Schwenke Auctioneers Fall Anniversary Auction Oct. 4

On Sunday October 4^th,  Schwenke Auctioneers will hold its anniversary fall fine estates auction with an offering of over 530 lots of freshly consigned estate property from estates throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. The auction includes a broad selection of Asian decorative arts, Mid-Century Modern decorative arts, American, English and Continental decorative arts, folk art and American country furniture, English & other sterling silver, jewelry, fine art, miscellaneous decorative arts, and estate oriental rugs.

This anniversary sale is being held at 11:00 am in the firm’s auction hall at 710 Main Street South, Middle Quarter Plaza, in Woodbury. Preview times are Thursday, October 1^st, 10am - 5pm, Friday, October 2^nd, 10am - 5pm, Saturday, October 3^rd, 10am - 5pm, Sunday, October 4^th, 9am to sale time, and other times by appointment.

Flight of Europa

The lead item is the sale is a rare and important bronze sculpture by noted American sculptor Paul Manship. The sculpture, Flight of Europa, is a rare gilded example created by Manship in 1925. The captivating Art Deco group, depicting the Greek myth of Europa being abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull, is a well-known and iconic work, with copies held in a number of prominent public collections, including The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Indianapolis Museum of Art, and The Smithsonian. The example being offered by Schwenke Auctioneers was acquired directly from artist Manship by an ancestor of the present owner, and is being sold to benefit a charitable foundation. Conservatively estimated at $100,000-200,000, it represents an opportunity for a sophisticated collector or another American museum to acquire a sought after and dynamic work by this prominent 20th century American sculptor.

Several lots of American formal furniture are on offer in this anniversary sale, including a fine New England Queen Anne wing chair, circa 1740-1760, in early tapestry crewelwork upholstery; a rare Federal inlaid mahogany tall case clock, Philadelphia or Baltimore, circa 1795-1800; a Salem hepplewhite serpentine sideboard with bellflower inlays; two fine New York classical mahogany pier tables, circa 1820-25; a hepplewhite inlaid mahogany "D" shaped card table, probably Philadelphia, circa 1790-1800, 36" wide, 17 1/2" deep, 29 1/2" high; a fine Sheraton carved and inlaid mahogany sofa, having reeded detail throughout and inlaid panels, New England, early 19th century, 35 1/2" high, 75" wide, 25" deep; a fine Boston classical carved mahogany sofa, circa 1825, and a barn found Philadelphia classical mahogany center table, circa 1825-30, attributed to Anthony Quervelle. A number of fine Federal and Classical mirrors are scheduled to be sold, and there are five American tall case and mantle clocks slated to sell on October 4^th.

A substantial number of Asian decorative arts items are also up for bid in this fall sale, most gleaned from a recent consignment which Tom Schwenke called a “treasure trove” of Asian items collected over more than sixty years. The auction staff spent Labor Day weekend cataloging the items, numbering over two-hundred lots, comprising Chinese hand painted scrolls, Chinese and Japanese cloisonné and champlevé urns and vases, Satsuma porcelains, Chinese export and domestic porcelains, Asian bronzes, Chinese wood carvings, Japanese woodblock prints, several Asian folding and hanging screens, and Asian furniture and architectural elements. Among the fine cloisonné and champlevé items is an early 19^th century large size Japanese champlevé lidded censer urn, 27” high and 18” wide, featuring a bronze Shishi mounted and pierced lid and fine early patina. Also, a group of four Chinese Ming bowls, 1 1/4" high, 3 7/8" diameter, are expected to draw significant interest, carrying provenance from the Hatcher Collection, Christies Auction, Amsterdam 1984.  Two pair of Chinese carved hardwood arm chairs are offered on behalf of a Connecticut estate, as well as a Chinese mineral tree set in a fine Chinese cloisonné urn base and a Chinese carved and polychromed wooden Quan Yin figure, 49 1/2" high, 18" wide.

