Snowy “Fifth Ave” by Guy Wiggins Takes The Lead in Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches Fine Art and Antiques Sale in February

Mar. 10, 2008

WEST PALM BEACH—A Vero Beach estate provided plenty of action for the 555 registered bidders who participated in the Feb. 25 sale at Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL. The quality of the sale attracted an unusually high amount of online activity through LiveAuctioneers.com according to Auction owner Brian Kogan. The 100 inhouse registered bidders were joined by 455 who signed up though LiveAuctioneers.com along with 80 phone and absentee bidders. Overall 25 percent of the 372 lot inventory was won by online bidders.

The top lot was an oil on canvas board, 16 inch by 20 inch, from American painter Guy Carleton Wiggins (1883-1962). His Impressionist painting of an urban snow scene entitled “Fifth Ave” sold for $28,080 including the buyer’s premium (est. $20,000-$30,000). Following close behind was an original painting in acrylic and ink by Joan Miro (Spanish 1893-1983) which was included in the book “MIRO LITHOGRAPHS II,” preface by Raymond Gueneau, Leon Amiel publisher, New York 1975. The signed work, with a copy of the book, sold for $24,750. A 17½-inch diameter disk, bronze with verdigris patina, signed by Alexander Archipenko (American 1881-1964) featuring Russian peasant figures was a protest work inscribed with a Ukranian poem referring to Stalin. Estimated at $10,000-$15,000, it sold for $23,400.

Other works of art included a 19th century oil on canvas in gilded frame titled “Mother and Child with Dog”, 49¼-inch by 38-inch, in the manner of Jean Marc Nattier (French 1685-1766). Estimated at $2,000-$3,000, it closed at $8,482. A Spanish School oil on canvas, “Portrait of an Officer,” circa 1800, estimated at $1,000-$1,500, was hammered down to an Internet bidder for $6,710.

Sales of both period and reproduction furniture were strong. A set of four walnut George III Irish Chippendale chairs, with restorations, but generally in very good condition found a new home at $16,380 (est $6,000-$8,000). Another highlight was a George III mahogany triple pedestal dining table with a satinwood crossbanded top, oval ends and vase shape standards raised on downswept reeded legs ending in brass caps and castors. The 89-inch by 41-inch table, circa 1800, with two 20¾-inches extension leaves closed at $8,190 (est $4,000-$6,000). A George III style mahogany tall case clock, American circa 1880, with a movement stamped twice “Walter Durfee, Providence R .I.,” a hood with broken pediment and a dial signed by Henry A. Turner & Co, Boston, estimated at $5,000-$8,000, sold for $9,360.

Louis XVI 20th century reproductions were popular as well. A French Louis XVI style bureau plat with gilt bronze mounts and frieze brought $2,808, well above the $1,200-$1,600 estimate. A French Louis XVI chest, circa 1900, with four long drawers raised on short circular legs sold for $2,574 (est. $500-$700), and a French Louis XVI gilt bronze mounted mahogany game table, circa 1910, 44½-inch by 25¼-inch, went for $2,223 (est. $800-$1,200).

A pair of Empire style gilt and patinated bronze figural six light candelabra, French 19th century, each cast as a semi-nude Grecian female holding aloft a vase issuing candle arms, 39¾-inch high, raised on a gilt marble mounted plinth, estimated at $3,000-$5,000, bidding but for $11,700. A rare pair of George III cut glass two-light sconces, English circa 1775, with a provenance from Shreve, Crump & Low of Boston, roared over the estimate of $500-$800 to close at $4,914.

To view the fully illustrated catalog, with prices realized, please visit www.LiveAuctioneers.com.