| PHILADELPHIA — Die-hard collectors can’t stop with just a few examples of their passion. They want all of it. Such was apparently the case of a doctor who collected steins, KMP plaques, Meissen and Royal Vienna cabinet plates. The doctor died more than 30 years ago and his collections sat in his apartment until recently when his son was given the task of clearing out the home. “Almost all of the smalls in this auction came from this one person,” said Jeff Kamal, owner of Kamelot Auctions which was given the task of selling the items. The three-day event will take place March 21, March 23 and March 26 at the firm’s gallery in Philadelphia. There are more than 300 steins and not your garden-variety flea market types. There is an unusual Hauber & Reuther character beer stein in the form of a high-wheel bicycler. The wheel is cobalt blue stoneware with the top being the rider cast in metal. Hauber & Reuther was a Bavarian firm known for its steins. The firm ceased production in 1909. The piece is estimated to sell for more than $1,000 and Stein.net lists this example at more than $2,000. There are 27 KPM plaques and more than 100 pieces of Meissen. Limoges also creates quite a splash at this auction. “I have never seen this quality and quantity at auction,” Kamal said. “The women are so beautiful.” For example there is a pair of monumental Limoges hand-painted porcelain portrait plaques surrounded by jewel decorated borders. With the frames each piece measures 2 feet tall. The detail of the two women depicted is breathtaking. The circa 1890 pieces are signed E. Poikevin. A Meissen figural group depicts two women with bare breasts fishing with a net. There are two children at the base and a net full of detailed fish. The artfully detailed piece stands more than 12 inches tall. Furniture will also be featured at this three-day auction. One of the highlights is a bed that looks as if it would be at home in a palace. The piece is described as an Italian Rococo-style king-size bed. The king size means that the piece dates to the 20th century and Kamel dates the piece to the 1940s. The headboard and footboard are over the top with gilt decorated flora and fauna. The pieces measures 68 inches high and 74 inches wide. Contact: (215) 438-6990 www.kamelotauctions.com |
