Jimmy Pippen Estate Auction

The estate of Jimmy Pippen – one of the most legendary and renowned interior designers and antiques dealers in the South – will be sold the weekend of October 3-4 at the brand-new Natchez Convention Center in Natchez, Miss. Mr. Pippen recently passed away at age 53, of a massive heart attack. He was originally from Alabama, but lived most of his life in the Natchez area.

he sale will comprise the contents of his two stores (Pippen Antiques and Pippen Interiors); items from his personal residence (which he considered a perfect creation and called “Paradise”); the contents of another home (a three-story, 1850s townhouse called “The Vineyard” that he restored with spectacular appointments and rented to friends and associates); and treasures from several warehouses.

he Friday session (October 3, starting at 10 a.m.) will feature decorator items, such as lamps, fine porcelain, bronze statues, decorative accessories and lighting. The Saturday session (October 4, starting at 10 a.m.) will feature beautiful antique furniture, 19th-century lamps, hand-made wool rugs, oil paintings by listed artists, silver, crystal, 19th-century porcelains and, art objects and accessories.

Following is just a sampling of what bidders will be vying for from Mr. Pippen’s vast estate:
• 5-piece rosewood Renaissance Victorian bedroom suite, attributed to John Jelliff.
• 5-piece salon set (settee and four chairs) with period depictions on gold upholstery.
• 19th-century Old Sheffield plate epergne, silver on copper.
• 19th-century marble sculpture of two figures, with a green marble pedestal.
• 19th-century rosewood tester bed, 9 feet 4 inches tall, attributed to Prudence Mallard.
• Hand-painted ivory of a French lady, 3 inches x 4 inches, signed by the artist.
• French empire clock with bronze ormolu decorations (circa 1810).
• Pair of two-tier golden bronze round tables with marble top, ram’s head and hoof feet.
• Bronze astral lamp with etched shade, 12 inches tall.
• Pair of double-arm Argand whale oil bronze nickel Acanthus leaf lamps (B. Gardiner, N.Y.)
• A fine, two-owner 1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan with just 62,000 miles.
• 11-piece Louis Phillippe salon suite with peach-colored flowered upholstery.
• Spectacular Burmese epergne with four fairy lamps.
• Gold-leaf Victorian Rococo pier mirror with marble-top base (over 10 feet tall).
• Vintage rosewood harp, made around 1825 by Sebastian Erard (Patent No. 4596).
• Rosewood full tester bed made by William McKracken of New Orleans (122 inches tall).
• French Empire pier table with original gold leaf stenciling and mahogany columns.
• Oil-on-canvas rendering of soldiers on horseback, taking two nude ladies.
• Old Paris three-piece mantel set (centerpiece and two vases).
• Mahogany queen-size Rococo tester plantation bed in the Mallard style, 12 feet tall.