Local Scenes and Asian Antiquities from Florida’s Helmuth Stone Gallery

The Helmuth Stone Gallery in Sarasota, Florida specializes in jewelry, fine arts, and Asian antiques. An auction hosted by the gallery later this month will curate items from those categories, with more than 400 lots ranging from a private New York collection to fine art and antique collections from San Francisco and Oklahoma City. The sale will offer items such as Chinese porcelain and jade, bronze and silver jewelry, and Pre-Columbian artifacts. 

Outside of holding regular auctions, the gallery at Helmuth Stone is home to a variety of fine works available for sale to the public. For example, a late 17th century Dutch still life painted by an unnamed follower of Willem Kalf (1619-1693)  recently sold for $7,200. The large oil on canvas measured 39 by 55 inches and featured fruit, lobster, porcelain, silver tazza, and goblets, and was previously exhibited at the Appleton Museum in Ocala, Florida.

Currently, Helmuth Stone has an oil on canvas board painting by Emile Gruppe (1896-1978). The artist, who spent his childhood in the Netherlands but moved back to the United States with his family prior to World War I, primarily painted impressionist landscapes and portraits and was largely influenced by French artists such as Monet. He also taught other well-known artists, including Otis Cook and Bill Wray. 

“Gruppe and all of his siblings, as well as their father, were established painters,” says gallery owner Brandon Stone. “This piece would fit well in almost any home, due to the blue water and skies depicted.”

The work on offer shows a scene of fishermen bringing in the day’s catch and has particular significance for Floridians who may recognize the harbor scenes depicting the town of Naples. The asking price is $9,500. 

Save the date: The July Fine Art and Antiques Auction will be held July 28.