Christie's to Sell Collection of American Furniture and Dutch Old Master Paintings In the cozy world of American furniture, Eric Martin Wunsch was a formidable presence. "He inspired a whole generation of collectors," said John Hays, a deputy chairman of Christie's in America. An engineer who ran Silent Hoist & Crane, his family's business, before he died in March, Mr. Wunsch represented a new kind of collector, buying not simply furniture but antique silver, porcelains and Dutch old master paintings. Starting in January, Christie's will be selling a selection of art and objects from his estate in a series of auctions. Among the old master paintings, are examples of Dutch Golden Age works by Abraham Diepraam and Frans van Mieris the Elder, and David Teniers the Younger, the Flemish artist.