LOS ANGELES, CA.- Bonhams will offer property from The Collection of William M. Keck II on December 9 at its Los Angeles sale room. Over 300 lots of fine European furniture and decorative art, Asian works of art and fine art from the collection of one of the great philanthropists of our time will be offered at no reserve. Furthermore, a special preview will allow a unique opportunity to view the collection in situ at the office of Coalinga Corp. where the collection has remained for the past 20 years.

The diverse collection includes pieces that have descended through the family as well as many purchased by Keck on trips to Europe throughout his life. Many items came from his homes in Los Angeles, Nevada and Hawaii. Most recently, the collection has resided in the office of Coalinga Corp., the oil and gas production company founded by Keck’s father and named for the California town in which he first struck oil and founded Superior Oil. At the time of its sale to Mobil Oil in 1984, Superior was the nation’s largest independent oil producer. Its success led to the establishment of the W. M. Keck Foundation, which remains one of the most important philanthropic foundations in the United States.

As the centerpiece of the entrance hall of the Coalinga office, visitors are greeted by an Italian Renaissance marble wellhead from the 16th century (est. $10,000-15,000). With decorative carvings on each of the four sides depicting a rearing lion within a shield or a two-handled vessel, the wellhead is the earliest piece in the collection.

The focal point of the reception room is a grand English concentric mahogany dining table from the second quarter of the 19th century, extending to an impressive 8 feet, 7 inches (est. $12,000-15,000). The table is complemented by a set of 12 Regency carved mahogany armchairs (est. $8,000-12,000), and remarkably, the chairs have remained together for some 200 years.

Another highlight among the English furniture is a rare George IV mahogany metamorphic library table/step from the early 19th century (est. $6,000-8,000). Attributed to the famous English cabinet maker Gillows, this seemingly ordinary rectangular side table transforms into an astonishing six-foot library step, an early example of the modern desire for form meeting function.

Continental furniture in the collection features an Italian Rococo chest from the mid-18th century (est. $8,000-12,000). The chest is chinoiserie decorated with figures among pagodas, trees and vinery. Another exceptional item in the sale is a magnificent Dutch figured walnut secretary cabinet from the mid-18th century (est. $20,000-30,000). The timbers are incredibly well matched and the fitted interior is striking. A pair of Continental Rococo carved gilt wood mirrors from the second half of the 18th century (est. $12,000-15,000) are among a number of fine mirrors included in the collection, and the grand scale of this pair makes a captivating impression in the main boardroom.

A pair of Chinese export reverse paintings on glass made for the Turkish market dating from around 1800 (est. $5,000-7,000) serve as a gateway to the East’s fine selection of Chinese and Asian works, highlighted by the dominating Chinese coromandel lacquer twelve panel floor screen from the 18th/19th century (est. $25,000-35,000) in the reception room. On a similarly imposing scale are a pair of massive Chinese jumu hat chests (est. $5,000-7,000).

The walls of Coalinga are adorned by two Flemish Baroque historical tapestries (est. $20,000-30,000 and $10,000-15,000 respectively). The fine art section of the sale includes 18th and 19th century engravings, wildlife bronzes by Veryl Goodnight whose work was championed by Keck, paintings by Shirley Russell and a pair of Continental School paintings of hunting dogs in carved oak frames. The auction also features rugs and carpets, silver, books and decorative bindings.

In addition to the auction preview to be held at Bonhams on December 5-7, a special preview will be held at the offices of Coalinga Corp. located at 12575 Beatrice Street, Los Angeles on November 15-16 from 12 to 5 pm.

Bonhams will also offer motorcars from the Estate of William M. Keck II in 2015, including a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet in Bonhams’ annual Scottsdale Sale (est. $250,000-350,000).