Auction News
QUAIL CREEK ESTATE SALE
September 16th, 2010 by adminSept. 18th 2010 9am – 2pm
Sept. 19th 2010 1pm – 3pm
The estate of a well known, long-time Quail Creek resident.
The sale will include a handsome console table
with claw feet and marble top;
a Drexel (?) dining suite with a parquet-topped table
and six chairs, all in the Country French style;
a matching, lighted china cabinet with mirrored back;
a chintz chaise with matching ottoman;
a Century mahogany drum table
with embossed leather top and claw feet;
a Century television cabinet
with Chinese-style brass accents;
an electroplated, English fish set ca. 1865;
Cambridge crystal stemware, plates and vases;
a service of sterling flatware
(twelve dinner size place settings, plus serving pieces)
in the “King Edward” pattern by Gorham;
assorted pieces of Lenox china;
a Lexington chest of drawers with brass pulls;
several small pieces of sterling holloware
in Wallace’s “Rose Point” pattern;
a Century club chair with matching ottoman;
a cheval mirror; Bernhardt and Drexel bedroom furniture;
an ornately carved Mexican headboard and footboard with rails;
a large bookcase/curio, possibly Warren Ramsey;
a Century breakfast table with chairs;
a mahogany server/dry bar ca. 1940;
many decorative items, including a Hummel figurine,
several pieces of Brilliant Period cut glass,
assorted bar items, collector plates etc.;
a graceful Drexel secretary in the Country French style;
two attractive armchairs, both designed in the Empire style
and upholstered with wine-colored damask;
a large Century mahogany secretary;
a brass coal box embossed in the Arts & Crafts style;
many Christmas items; linens; women’s clothing;
a kitchen table with a butcher block top;
very full kitchen and garage; books; much more.
Sign-up sheet out at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Checks accepted only with proper identification.
No public restrooms. No unattended children, please.
Please park legally, as violators may be towed.
Sealed bids collected on items priced $100.00 and above;
bids to be “called” on Saturday afternoon
after the doors have closed.
EACH DEALER MUST SUBMIT A PHOTOCOPY OF
HIS OR HER TAX EXEMPTION NUMBER,
ELSE SALES TAX WILL BE CHARGED — NO EXCEPTIONS.
STERLING NOT ON SITE UNTIL SALE DAY.
Phillips de Pury & Company
September 15th, 2010 by adminFurnishing commissioned by East Indian royalty headlines Austin Auction’s Sept. 25-26 Multi-Estates Sale
September 15th, 2010 by admin
Extensive research suggests lavishly appointed dressing table
was made under order of fabulously wealthy 7th Nizam of Hyderabad
AUSTIN, Texas – An extraordinary mahogany “Beau Brummel” dressing table fit for a princess has swept into the spotlight of Austin Auction’s Sept. 25-26 Estate Auction.
The circa-1930 triple-mirrored dressing table is of the highest-quality construction and is fitted with a key-lock safe and exquisite 30-piece Art Deco vanity set of sterling silver and cut glass. The well-marked table and its accessories were crafted by the premier London firm Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd.
Each hallmarked vanity accessory is finely enameled and adorned with an Islamic moon-and-star motif as well as one of three images of a regally attired gentleman believed to be Asaf Jah VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam of Hyderabad (1886-1967).
In a Feb. 22, 1937 cover story in Time magazine, His Exalted Highness, The Nizam of Hyderabad was reputed to be the richest man in the world, with a fortune of $2 billion. Among those who enjoyed the lavish lifestyle The Nizam provided were his seven wives and 42 concubines. Austin Auction Gallery associate Chris Featherston said “intensive research into the dressing table’s background gives every indication that the piece was commissioned by the Indian prince, perhaps for one of his wives or concubines.”
“We have convincing photo similarities for the three portraits that appear on most of the items in the vanity set, which include hairbrushes, jars, bottles, scissors, nail files and even an 8-day clock,” Featherston said. “Our expert in India told us that, in his opinion, the person whose images are the focal point of the vanity items is, indeed, The Seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, one of India’s last princes.” The vanity was purchased by the consignor in the 1990s from a private antiques dealer, the dressing table is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.
Many significant artworks, as well as furniture, decorative art, estate jewelry and ladies’ designer handbags, will be auctioned in the Sept. 25-26 auction. Standing 84 inches tall inclusive of black granite base, a life-size Neapolitan marble statue of Bacchus (a k a Dionysus), the god of wine, is adorned by garlands of grapes around his head and waist, and holds a bowl of grapes with one hand and a cluster of grapes with the other. The mid-18th-century sculpture’s age and region of origin have been authenticated by a Professor Emeritus and PhD from the University of Texas’ Art History department. It carries a presale estimate of $20,000-$30,000.
