World Records Abound at Kamelot’s $1.4 Million Auction

Oct. 3, 2007

PHILADELPHIA–Of the 800 lots in Kamelot’s two day sale Sept. 28-29, more than 200 lots came from the estate of a very prominent French family. The estate’s many treasures included a wonderful bronze sculpture collection. The highlight of the collection was a bronze by important Russian artist Mark Matveevich Antokolsky (1843 – 1902). In the end, it came down to two bidders, one a former student at the Imperial Academy of Arts in which Antokolsky had studied from 1862-1868. When the hammer finally dropped, a new world record was set with a selling price of $253,000. Other notable items from the estate included a rare pair of dore bronze lamps by Francois Raoul Larche (French 1860 – 1912) which sold for $41,400; a monumental three-piece French bronze figural clock set which realized $15,000; and a fine 19th century Art Nouveau marble figure of a nude woman by Paul Jean Baptiste Gasq (French 1860-1944) which brought $24,000. Live online bidding was facilitated by www.LiveAuctioneers.com where the fully-illustrated archived auction catalog may also be viewed.

In the fine art category, the biggest surprise was a Barbizon painting which sailed past the pre-sale estimate of $8,000 - $12,000 and brought $78,000. The wonderful portrait of a woman on horseback was attributed to Alfred De Dreux (French 1810-1860) and sold online after frenzied bidding. Somewhat of a disappointment was a painting by the Russian American artist David Burliuk (1882-1967). The oil titled “Flowers By The Sea” hammered at just $11,500.

Kamelot continued to impress in the furniture department by setting a new world auction record for a Tommi Parzinger ivory lacquer buffet with brass studded decoration at $17,825. Other noteworthy items included an elegant pair of 19th Century French carved walnut cabinets which brought $19,200 and a Jansen marble top commode which sold for $13,800.

The balance of the French estate will be sold during Kamelot’s next two auctions. A seventeen piece carved Gothic dining room set will be featured in Kamelot’s Victoriana & Architectural Sale Nov. 17, while the remaining paintings will be sold in Kamelot’s next Fine Arts sale in February 2008. Prices list include Kamelot’s 15% buyer’s premium.

To view upcoming Kamelot auctions, please visit www.LiveAuctioneers.com