The Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc. has a flair for sourcing unusual and striking lots for its Red Carpet auctions and its sale on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 10 AM, is no exception. Designers, decorators and sophisticated collectors with a keen eye for good design will find a wild variety of items that suit their fancy from a Birkin bag in orange leather to Eames midcentury furniture and much more.

“We really are focusing on eclectic collecting this month with some choice pieces that were just given to us from several local estates,” said Pam Stone, owner and founder of The Benefit Shop Foundation. “It’s always fun to come into work because you literally never know what will show up that day and we enjoy sharing that excitement to our buyers!”

Unusual lots highlighting the auction will feature a custom made Versace bed frame replica ($5,000-$10,000) made by an artisan metalworker in Maine, which was crafted from iron, bronze and brass. It features an exact detailing of a Medusa head, framing snakes, Greek key design and originally cost $40,000. Measuring 70 by 82 inches, this one of a kind piece includes the footboard and headboard and weighs several hundred pounds. Another striking item for the home is an antique floor-size Nuremberg folk art angel ($300-600) in carved and painted wood having tin wings in painted wings with platforms on which to rest candles, 39-1/2 inches tall.

Named for style icon Jane Birkin, Hermès’ classic Birkin bag with its distinctive tote-like silhouette is represented with a fine example in orange togo leather with gold toned metal clasps  ($500-$1,500), lock, and key, 13 by 16 by 7 inches.

Designer names will be well represented here, from Hermes to Tiffany. A Tiffany & Co. antique brass wardroom ship’s bell clock ($1,000-$3,000), from the office of a Fortune 500 company CEO, serial number 130330, is an expected standout. Possibly from the early 20th century, the clock measures 16-1/2 inches in diameter at the base.  

Anyone looking to jazz up their home will take note of a pair of Reed & Barton ornate silver toned candelabras ($150-$300) with three arms, measuring 16 by 15 by 8 inches; a pair of Asian celadon lidded ginger jars ($400-$800) with floral and leaf detail, Asian characters, and the lids having dragon detail, 12 inches tall; and a pair of antique wooden converted window mirrors ($300-$600) having beveled antique mirror panels. Each are cream toned with carved wooden detail, 65 by 42 inches.

A fitting place to start with any decorating project is the floor and this auction features several choice carpets, including an antique handmade Kerman wool rug ($4,000-$6,000) with a multi-toned floral, leaf and vine detail pattern in shades of light blue, beige and navy, 190 by 109 inches, and a Farahan room size handmade Oriental carpet ($2,000-$4,000) measuring 8 feet and 1 inch by 11 feet, 4 inches. The latter was originally purchased from Safavieh Carpets.

Midcentury modern is always popular here and represented in this auction are several singular examples by Herman Miller, led by a platform bench ($300-$600) in blond toned maple top and black toned painted base, designed by George Nelson in 1946 – part of his first collection for Herman Miller, 48 by 18-1/2 by 14-1/2 inches; an Eames by Herman Miller MCM two-door storage unit ($100-$400) measuring 32-1/2 by 47-1/4 by 15-3/4 inches and made of zinc-coated steel and plywood.

Also highlighting furniture offerings are a vintage Grosfeld House wooden dresser/console table ($400-$800), 80 by 32 by19 inches; a Lillian August leopard print ottoman on casters ($200-$400), 43 by 26 by 18 inches tall, and a pair of Brighton pavilion style bamboo and armchairs ($50-$150) with caned seats, in the Brighton Pavilion chinoiserie style. Each measures about 35-1/4 inches tall.

Rounding out the auction will be an antique George II sterling silver coffee pot ($200-$600), mid-18th century, London, having hallmarks suggest it was produced by Thomas Whipham, 10 inches tall; a sealed bottle of vintage Shalimar perfume by Guerlain ($50-$100) in the vintage purple velour presentation box, bottle measures 4 inches and the perfume has a deep amber glow; a vintage Venetian hand painted glass coupe and plate ($40-$80) with matching plate coaster featuring hand painted floral garlands and gold toned leaf and scroll border, 6-1/2 inches tall with a 7-1/4-inch diameter at the base; and a Louis XVI style French stone top wooden dresser ($200-$400) having intricate ornate gold toned detail with cherubs, scroll, leaf and vine detailing, 53 by 35 inches. The drawers appear to have hand dovetailing.

The monthly Red Carpet sales feature choice collections of antique, Midcentury Modern, brand furnishings, sterling, china, crystal, jewelry and fine art. With a mission of “to donate, to discover and to do good,” the foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit and auction proceeds support community organizations. Consignors get a tax deduction, the buyer gets a great deal and local non-profits get much needed funds.

The auction gallery is at 185 Kisco Avenue, Suite 201, Mt. Kisco, NY. For more information, www.thebenefitshop.org or (914) 864-0707.