A tour of Mussallem Galleries featuring some of the finest works of art from the 15th to 19th Century astonished Deercreek Home and Garden members when they toured the privately-owned Jacksonville gallery on Tuesday, September 17.
The Gallery, located on Philips Highway just south of University Boulevard, features items collected from near and far by owner James Mussallem, and also contains collections of priceless oriental rugs, antique silvers and objects of art including Fabergé, Meissen, Jade, Cloisonné, as well as oriental antiques. In addition, the showroom offers a walk-through of Jacksonville history with artifacts gathered from the city’s great fire, riots, and historical and commercial buildings.
Notable artists featured on the gallery walls include Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet, Chagall, Gaugin, Gericault, and Botticelli. Modern day artists include Jackson Pollack and Pablo Picasso.
One painting, “Italian Portrait of Jesus” was valued at $6.5 million. Another, a drawing by Michelangelo “Study of a Head” was valued at $8.75 million. The painting “Virgin Mary and the Child,” by German artist Albrecht Durer was priced at $19.5 million.
Two dozen HGC members participated in the tour led by the owner’s son, James Mussallem. After an Antique Road Show demonstration, the group ate lunch at the Blue Bamboo Asian restaurant.
