Bidding Now Live Thru Sept. 23rd

London

Yesterday I spent the day at the Houston Antique Dealers Associations (HADA) show and sale.  It was a lovely Saturday, and the crowds were pretty good.

Some of the dealers said they had done well, and that the number of people who turned out for the opening preview party (this was the first year for preview parties) had brought out a good crowd.  It seemed like a somewhat positive start to this three day show.

Other dealers said the show had been quiet.  They were wondering if the buyers come out on Sunday’s looking for deals or if this was as good as it gets.

The HADA show is in its 46^th year.  This is certainly an established show that has a long standing, well- to- do Houston crowd.  There is over 150 dealers from all over the country that setup at this show, and most of them carry a very traditional line of antiques such as high brow 18-19^th century furniture, grandfather clocks, expensive English porcelain, silver, and 19^th Century paintings.

To me, the market for this style of antique collecting has become very quiet.  The “buyer” has changed to the 30-40s crowds that do not appreciate “grandma’s” antiques.

When speaking with several dealers about what collecting trends they are seeing, the answer was often the same. The hot ticket in collecting:  Chinese antiques.

Not just porcelain, but art, sculpture, furniture, etc.  It would seem that the Chinese have become greatly interested in acquiring all things Chinese and have loads of money to do so.

Numerous dealers commented on seeing Chinese buyers at the local shows, shopping at local malls and even in line at estate sales looking to acquire things to bring back home.  One dealer mentioned knowing numerous American dealers that were acquiring items for buyers in China.  They would fill containers and ship them overseas.

The interest in Chinese antiques is not limited to a certain time period. They are apparently buying everything from 17^th century to 20^th.  However, I was told the items of strongest interest are items that were made for the domestic market, not the export market.

I can’t say I know much about the Asian antiques market. I can barely tell Japanese porcelain from Chinese porcelain.  I also don’t know new from old, but I would greatly recommend anyone looking for a hot collectible to scoop up to grab some reference books and keep your eyes open in your picking adventures.

Happy Hunting!

Reyne

Auction Sept. 20th & 21st   9am

Artist List: Japanese woodblock prints, Kiyoshi Saito,Marc Chagall, Harry Dunn, George Cope, Seymour Zayon, Charles Jay, Marc Chagall, Philip Jamison, James Whistler, Paul Davis, Arthur Clifton Goodwin, Geoff H Flavelle, James Turner, Henry Harold Vickers, manner of Worthington Whittredge, Samuel Bouquet,Bernardus Petrus Viegers,  Paul Davis, war bond posters, Nino Giuffrida, Nazzarreno Cipriani,  Edmund Mahlknecht, R Fay, Arthur Flory, much more.

Sunday Oct 3rd 2010  12pm

Monday Oct 4th 2010  10am

Tuesday Oct 5th 2010  12pm

Catalogue now available online

Sept. 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.

Design In London

Auction Sept. 28th 2010  London

Catalogue Now Online

There is a long standing joke among collectors that says we all have a touch of OCD or hoarding tendencies.   But is it really a joke?  Are we really hoarders masquerading as collectors?  Just because we are collecting “things” instead of food, paper, or odds and ends etc doesn’t necessarily mean we are good to go.

Let’s take a look at some of the similarities:

Hoarder:   Keeps random items in large numbers, sometimes to include trash, food, or random items that seem to have little to no value.

Collector:  Is sometimes known to acquire collectibles in large numbers (sometimes broken, soiled and of little value)

Hoarder:  Places sentimental attachment to items that would appear worthless to others

Collector: Often collects due to nostalgic reasons

Hoarder: Often feels a rush when shopping and acquiring items.

Collector:  Loves the thrill of the hunt and will often buy something they would not normally buy if they cannot find something to acquire in their collecting genre to fill that “need to buy something” void.

So this leads to my next thought:  Why does adding to our collections made us feel so good inside?

The Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT states that often, compulsive hoarders feel distressed when they see something they want, and feel they cannot relieve the stress until acquiring that item.

I think this is a similar feeling collectors refer to as being “haunted” by an item we have walked away from, in that we think about how we should have bought it over and over.  And when we do buy something, we feel a sense of release.

The media has started exposing celebrities that “hoard” items such as shoes, cars, and even pets.  If you’ve watched Animal Planet you’ve probably seen their new show “Confessions:  Animal Hoarding” Who would have thought?  Paris Hilton is said to have 18 pets.  Will we see her on that show next?

I spoke with my friend Janine Godwin, who is a Certified Professional Organizer with Nooks & Crannies this morning on the very subject.  We wondered if the volume of shows on collecting would create a sense of justification for those who do hoard.

I also started to think about the similarities in shows on collecting vs. hoarding.  Take American Pickers on the History Channel.  One of my favorite collecting shows on air.  It follows the two hosts, Mike and Frank on their picking adventures around the country.  They visit with people who have inherited collections or have built them over the years.  They browse through attics, basements and barns packed to the gills with hidden treasures, in hopes of buying a few to resale later.  E very show offers a new stop, and shows the interaction with the owner of the items. You can see many of them struggle with parting with anything, although they have not looked it the items or used them in years.

Hoarding shows follow professional organizers and therapists to meet with families needing assistance with someone they love who is a hoarder.  The therapist works with the individual to understand what their attachment to the items is, and how they can change their way of thinking so to not compulsively hoard in the future. The professional organizer works to determine what has value, and what should be parted with.

Do you see the similarities in the formats?

It is said three or more of any item makes a collection.  So I guess that means not every collector could be considered a hoarder.  I’ve certainly met collectors with 20 items, and I’ve met collectors with 2,000.

When does one cross over?  When is too many too much?  Would a collector be considered “organized hoarding?”  Things that make you go hmm…

Call it whatever you like, at the end of the day, I’ll still collect things; some in large amounts, some just a few.  Some I’ll buy for nostalgic reasons, some because I just like their look.

Nooks & Crannies – www.nooks-and-crannies.com

An extraordinary circa-1930 “Beau Brummel” dressing table with 30-piece Art Deco silver and cut glass vanity set produced by Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd., London. Estimate $20,000-$25,000. Austin Auction image.

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.

Life-size 84-inch Neapolitan statue of Bacchus (Dionysus), mid-18th century, marble on black granite base, estimate $20,000-$30,000. Austin Auction image.

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.

Dore bronze figural mantel clock and garniture set by Japy Freres, France, one of more than 40 figural clocks to be auctioned. Estimate $10,000-$15,000. Austin Auction image. $10,000-$15,000

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.

Extensive Glass and Crystal Collections

Sept. 16th, 2010  Closes 2pm

Antiques Glassware, Furniture and Art from the Estate of Thomas D. and Sue W. Ferrell.

Preview Sept. 18th 2010  9am – 5pm

Closes Sept. 19th 2010  2pm