The Antonio and Liliane Mariani Collection at Bonhams & Butterfields in March

A fine Louis XIV gilt bronze mounted tortoiseshell, brass, pewter and shell marquetry commode, early 18th century Estimate: $70,000 - 100,000

The rectangular top over two short and two long drawers flanked by scrolled stiles ending in gilt sabots cast as pieds de biche overall inlaid in premiere partie boulle work depicting Comedia del Arte figures and fabulous animals. height 31in (79cm); width 45in (1.15m); depth 24 3/4in (63cm)

“The rare, the unique, the exquisite…”

Fine arts and antiques auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields is pleased to announce it will offer property from the collections of Antonio and Liliane Mariani, owners of the well-respected Antonio’s Antiques, in a single-owner 400-lot auction to be held in its San Francisco salesrooms on Monday, March 2, 2009. Strong international collector interest is expected as the Mariani’s firm boasted a “Who’s Who” of clients and the Bonhams’ sale will comprise a selection of highly desirable 17th, 18th and 19th century pieces.

“Antonio’s Antiques,” according to Bonhams & Butterfields Vice President Jeffrey Smith, “was one of the driving forces that established San Francisco’s Jackson Square as a destination for antiques collectors and interior designers from across the country and the globe. This sale will offer some of the finest highlights of the Antonio’s collection reflecting rarity, connoisseurship, and centuries of beautiful design.

Antonio Mariani first arrived in San Francisco from Italy in the late 1950s. He was 20-years old and had, since the age of five, been trained in restoring antiques by his father, a cabinetmaker who ran a shop in the small Southern Italian town of Taranto. Mr. Mariani, who passed away in 2007, first worked as a restorer at the de Young Museum and soon established his own restoration business in San Francisco. Early in his career, the daughter of winemaker Julio Gallo commissioned him to refurnish the Gallo estate with period antiques.

Within a short time Antonio began a meteoritic rise to become one of the most respected antique dealers and restorers in the world and an irreplaceable part of San Francisco’s creative community. Liliane and Antonio traveled extensively throughout the world personally finding wonderful examples of period furnishings and were seen together bidding at the major international auction houses as well as the regional auction houses in Europe and the United States. Italian furniture and decorative arts were always their true passion but they were equally excited by other European decorative arts and the Italian examples stood side by side with great French, English and Continental pieces in their collection. By the late 1960s they were employing some of the most talented restorers, glass blowers, gilders, master carvers, textile restorers and conservators.

By the mid-1980s, Antonio’s Antiques maintained a multi-million dollar inventory and a stellar client list, with multiple locations in the city. The San Francisco Chronicle’s “Social Scene” column on February 2, 1985 was dedicated to reporting on the launch party for Antonio’s new three-story Bryant Street warehouse. Reporter Pat Steger made special notes on the attendance of Clint Eastwood and Sandra Locke -- they arrived in San Francisco via private jet and were one of the last couples to leave the stylish event.

The collection will open for preview at Bonhams & Butterfields on February 27th, continuing through March 2, the day of the auction. Collectors, connoisseurs and designers will have the unique opportunity to bid on exquisite pieces from the Mariani Collection.

Highlights include a superb late 17th century Brussels garden tapestry (est. $30/45,000); a pair of George III terrestrial and celestial globes (est. $15/25,000); an unusual George III giltwood wall clock (est. $10/15,000); very fine early 19th century Russian gilt bronze chandelier (est. $35/50,000); and an important early 18th century Louis XIV boullework marquetry commode (est. $70/90,000).

A fine Brussels Baroque garden tapestry, 17th century, Estimate: $30,000 - 45,000

Depicting a loggia with Solomnic columns overlooking a parterre within borders of floral swags. approximately 9ft 4 1/2in x 14ft 6in (2.86 x 4.42m)

A fine pair of George III terrestrial and celestial table globes on mahogany stands, Newton & Sons, London, early 19th century, Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000

Each fourteen inch globe on a mahogany stand with six turned supports joined by six stretchers; the terrestrial globe labeled Newtons New and Improved Terrestrial Globe for Navigators and Travellers, Manufactured by Newton & Son; the celestial globe labeled A New Celestial Globe by Newton & Sons, 1801. height overall 21in (53cm); diameter overall 23in (59cm)

A fine George III giltwood cartel clock, John Page, Ipswich, third quarter 18th century, Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000

The rococo pierced and floral carved frame with an outspread winged ho ho bird crest, centering silvered dial with Latin and Arabic chapter rings and seconds dial inscribed, John Page, Ipswich.. height 33in (84cm)

A fine Russian Neoclassical gilt bronze and glass twenty light chandelier, early 19th century, Estimate: $35,000 - 50,000

The arched palm frond corona suspending faceted glass chains descending to a gilt bronze ring issuing twenty scrolled candlearms alternating with bacchic masks, suspending prism drops ending in a faceted spherule. height 4ft 11in (1.48m); diameter 49in (1.25m)

The superb Italian offerings stem from Northern Italy to Sicily, including: an important Sicilian 18th century engraved mirror depicting a masqued ball figure, as well as a magnificent Venetian engraved mirror depicting Apollo and Roman emperors (estimates for each $35/50,000); a suite of Italian rococo seating furniture with Spreckels family provenance (est. $18/25,000); a very important Venetian rococo cabinet, mid-18th, century, with the Barberini family provenance (est. $60/80,000); a marvelous Spanish Renaissance figure of the Madonna, 16th century, deaccessioned from the Metropolitan Museum; a very rare and important set of eight northern Italian rococo giltwood armchairs (est. $60/80,000); a rare 16th century apothecary jar (est. $8/12,000); and of special interest to collectors, a pair of George III giltwood candelabra from the Estate Michael Taylor (est. $6/8,000).

