE AND SCAGIOLA CHIMNEYPIECE
ATTRIBUTED TO PIETRO BOSSI, CIRCA 1780

The arrangement is welcoming and not too formal, with the mantel as the focal point, everything revolves around it.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn
The valance and panels allowed the windows to let in the amazing view and light.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn
Timothy designed the canopy bed, also in the sale, and mixed modern and historical pieces for an elegant and current viewpoint.

The master bath, with a long vanity with double sinks is crisp in white veined marble and polished chrome.

The modern lime wash oak x-benches covered in terry cloth were designed by Whealon and are well priced.

The library, with comfy reading chairs and stunning bookcases.


A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI GILTWOOD FAUTEUILS
CIRCA 1780

THE WOW PIECES:


A GEORGE III MAHOGANY CABINET-ON-CHEST
SIGNED WILLIAM HALLETT AND DATED 1763


A QUEEN ANNE EBONIZED OAK AND BEECH SIDE TABLE
CIRCA 1705, POSSIBLY BY JAMES MOORE


A WHITE MARBLE BUST OF AN EMPEROR, PROBABLY HADRIAN
ITALIAN, LATE 17 CENTURY/EARLY 18TH CENTURY
If provenance is what you are looking for, than this piece has a great one. The bust is from the private collection of Andy Warhol's business partner and Factory founding member Fred Hughes.


A GEORGE II BLACK-AND-GILT JAPANNED LINEN PRESS

THE PIECES WORTH BIDDING UP:


A PAIR OF 20TH CENTURY GILT-METAL TABLE LAMPS are a fair asking price and exude loads of style.


A PAIR OF MODERN COPPER-PATINATED CAST-IRON ANDIRONS


A collection of French School, 19th Century architectural drawings of Château de la Souque bought from Amy Perlin Antiques, New York.


A BRONZE TABLE LAMP FROM PATRICE DANGEL,PARIS,MODERN
Based in Paris,the metal artisan Patrice Dangel is a bronzier/artist
represented by Galerie du Passage.


A 20TH CENTURY METAL AND GLASS TABLE



Butterfly 1, 1940's by HORST P. HORST (1906-1999)

3 comments:

  1. Terrific post. I have always loved Timothy Whealon, who is masterfully skilled and an exceptional colorist.

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  2. the most gorgeous things imaginable-collected with such a discriminating Eye-I especially love the Horst butterfly, & the french slipcovers. G

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  3. Thank you for a walk down memory lane. It was wonderful to see Mr. Reilly's home again. For many years, Diane James decorated this fabulous space for his yearly holiday parties. He is missed by many!

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