MORRISTOWN, N.J., April 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Millea Bros. Ltd. Auctions & Appraisals is hosting a two-day auction of property from the Estate of Doris Duke. The 17th to 20th Century European collection will be auctioned on May 2 and May 3 at the Morristown Armory in Morristown, N.J. The auction will showcase 846 lots of objects that Doris Duke collected and lived with, including 17th through 20th Century European furniture and decorative objects, silver, fine art, carpets, Asian art, lighting, draperies, statuary and automobiles.
The auction is arranged to simulate a walking tour of the 67,000-square foot Main Residence at Duke Farms. The auction catalogue will guide interested bidders from the Crystal Room to the Hollywood Wing. There should prove something for everyone at every budget from a set of Kirk Sterling silver corncob holders (estimated value of $20 to $30) to a pair of French Bronze torchieres by Val d'Osne foundries (estimated value of $8,000 to $12,000).
The multi-day auction event will feature two very distinct auction sessions. Saturday, May 2 will include:
* 348 lots of Asian Art and Antiquarian Books * 180 lots from Doris Duke's Southeast Asian Art Collection, including furniture, decorative art and Buddhist sculpture from Thailand, Burma and Cambodia * 50 lots of author-signed books, limited editions and antiquarian leather bindings
Sunday, May 3 will include:
* Nearly 500 lots of European and American fine and decorative arts * An exceptional group of 19th Century garden statuary * Four of Doris Duke's automobiles
Auctions and previews will be held at the Morristown Armory, 430 Western Avenue, Morristown, N.J. 07960. Property will be available for preview on Thursday, April 30, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, May 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, May 3, 9 to 10 a.m. Absentee and telephone bidding will be available. For additional information, directions or to view the illustrated catalogue, visit www.milleabros.com or call (973) 377-1500.
In 2001, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation embarked upon a multi-year project in which Doris Duke's remaining personal assets owned by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) and the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF) would be inventoried and donated, kept, gifted, discarded or sold in keeping with the guidelines outlined in her Will. Proceeds will benefit the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (www.ddcf.org), which seeks to improve the quality of people's lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child maltreatment, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke's properties.