A Range of Treasures in Our December Decorative Arts Auction

By: Hayley Dawson

Early 17th c bavarian silver to a Murakami Sculpture

Our annual December Decorative Arts auction features a diverse range of treasures from an early 17th century silver double cup from Augsburg, to an unusual Takashi Murakami sculpture designed for the Peter Norton Christmas project in 2000.

We are very pleased to be offering a large quantity of items from the collection of Lorenz and Irene Biricz of Lorenz Antiques. Their shop on Mount Pleasant Road in Toronto, Ontario, was highly regarded by collectors from far and wide from 1964 until their retirement in 2007. Lorenz has admired and worked with fine antiques for most of his life, dating back to his youth in Munich where he first apprenticed with his uncle, an antique dealer in Amalienstrasse in 1945.

While Lorenz has shown a passion and deep interest in antiques of all kind, this auction most prominently features their personal collection of porcelain including over 80 sparrow beak cream jugs, sugar bowls, and tea caddies of English, Continental, and Chinese export origin. You will also find tea caddies in this collection of silver, glass, mahogany, applewood, brass, and an ivory one similar to a companion illustrated in the latest issue of Canadian Antiques & Vintage magazine in an article about Lorenz and Irene.

This auction also includes furniture, fine china, and decorative glass and porcelain collected with a discerning eye by Joyce Mulock for the imposing Mulock family residence at Mulock Drive and Yonge Street in Newmarket, just north of Toronto. The 11-acre property has been home to six generations of the family; recently sold to the town of Newmarket, who plan to build a green space for the city inspired by Manhattan’s Central Park.

Also noteworthy in this sale is a private collection of early English drinking glasses from Montreal. Among the collection are excellent examples of opaque twist, air twist, and mixed twist stems; styles distinct to18th century methods of glass blowing.

A number of early Lalique vases and light fixtures are also featured, including a rare ‘Six Danseuses’ table lamp, a blue enameled glass shade moulded with dancing figures. Other early 20th century glass includes pieces by Gallé, Le Verre Français, Argy-Rousseau, Tiffany, Steuben, and Durand.

Silver collectors will appreciate all the fantastic pieces we’ve gathered this year such as a pair of George II salvers by Paul Storr, excellent quality Irish silver including two pairs of Dublin entrée dishes with covers, one with finial handles formed as demi-lion crest, as well as an 18th century salver and sauce boat from Cork, Russian and Chinese export silver, and an array of noteworthy English pieces.

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