J.K. Galleries in Boca Raton mixed Impressionist art, an early 20th century illustration and exotic American art pottery at pre-Labor Day sale Sept. 2

Sept. 13, 2007

Howard Chandler Christy, Toulouse Lautrec and Roseville Futura unite in Boca Raton

Boca Raton, FL – J. K. Galleries in Boca Raton, FL has established a solid reputation for presenting an outstanding inventory of American art pottery since its move to Boca Raton in October 2006. The pre Labor Day sale on Sept. 2 certainly bolstered that reputation, but the sale was not totally dependent on art pottery. In fact, the top lot of the sale was an Impressionist lithograph by Toulouse Lautrec (French 1864-1901).

The 10 by 13in professionally framed lithograph was signed by Lautrec in the upper left of the plate with his characteristic medallion like stroke, tagged on the reverse “From Lillian Heidenberg Gallery in New York City. Toulouse Lautrec Mlle. Marcelle Lender En Buste 1895.” Lender was a performer in the operetta Chilpéric who fascinated Lautrec. The lithograph was first published in the standard edition of 1,100 in the German periodical, Pan in September 1895. It was said to be one of the highest achievements of the lithographer's art, a masterpiece of 19th century French printmaking. It sold for $32,200 including the buyer’s premium, exceeding the estimate of $20,000 - $30,000.

A piece of twentieth century art featuring attractive women garnered some keen attention. The 12 by 15in oil on board of two nudes at the beach in secluded grassy dunes shaded by large beach umbrellas bore the full signature of American illustrator Howard Chandler Christy (1873-1915). There was a framing tag on reverse from Nelson Declark, New York City. A bidder from Jacksonville, FL won it for $16,100.

A 1922 gold St Gauden $20 piece brought $863 and a $50 Gold Eagle 2007 coin went for $1,035. Select jewelry made a strong appearance as well. A lady’s 18KT white gold signed and numbered Cartier wide diamond bracelet set with 8.00CT bezel set diamonds, measuring 6in long by 1in wide, brought $18,000 and a man’s Patek Phillpe 18KT yellow gold square dress watch with original band, circa 1970, sold for $6,325.

But the real star of the sale was the pottery inventory. Auction owner Jay Kielstock reported selling 229 of the 234 pottery lots. Roseville Futura led the way with a very attractive 8in Winged Futura vase, shape 426 with lovely soft blended colors. Estimated at $1,200 - $1,500 it closed at $2,645. Futura continued to impress with a 10in Elephant Foot vase with flared rim and concentric rings around the body and bulbous base. The color shaded from soft mottled blue into darker blue with tinges of purple. Estimated at $880 - $1,200 it sold for $2,300.

A Futura 10in Stepped Urn Vase, shape number 395, with graduated stepped rings around the neck highlighted with bright green over the tan body sold above estimate at

$1,380 and a 15in Futura Thistle pattern floor vase, soft tan and beige with large green thistle blooms sold online to a bidder though LiveAuctioneeers.com for $1,320. Non-Roseville pottery included two Weller lots. A 15in tall bulbous example from the turn of the century, artist signed by “L. Blake,” listed as Elizabeth/Liz Blake, one of the top dog artists of the period, featured a portrait of a Schitzu with his tongue hanging out. It sold for $1,840. Another Weller piece featuring a pair of Muskota hunting dogs brought $1,265.

Several notable non-pottery lots included a signed Handel lamp with 18in dome signed “HB” for Henry Bedegie and “Handel Number 6821.” The reverse painted dome showed a moon scene with pale pink sky over a continuos woodland scene. The 20in tall base was also signed. It went for $9,000 to an online bidder. An online bidder in England simply had to have a 16in long hallmarked silver spoon weighing approximately 11 ounces. Its hallmarks included a key with the letters IDS, the letter F and the standing figure of a man. Estimated at $300 - $400 it sold online for $2,280.

As with other J.K. Galleries auctions, bidders can visit www.liveauctioneers.com in advance to view the entire catalog and leave absentee bids for upcoming auctions.