American and European fine arts abound in the sale. Among the more noteworthy lots are an oil on canvas by George Luks, View of Gramercy Park (1932); an elaborately framed Old Master portrait of a maiden; a William Ruthven Wheeler (Am. 1932-1894), "New England Seascape", oil on canvas, signed, dated lower left; Serge Ferat (Russian, 1881-1958) "La Famille Numero 2" gouache on paper, signed in pencil lower right; Jules Benoit-Levy (French, 1866-1952), "Cardinal and Parrot" oil on canvas signed lower left; N.B. Smith (20th century), "Beach Scene with Children" acrylic on board, signed, dated lower right "N B Smith '87"; Ettienne-Prosper Berne-Bellecourt (French, 1838-1910), "Soldier", oil on panel signed lower left; Lowell Blair Nesbitt (Am. 1933-1993), "Lily", signed and titled verso, oil on canvas dated 1964. Provenance: Galerie Jollenbeck, Cologne, Sothebys NY, 9/27/10, Lot 283, Private CT Collection. Exhibited: Andrew Crispo Gallery, NY "Lowell Nesbitt Flowers 1964-1979" Sight size: 77" high, 77" wide; Charles Gruppe (American, b. 1928), "New England Boats, Harbor Scene" oil on masonite, signed lower right; Water Koeniger (American/German, 1881-1943), "Winter Landscape" oil on canvas, signed lower right; Michele Cascella (Italian, 1927-1989) "Little Blossoming Tree", oil on canvas, signed lower right, label verso Galerie Juarez, Ital. Ref. No. 70-79/219 in the Archivo Generale del O'pera di Michele Cascella, compiled by Galleria Torcular, Milan. Sight size: 21 1/4" high, 10 1/4" wide; Keith Miller (Canadian, 20th century), "The Tug Boat Brian McAllister off Liberty Island with Statue of Liberty in Background", watercolor on paper, signed, dated lower right "K. K. Miller '83", with a portrait of the tug verso; Coll Josep Bardolet, Spanish, 1912-2007, "Grupo Mallorquin," oil on panel signed lower right "Coll Bardolet", titled, numbered, signed verso; possibly Josef Israels (Dutch, 1824-1911) "Testing the Water with Father", signed lower right, watercolor on paper, private Connecticut collection; Balcomb (John Wesley) Greene (Am. 1904-1990) oil on canvas of boats at harbor, titled verso "Water & Sunlight". Sight size: 44" high, 54" wide; possibly Edward Redfield (American, 1869-1965), European river landscape scene, with fortifications beyond, oil on canvas, signed lower right; and Nicola Simbari (Italian, 1927-2012), oil on canvas, "Boy with Wine Jug", 1964, signed and dated lower right. Sight size: 23 3/4" high, 13 1/2" wide.

Mid-century modern and contemporary items will also be offered. Notable lots include a modernist chrome Barcelona chair upholstered in blue wool, 27 3/4" high, 26 1/2" wide, 22 1/2" deep; a modernist chrome and black glass dining table marked Calligaris, 29 1/2" high, 33 1/2" wide, 51 1/4" deep; an original Saarinen design glass and chrome tulip table and four lucite chairs by Chromcraft, circa 1960's, chairs with Chromcraft labels on underside; a set of four Calligaris modernist chrome upholstered dining chairs, 32 1/2" high, 17 1/2" wide, 15 1/2" deep; a mid-century upholstered easy chair, possibly Jens Risom, with rounded back and low arm profile, Swedish, 1960's, 34" high, 33" wide, 32" deep; a set of classic eight Edward Wormley for Dunbar bracket back upholstered walnut dining chairs, in perhaps original upholstery; a Fiam molded glass occasional table; an Edward Wormley for Dunbar modern walnut dining table with two leaves, top with banding, sides with recessed apron on shaped straight legs; 30" high, 44 1/2" wide, 67" long; a pair of mid-century flared back upholstered easy chairs, with turned and canted walnut legs, probably Finn Juhl or Jens Risom, 1960's; an Edward Wormley for Dunbar easy chair and matching ottoman, in possible original fabric and finish; a rare pair of Finn Juhl designer sofas, settee form with turned and canted wooden legs, designed in the 1950’s by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen of Denmark; an unusual custom mid-century musical themed “bar” cabinet; and a Silas Seandel large cast stone and bronze coffee table, mounted on a square bronze clad pedestal, signed and dated "1982", 15 1/2" high, 25 3/4" wide, 17" deep.

