Auction Details

Fine & Decorative Arts

Morphy’s Dec. 10-11 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction ushers in the holidays with exquisite jewels, luxury goods, antiques and art

Featured: 48-carat platinum and diamond necklace, ruby and diamond earrings, premium wristwatches including Rolex and Cartier, Tiffany lamps, movie star’s 14K gold Tiffany jewel box, Amphora dragon vase

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy’s annual Winter Fine & Decorative Arts Auction is where selective shoppers go to find the gifts no one would ever dream of returning, including jewels fit for royalty, premium-level Swiss watches, rare fine and decorative art, and coveted antiques. This year’s edition of the popular holiday series will take place on December 10-11 at Morphy’s Pennsylvania gallery, with all forms of absentee bidding available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live.

It has long been known that good things come in small packages, and in this auction there are scores of exquisite rings, brooches, pendants and earrings by prestigious designers to prove the point. A gentleman’s 18K yellow gold ring is a scene-stealer with its cut-corner rectangular modified brilliant-cut natural Fancy Yellow diamond weighing 5.37cts. Its grading confirms Even distribution, VVS1 clarity, Good polish, Good symmetry and no fluorescence. A size 10, its gross weight is 19.8 grams. It will go to its new owner with a GIA (copy) Colored Diamond Report (No. 1162399659). Pre-sale estimate: $45,000-$60,000.

Also, for the gentleman who seeks only the best in timepieces, Morphy’s offers several Rolex designs, including an Oyster Perpetual 40mm Daytona Cosmograph Chronometer in stainless steel with a black dial and luminous markers, Ref #116520, Serial #V038106 (DOM 2008/2009). The watch is in excellent running order with its overall condition graded Excellent. It retains its original numbered card, booklets and hang tag and is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

A pair of ladies’ 14K white gold ruby and diamond drop earrings is set with two pear-shape, faceted natural enhanced rubies measuring 27.50mm by 14.04mm by 5.50mm with an approximate total weight of 42.00cts; two round, faceted natural enhanced rubies measuring 5.40mm in diameter with an approximate total weight of 1.80cts; and 72 round, brilliant-cut natural diamonds, each measuring from 2.70mm to 3.20mm in diameter with an approximate total weight of 8.34cts. The diamonds are graded from F to G in color and VS2 to SI1 in clarity. The earrings’ total weight is 30.15 grams. They will convey with a private appraisal (copy) showing a 2015 ERRV of $146,000. Auction estimate: $30,000-$50,000

For the belle of the ball, a fitting gift would be a Neiman-Marcus 48-carat platinum diamond necklace set with 17 pear-shape faceted natural diamonds ranging in size from 2.01cts to 0.37cts and having an approximate total weight of 14.60cts. The gems are graded H/I/J color with VVS1-SI1 clarity. Additionally, the 26 round, brilliant-cut natural diamonds range in size from 0.93cts to 0.13cts with an approximate total weight of 10.08cts and are graded G-K color and I1/I2 clarity. Also, the necklace is adorned with 130 baguette-cut natural diamonds ranging in size from 0.31cts to 0.02cts with an approximate total weight of 23.03cts and graded H/I/J color and VVS1-VS1. Overall, the necklace has an approximate combined diamond total weight of 47.71cts and a gross weight of 77 grams. Its length is approximately 15 inches. A private appraisal (copy) indicating a 2015 ERRV of $280,000 will be provided to the winning bidder. Graded Excellent, it has a pre-sale estimate of $60,000-$100,000.

Morphy’s can even provide a luxe suggestion for storing sumptuous jewels: a fine 14K yellow gold Tiffany & Co., jewelry box, lined in green velvet and retaining its original 14K gold skeleton key. The box was presented to silent film actress and film producer Norma Talmadge (Schenck), as noted in the engraving on its lid. It reads 1916-NTS-1919, the dates suggesting the box might have been a gift of appreciation from a movie studio to which Talmadge was contracted. Underneath, the box is marked Tiffany & Co 14K. Talmadge was one of the most glamorous and popular film stars of the “teens” and 1920s. Her first husband was millionaire film producer Joseph Schenck, later a president of United Artists Corporation. After her retirement from show business, Talmadge enjoyed the life of a wealthy socialite with the last of her three husbands, Beverly Hills physician Dr Carvel James. The Tiffany box is exactly what one might expect to see in the boudoir of a motion picture pioneer like Talmadge. With a gross weight of 630.1 grams, this treasure of Old Hollywood is estimated at $30,000-$50,000.

