Estate of Congresswoman Helen Bentley Auctions Tiffany Items

From Heritage Auctions:

The private collection of the very public Maryland Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley – a champion of civic development who spent 10 years on Capitol Hill – will debut in Heritage Auctions’ autumnArt Nouveau and Art Deco Including Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction Nov. 18. Congresswoman Bentley’s carefully curated, lifetime collection of Tiffany, is comprised of more than 100 piece of glass, most of which have never appeared on the auction market

“Heritage’s Trust and Estates Department is thrilled Ms. Bentley personally handpicked Heritage Auctions before her passing to handle her most coveted pieces of Tiffany,” said Elyse Luray, of Heritage Auctions’ Trust and Estates, New York. “Being born and raised in Baltimore, her legacy is dear to my heart and I am proud to have shared time with her and her collection.”

Bentley, who passed away in August, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland from 1985 to 1995. Before entering politics, she had been a leading maritime reporter and journalist. Living a rags to riches life, Bentley worked her way up from humble beginnings through the prestigious University of Missouri journalism program. At a time when most women were relegated to writing society columns, Bentley sought out new challenges and hard news.

By 1969 she was the highest-ranking woman in President Nixon’s administration, and advocated on behalf of American shipyards.

Most of Bentley’s collection was acquired prior to 1980 and her interest spanned across Tiffany Studios’ masterworks, such as a Large Tiffany gold and green Vase by (est. $3,000-$5,000) and a Scarab Desk Lamp (est. $3,000-$5,000).

Her collection holds rarely-seen examples and impressive forms, such as a 19-inch Gold and Bronze Candlestick (est. $2,000-$3,000) and a 28-inch Gold and Bronze Tall Vase (est. $1,500-$2,000). Her penchant for lovely Floriform Vases includes a 10-inch vase (est. $1,200-$1,600) and a Pastille Vase (est. $1,000-$1,500) and a Low Floriform Vase ($1,000-$1,500).

Among the collection’s selection of Tiffany tableware are a Gold Decanter and Six Glasses (est. $1,500-$2,000), a set of Wine Glasses (est. $1,200-$1,600) and a Set of Sherberts (est. $800-$1,200).

From her collection of Gallé art glass, a Large Red/Yellow Vase ($1,500-$2,000) and a Red Berry Vase (est. $800-$1,200) will cross the block.

Bentley's precious collection of Meissen and other porcelain figures will be offered at Heritage Auctions in February 2017, including a fine selection of figural groups, such as a Meissen Monkey Band (est. $800-$1,200) and a Scottish Group (est. $800-$1,200) as well as a pair of Snake-Handle Vases (est. $800-$1,200).

“Representative Bentley was a true powerhouse for those in her district and she was most influential at redeveloping Baltimore’s now famous waterfront,” said Nick Dawes, Vice President of Special Collections at Heritage. “Behind the scenes she loved the serene lines and craftsmanship of Tiffany, Meissen and Gallé.”

The Tiffany glass and lighting and Gallé art glass from the personal lifetime collection of Helen Delich Bentley will be offered Nov. 18 in Heritage Auctions’ Art Nouveau and Art Deco Including Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction in Dallas and online at HA.com.

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $800 million, and over one million online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

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