Many lots of fine English and European furniture and related decorative arts will be hammered, most notably a Louis XV/XVI style mahogany and ormolu vitrine cabinet; a pair of French Provincial carved bergere chairs having shell carved crest rails, acanthus carved hand grips on cabriole legs, backs upholstered in floral tapestry panels, 38 1/2" high, 27" wide, 21" deep; a Georgian Revival mahogany and parcel ebonized map chest with two banks of fall front drawers concealing trays, 43" high, 32" wide, 18" deep; a Continental mixed woods inlaid secretaire a abattant, single drawer over drop front with bird and quiver inlay, two cupboard doors below on tapered legs, 57" high, 37 1/2" wide, 17" deep; a Louis XV style marquetry inlaid two drawer chest with marble top, 33 1/2" high, 36 1/2" wide, 18 1/4" deep; a French provincial walnut armoire, 58" wide, 25" deep, 79" high; a rare pair of Regency carved mahogany fire screens, with movable central panel, raised on carved and molded scrolled legs, 19th century, 36" high, 26" wide; a Regency inlaid mahogany and brass mounted breakfront side cabinet, in the Egyptian revival taste, with mirrored doors flanked by open shelved compartments, 19th century with alterations, 36 1/2" high, 95" wide, 15" deep; a French trestle base refectory style dining table 29" high, 35 1/2" wide, 9' 3" long; a companion Set of ten French baroque style needlepoint upholstered dining chairs, 43" high, 20 1/2" wide, 18" deep; and an English regency period drop leaf mahogany sofa table with rosewood crossbanded detail on top and a sabre legged base with casters.

Silver is also offered in some quantity, including traditional sterling silver as well as Mexican artist made items, including a Native American silver and turquoise ladies concho belt stamped "R. Peter Navajo"; a silver cactus form four strand necklace, unmarked, each strand 1/2" wide, 17 1/4" long; a Mexican sterling silver necklace and bracelet, both marked "ARY Sterling"; a Mexican 950 silver and malachite necklace marked TM 153 and a sterling stone pendant marked DK; two Tiffany & Co sterling silver bracelets including an 18K and sterling rope bracelet. 3/8" wide, 7 1/8" long to 3/8" wide, 7 1/2" long; a Mexican sterling silver tray by Juventino Lopez Reyes, 3 1/2" high, 12 1/4" wide; a Danny Martinez Native American sterling silver and turquoise concho belt, buckle stamped "DM Sterling"; an unusual pair of Spanish Colonial silver plaques, framed; and a Jacobi & Jenkins (Baltimore c. 1900) silver repousse rectangular dish 12" long, 9" wide, 2" deep.

Over two dozen estate oriental carpets will cross the block, including Persian, Caucasian,  Indian and Turkoman room and scatter sized rugs, together with other regional Asian rugs of varying sizes. Select among the estate carpets is a fine Caucasian gallery rug, 12' 1" long, 3' 11" wide; an early Turkoman rug, 3'7" by 5'7"; and a Persian Kashan prayer rug, 6' 5" long by 4' 1" wide.

The catalog for the sale is viewable at www.woodburyauction.comhttp://www.woodburyauction.com. Internet, absentee and phone bidding are available for this live gallery auction by registering directly with Schwenke Auctioneers. The sale will be broadcast live through Live Auctioneers and  Invaluable. For additional information please call the auction hall office at 203-266-0323.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com 

Fall Impressionist Painting Workshop at Weir Farm National Park

There has been a tradition of Impressionist painting at Weir Farm National Historic Site since Julian Alden Weir, the father of American Impressionism, acquired this rural, rustic retreat in Branchville, Connecticut in 1882. To honor and continue this tradition, Weir Farm National Historic Site will be offering a two-day Fall Impressionist Painting Workshop on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and October 4, 2015 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Designed for beginning art students and artists, this workshop will engage participants interested in learning more about the science and poetry of Impressionist landscape painting. Participants must have a basic understanding of their selected art form and be able to handle their own equipment for plein air fieldwork as well as for the studio workshop environment. Workshops will include introductory classroom lectures, field demonstrations, and critique of the participant's artwork.

Registration for this workshop is free, but space is limited to twelve artists, so please call early to secure a spot! First choice will be given to artists that have not participated in a previous Impressionist Painting Workshop at Weir Farm National Historic Site. However, for those artists who wish to return, names will be placed on a wait-list and be considered as space allows. To register for the workshop or for more information, please call 203-834-1896 ext. 28.

