Sweeping views and attention to detail coupled with an extensive art collection makes this estate in Silverleaf a unique find. Architect Mark Candelaria of Candelaria Design Associates LLC, builder John Schultz of Schultz Development, interior designer Kimberly Colletti of KC Design Group and landscape designer Jeff Berghoff of Berghoff Design Group brought their expertise to this exquisite estate, complete with negative-edge pool, 10 bathrooms, a grand entrance with circle drive and 5 acres of lush landscape, including outdoor sculptures and a secret garden nook. The polished library houses not only an extensive book collection, but art as well, and when stepping into the foyer with its hand-painted ceilings, you get the feel of the owner's passion for art even in the home design.
“When I walked into this incredible house, which was full of arts and antiquities, I felt I was walking into a French museum,” says Elena Von Kohn, one of the top international art brokers working with premier collections. "The house is structurally designed to complement the masterpieces contained within. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful columns, granite, marble and art everywhere.”
When approaching this project, Elena knew it would be among the elite clientele that she typically represents. If an art collector has a masterpiece or series of beautiful pieces/collections, Elena is the go-to expert, as she has brokered significant pieces by artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Andy Warhol and many others.
“It is my experience that Arizona is largely overlooked when discussing the top collectors of masterpieces within the art community. One typically identifies New York or Los Angeles as the main states where masterpieces reside. However, it is my opinion that Scottsdale, Arizona, is a hidden gem of the art community. One may be surprised to find the significant collections scattered within the hills of Arizona’s picturesque landscape.”
Elena began working with the owners of this estate six months ago. The residence of almost 22,000 square feet houses more than 200 pieces of art and antiquities.
“The owner of the residence said to me, ‘They built the house for the art. To display their masterpieces in a proper manner.’ The high ceilings, along with a lot of light and space around each piece to view them properly, was of significant importance.”
To highlight a few of the exquisite masterpieces inside the home, artists from Picasso (1881–1973) to Delacroix (1779–1845) and Neuville (1835–1885) to Teniers (1610– 1690) adorn the walls.
Antiques from Italian Louis XVI console to Gregorian chants on vellum reflect the collector's taste and years of travel. Many pieces of the owner’s collection were obtained by visiting more than 30 countries around the world.
“We always bought what we liked,” the owners told Elena.
One of the most significant collections is the collection of David Teniers II paintings, which is believed to be one of the largest in the world, consisting of 30 pieces. Upon entering the massive estate, there is a prominent library with a painting by Alphonse de Neuville above the fireplace. This famous painting, titled Hun’s in the Battle of Chalon, has been featured on the History Channel’s show Attila the Hun and is believed to be Neuville’s most important piece of work. The fireplace was specifically designed to showcase this noteworthy piece.
There are more than 30 pieces within the owner’s collection of Teniers’ paintings. It took the owner more than 40 years to gather this collection by the Flemish artist, piece by piece. The owner traveled the world to continuously add additional pieces to the Teniers II collection. David Teniers II was a Flemish artist. Teniers the Younger is known for his luminous depiction of peasant life. The Teniers collection covers a span of 40 years of the artist’s life and creations. From 1640 to 1680, the collection contains different sizes of paintings from 6 by 8 inches all the way to 32 by 40 inches. The main subject matter of the Teniers II pieces derives from bar scenes and peasant life depictions. Each piece of the Teniers collection is decorated by a custom-made gold frame.
“It is a great honor and pleasure to work with an incredible and historically significant collection such as this one. Every minute spent cataloging and finding homes for the select pieces the client is willing to sell has been a true pleasure. The house, as well as the collection itself, are both grand personal inspirations. This treasured collection truly presents Scottsdale, Arizona, as a main state contender for masterpiece artworks.” –Elena Von Kohn