The influence of visionary architect Antonio Gaudi (Spain, 1852-1926) is strikingly obvious in the design of a Gothic Revival carved walnut and stained glass armoire consigned to the auction. The circa-1890 design incorporates four decorative glass-embedded doors, the two central doors displaying artistic leaded-glass panels with an intricate botanical theme. A stunning presentation, the 113-inch-tall by 81-inch-wide armoire is entered in the sale with a $2,000-$4,000 estimate.
Other highlights of the furniture section include a 14-foot dining table from northern Spain, 18th- and 19th-century French furniture, a pair of MacKenzie-Childs rattan chairs, and a circa-1890s six-piece walnut parlor set with carved heads, attributed to John Jelliff. Non-traditional and sure to attract attention on auction day, a Carol Hicks Bolton for E.J. Victor “Bollywood” sofa of beaded and sequined burgundy velveteen could make $2,000-$4,000 at auction, while a Renaissance Revival 3-piece parlor set upholstered in long-haired cowhide and embellished with winged-griffin crests and figural hand rests is cataloged with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate.
A grand dore bronze figural mantel clock and garniture set by Japy Freres (France) features three winged putti resting over profuse foliate and floral decoration. This exceptionally beautiful ensemble is estimated at $10,000-$15,000. In all, more than 40 figural clocks will be offered, some of them after Auguste Moreau and standing 3feet tall, and others of the Black Forest genre. Within the latter group is a highly detailed 4-foot parcel gilt wall clock mounted with a stag, wolfhound and boar.
Dating to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), a Chinese white jade bear carving is conservatively estimated at $400-$600. Another figural piece with charm and eye appeal is the large presentation drinking horn decorated with a three-dimensional finial shaped as a drunken gnome – estimate $1,000-$2,000. The latter piece is one of a large collection of unusual drinking horns to be auctioned.
The profusion of top-tier antiques continues with a Tiffany dresser set in fitted leather travel case, a scarce and unusual George B. Sharpe gilded sterling ice cream set in fitted leather case from Robbins, Clark & Biddle; and an 1890s handwoven tapestry. Made around 1890 in Leipzig, Germany, an upright Polyphon Musikwereke music box, walnut with crank handle, is accompanied by 36 discs. Its estimate is $4,000-$6,000.
Modern master Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941-) designed and created the three artist-signed glass sculptures included in the auction. Of billowing and striated yellow glass, the “Radiant Persian Pair” is expected to fetch $8,000-$10,000. A marine-blue creation of similar concept, known as “Paradise Persian,” is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.
Austin Auction has enjoyed great success in the past with designer handbags. The September event includes an excellent assortment of purses by Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton – one of the Vuitton bags is lotted with matching shoes.
Leading the estate jewelry category are a diamond and alexandrite ring, and several pieces of Brazilian beaded accessories with 18K gold clasps. A selection of coveted David Yurman designs will be auctioned, as well.
All forms of bidding will be available for Austin Auction Gallery’s Sept. 25-26 Multi-Estates Sale, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information, call 512-258-5479 or e-mail info@austinauction.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com. Visit Austin Auction Gallery’s Web site at www.AustinAuction.com.
McLemore Auction Company – September Auction
September 15th, 2010 by adminSwann Galleries African-American Fine Art Auction
September 14th, 2010 by adminMorphy’s Oct. 15-16 Premier Auction anchored by 50-year doll collection, Baird advertising clocks, O’Hearn toy collection part II
September 14th, 2010 by adminDENVER, Pa. – The selection just keeps getting better in Dan Morphy’s Premier auctions, the next of which is slated for Oct. 15-16 and will feature the extraordinary Cristol/Glickman family’s doll collection, the advertising clocks of longtime collectors Jerry and Millie Maltz, and part II of the Michael O’Hearn vintage toy collection. The 1,850-lot auction will appeal to those who seek “fresh-to-market antiques with deep provenance,” said Morphy’s founder and CEO, Dan Morphy.
The opening session will feature an extensive lineup of toys, many coming from the collection of retired California architect Michael O’Hearn. The grouping includes more than 100 Japanese windup toys, 400+ Japanese car lots, 75+ character toy lots and more than 75 examples of pressed steel.
Among the toy highlights are a boxed, tin friction Ford Sunliner, estimate $4,000-$6,000; and many other boxed 1950s-’60s Japanese versions of Oldsmobiles, Plymouths, Buicks and other brands in near-mint condition. The wide-ranging O’Hearn collection also includes space toys, such as a boxed Moon Patrol Space Division No. 3 car, $1,800-$3,000; and a Bandai Space Patrol Super Cycle, $3,000-$6,000.