Thirty-seven leaded- and stained-glass lamps will light up the gallery, including 17 from Tiffany Studios. A magnificent “Daffodil” leaded-glass table lamp with a 20-inch shade features several shades of blue in its background and has wonderful transparency. The daffodil reeds display incredible complexity with a myriad of colors ranging from light to darker shades of green and blue with mottled golden orange and yellow blossoms. The shade is signed to the inside rim Tiffany Studios New York 1497. The original Tiffany Studios three-socket patinated bronze ribbon base has a foliate motif that complements the shade perfectly. Standing 25 inches tall and in Excellent condition, it is expected to sell for $50,000-$70,000.

Only the finest silver will do for holiday entertaining, and for after-dinner coffee or tea, it would be hard to improve upon a Black, Starr & Frost “Shell & Thread” service No. 7490. The height of the coffee pot is 13½ inches and the gross approximate weight is a hefty 269.7ozt. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000

Over the years, Morphy’s has sold some of the rarest and most exotic pieces of Amphora pottery known to exist. Ten lots in the December 11 session feature the rare European wares, including a fabulous 20¼-inch glazed hard-earthenware “Humpback Dragon” vase designed circa 1901 by Eduard Stellmacher. Its motif incorporates a full-bodied gilt dragon with highly-detailed anatomical detail applied to a slightly iridized vase body. It bears an Amphora Crown mark, Amphora Oval, and the impressed model number “4538.” An example of this model is illustrated in Monsters and Maidens: Collector’s Edition by Vreeland, Pages 296-297; and The House of Amphora by Scott, Page 206. In mint condition, it is estimated at $12,000-$18,000.

Thirty-nine lots of American and European fine artworks have been cataloged, including landscapes, marine paintings, folk-art scenes and more. An interesting work that reflects elements of both Art Nouveau and early Art Deco influence is an A D M Cooper (American, 1856-1924) portrait of a bejeweled nymph-like woman balancing on a ball. Lithe and free-spirited, she wears a billowing sheer outfit with a peacock-feather motif. Cooper was San Jose, California’s most famous artist and a bon vivant who is said to have paid off bar tabs with paintings of nudes or Western scenes. The auction entry, an oil on re-lined canvas, measures 40 inches by 24 inches (sight) and is signed and dated A.D.M. Cooper / 1917. Its condition is assessed as Excellent, and its pre-sale estimate is $4,000-$6,000.

Japanese folklore is the theme of a large tsuba (hand guard for a sword) signed Unmo Motomasa. Its aori-gata form is decorated the image of a monk amongst precious metal birds on omote, and an ura with a gigantic oni (demon) in mixed metals reaching over a fence and making a terrifying face. Its golden hitsu-ana plug has a carved design of falling rain. Housed in a pawlonia wood box with a cloth slip, the tsuba is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

Morphy’s Wednesday/Thursday Dec. 10-11, 2025 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction will be held live at Morphy’s gallery, 2000 N. Reading Rd., Denver, PA 17517, starting at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Jewelry/watches may be previewed by appointment only. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, by phone and live via the Internet through Morphy Live. Enquiries: call 877-968-8880, email info@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.

CAPTIONS:

All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions

1028 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/MEN_S_18K_GOLD_5_37CT_FANCY_YELLOW_DIAMOND_RING_W_-LOT655513.aspx

Men’s 18K yellow gold ring set with 1 cut-corner rectangular modified brilliant-cut natural diamond weighing 5.37cts accompanied by a GIA (copy) Colored Diamond Report (No. 1162399659). Color: Fancy Yellow. Distribution: Even. Clarity: VVS1. Polish: Good. Symmetry: Good. Fluorescence: None. Finger size is 10. Width at top measures 11mm. Gross weight: 19.8g. Condition: VG-Excellent. Estimate: $45,000-$60,000

1112 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/14K_WHITE_GOLD_RUBY_AND_DIAMOND_EARRINGS_W__APPRAI-LOT644883.aspx

Ladies’ 14K white gold ruby and diamond drop earrings set with 2 pear-shape, faceted, natural enhanced rubies measuring 27.50mm x 14.04mm x 5.50mm with approx. total weight of 42.00cts; 2 round, faceted, natural enhanced rubies measuring 5.40mm in diameter with an approx. total weight of 1.80cts; and 72 round, brilliant-cut natural diamonds each measuring from 2.70mm to 3.20mm in diameter and with an approximate total weight of 8.34cts. Diamonds graded from F to G in color and VS2 to SI1 in clarity. Gross weight: 30.15 grams. Unmarked. Accompanied by a private appraisal (copy) with a 2015 ERRV of $146,000. Excellent condition. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000

1176 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/PLATINUM_NEIMAN_MARCUS_48CT_DIAMOND_TEARDROP_NECKL-LOT644884.aspx

