When he bought furniture, china or decorative arts objects, Richard Mellon Scaife demonstrated a discerning eye.
“He had extremely good taste and bought the best of everything,” said Sam Berkovitz, owner of Concept Art Gallery in Regent Square. “There are a lot of people who have means but don’t have the taste.”
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Christie’s in New York will auction furniture, china, art objects and even railroad signs that the late newspaper publisher collected during his 82 years. He died July 4, 2014.
Among the standouts are a silver-gilt dinner service made by Gorham and delivered in August 1889 to Washington Augustus Roebling, a civil engineer who was responsible, along with his father, John, for building the Brooklyn Bridge. The estimated sales price is $200,000-$300,000.
Jane Roesch, owner of Merryvale Antiques in Shadyside, knew Mr. Scaife for 35 years. Mrs. Roesch visited all four of his homes in Pittsburgh, Ligonier, Nantucket, Mass., and Pebble Beach, Calif.
“He loved Staffordshire. He loved porcelain of any kind. You never knew what would interest him. Anything having to do with railroads always rung a bell with him,” Mrs. Roesch said.
Among Mr. Scaife’s prized possessions was a south German ormolu-mounted Pietra Dure cabinet on chest purchased in 1993 from Mallett, a well-known dealer in London. More than 7 feet tall, the cabinet features birds perched in flowering trees, flowers and fruit. Adorned with cabochons and lapis lazuli, this piece was offered in a Dec. 11, 2014 sale at Christie’s but did not sell. The estimated sales price is $150,000-$250,000.
“It was unusual for him. He had things that were more restrained. It was a standout,” Mrs. Roesch said.
Mr. Scaife owned fine English china such as Coalport and Worcester plus European table service made by Minton.
“He loved color. He used all that china. He ate from a lot of it,” Mrs. Roesch said.
Robin Nicholson, director of The Frick Pittsburgh, said the Scaife collection is “eclectic in a good way. He obviously loved English furniture, and I think that’s because of the quality of the wood.”
Gemma Sudlow, the head of Christie’s department for private and iconic collections, agreed with Mr. Nicholson. Her favorite object in the sale is a Regency penwork medal cabinet, which she called “a real highlight.”
Lots 1 through 251 will be sold Tuesday, and lots 260 through 533 will be sold Wednesday. Auctions start at 10 a.m. Information: www.christies.com.
Marylynne Pitz: mpitz@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1648.
First Published: June 27, 2015, 8:19 a.m.