Within the comic character toy category, bidders will find a rare boxed Schoenhut Barney and Spark Plug figure in unplayed-with condition, $2,000-$3,000; and a windup Howdy Doody Band, near mint with its original box, $2,000-$3,000.
The fleet of pressed-steel vehicles includes all the big names, including Buddy ‘L,’ Wyandotte, Keystone and Steelcraft. A pressed-steel Lincoln made by Turner is estimated at $2,000-$4,000, while an example of the always-popular Buddy ‘L’ Transportation Bus is expected to cruise to a winning bid of $2,500-$3,500.
Day two will open with approximately 350 lots from the comprehensive 50-plus-year doll collection that was established by the late Martha Cristol and later jointly maintained with her collector-daughter, Merle Cristol Glickman. The collection is unique in that it was initially formed from mail-order purchases starting as early as the 1950s, with later acquisitions coming from Chicago-area auctions and tag sales.
Glickman recalled that it was never her mother’s intention to be a specialist. “She favored diversity and preferred to collect dolls of all types from all parts of the world,” she said. Antique French dolls, character dolls, and dolls made of wood, cloth, composition and hard plastic all found a welcome home in Martha Cristol’s collection. Some went on to become blue ribbon prizewinners at UFDC conventions.
The wonderful array of dolls to be offered in this session includes an exquisite Bru Jne bebe, $18,000-$22,000; and a Jumeau bebe, $6,000-$9,000. A rare circa-1910 Simon & Halbig fashion lady could fetch $3,000-$4,000. Additionally, bidders may choose from more than 30 Lenci dolls and 30 Madame Alexander dolls in near-mint condition, plus many other coveted types.
European tin toys are led by a fine Marklin steam-powered boat manufactured expressly for the French market, estimate $10,000-$15,000. “This boat is from the first series, and has a unique hull and four original lifeboats,” said Morphy’s CEO Dan Morphy. “It might well end up being the top lot of the sale.” Other European toys include an Ernst Planck #421A live-steam brewery in very nice condition, $2,000-$3,000; penny toys, 10 Noah’s arks and an assortment of German tin wind-up Lehmann toys.
Topping the list of mechanical banks are a beautiful, near-mint example of a Lion Hunter, $15,000-$20,000; and a near-mint-plus Boy Scout bank, $12,000-$15,000. Still banks include a J.M. Harper Nesting Dove, $2,000-$3,000, Shimer Toy Co. Electric Railroad Car, $3,000-$4,000; and a J. & E. Stevens Battleship Maine, $3,000-$4,000.
The antique advertising section of the sale offers a large selection of desirable porcelain and tin signs, and several rare Coca-Cola items. A large 1904 red-version Lillian Nordica poster is estimated at $4,000-$8,000; while a large 1908 World’s Fair Coke serving tray in near-mint condition is expected to make $3,500-$5,500.
Many collectors are eagerly anticipating the chance to acquire rarities from Jerry and Millie Maltz’s magnificent 34-year assemblage of Baird advertising clocks. The Maltzes are experts on the subject of early advertising clocks, and the 27 specialty clocks to be auctioned are actual examples pictured in Jerry’s 1998 reference book titled Baird Advertising Clocks. “This is a connoisseur’s collection,” said Dan Morphy. “The Maltzes left no stone unturned in their quest to find the rarest and best examples.” Among the highlights are an 1897 Baird Coca-Cola clock with double-spring Seth Thomas movement and Chicago label, $15,000-$20,000; and the most coveted of all advertising clocks – a design that Baird created specifically to advertise its own company. In 100% original condition and retaining its original key, the clock ($15,000-$20,000) is believed to have been displayed at Baird’s executive offices in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Other clocks in the Maltz collection represent a panorama of products including – to name but a few – Chief Bonus Tea, El Caza Honeymoon Cigars, Venus Soap, Ghirardelli’s Chocolates, Mischler’s Herb Bitters and the Toledo Blade newspaper, as well as many other goods and clothing retailers of a century ago.
Additional sale highlights include a Caille Eclipse 5-cent floor model standing slot machine, $15,000-$18,000; and an all-original 1960s Bowden bicycle, $3,000-$5,000.
All forms of bidding will be available for this sale, including live via the Internet through MorphyLive or LiveAuctioneers.com. For information on any item in the sale, call 717-335-3435 or e-mail dan@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy Auctions online at www.morphyauctions.com.