Christie’s, the renowned auction house, has recently announced the second instalment of the Ann & Gordon Getty Collection.
This June, Christie’s will present the contents of the Gettys’ historic turn-of-the-century Berkeley property: Temple of Wings. The Collection will be sold over one live auction in New York on June 14 and two online sales ending on June 15. The proceeds will benefit selected arts and science organizations designed by Ann and Gordon Getty.
Temple of Wings, located on the Berkeley hillside, was built in a Greco-Roman style as the house and dance studio of Florence Treadwell Boynton. It was acquired by the Gettys in 1994, and under Ann Getty’s stewardship, they furnished the home with furniture and decorative arts honouring the rich eclecticism of the late 19th and 20th centuries.
The collection is a treasure trove of furniture, decorative arts, paintings, and pottery from the late 19th and 20th centuries. It includes significant pieces from the Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts movement, such as A.W.N. Pugin, William Morris textiles, and important glass works by Tiffany Studios.
The sales also feature important Victorian paintings by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and the Pre-Raphaelites, resulting in a cohesive collection that represents the sensibility of the late 19th and 20th-century Decorative Arts.
Why the Ann & Gordon Getty Collection Auction is a Must-See Event for Art Lovers
The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection Auction is an incredible opportunity for art lovers and collectors to experience the magic of this historic collection. Here are some of the reasons why:
19th Century and Victorian Paintings
The collection highlights include Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s ‘A Coign of Vantage’, originally hung in the Blue Parlor of the Berkeley residence, and a second highlight by Lord Leighton Frederic’s ‘The Bath of Psyche’. Both paintings are stunning examples of Victorian art and are estimated to sell for $2,500,000 – 3,500,000 and $300,000-500,000 respectively.
19th Century Decorative Arts
The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection boasts a superb group of Victorian Gothic Revival furniture, including a beautifully carved Gothic-Revival Oak Reading Stand reputedly purchased at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London, a revolutionary moment for design reform in the 19th century and the catalyst for the Aesthetic and Arts and Crafts Movements.
The collection also includes rugs designed by William Morris, one of the most significant members of the Arts and Crafts movement. Notably, a Hand-Knotted ‘Hammersmith’ Rug will carry an estimate of $70,000-100,000.
Art Glass and Art Pottery
The collection includes an extensive and diverse group of Tiffany Studios glass and lighting, such as a ‘Wisteria‘ Table Lamp and a ‘Butterfly‘ Table Lamp, which are estimated to sell for $400,000 – 600,000 and $300,000 – 500,000, respectively.
Pottery included in the sale features firms such as Newcomb College Pottery, Grueby Faience Company, and Rookwood. The sale also includes a selection of works by Émile Gallé, Muller Frères, Daum, and Lalique.
Sales
- The Ann and Gordon Getty Collection: Temple of Wings | Live | New York | June 14 | 10 AM
- The Ann and Gordon Getty Collection: Aesthetic Decoration from Temple of Wings | Online | Opens for bids May 31, closes June 15
- The Ann and Gordon Getty Collection: Early Modern Design from Temple of Wings | Online | Opens for bids May 31, closes June 15
About Ann and Gordon Getty
Ann Gilbert Getty (1941-2020) is remembered as a philanthropist, publisher, author, interior designer, and patron of the arts. A California native, Mrs Getty founded Ann Getty and Associates, a San Francisco-based residential interior design firm.
She was an influential benefactor to countless organizations throughout her lifetime, including the University of California Berkeley, the San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Leakey Foundation, and the Napa Valley Festival. In New York, she served on the boards of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and New York University.
Gordon Peter Getty (b.1933) is a philanthropist and American composer who has made a lifetime of contributions to the world of classical music. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious European Culture Prize, recognising his extraordinary legacy.
Gordon Getty’s music has been performed in such prestigious venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, London’s Royal Festival Hall, Vienna’s Brahms-Saal, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall and Bolshoi Theatre, and Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, as well as at the Aspen, Spoleto and Bad Kissingen Festivals, and Festival Napa Valley.
He is the fourth child of J. Paul Getty (1892-1976), whose celebrated collection of art and antiquities formed the basis of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection Auction is an extraordinary event for art collectors and enthusiasts alike. With a wealth of exquisite pieces from the late 19th and 20th centuries, this auction presents an unparalleled opportunity to own a piece of history.
The proceeds will benefit selected arts and science organizations, continuing the Getty legacy of philanthropy and support for the arts. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this exceptional event and make your mark on the art world.
Images: Christie’s