Neiman-Marcus (marked) 48-carat platinum diamond necklace set with 17 pear-shape faceted natural diamonds ranging in size from 2.01cts to 0.37cts with approx. total weight of 14.60cts, graded H/I/J color and VVS1-SI1 clarity; 26 round brilliant-cut natural diamonds sized from 0.93cts to 0.13cts with approx. total weight of 10.08cts, graded G-K color and I1/I2 clarity; and 130 baguette-cut natural diamonds sized from 0.31cts to 0.02cts with approx. total weight of 23.03cts, graded H/I/J color and VVS1-VS1. Approx. combined diamond total weight: 47.71cts; gross weight: 77g. Length: 15in. Accompanied by private appraisal (copy) showing 2015 ERRV of $280,000. Condition: Excellent. Estimate: $60,000-$100,000

1199 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/14K_GOLD_TIFFANY___CO_BOX_FOR_NORMA_TALMADGE__CIRC-LOT654354.aspx

Exceptional 14K yellow gold Tiffany & Co. jewelry box presented to American silent film actress and film producer Norma Talmadge (Schenck) with green velvet lining and original 14K yellow gold skeleton key. Lock fully functional. Engraved on lid ‘1916-NTS-1919.’ Marked on bottom ‘Tiffany & Co 14K.’ Size: 7¼in x 4½in x 2½in. Gross weight: 630.1g. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000

1324 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/STAINLESS_STEEL_ROLEX_DAYTONA_WRISTWATCH_W__CARD__-LOT651843.aspx

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 40mm Daytona Cosmograph Chronometer in stainless steel with black dial and luminous markers. Ref. No. 116520, S/N V038106 (DOM 2008/2009). Includes original numbered card, booklets and hang tag. In excellent running order. Overall condition: Excellent. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000

1474 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/SET_OF_7_BLACK__STAR___FROST_STERLING_SILVER_SHELL-LOT652882.aspx

Black, Starr & Frost sterling silver ‘Shell & Thread’ coffee and tea service, Set No. 7490. Coffee pot height: 13½in. Gross approximate weight: 269.7ozt. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000

2006 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/A_D_M__COOPER__AMERICAN__1856_1924_-LOT648115.aspx

A.D.M. Cooper (American, 1856-1924), portrait of a bejeweled nymph-like woman balancing on a ball and wearing a billowing, sheer outfit with a peacock-feather motif. Oil on re-lined canvas, 40in x 24in (sight), signed and dated ‘A.D.M. Cooper / 1917.’ Condition: Excellent. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000

2183 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/MAGNIFICENT_TIFFANY_STUDIOS_DAFFODIL_LEADED_GLASS_-LOT654504.aspx

Magnificent Tiffany Studios ‘Daffodil’ leaded-glass table lamp with Excellent-condition 20in (dia.) shade featuring several shades of blue in its background. Daffodil reeds display incredible complexity with a myriad of colors, ranging from light to darker greens and blues. Mottled golden orange and yellow blossoms. Shade signed to inside rim ‘Tiffany Studios New York 1497.’ Original Tiffany Studios three-socket patinated bronze ribbon base with foliate motif that complements shade perfectly. Original Tiffany flower-petal perforated heat cap. Height: 25in. Estimate: $50,000-$70,000

2227 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/AMPHORA_GLAZED_HARD_EARTHENWARE_RARE_HUMPBACK_DRAG-LOT654609.aspx

Rare Amphora glazed hard-earthenware ‘Humpback Dragon’ vase designed by Eduard Stellmacher, Austria, circa 1901. Full-bodied gilt dragon with highly-detailed anatomical detail applied to slightly iridized vase body. Model No. 4538, Amphora Crown mark, Amphora Oval, impressed ‘4538.’ Literature: An example of this model is illustrated in ‘Monsters and Maidens: Collector’s Edition’ by Vreeland, Pages 296-297; and in ‘The House of Amphora’ by Scott, Page 206. Height: 20¼in. Mint condition. Estimate: $12,000-$18,000

2280 –

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/LARGE_TSUBA_DEPICTING_AN_ONI-LOT652418.aspx

Large tsuba (hand guard for Japanese sword) signed ‘Unmo Motomasa.’ Aori-gata form decorated with a monk amongst precious metal birds on omote, and ura with a gigantic oni (demon) in mixed metals reaching over a fence and making a terrifying face. Golden hitsu-ana plug with a carved design of falling rain. Presented in a pawlonia wood box with cloth slip. Size: approx. 7.5cm x 8.2cm (2.95in x 3.23in). Condition: VG. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000