Past Auction

English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts

Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 10am EDT |

New York

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A Roman Marble Figure of Aphrodite Achieves $239,400!

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Successful Auction of English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts on October 13, 2021
Featuring Property from the Estate of Herbert Kasper and the Estate of Roger Prigent
We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Appraisal of Your Collection

NEW YORK, NY -- The classics were back at Doyle’s auction of English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts on October 13, 2021. Prices soared for elegant furniture, porcelain, mirrors, clocks, chandeliers, tapestries and rugs from prominent estates and collections. Featured were special sections devoted to the Estate of fashion designer Herbert Kasper and the Estate of fashion photographer and antiquarian Roger Prigent.

With competitive international bidding, the sale totaled a successful $1,271,713, at the top of the $844,600-1,288,700 pre-sale estimate, with an exceptional 91% sold by lot and 99% sold by value.

A Roman Marble Figure of Aphrodite -- Sold for $239,400!

Highlighting the auction is was important Roman marble figure of Aphrodite of the Gardens dating to the first century AD that achieved a strong $239,400. Property from the Estate of fashion designer Herbert Kasper, this superb marble sculpture represents one of the great archetypes of Classical antiquity: Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty.

One of the goddess’s best-known depictions in the ancient world was Aphrodite of the Gardens, a marble figure created in the 5th century BC by the Greek sculptor Alkamenes for the goddess’s temple at Athens. It exemplified the refined stage of Greek classicism known as the “rich style,” which is noted for the elegance and visual drama of its sensuous curves and profuse linear detail. Measuring 42.25 inches (107 cm) in height, the sculpture offered in the auction was a first century AD Roman copy of that famous work. Read Essay

The Estate of Roger Prigent

A fashion photographer for almost thirty years, from the early 1950s until the late 1970s, Roger Prigent changed careers and became a prominent antiques dealer. He named his store on Madison Avenue Malmaison after the chateau of Napoleon’s first wife, Josephine, and specialized in Empire furnishings, as well as pieces by 20th century designers inspired by the French Empire. Property from the Estate of Roger Prigent in the auction includes furniture, decorations and art from his penthouse apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Highlighting property from the Estate was a Carrara marble bust of Napoleon Bonaparte in classical robes after the work by Antonio Canova that soared past it estimate of $2,000-3,000 to achieve a staggering $34,650. A dramatic Roman style red marble theater mask after the Antique realized $22,680, many times its estimate of $3,000-5,000.

A Walkabout with the Specialist

Specialist David A. Gallager led a tour of property from the Estate of Roger Prigent on October 8 livestreamed on Instagram @doylenewyork View the Video

We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.

For information, please contact:
Furniture & Decorations, Peter Lang, 212-427-4141, ext 274, Furniture@Doyle.com
Rugs, Carpets & Tapestries: Mark Topalian, 212-427-4141, ext 243, Rugs@Doyle.com