Property from the Estate of Joseph Famularo, Pawling, New York by STAIR

Auction Description

A necessary yet wearisome aspect of being an auctioneer is selling a collection belonging to an admirable friend who has passed on. In our Friday, February 26th evening auction, beginning at 6pm, we will be offering property from Tara North, the Estate of acclaimed memoirist, renowned Italian chef and dear friend, Joseph Famularo, Pawling, New York.

Joe’s beautifully decorated Greek Revival country house, known as Tara North, was a far leap from his childhood home in a tenement in the Lower East Side. Resplendent in the summer, Tara North was a destination for fine lunches and long dinners between friends, dining al fresco in an enchanting French garden, entertaining in a barn with high ceilings and a huge fireplace. Many generations of Stairs, my grandfather, my aunt, my father and myself, all dined and reveled in Joe’s company. Joe would craft delectable meals with an understated elegance, always assisted by his major domo Cristopher and Cristopher’s family, whom he treated as if they were his own. The level of Joe’s taste extended beyond the kitchen and permeated every object in his home. He visited Europe many times throughout his life and brought back many an antique treasure.

A genuinely good and kind man, Joe was a benefactor to those around him. He grew up in a large Italian family and always emphasized to me the importance of cooking and dining together as a family unit. He found food to be a joining force among friends and family, contemplating food as a channel through which we can make sense of the world around us together.

Joe made sense of his world through meals, framing every piece in his home at Tara North around them and for them. Rising up from humble beginnings, Joe had only his discernment of taste and character to guide him. He molded a wonderful home with a warmth and a refinement that family and friends could always bask in.

— Colin Stair

Including property from Mr. Famularo’s country home, Tara North in Pawling, New York, highlights include Old Master still lifes, a pair of 19th century portraits by Joseph Bernhardt, a ship painting by W. Richards, and European pastoral landscapes. The decorative arts include an American stencil decorated card table, Regency giltwood convex mirrors, a Victorian bronze argand lamp, Chinese reverse paintings on glass, a pair of Paris Porcelain large vases, an Italian marble blackamoor bust, a pair of chintz upholstered sofas, Staffordshire pottery and pearlware, and porcelain dinner services.

Buyer's Premium

Start Premium(%)
$0 28.00

Bid Increments

Start Increments ($)
$0 $25
$200 $50
$500 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000

Shipping

Unfortunately we are unable to pack, ship or dismantle any items. The following is a list of shippers in our area: 
 
Arnoff Pack & Ship 
Fine Arts Services 
DHL/FedEx/UPS & LTL 
Terri Proper 
351 Millerton Road 
Lakeville, CT 06039 
T (860) 435-2909 
F (860) 435-8119 
tproper@arnoff.com 
 
 
 
Arnoff Pack & Ship 
Fine Arts Services 
DHL/FedEx/UPS & LTL 
Ashwani Dogra 
1282 Dutchess Turnpike 
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 
T (845) 790-6281 
F (845) 452-3606 
adogra@arnoff.com 
 
 
 
UPS Store #4541 
Elise Anderson
Todd O'Brien
Kings Mall 
1200 Ulster Avenue (#35A) 
Kingston, New York 12401 
tel #845-336-4877 
fax#845-336-3832 
email: store4541@theupsstore.com 
 
 
 
Meticulous Movers
 Owners: Josh and Mike
 T: 845-256-7047
 F: 845-256-7039
meticulousmovers@live.com
 
 
Frank LaBarbera's
Specializing in Fine Arts & Antique Furniture Moving 
Local and Long Distance
Phone: 845-355-7770
Fax: 845-355-7771
Email: info@franklabarbera.com
P.O. Box 100
Slate Hill, NY 10972-0100
 
 
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:
 
Gander and White
21-44 44th Rd, Queens, NY 11101
(718) 784-8444
 
Bourlet
38-20 Review Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 392-9770
 
Cadogan Tate
41-20 39th St, Queens, NY 11104
(718) 706-7999

Terms & Conditions

It is important to Stair Galleries that all bidders understand the terms and conditions under which its auctions are conducted.  Please carefully read the Conditions of Sale set forth below and then acknowledge your understanding and acceptance. 
 
