Tues., July 29th & Wed., July 30th, 2025 | 10:00am PDT
LOS ANGELES, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — John Moran Auctioneers is proud to announce The Estate of Robert Day, a landmark two-day sale offering over 700 exceptional lots from the collection of one of California’s most influential philanthropists. Taking place Tuesday, July 29th and Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, at 10 AM PDT, the auction presents museum-quality decorative arts and fine art by celebrated names including Montague Dawson, Edgar Payne, William Wendt, and Richard MacDonald. Day 1 (Lots 1-413), offered in person and online, is led by a showstopping pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver 15-light candelabra and a 104-piece ‘Chrysanthemum’ silver gilt flatware service. Day 2 (Lots 1001-1359) will be online only (with lots being offered at no reserve) and includes standout pieces such as an 18th-century French Provincial carved oak enfilade, a Venetian giltwood and mirror-mounted wardrobe, and a whimsical selection of Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks art glass.
Robert Addison Day was a pioneering investor, influential philanthropist, and generous civic leader who left an indelible mark on education, science, and the arts. A native Angeleno and 1965 graduate of Claremont McKenna College, Day founded Trust Company of the West in 1971, building it into one of the world’s leading asset management firms. He later led the W. M. Keck Foundation (founded by his grandfather) where, as Chairman and CEO, he oversaw over $2 billion in grants supporting groundbreaking science, medicine, and education across the nation.
Day’s legacy includes major contributions to USC, Caltech, UCLA, and Claremont McKenna, where his $200 million gift created the Robert Day Scholars Program. Known for his intellect and generosity, he mentored students, shaped institutions like LACMA and the Keck School of Medicine, and led ventures in real estate, private equity, and conservation. Robert Day’s estate reflects a life of refined taste, purpose, and accomplishment. As Mr. Day’s collection now comes to auction, it offers a rare glimpse into the world of the visionary investor and transformative civic leader.
Day 1 sets the stage with a dazzling array of marquee offerings, led by a monumental pair of Tiffany & Co. 15-light candelabra (lot 164, est. $100,000–150,000) and an opulent 104-piece silver-gilt flatware service in the coveted ‘Chrysanthemum’ pattern (lot 18, est. $10,000–15,000). Other decorative standouts include a pair of George II-style eagle console tables (lot 241, est. $8,000–12,000), a Saint-Louis “Thistle” glassware service (lot 359, est. $4,000–6,000), a pair of Japanese Meiji-era bronze kitsune foxes (lot 341, est. $4,000–6,000), and a matched pair of Regency carved mahogany wine coolers (lot 328, est. $2,000–3,000). Fine art highlights include Montague Dawson’s The Atlantic Packet Albion (lot 95, est. $40,000–60,000), Edgar Payne’s San Gabriel Mountains – Jones Peak (lot 31, est. $20,000–30,000), and Richard MacDonald’s bronze Inspiratio (lot 382, est. $3,000–5,000).
