Auction Details

Les Cohen Amphora pottery collection featured at Morphy’s, Nov. 2-3

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A spectacular collection of Amphora pottery that includes a number of very rare designs will headline Morphy Auctions’ Nov. 2-3 sale. The Les Cohen collection is one of several fresh collections featured in the 1,125-lot Fine & Decorative Art Auction.

The Friday session includes more than 150 outstanding pieces of Amphora from the Les Cohen collection, many of which are the actual examples shown in leading reference books.

An extraordinary Amphora Bat vase, 10 inches tall, is dominated by a winged bat in flying mode, with its tail rounding the circumference of the vessel. It has a raised Amphora circular mark with remnants of a paper Amphora label still present. This very rare design is illustrated in “Monsters and Maidens,” Collector’s Edition, by Byron Vreeland, 2011, page 352. In mint condition, it is expected to make $8,000-$14,000.

Continuing in a nature theme, an Amphora Owl vase with four heads stands 16½ inches tall and is encrusted with translucent jewels. Its underside is impressed with an Amphora oval, crown, and Austria oval, as well an impressed number “8110.” It is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

At 29 inches, a monumental Alfred Stellmacher-designed Amphora vase features a dragon motif, with the wonderfully detailed three-dimensional applied dragon boasting enamel decoration in a studded pattern. Marked with the Stellmacher medallion on the underside, the near-mint vase could realize $10,000-$15,000 at auction.

Another top entry is the Amphora Berry bud vase with botanical and flying bat theme. It stands 21½ inches tall and has both an RSTK mark and impressed Amphora oval mark under the base. Estimate: $10,000-$16,000.

A superb three-dimensional artwork, a 20½-inch Amphora Nymph with Berries vase is similar to an example pictured on the cover of “The House of Amphora” by Richard L Scott. With impressed marks on underside, it is cataloged with a $5,000-$7,000 estimate.

The Friday session also includes 200+ pieces of Rookwood, Weller and Roseville pottery; an art glass collection and a large array of Breininger pottery.

On Saturday, Morphy’s will present a huge variety of decorative art led by a carved Indian maiden attributed to Robb. There are also early firefighter items, such as parade hats and buckets; plus antique trade signs, including such figurals as a beehive and top hat. A stag-shape weather vane and 20 pieces of stoneware from a long-held collection also will be offered; and an important circa-1810 Pennsylvania tall-case clock by Lancaster County clocksmith Samuel Brenesian will be auctioned with a $10,000-$15,000 estimate.

A selection of violins includes instruments crafted by Glass, Thurnhart, Testore and Celano. There are also pocket watches, jewelry, and historical documents signed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. A World War II military lot included in the sale is a copy of “Mein Kampf” signed by Adolf Hitler.