'A Sale of Two Cities' sees success for Bonhams in Los Angeles

Bonhams 'A Sale of Two Cities' featured two distinct collections of European furniture and decorative arts

A Los Angeles auction saw two collections from a lady of title in Bel Air and noted designer Perry Perkins from Santa Barbara meet in a unique sale of European furniture on Monday (April 02). The 500-lot show featured a range of striking examples from the distinct tastes of both collections.

Louis XVI style commode

Hand-picked by Bonhams Director of European Furniture and Decorative Arts, Andrew Jones, the items were selected for their importance and style. Property of a Lady of Title featured a wonderful selection of European furniture, carpets and garden furniture, while The Collection of Perry Perkins brought some rare and unique pieces of Italian design and Asian inspired objects.

The top-seller and cover lot of the sale was a Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted marquetry inlaid commode, after a model by Jean Henri Riesener, which exceeded its estimate of $15,000-20,000 with a final sale price of $25,000.  

A pair of Continental Rococo paint decorated stools surprised the room with a hammer price of $21,250, an impressive increase of 136.1% against its estimate. Both items were part of the Lady of Title Collection.

Notable sales from The Collection of Perry Perkins included a French Belle Epoque limestone bench which made $13,750 and a Louis XV commode, which sold for considerably less than the aforementioned Louis XVI example at $5,625.

Paul Fraser Collectibles is offering this John Linnell George III Period Demi-Lune Commode for those looking to invest in European furniture.

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Images: Bonhams