The Out of Our League, Lucky Fall Premier
Lot 77:
Description
Antique Carved Wood Bible Stand early 18th century and likely even earlier
Provenance: From the estate of Charles Dikran Kelekian, the dean of antiquities dealers in the United States. The Kelekian firm was founded in 1893, had a gallery on Madsion Avenue, NY and sold major works to most of the leading museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The representation of the head of Tutankhamun, seen in the museum’s collection and on the cover of the catalogue was acquired from the Kelekians.
Until recently, he was active in his gallery located at 667 Madison Avenue, working alongside his daughter, Nanette Rodney Kelekian. Charles was the descendant of Dikran Kelekian, a Turkish-born art dealer who established their family antiquities enterprise in the U.S. in 1893.
Born in Marseilles, France, Charles Kelekian was educated there and later joined the family business in 1919. Over the next 20 years, he and his father frequently traveled between their galleries in New York and Paris.
The Kelekian family has a legacy of selling significant pieces to renowned museums, notably the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among their notable sales was the head representation of Tutankhamun, which was purchased by the museum in the late 1940s. Additionally, Assyrian reliefs and other significant artifacts from the Palace of Assurnipal were sold to John D. Rockefeller in 1932, who then donated them to the museum.
Charles Kelekian was passionate about sharing his vast knowledge, particularly with younger individuals. He had a keen interest in Egyptian art, Islamic ceramics, and Coptic textiles. He was a strong advocate for the correct restoration of antiquities and often mended Coptic textiles himself.
Charles Wilkinson, the Metropolitan’s curator emeritus of Near Eastern art, praised the Kelekians for their impeccable principles. He highlighted Charles’s keen eye for detail and deep love for the antiquities.
Roy Neuberger, a stockbroker and art collector, lauded the Kelekian legacy, describing Charles as a gentle, delightful, and perceptive individual. Recognized as one of the premier dealers in ancient art, Charles was universally respected for his integrity. His gallery was likened to a museum due to its extensive and valuable collection.
15.5"H x 18.5"W x 12"D
Present from 2016
Private Collection
Harold Herman Collectpr NYC 2016
Charles Dikran Kelekian Antiquities Dealer
Condition: age and use wear commensurate to its age…see images. Rear side cross stretcher missing
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