A Luncheon at Christie's for "Martha's Flowers"
My newest and 90th book is in bookstores now - “Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying”. I hope you have your copy!
“Martha’s Flowers” is dedicated to gardening and floral arrangement. Kevin Sharkey and I worked very hard to create this beautiful tome - divided by season, and featuring various flowers that bloom throughout the year. The book is filled with spectacular photographs and tips for planting, maintaining and arranging all your favorite flowers.
I am so thrilled with this newest title, and to celebrate, Kevin and I co-hosted a very special luncheon this week at Christie’s in New York City. More than 60-guests attended the event, made even more memorable by the room’s six tablescapes - each adorned with precious ceramics owned by the late David and Peggy Rockefeller. The pieces are part of "The Collection of David and Peggy Rockefeller" which will be offered for sale in May to benefit various charities. Enjoy these photos.
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- Kevin and I arrived at Christie’s shortly before the luncheon began. Christie’s is located at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Christie’s is a British auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie. This large book cover photo was placed just outside the room where the luncheon was held. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- On each side of the book cover was a gorgeous arrangement of flowers filled with poppies, ranunculus, sweet peas, and viburnum. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- This arrangement includes lisianthus and pink jasmine. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Kevin made each dining table arrangement using pieces he thought best represented the vast range of the Rockefeller porcelain collection. See more of his inspiring floral creations on his Instagram page @seenbysharkey. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Some pieces from the collection were also displayed on the wall. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- The table centerpieces included an assortment of hand-painted urns, soup tureens and chestnut bowls from various china sets collected by Rockefeller throughout his long life. The container used for this arrangement is a Leeds creamware black-transfer soup tureen. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- This porcelain set is a Worcester crested faux marble dessert service. Some of the flowers include dusty miller, muscari, clematis and artichokes. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- The vessel for this arrangement is a circa 1795 Derby porcelain vase with yellow ground and a botanical print – all part of a dessert service. It is perfect for these daffodils, mimosas, sweet peas and tulips. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- In the center of this table is a circa 1812 fruit bowl and saucer – part of a Vienna porcelain apple green ornithological dessert service. The bowl is surrounded by 11-coffee cups from the same service, filled with hellebores of multiple varieties. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- This fanciful and fun arrangement is done in a Derby porcelain botanical dinner and dessert service – one tureen surrounded by five plates. The blooms include poppies, iris, tulips, anemones and ranunculus. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- This bonsai is decorated with a Chinese export Famille Rose porcelain dinner service, which includes two smaller tureens, and one large tureen, two bowls, and two pairs of 18th century Chinese export candlestick holders. Ranunculus flowers are also part of this tablescape. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- A bouquet of hellebores and fritillaria was placed in this lady’s hand – such a beautiful touch. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- The menu included some of Rockefeller’s favorite dishes, prepared by Chef Pierre Schaedelin of PS Tailored Events. It included Maine lobster salad, beef salad from cattle raised on Bartlett’s Island and, of course, Oysters Rockefeller made with Copps Island oysters. For dessert – meringue with strawberries. We also served a selection of wines from Martha Stewart Wine Co. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn) https://marthastewartwine.com/ http://pstailoredevents.com/
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- The luncheon was held in Christie’s boardroom – it was the perfect location for our gathering. Pieces from the Rockefeller art collection are hung on the walls including a Paul Gaugin painting. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Here is a lovely photo of my friends, Susan Magrino, Steven Sills, Jane Heller, Kevin, and Terre Blair. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Here I am with my friend and Bedford neighbor, Judy Steinhardt. Judy and her husband, Michael, have a beautiful 55-acre wonderland occupied by more than 50 different species of exotic animals. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Here are Lisa Wagner and Daisy Schwartzberg Toye. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Clare Potter, sculptor and ceramic artist, and Kevin (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Here I am joined by hairstylist and entrepreneur, Frederic Fekkai. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Here is Stephen Lash, Chairman Emeritus of Christie’s Americas and Vice Chairman of Christie’s American Advisory Board. He is seated next to Irene Roosevelt Aitken, a prominent New York socialite and wife of the late John A. Roosevelt, the youngest of the Roosevelts’ six children. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Author, Danielle Ganek, and Darcy Miller Nussbaum (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Here is Indre Rockefeller – dancer, fashion executive and wife of investor, Justin Rockefeller. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Lydia Fenet is a senior vice president at Christie’s, and its international director of strategic partnerships. She is pictured here with my friend, Kira Faiman. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Kevin and I participated in a short discussion moderated by Christie’s Chairman, Marc Porter. We talked about the book and my gardens in Bedford, Maine and East Hampton. We also talked about David Rockefeller, who was my dear friend and neighbor up in Seal Harbor. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Everyone loved hearing about how David came to Skylands, my home in Maine, to welcome me to the neighborhood. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- Each guest received a gift bag including a signed copy of my book, our newest April issue of “Living” and a Christie’s catalog of The David and Peggy Rockefeller auction. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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- It was a fantastic luncheon. I hope you have a copy of “Martha’s Flowers” – I know you will enjoy it for many years to come. (Photo by BFA Photographer, Joe Schildhorn)
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