For more fall event information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Greater Danbury Irish Festival Sept. 18-20

Twenty Years ago, Gerry Curran, who was the President of the Danbury Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, had a dream. Gerry's dream was that there was a need for and that there should be an Irish Festival in the Danbury area to present and perpetuate Irish music and culture. Gerry convinced, the President of the Danbury Division of the Ladies of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sharon Higgins that this was worthwhile project. Together Gerry and Sharon convinced the men and women of the Danbury AOH to support and work to establish an Irish Festival and that any profits would be used to establish an Irish Center in Danbury. This second dream came about in 2009 when the Greater Danbury Irish Center opened on Lake Ave in Danbury

Gerry's dream to establish an Irish Festival became a reality in 1995 when the Greater Danbury Irish Festival made its debut in Rogers Park. The Festival subsequently relocated to the Ives Center.  This year, the Greater Danbury Irish Festival is taking place on the park like grounds of the Charles Ives Center for the Arts located on 43 Lake Ave. Ext. in Danbury on September 18, 19 and 20.  This festival marks twenty years  of entertainment, food  drink and  fun for the whole family.

Festivities begin on Friday night with the Traveling Danbury's from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and is followed by the Humble Hooligans from 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

Saturday, September 19 begins with a performance by the Grey School of Dance from 1 pm to 1L45 pm and is followed by the Ale Hounds that perform from 2 pm to 3:45.  The Grey School of Dance takes the stage again from 4 pm to 5 pm and is followed by the popular Celtic Cross Pipe and Drums band. At 6:30 pm, Jeff Conlon and Americelt perform and from 8 pm to 10 pm the Mighty Ploughboys perform.

Poor Richard is the first act to perform on Sunday, September 20 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.  Next to take the stage is the group known as the Gilleoghan Irish Dance group that will perform from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm. The Fighting Jamesons take the stage next at 2:30 pm and are followed by the Celtic Cross Pipe and Drums band at 4 p.m.  The final act of this festival takes place from 4:45 to 6 pm and features the Cunningham Brothers. 

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Photo: Gilloeghan Irish Dancers perform at the 2013 festival. Photo credit: Wendy Mitchell

Sessions Woods is calling all runners!

If you enjoy walking and running on beautiful nature trails then join the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) for the 4th. Annual Run for the Woods on Saturday, September 19 at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area located on Rte. 69 about three miles south of Rte. 4 in Burlington Connecticut.

courtesy Miranda Linsky

CFPA advocates for people that love the outdoors  with the support of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have organized a 10K Trail Race that begins at 8:30 a.m., a 5K Trail Race at 9 a.m. and a 5K walk at 9:00 a.m. at Sessons Woods. 

Participants will walk or jog on beautifully maintained trails and will pass by wetlands, meadows, and a beaver pond.  Lucky participants may even catch a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse or a majestic broad-winged hawk.

Registration fees are $25 for the 5K run or walk, and $35 for the 10k run. Registration increases by $5 on the day of the race. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the race. If you can’t join in the events, and love the outdoors, you might consider making a general donation to CFPA or dedicating it to one of the runners or walkers. All donations go to the protection of Connecticut forests and trails. For more information, registration, and pledging guidelines visit http://www.ctwoodlands.org/runforthewoods2014

courtesy William Breck

This year CFPA’s Run for the Woods has joined the Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series. The races, which are run primarily on the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails (BBHT), are organized and directed by a variety of running enthusiasts and clubs across the state. The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) is grateful for their cooperation and support in making this series possible. The goals of the series are to promote and create greater awareness of trail running on the BBHT System, attract more runners to Connecticut trail running races, strengthen the running community, raise awareness for CFPA’s trail maintenance efforts and enhance the experience for the runners who already support our races through series points and recognition. To learn more about the Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series, please visit http://www.ctwoodlands.org/run-for-the-woods

About Sessions Woods

The biggest threat facing CT’s wildlife is the loss of habitat.  Since more than 90% of land in CT is privately owned, the Wildlife Division established the Sessions Woods Management Area to begin to meet the needs of the State’s wildlife.

Sessions Woods is more than a tract of natural land set aside for wildlife, it also introduces visitors to wildlife and natural resources management through a variety of educational programs, demonstration sites, displays and self-guided hiking trails.

When you walk the trails here, you experience more than just the benefits of a healthy hike in the fresh outdoor air. Along the sides of the Beaver Pond Trail, Forest Meadow Trail and in the Backyard Habitat Demonstration Area you will find demonstrations of wildlife and habitat management practices.

