BLOOMFIELD, N.J. — It was a collector’s dream come true and avid antiques enthusiasts showed up in great force for the Nye & Company July 25-26 auction of the contents of the landmark home of Robert Weeks DeForest and Emily Johnson DeForest. The prestige of the collection cannot be overstated.

Robert Weeks DeForest (1848-1931) and Emily Johnston DeForest (1851-1942) were dedicated and discerning collectors of American decorative arts and were instrumental in establishing the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where Robert DeForest served as president of the museum for 17 years until the time of his death. He was the son of the celebrated and highly influential Henry Grant Deforest and also the brother of Lockwood De Forest, a primary figure of the Aesthetic Movement in America who, as a painter and designer, worked on several projects with Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The collection, offered by Nye in a total of 920 lots, came from the original Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., home of Robert Weeks De Forest, which he built in 1897 and named “Wawapek,” and where his descendants lived and continued to collect until this year. Some of the most prominent items in the sale had been stored in the basement, attic, and garage, as the younger generation made room for their own collections and objects of interest. All of this created a broad spectrum of highly desirable items from the 17th century and even earlier, to the late 19th century gilded age, to 20th century modern furniture, as well as Native American artifacts. The DeForest family may have varied in their fields of chosen interest, but their impeccable taste for excellence remained in what appears to be a genetic thread of refinement.

“The house was remarkable,” said John Nye. “While we expected to find many treasures we were slightly taken back by the extremely high caliber articles that we found covered with blankets in the garage. We naturally thought the items that would command the most interest would be in the central part of the house. It all added to an adventure that continued right up to the preview, which was phenomenal, a virtual celebrity gathering.”

An item that garnered much attention was a Mexican faience jar, Puebla, circa 1700. The exact jar is illustrated as Plate IV in The Catalogue of Mexican Majolica belonging to Mrs. Robert DeForest, written in 1911 by Edwin Atlee Barber for Mrs. Robert DeForest’s exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The 10 ½ inch tall jar was made in classic Spanish form in bold blue with a central bird in flight decoration. It opened at $400, appropriate to the $800 to $1,200 estimate, and 25 bids later flew to the staggering price of $20,000.

A lot, which was comprised of a cinnabar bento box, a cloisonné teapot, and a dish, opened at $3,750 to an internet bidder, despite a low estimate of $100 to $200. The cinnabar box stood 8 inches high by 8 inches wide and the vase measured 7 inches tall. The lot was cataloged as having wear and losses but that did not deter the aggressive bidding that ended in a colossal price of $23,750.

Another crowd pleaser that sold well beyond the mark was a New England Empire painted bedstead, circa 1820-1840. It was an unusual item that was painted with geometric designs in colors of rust, yellow, and black on a series of curved and round shaped elements, with a headboard that was more than 4 feet high by almost 4 ½ feet wide. It commanded $12,500, selling for more than 10 times the high estimate.

A Queen Anne turned gumwood rush seat daybed, from the first half of the 18th century, was possibly from Long Island, N.Y. “The daybed was an unsaleable beauty,” Nye said. “The form is a virtual dinosaur in the trade, nobody has wanted them for years. Despite the fact that this was an extremely clean and handsome piece, we never expected it to bring in a significant amount.” The dinosaur defied the odds and sold to a private New York collector for $10,000, with the under bidder being a member of the trade.

A Southwest Indian coil basket, circa 1900 measured 7 inches in diameter and had a tight weave with a small neck and was decorated with a shaded geometric design. It sold, with an old attribution note, for $15,000, far surpassing the $200 to $400 estimate.

20th century Modern also had exceptional items of distinction. The leader in this segment was an outstanding Wendell Castle crescent rocker. It was made with barefaced tenons and upholstered in black leather and brought $17,500.

Prices include a 25 percent buyer’s premium.

For more information visit www.nyeandcompany.com or call (973) 984-6900