Under The Hammer – Antique Auction News (Feb. 2010)
~ An American silver punch bowl by Cornelius Kierstede (ca. 1700-1710) sold for $5.9 million at a sale of Important Americana held Jan. 22 by Sotheby’s in New York. Also, a Chippendale-figured mahogany Bombe slant-front desk made in Marblehead, Mass. (ca. 1770) hammered for $698,500; “The Maxwell Vase,” an American silver presentation vase by Fletcher & Gardiner (Philadelphia, 1829) brought $494,500; and a pair of Philadelphia Queen Anne side chairs (ca. 1750) hammered for $362,500. Prices include 12 percent buyer’s premium.
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~ An original oil-on-canvas painting by Louis Leopold Boilly (1761-1845) titled, “The entrance to the Turkish Garden Café” (1812), sold for $4.562 million at a sale of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Watercolors held Jan. 27 by Christie’s in New York. It was a new world auction record for the artist. The buyer was Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox, on behalf of the J. Paul Getty Museum. Also, an oil on canvas by Gaetano Gandolfi (1734-1802) titled, “Diana and Callisto,” went for $4.114 million. Prices include 12 percent buyer’s premium.
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~ An artist proof of a sculpture work by Amaldo Pomodoro titled, “Rotante primo sezionale n. 1” (Rotating First Section No. 1), the only artist proof of this title, sold for $468,000 at a sale of American & European Paintings & Prints held Jan. 29 by Skinner, Inc., in Boston, Mass. Also, Georgia O’Keeffe’s Alligator Pear in White Dish fetched $225,150; Jesus Rafael Soto’s “Struttura” gaveled for $100,725; Saul Steinberg’s Art Lovers brought $22,515; and Daniel Chester French’s “Portrait Bust of a Woman” hit $16,590. Prices include a graduated buyer’s premium.
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~ A Louis Comfort Tiffany cabbage-shaped vase sold for $50,020 at an Early 20th Century Design & Modern Auction held Jan. 16-17 by Rago Arts & Auction Center in Lambertville, NJ. Also, a George Nakashima set of six conoid dining chairs hammered for $48,800; a Charles Rohlfs carved blanket chest went for $32,940; a Paul Evan deep relief patinated steel credenza soared to $34,160; a George Nakashima conoid walnut dining table earned $31,720; and a Kataro Shirayamadani Rookwood Iris vase hit $31,720. Prices include 22 percent buyer’s premium.
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~ A George II red lacquered English secretary, decorated with a pierce carved crest and Chinoiserie figures and motifs sold for $207,400 at a Winter Sale held Jan. 24-25 by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago, Ill. Also, an important 19th century silver and marble garniture brought $134,200; a Faberge gold, jade and diamond cigarette case rose to $36,600; a Louis XVI-style bronze and porcelain clock fetched $31,720; and a celadon jade brush pot carved with pastoral scenes made $34,160. Prices include 22 percent buyer’s premium.
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~ A pair of capriccios of ancient Roman monuments (one shown) dated 1738 by Giovanni Paolo Panini (Italian, ca. 1692-1765) sold for a combined $935,000 at a sale of Old Master Paintings & Drawings and Important English and Continental Furniture & Decorations held Jan. 27 by Doyle New York. Also, a 17th century Feuilles de Choux tapestry from southwest Flanders bearing the manufactory signature of St. Truijen garnered $68,500; and a landscape work by the 17th-century Dutch artist Hans Bergaigne hit $43,750. Prices include 20 percent buyer’s premium.
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~ A happy couple believed to have been prepared as Exhibition Dolls by Emile Jumeau, still wearing their original costumes and boasting a rare character model face, sold for $72,500 at a Premiere Doll Auction held Jan. 8-10 by Theriault’s, based in Annapolis, Md. Also, a large portrait Jumeau realized $53,000; a dollhouse known as “The Balustraded House” topped out at $47,500; a bebe doll by Andre Thuillier fetched $46,000; and a rare Asian model by Leon Casimir soared to $52,500. Prices include 12 percent buyer’s premium.
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~ A rare Chippendale mahogany tea table (ca. 1770), with a rectangular tray top over a frame with applied carving supported by curved cabriole legs, sold for $76,050 at a sale of Period Furniture, Fine Art & Decorative Accessories held Jan. 16-17 by Pook & Pook in Downington, Pa. Also, a School of Thomas Spencer oil-on-canvas painting of a horse and rider surrounded by hunting dogs (British, ca. 1740s) climbed to $46,800; and a townscape painting by John Joseph Enneking (Am., 1841-1916) hit $37,440. Prices include the buyer’s premium.
