The estate of the late Duke Louis d'Antin - a French-born nobleman who led a rich and interesting life prior to his passing earlier this year - will be sold on Saturday, October 22, by Elite Decorative Arts. The event will be held at the Elite Decorative Arts gallery, located in the Quantum Town Center at 1034 Gateway Boulevard in Boynton Beach.
Duke d'Antin was born in 1919 in post-World War I France. He fled to Spain during World War II and fought alongside Generalissimo Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), rising to the rank of colonel. He later went on to become an Olympic swimmer and a competitive race car driver. In the early 1950s, he competed at LeMans in his native France.
The Duke's connection to Florida would be his opulent estate condominium home in Key Biscayne, where he resided up until the time of his death. In keeping with his attraction to the finer things in life, he stocked the residence with the best in original artworks, silver, porcelain, estate jewellery, glass, furniture, bronze and more. In all, more than 300 lots will cross the block.
 A stunning Russian gold and silver enameled desk clock |
One item carries a pre-sale estimate of $200,000-$250,000. It is a stunning Russian gold and silver enameled desk clock with Faberge marks. The clock has magnificent translucent pink guilloche enameling enclosing a white enameled dial with black Arabic numerals and pierced gold hands. The back bears an 88 silver purity and the mark of the maker (Henrik Wigstgrom).
Two pieces of estate jewellery are expected to realise $20,000-$30,000. The first is a late 19th or early 20th century breathtaking ladies' Patek Philippe platinum diamond and pearl lapel watch. The watch boasts magnificent craftsmanship, with 165 round cut white diamonds and 78 round graduating pearls in a platinum setting. The face features black and gold Arabic numerals.
 This silverware set gives clues to Duke Louis d'Antin well-spent life |
The other piece is an exquisite ladies' platinum ring (size 7.75) having approximately 31 graduating baguette diamonds surrounding a 3-carat oval emerald in the center. The emerald measures 11.16 millimeters by 9.35 millimeters, with a transparent green cushion antique mixed cut to stone. The ring has a total weight of 8.60 dwt (13.4 grams) and is absolutely gorgeous.
Original works of art will include an acrylic oil on canvas landscape rendering by the Italian artist Nicola Simbari (b. 1929). The 32 inch by 40 inch framed and matted painting is an Impressionistic interpretation of the coastal shoreline in Sabaudia (in Italy, south of Rome). The artist employed vivid colors in thick paint and wide brush strokes. It should bring $3,000-$5,000.
Also from the fine art category, an Art Deco gilt bronze and cold painted sculpture of a young girl treating the wound of an injured dog, by Dimitri (Demeter) H. Chiparus (Romanian, 1886-1947) is expected to command $2,000-$4,000. The sculpture - titled Accident Chasse, or in English: A Hunting Accident - is exquisitely detailed and is raised on an octagonal marble plinth.
 A silver and pearl pocketwatch is among the rare and coveted items |
The auction will begin promptly at 1 p.m. (EST), with previews scheduled for Friday, October 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, the day of sale, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A healthy in-house crowd is anticipated, and Internet bidding (through LiveAuctioneers.com) should be brisk. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. A buyer's premium will apply to all sales.
Elite Decorative Arts' next big auction after this one is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, with a special start time of 6 p.m. (EST). The sale will be dedicated to Chinese carvings and works of art. Featured will be hundreds of quality lots of ivory, jade, stone carvings, porcelain, bronze, silver and more. After that, a decorative arts auction is planned for Saturday, December 10.
