19th century American portrait sells with sitter's ring for $30,000 live online

Feb. 9, 2004

Paintings are on a roll, as any number of auctions have proved since the beginning of the new year. What's new is the way in which artworks are selling at auction: live via the Internet. The latest painting to create a stir in the auction gallery – as it was snapped up by an Internet bidder – is an American School portrait of Harriet Buckney Withers Gassoway (born 1831), signed on reverse by the artist, Joseph A. Ames. The 30 by 24in oil-on-canvas painting depicts a young woman wearing a Victorian gold and garnet ring – which was actually included in the same lot as the painting, in Sloans & Kenyons' Feb. 7-8 sale. The sitter's ring was described by the auctioneers as being circa 1860 and of yellow gold with a centered cabochon weighing 3.5 carats.

Heated competition drove the price skyward on the archetypal 19th century American portrait and its accompanying ring, with a total of 47 bids lodged. An Internet bidder using LiveAuctioneers.com prevailed on the lot, paying $30,000 (plus buyer's premium). The purchase represented yet another example of collectors' willingness to acquire fine artworks at auction using the real time Internet method – a trend that is fast becoming a global one. Collectors who previously missed out on desirable artworks because they either weren't aware they were being auctioned or didn't think there was time to order an auction catalog now realize they have an option, both for viewing and bidding on items anywhere in the world: LiveAuctioneers.com.

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