Christie's auctions Viennese Secessionist collectibles in New York

Viennese Secessionism, pioneered by Gustav Klimt and other artists, is auctioning at Christie's

Viennese Secessionist collectibles from the Hollywood home of producer Ron Bernstein are going under the hammer at Christie's New York on March 8.

The Vienna Secession was formed in 1897 by a group of painters, sculptors, and architects. The group resigned from the Association of Austrian Artists to establish their own way of doing things. Its first president was Gustav Klimt.

It was during a pivotal trip to Vienna in the mid-1990s that Ron Bernstein caught the Viennese Secessionism bug. Already a seasoned collector of arts and crafts, he turned his instincts towards building a magnificent enclave of fin-de-siècle Vienna.

Bernstein extensively researched Viennese Secessionist collectibles with a variety of books, and determinedly searched for exactly the right furnishings for his collection.

Historic chairs designed in 1901 by Koloman Moser (1868-1918)

Antiques for sale from Bernstein's collection include around 40 works by Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Eugene Gaillard. Lamps by Tiffany Studios and French Art Nouveau Glass, including pieces from the Pinhas Collection, will also appear for sale.

According to Christie's, its sale will comprise approximately 180 lots and is expected to net aound $1.3m in sales.

Bernstein's collection incorporates a wide range of Viennese Secessionist works such as carpets, furniture, metalwork, glass, ceramics and graphic design. These include examples of the Secessionist period's earliest years between the turn of the century to around 1915.

Flattened and structured geometric motifs were the fashion of that era, as evidenced in this pair of upholstered brass and stained bentwood armchairs. The historic chairs were designed in 1901 by Koloman Moser (1868-1918).

They will auction with a $8,000-12,000 presale estimate. Watch this space for more news on Christie's New York auction of Ron Bernstein's collection.

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Images: Christie's