Alexandria's The Potomack Company will offer a lifelong collection of English and American antiques from the historic Virginia home Woodland as part of its live auction Saturday, June 2 and online auctions June 5-7.
The home is located just south of Petersburg and was built around 1790. It was recently sold by Richmond attorneys Richard Burton and his partner Michael Shebelskie, who chose The Potomack Company to disburse their lifelong collection. The home had been in Burton's family since the 1830s except for a short time.
The home and its antiques, which include a pair of George VI coronation chairs and other coronation pieces that are up for auction, have been featured in House Beautiful "Classic American Decorating" magazine and the books, “Colonial Homes," and “Early American Life.” George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from December 1936 until his death.
The estate also features portraits of British nobility; other 19th century paintings, including landscapes; 19th century American and English case pieces, and textiles. The Woodland collection’s royalty memorabilia will be offered at a time when the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is capturing the world’s attention.
The sale is also notable for a strong group of American paintings with works by:
- Alexander Wyant
- Asher Durand
- Thomas Wittredge
- Charles Gifford
- William Trost Richards
- Frederick Arthur Bridgman
- Elmer Livingston MacRae.
Among other paintings in the auction are a portrait of Giovanni Medici, circle of Santi di Tito and a seascape by Russian painter Ivan Aivazovsky.
Nakashima collectors will find a selection of pieces including a pair of Nakashima Studio walnut Greenrock stools, a George Nakashima single pedestal desk and a Minguren walnut side table, among others.
A special historical collection of Postmaster General documents and stamps dating from Benjamin Franklin also highlights the sale with a 1798 John Adams proclamation and discourse, Millard Fillmore’s personal copy of “The African Repository” and documents from other U.S. presidents, including James Madison, James Monroe, James Buchanan and John Tyler.
A set of rare die-card stamp proofs signed by the Postmaster General is among the many novel items in the collection.
Image courtesy of The Potomack Company
5.78-carat radiant-cut natural fancy light yellow diamond
5.78-carat radiant-cut natural fancy light yellow diamond
With new jewelry director Stephen Silvia joining the growing Potomack Company team this month, the June auctions will offer a 5.78 carat radiant-cut natural fancy light yellow diamond (GIA certified) and a 2.46 carat emerald-cut diamond (GIA certified). Silvia comes to Potomack with years of experience, including managing fine and estate jewelry at both Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
The public is invited to attend Potomack’s preview exhibition, which runs from Saturday, May 19, through Friday, June 1. The Potomack Company is located at 1120 N. Fairfax St.
