An Eccentric Collector:
The Dr. Gilbert Estate Collection
In an interview given in 1997, Dr. Ivan Gilbert described his Jewish immigrant family as, “very proud, very intellectual, and very educated” even though they came to America with little more than ingenuity to support them. Their resourcefulness would lead their grandfather to own a pawn shop, their father to launch successful shoe shops, and Dr. Ivan to become a respected community member and amass a beautiful collection of artwork. Dr. Gilbert’s collection grew to embody the American spirit of determination and gumption.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pair of Rookwood Pottery Art Deco Style Ceramic Candlesticks, 2019
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Danish Modern Jo Hammerborg for Fog & Mørup "Zero" PVC Pendant Light, 1972
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Outdoor Aluminum Octagonal Modular Picnic Table and Seating
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Christian Dior Faux Pearl and Crystal Drop Earrings
Dr. Gilbert had a history of overcoming obstacles matching many of the artists in his extraordinary collection, he contracted tuberculosis while in medical school and decided to focus on finding a cure. He began by assisting in finding a treatment for his own TB and would go on to run a local hospital, all the while managing his father’s shoe shops. Along the way, he met and married his beautiful wife, Marcella, and further established roots in the Columbus Jewish community. Eventually, his tremendous workload led to a hard decision: run the family business or run the hospital. He chose the family business and grew from 10 shops in Columbus to more than 50 across the country. His restless spirit could not be calmed, during the expansion, Dr. Gilbert also studied psychoanalysis, became a leader in understanding dyslexia, helped to create a state-of-the-art Jewish Community Center, and established the Columbus Torah Academy. The Torah Academy would go on to save the lives of many immigrant children during WWII. He credits his industrious energy to the rock in his world, his wife Marcella, who when not being recognized for her incredible fashion, was seen in her garden, at a bridge tournament or working feverishly in the community as a philanthropist.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mikimoto Five Pearl Quartz Wristwatch with Mother of Pearl Dial
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K Star Charm Ring
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pastel Drawing of Lake Landscape, Late 19th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After Bernard Buffet "Bouquet"
In his later years, Mr. Gilbert would leverage his energy and creativity to write books on poetry, patterns, and the equally eccentric Emily Dickenson. During this time, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert also began to seriously collect a wide variety of artwork and establish a truly incredible collection. When asked about his extensive collection, Dr. Gilbert stated “he could never collect women, as his beloved wife would never approve”. He did however determine two criteria every collector should follow, “One of them is that I like it and the other is I can afford it”. Criteria that should also be determined by personal taste. As he so clearly put it, “I don’t feel anybody else’s judgment or taste is any better than mine and I’ll go with mine, so you’ve just got to buy what you like”.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Sterling Diamond Huggie Earrings with 10K Accents
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
William J. Greenwood Landscape Watercolor Painting, 1971
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Landscape Pastel Painting Of Pastoral Sunset, Early 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Engraving After Wale and Gwynn of the Dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Dr. Gilbert’s ideology of believing in one’s personal taste was the reason he fell in love with folk art. The same individual spirit, gumption, and personal creativity that has given folk artists their drive are also what drove Dr. Gilbert. Of folk art, he writes, “I like the idea that the artist is not being impacted by what Picasso did. This is something coming out of him or her”. A belief that many of us here at EBTH feel is the beauty of the American folk art movement. These works of art not only represent a movement in history, but more so a movement of a family, and a man. We hope you use this ideal when viewing this incredible collection: Do you like it? Does it speak to you? We know the fun, dynamic, caring, and tenacious spirit of the Gilbert family will be with you.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
BVLGARI Stainless Steel Quartz Wristwatch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Coach Enameled Metal Daisy Purse Charms Keychains
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Chinese Reverse Glass Painting of Tiger and Cub
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Hollywood Glam Table Lamp Featuring Chrome and Glass
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Thomas Whelan Benton Serigraph "Red Mountain," 1981
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Artmaster Studios Large-Scale Embellished Serigraph of Mallard Ducks
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth New York Yankees Matted and Framed Displays
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash