SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Bonhams announced it will offer the renowned Ronald F. Antonioli Collection of Fine Continental Furniture, Decorative Arts and Paintings in a single-owner sale October 30, featuring more than 260 lots from the collection of San Franciscan contractor, developer and aspiring concert pianist Ronald Antonioli.

Mr. Antonioli (1929-2010) grew up in San Francisco and Marin County, Calif. He started his building company Ronald Antonioli, Inc., in the 1950s, and subsequently became well-known for his invention of the Pop-Up Warehouse, which became an international success. He simultaneously continued to pursue his life-long ambition of becoming a concert pianist, and dedicated much of his time to supporting the arts. He was an avid collector and connoisseur of French and Italian 18th and 19th century furniture, paintings, export porcelain, sculpture, clocks and decorative arts, so much so that he built his own Italianate villa with breathtaking views overlooking the Napa and Marin hills to house his collection.

Jeffrey Smith, Vice President and Director of the Furniture and Decorative Arts Department at Bonhams in San Francisco, said of the sale, “Ron’s pursuit of excellence whether in music, business, craftsmanship, fine art, gilt bronze mounts on furniture, superbly rendered sculpture or architecture was his lifetime passion. His collection is a reflection of that pursuit.”

Highlights from the collection will include an important Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted parquetry commode by Paul Sormani (est. $75,000-100,000); a fine Louis XV style gilt bronze late 19th century bureau plat (est. $50,000-80,000); a pair of important 18th century Italian tabourets (est. $18,000-25,000); a rare Venetian 18th century walnut parquetry commode (est. $7,000-9,000); a Sormani gilt bronze mantel clock ($18,000-25,000); and an exquisite Italian marble group of Moses and the Pharoah's daugher, Peitro Bazzanti (est. $20,000-30,000).

There will also be such notable lots as a massive pair of Chinese famille vert porcelain vases (est. $10,000-15,000); a set of four, French 18th century canvas panels (est. $8,000-12,000); a capriccio, attributed to the Circle of Antonio Joli (est. $12,000-16,000); and an oil on panel of The playful cavalier, depicting a jester, by Francois Flameng ($8,000-12,000).

This is a wonderful opportunity for the collector and connoisseur to view and bid on objects from a stellar collection. The sale’s illustrated catalogue will be available online in the weeks preceding it, for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com.

Auction Preview: October 26-30, San Francisco
Auction: October 30, San Francisco