About CFPA

The CFPA is Connecticut’s first nonprofit conservation organization that was established back in 1895 and is best known for maintaining the 825-mile Blue Blaze hiking system.  Their mission is to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces for future generations by connecting people to the land. CFPA directly involves individuals and families, educators, community leaders, and volunteers to enhance and defend Connecticut's rich natural heritage. CFPA is a private, non-profit organization that relies on members and supporters to carry out its mission.

CFPA envisions Connecticut as a place of scenic beauty whose cities, suburbs, and villages are linked by a network of parks, forests, and trails easily accessible for all people to challenge the body and refresh the spirit. They picture a state where clean water, timber, farm fresh foods, and other products of the land make a significant contribution to our economic and cultural well being.

Open Farm Day at Sunny Valley Preserve

On September 19 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. celebrate Connecticut's farming and conservation heritage and share in a wonderful sense of community at the 23rd annual Open Farm Day at The Nature Conservancy's Sunny Valley Preserve. Best of all admission is free.

Take a hay ride, pet farm animals, play a game and enjoy a selection of delectable goodies at Sunny Valley Preserve, located on 8 Sunny Valley Lane in New Milford.  Sunny Valley  encompasses more than 1,850-acres that straddles the Housatonic River in New Milford and Bridgewater. 

Visitors can check out wool-spinning or maple-syrup making and  dissect an owl pellet with "How Cool is That?!" Don't forget to stop by the petting zoo to meet some gentle farm animals; then plan to visit  Bruno, an African Spur-Thighed Tortoise and his friends from The Pratt Nature Center.  Make sure to stop by our farm stand, and purchase some fresh produce to take home.

In addition to demonstrations, fair goers are invited to wander through many informational displays, inspect the antique and new farm equipment, pet the animals, enjoy a tractor ride, and sample some of the delectable goodies, which in the past have included pumpkin soup, fresh veggie burritos, along with hot dogs and fresh baked cookies prepared and served by the New Milford Youth Agency.

Sunny Valley Preserve was founded in 1970, when George D. Pratt Jr. donated multiple parcels of agricultural and natural lands to The Nature Conservancy. One condition of Pratt's gift is that the farms be kept in agriculture as long as possible. Today, about 650 acres of the preserve are in active agriculture. The farms, leased by independent farmers, are privately-operated businesses. Farmers at the preserve grow diverse crops and sell most products locally, providing locally-grown food and enhancing the local economy. Open Farm Day is rain or shine. More information is available at www.nature.org/sunnyvalley or by calling the preserve at (860) 355-3716.

For more area event information www.litchfieldhills.com

10th annual Watertown House Tour

The 10th Annual Watertown House Tour will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 11am to 3pm, rain or shine. Six fabulous properties will be featured in this year's tour including: The Academy and Woodward Chapel at 25 and 39 The Green, The Coachman’s House at 57 Academy Hill Road, The Buzzee House at 31 Woodbury Road, Summit Farm at 1180 Guernseytown Road, and The Griswold House at 61 Warren Way. The Watertown Historical Society Museum and the Nova Scotia Schoolhouse at 22 DeForest Street will also be open for viewing.

The Watertown House Tour is a benefit for the Watertown Historical Society and Museum in Watertown, CT. The Watertown Historical Society is a private, nonprofit, all volunteer organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Watertown and Oakville's history through the Museum.

Advance house tour tickets are $25 per person, and will be $30 the day of the tour. Tickets for this self-guided house tour and are non-refundable & can be purchased by mailing a check or money order to: Watertown House Tour, 22 DeForest Street, Watertown, CT 06795.  Checks should be made payable to the "Watertown Historical Society". Tickets can also be purchased online with a credit card or Paypal at: www.watertownhistoricalsociety.org

Tickets and maps will be mailed to those that make advance purchases. Advance orders must be received no later than Friday, September 18. Requests for tickets after this date will be held for pick-up on the day of the tour at the Museum.

House Tour tickets are available to purchase at the following retail locations: LaBonne's Market in Watertown, Chubba's in Watertown, the Health Complex, The Watertown Library, Hosking's Nursery, Depot Square Farm Shoppe, and Jimmy's of Watertown. House Tour tickets will also be for sale at the Watertown Farmers Market on Sept. 12 and the Watertown Fall Festival on Sept. 19.

On the day of the tour tickets will be available at all of the businesses, all of the houses, and at the Museum, which will be tour headquarters. Call the Museum at 860-274-1050 or view www.watertownhistoricalsociety.org for more information.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com