Hindman Auctions

Hindman takes immense pride in the opportunity to offer the remaining collection of Ernest and Elle Brummer over a series of auctions, commencing with the highly anticipated Antiquities and Ancient Art sale in December. The collection also features fine jewelry, furniture, decorative arts, and fine art to be offered in auctions from December through March of next year.

“These auctions not only showcase exceptional pieces but also serve as a tribute to the Brummer legacy,” said Jacob Coley, Hindman’s Director and Senior Specialist of Antiquities & Ancient Art. “The carefully curated collection, spanning various artistic periods and styles, embodies the Brummers' discerning taste and passion for art. We are thrilled to honor this legacy and provide a unique platform for art enthusiasts and collectors to acquire these remarkable pieces, thereby continuing the legacy of appreciation and scholarship that the Brummer Galleries so ardently championed.”

Ernest Brummer was a renowned art dealer who, along with his brother Joseph, founded the historically significant Brummer Galleries, which held a paramount importance in both New York and Paris during the early to mid-20th century. The galleries played a pivotal role in shaping the tastes and collections of art enthusiasts and museums alike. With locations in two of the world's artistic hubs, the Brummer Galleries became vital conduits for introducing European art to American audiences and vice versa. Their carefully curated exhibitions and extensive collection of artworks, ranging from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces, not only enriched the cultural landscape of both cities but also fostered a deeper understanding of art history among the public. Moreover, the Brummer Galleries acted as influential intermediaries, connecting prominent artists and collectors, thereby contributing significantly to the global art market and paving the way for artistic exchange and appreciation across continents.

Dec 5th: Antiquities & Ancient Art: Including Property from the Brummer Collection
Sale #1273 10am, Preview by appt.

The Antiquities and Ancient Art auction presents a unique opportunity for connoisseurs and scholars alike. One of the standout pieces in this esteemed collection is a Roman Marble Head of a Triton from the 2nd Century A.D., boasting exceptional provenance and exhibition history (estimate: $80,000 - $120,000). Comparable to statues in the permanent collection of the renowned Capitoline Museum in Rome, this Triton head exemplifies the mastery of Roman craftsmanship. Equally inspiring is a Romano-Egyptian Black Basalt Portrait Head of an Augustan Aristocrat from the 1st Century A.D. (estimate: $80,000 - $120,000). Its enigmatic appearance and historical significance make it a captivating subject for academic study. With a lineage traceable through esteemed collections and notable exhibitions, this collection of ancient art offers a rare glimpse into the ancient world, underscoring the auction's scholarly importance and the Brummers' legacy of preserving and sharing exceptional pieces of historical and artistic value.

Dec 6th: Important Jewelry
Sale #1255 10am, Preview by appt.

Hindman’s Important Jewelry sale on December 6 presents an opportunity for connoisseurs and the passionately curious to acquire unique pieces of jewelry history, rarely available to the collecting public. The sale will offer thirteen Renaissance through revival-style jewels and objects from the storied Brummer Collection including nine figured pendants, considered among the masterpieces of the late 16th century jewelry.

Highlights featured in the auction include a Renaissance multigem and enamel pendant (Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000); a brooch in three-dimensional polychrome enamel depicting a ‘Pelican in her Piety’ (estimate: $2,000 - $4,000); and an Austro-Hungarian, antique, multigem and polychrome enamel mermaid pendant (Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000).

More from the collection of Ernest and Elle Brummer:

Feb 8, 2024 10am: European Furniture & Decorative Arts, Preview by appt.

Included in the February 8 European Furniture & Decorative Arts auction is a mid-15th century French limestone figure of the Foolish Virgin (estimate: $6,000 - $8,000). The heavily-draped figure represents one of ten subjects from the Parable of the Ten Virgins, a popular subject during the Medieval period. Its theme of preparedness for the Day of Judgement was often featured in painting, sculpture, and the architecture of Gothic cathedrals. This sculpture was exhibited in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’s 1970 exhibition Centennial Acquisitions: Art Treasures for Tomorrow.

Mar 19, 2024 10am: Jewelry Through the Ages: Part 1, Preview by appt.

This sale promises a dazzling array of wearable art and engraved gems from the Brummer collection. Particularly noteworthy are the exquisite Sassanian stamp seals, impeccably preserved and showcasing the artistry of ancient civilizations. These seals provide a unique glimpse into Sassanian culture, adding depth and historical significance to the auction. This sale will also feature a remarkably diverse range of pieces consigned by numerous private consignors and estates. These collections further enrich the sale and highlight the widespread appeal and historical importance of jewelry and wearable art throughout history.

Hindman Auctions
1550 West Carroll Avenue

Chicago, IL