CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.- On May 9, Bonhams’ New York office will hold an on-site auction in Charlottesville, Virginia, selling the collection of Baron Wouter J.P. Sijlmans von Eldik. Von Eldik owned the House of Jacobus Antiques, where the auction will be held, in a 1750s historic building.
The Baron led an extraordinary life, having spent ages 4 to 7 in a Japanese internment camp on the island of Java during World War II. His father was forced to work on the Burma “Death” Railway, and his notes and journals were used in part by Pierre Boulle in writing The Bridge over the River Kwai. Von Eldik was educated in Holland and the US, and became the Head of Asia for Polaroid after his studies. His other business endeavors included partnership in the highly successful Beverly Hills antiques firm of Yeakel, von Eldik and Pruyn, and later a luxury antiques-filled lodge in Jackson Hole, before settling in Charlottesville to found the House of Jacobus Antiques.
The 576-lot sale includes over 100 Old Master and 19th Century paintings and prints, primarily Dutch, including a pair of large 17th-century game still lifes by Dutch artist Peter Caulitz, (est. $15,000 – 20,000); a very finely painted portrait of a lady from the circle of Nicolaes Elias, called Pickenoy (est. $20,000 – 30,000); and a landscape from the circle of Pieter Jansz van Asch (est. $3,000 – 5,000).
Peter Caulitz (circa 1650-1719), Cocks, chickens and turkeys with pigeons flying above on a yard by a mansion; A hound watching a dead red fox, a dead mallard, a gray partridge, a woodcock and a bullfinch at the foot of a tree at the edge of a wood (a pair); first, signed 'P Caulits' (lower right); both oil on canvas, 63 1/2 x 58 3/4in (161.3 x 149.2cm). Estimate US$ 15,000 - 20,000 (€13,000 - 18,000). Photo Bonhams.
Provenance: Sale, Christie's, Amsterdam, 9 May 2001, lot 140.
Acquired at the above sale by the present owner.
Provenance: Sale, Christie's, Amsterdam, 6 May 2008, lot 151.
Acquired at the above sale by the current owner.
This last work has a fascinating history: looted by the Nazi authorities in 1940 from the collection of Jacques Goudstikker – the most important dealer in Old Master paintings in Holland between the wars – it was recovered by the Allies In 1945 and placed in the custody of the Dutch government. The painting was finally restituted to Goudstikker’s heir in 2006 and sold at Christie’s Amsterdam the following year, where von Eldik purchased it.
Among the American and English works on offer, an early 18th century American or English needlework depicting Diana the Huntress is notable for its fine condition and old maple frame (est. $800 – 1,200); a Queen Anne maple field chest attributed to the firm of Coxed and Woster illustrates a very interesting late 17th/early 18th century practice of using burl maple and soot to simulate the effect of tortoiseshell (est. $4,000 – 6,000); and an Anglo-Indian carved bone and mosaic inlaid sandalwood and hardwood sewing box, probably Vizagapatam, 19th century, shows incredibly detailed workmanship and is in exceptional condition for its age (est. $1,000 – 1,500).
An English wool and silk needlework panel, early 18th century. Depicting Diana the Huntress, on its original stretchers in a later burl maple frame. 19 1/2 x 16 3/4in (49.5 x 42.5cm). Estimate US$ 800 - 1,200 (€710 - 1,100). Photo Bonhams.
A Queen Anne field maple chest, first quarter 18th century. Estimate $4,000-6,000. Photo: Bonhams
An Anglo-Indian carved and bone and mosaic-inlaid sandalwood and hardwood sewing box. Probably Vizagapatum, 19th century. With fitted interior and mirror-inset lid. height 5in (12.7cm); width 12 3/4in (32.4cm); depth 9 1/4in (23.5cm). Estimate US$ 20,000 - 30,000 (€18,000 - 27,000). Photo Bonhams.
Alongside the above categories, the house is filled with highly attractive ceramics, silver, fireplace accessories and other decorative objects, for example a Dutch Delft blue and white ceramic spirit keg with a whimsical figure of a Dutchman seated astride the spout (est. $1,200 – 1,800). This piece was inspired by more classical models, of which there happens to be an example in the sale: a Meissen style porcelain figural spirit cask surmounted by a figure of Bacchus (est. $1,000 – 1,500).
The preview and sale will be held at the House of Jacobus, 3449 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.