An Important Italian Baroque painted and parcel gilt girandole mirror, Sicily, first half 18th century.. Estimate: $35,000 - 50,000

The cartouche form plate etched with a caped bal masque figure within an exuberantly carved frame of scroll work and rocaille issuing three scrolled candlearms. height 6ft 11in (2.08m); width 44in (1.12m)

A magnificent Venetian Rococo carved giltwood etched mirror, mid 18th century,  Estimate: $35,000 - 50,000

The main arched central mirror plate surmounted by a lambrequin centering an engraved oval plate with the profile portrait of a Roman emperor wearing a laurel wreath; the upper slip with Apollo reclining; the side slips engraved with classical gods holding lyres beneath lambrequin, interspersed with slips engraved with martial and musical trophies; the pendant horizontal slip engraved with a reclining figure of Diana holding an arrow, the corner slips with profile portraits, all within a C-scroll carved shaped frame. height 6ft 6in (1.98m); width 45in (1.14m)

A good Italian Rococo walnut and needlework upholstered suite of seat furniture, third quarter 18th century, Estimate: $18,000 - 25,000

Comprising a settee and a pair of armchairs, each with a serpentine crest over foliate carved scrolled arms raised on bellflower and leafy vine carved cabriole legs ending in overscrolled toes. height of settee 40in (1.02m); width 6ft 2in (1.85m); depth 28in (71cm); height of armchairs 40in (1.02m); width 30in (76cm); depth 22in (56cm).

A fine Italian Rococo parcel gilt and paint decorated secretary cabinet, Venice, mid 18th century, Estimate: $60,000 - 80,000

The upper case with arched pediment flanked by opposing C-scrolls over a pair of arched fielded paneled carved doors deeply with a profusion of floral vines, the lower case of bombe form fitted with a single drawer with cupboard below enclosed by an oval panel door and raised on bold scroll feet, painted with Barberini family armorials the case carved with foliage, C-scrolls and flower heads in gilt against a painted ground. height 9ft 7 1/2in (2.63m); width 4ft 10in (1.47m); depth 20in (51cm)

Footnote: The Barberini family, originally a noble family from Tuscany became prominent in Rome during the Renaissance and family members rose through the hierarchy of the Church. In 1623 Maffeo Barberini became Pope Urban VIII.

Palazzo Barberini was built on the outskirts of Rome and incorporated new themes unprecedented in palace decoration and created a new standard for palaces that followed. Notably are the spectacular ceiling fresco "The Triumph of Divine Providence" painted by Pietro da Cortona depicting the Barberini armorial bees ascending to heaven surrounded by allegorical figures and Roman gods.

A rare and important set of eight Northern Italian Rococo giltwood and tapestry upholstered armchairs, second quarter 18th century, Estimate: $60,000 - 80,000

The arched tapestry upholstered paneled backs, padded arm supports and seats decorated with insects amongst sprigs of flora and fruit, the arms with shell terminals and shell decorated and latticework seat rails and raised on cabriole legs ending in hoof feet and joined by shaped stretchers. height 44in (1.12m); width 27in (69cm); depth 26in (66cm).

Provenance: The Spreckels Family, San Francisco

A fine Spanish Renaissance polychrome figure of the Virgin Mary, late 16th century, Estimate: $12,000 - 15,000

Depicted half length with hands clasped in prayer holding an iron nail from the Cross. height overall 36in (91.5cm).

Provenance: Fanny Einstein gift to the Metropolitan Museum, 1917
Christies, New York, 1983

A fine Italian majolica polychrome apothecary jar, Faenza, mid 16th century, Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000

The sharply tapered baluster vessel painted with St. Tobias, inscribed P TOBIAS, looking over his right shoulder and holding a scroll indistinctly inscribed confitemini Domino filli ingel 1569, reserved on a richly decorated acanthus leaf ground with title banner inscribed indistinctly Sz.d. Iurro fumite. height 12in (30.5cm)

A pair of George III giltwood and cut glass twelve light girandoles, late 18th century, Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000

Each slender leaf and orb standard with ring issuing six arms terminating in gadrooned platforms, beneath a leaf corona suspending beaded chains, all on a circular foot. height overall 35 3/4in (91cm).

Provenance: Sold Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco, The Estate of Michael Taylor, April 7-9, 1987, lot 491.

Forty European painting and drawings will be offered including examples by Pierre Bout, Alfred de Neuville, Johann Halszel, Archibald Webb and Bartholomeus Assteyn. The sale will also include a number of lots of Asian art including carved ivories, export porcelain and Chinese furniture.