The property offered for sale by Stair Galleries & Restoration, Inc. (the "Gallery") as agent for the consignor(s) to purchasers is subject to the following terms and conditions: 
 
1. The property is sold in "as is" condition and without recourse, and neither the Gallery nor the consignor makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to catalogue description, attribution, authenticity, provenance, origin, size, age or condition of any of the property offered for sale.  It is the responsibility of the purchaser, prior to the auction, to examine the property and make a determination as to the value, condition, description, authenticity, provenance, origin, size and age of the property. 
 
2. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser.  The Gallery reserves the right to reject any bid.  The auctioneer shall advance the bid at his/her sole discretion.  The auctioneer in his/her sole discretion may determine to re-offer any lot in dispute.  In the event of any dispute, the Gallery record of the bids shall be accepted as conclusive. 
 
3. The Gallery reserves the right in its sole discretion at any time before bidding commences to withdraw combine or divide any lot.  
 
4. At the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title will pass to the highest bidder, and the bidder thereupon assumes full risk and responsibility for the property, including the obligation to immediately pay the full price or such price as the Gallery may require.  All bidders may be requested to give their name, residence, business address, telephone number, driver's license and credit card.  The Gallery shall have the right to reject any bid from anyone who has not established credit with the Gallery prior to the auction. 
 
5. The purchase price paid by the buyer shall be the amount of the final bid plus a twenty-seven percent (27%) buyer's premium, discounted to twenty-two percent (25%) for cash (US currency only) or check (US Bank check only).  For example, if the final bid is $500, the purchase price is $635.  All purchases are subject to state and local taxes where applicable, which are computed on the purchase price.  If any part of the purchase price is paid by credit card, the buyer's premium shall be calculated at twenty-seven percent (27%) on the entire purchase.
 
6. Property purchased from the Gallery by a successful bidder may not be removed from the auction sale premises until the full purchase price plus the buyer's premium and all applicable taxes have been paid.  The purchaser must pay for and remove all property from the auction premises on the same day as the auction sale. 
 
7. If the purchaser fails to fulfill these conditions, in addition to all legal remedies available to the Gallery, the Gallery may: a) cancel the sale and retain any payments made as liquidated damages; b) resell the property for the account of the buyer, in which case the buyer shall be liable to the Gallery for all its costs and damages, including the commissions for both auctions; c) remove the property to a public warehouse for the account and at the risk and expense of the buyer. 
 
8. All property must be removed the day following the Auction by 1:00 pm.  For example, if the auction takes place on Saturday, all property must be removed by 1:00 pm on Sunday.  After that time all property will be moved to our Maple Avenue facility, and if the property is not picked up in a timely manner, the Gallery will add a $75.00 handling charge to the purchase price.  After sixty days, the Gallery reserves the right to send the property to a public warehouse for the account and at the risk and expense of the purchaser. 
 
9. Items with a low estimate of $5,000 or above have, insofar as they are uniquely identifiable from the description given, been checked against the computerized database of stolen or lost artwork, antiquities and other cultural objects maintained by the Art Loss Registry. 
 
10.  FIRST TIME BIDDERS AT STAIR GALLERIES WILL BE RESTRICTED TO A BIDDING LIMIT OF $5,000. 
 
11.  All bidders are strongly urged to request a condition report for the object that you are bidding on, if you have not viewed the item in person at our Gallery.  Requests for condition reports must be received within 72 hours prior to the auction to allow ample time to fulfill your request. 
 
12.  Shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer, under no circumstances will Stair Galleries pack and or ship items.  Upon request, our Client Services Department will provide a list of shippers for you to choose from. 
 
13.  It is the bidders sole responsibility to make sure that they are bidding on the correct item, as well as placing the correct bid amount.  Stair Galleries will not be held responsible for any bidder errors, including, but not limited to: a bid placed on the wrong lot, or for the wrong amount.  There will be no exceptions to this policy. 
 
14.  STAIR GALLERIES WILL NOT REVIEW OR APPROVE ANY REQUESTS TO BID AFTER 12 PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 FOR THE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH SALE.  THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.