Vintage marine equipment specialist Nation’s Attic dives into history Dec. 9

Miller Dunn Mark V Diving Helmet for the US Navy, $9,000-$14,000 at Nation's Attic.

WICHITA, Kan. — If goes in, around, on top of or under the water, chances are it will inevitably show up at a Nation’s Attic auction. As the premier specialists in vintage diving and marine equipment, its auctions keep collectors bubbling with the highest quality items from our aquatic past. The catalog for its latest sale, Diving into History 2023, is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers with a Saturday, December 9 auction date.

From the diving legends of Canada since the mid-1800s comes this John Date diving helmet estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Prized for their rarity and craftsmanship, John Date helmets command premiums at auction. As a result, this early example from the mid- to late-1850s is the sale’s top-estimated lot.

Joe Savoie is a contemporary designer and builder of diving helmets, literally crafting them in his Louisiana backyard. Earning his reputation solely through diving community word-of-mouth, his revolutionary designs have changed contemporary diving. This Savoie helmet was used in the filming of a 1979 Hawaii Five-O episode starring Jack Lord. It is clearly identified by photo matching and comes with a document from the buyer. Submerged in the water only twice, the Savoie helmet is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

Perhaps the most iconic diving helmet of all time, the Mark V was built by a number of government contractors for the United States Navy. This example is by Miller Dunn, which built them only in 1943-1944, making this Mark V exceedingly rare. It is estimated at $9,000-$14,000.

Early John Date 19th-century Canadian diving helmet, estimated at $10,000-$20,000 at Nation's Attic.

Early John Date 19th-century Canadian diving helmet, estimated at $10,000-$20,000 at Nation's Attic.

Joe Savoie Air Demand stainless steel helmet featured in a 1979 episode of 'Hawaii Five-O,' estimated at $10,000-$15,000 at Nation's Attic.

Joe Savoie Air Demand stainless steel helmet featured in a 1979 episode of 'Hawaii Five-O,' estimated at $10,000-$15,000 at Nation's Attic.

Miller Dunn Mark V Diving Helmet for the US Navy, $9,000-$14,000 at Nation's Attic.

Miller Dunn Mark V Diving Helmet for the US Navy, $9,000-$14,000 at Nation's Attic.

1970s Aquadive 1000m Caribbean Triple Safe chronograph divers' watch, estimated at $4,000-$7,000 at Nation's Attic.

1970s Aquadive 1000m Caribbean Triple Safe chronograph divers' watch, estimated at $4,000-$7,000 at Nation's Attic.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Gilt copper cow weathervane, Moorcroft pottery and a belsnickle appears at Kensington Dec. 11

American gilt-molded copper cow weathervane, estimated at $1,000-$3,000 at Kensington Estate Auction.

CLINTONDALE, N.Y. – Seasonally appropriate lots in the Monday, December 11 sale at Kensington Estate Auction include a scarce example of Moorcroft pottery from the late 1920s or early 1930s. This bowl, decorated with one of the firm’s Art Deco-influenced fish designs, stands out for the message lettered around the rim. A quote from Peter Pan author James Barrie, it reads, God Has Given Us Memory So We May Have Roses in December. Made in several color variants, this example, in tones of blue and gray, is estimated at $600-$900.

An early 20th-century German figural candy container in the form of a belsnickle Santa Claus is estimated at $400-$800. Standing a substantial 19in high, Santa is made predominantly of papier-mache and molded cardboard, with his red and white outfit fashioned from fur and felt. The words Made in Germany appear at the base of his left boot.

The top-estimated lot in the sale is a handsome late 19th-century American weathervane rendered in gilt copper and cast iron in the full-bodied form of a cow. An impressive 2ft 2in across, it comes from an estate in Burlington, Vermont and has an estimate of $1,000-$3,000.

Estimated at $1,000-$2,000 is an early 19th-century terrestrial library globe on a mahogany stand. The circular cartouche to the paper gores read: The New Twelve Inch British Terrestrial Globe Representing the Accurate Positions of the Principal Known Places of the Earth from the Discoveries of Captain Cook Subsequent Circumnavigators of the Present Period with addition AD 1800. Probably made by the well-known Holborn, London instrument maker W. S. Jones, it has been consigned in unrestored estate condition.

William Moorcroft Fish pottery bowl, estimated at $600-$900 at Kensington Estate Auction.

William Moorcroft Fish pottery bowl, estimated at $600-$900 at Kensington Estate Auction.

American gilt-molded copper cow weathervane, estimated at $1,000-$3,000 at Kensington Estate Auction.

American gilt-molded copper cow weathervane, estimated at $1,000-$3,000 at Kensington Estate Auction.

19th-century British terrestrial globe, estimated at $1,000-$2,000 at Kensington Estate Auction.

19th-century British terrestrial globe, estimated at $1,000-$2,000 at Kensington Estate Auction.

German Santa belsnickle candy container, estimated at $400-$800 at Kensington Estate Auction.

German Santa belsnickle candy container, estimated at $400-$800 at Kensington Estate Auction.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Luxuriate in The Finest Weaves luxury rugs at Jasper52’s Dec. 12 sale

Bijar tomato-red square rug, estimated at $24,000-$29,000 at Jasper52.

NEW YORK — Step into a world of fine threads and intricate designs, where every rug is a testament to the skillful hands and creative vision of master weavers. The Finest Weaves at Jasper52, taking place Tuesday, December 12, offers premium rugs that embody the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation, blending age-old techniques with contemporary aesthetics. View the complete catalog now exclusively at LiveAuctioneers.

Imagine this pre-1900 vegetable-dye Sultanabad Ziegler large Persian rug in the home or office. Measuring 17ft by 10ft 9in and made in Persia (modern-day Iran), the rug is 100% wool and is hand-knotted. In very good, evenly low pile condition, the lot is estimated at $38,000-$46,000.

Antique Kashan rugs are considered some of the finest Persian rugs ever created. This 100% wool Kashan Mohtasham Persian dates to the 19th century and measures 6ft 10in by 4ft 9in. It carries an estimate of $33,000-$40,000.

Dated to 1910, this Bijar tomato-red square rug measures 12ft 5in by 13ft 9in and was knotted during the course of months using the Kurdish weaving technique that makes Bijars last for more than 200 years while also holding up to regular use. Known as the “iron rugs of Persia,” this Bijar would make a wonderful and lasting impact on any room. It is estimated at $24,000-$29,000.

Sultanabad Ziegler Persian rug, estimated at $38,000-$46,000 at Jasper52.

Sultanabad Ziegler Persian rug, estimated at $38,000-$46,000 at Jasper52.

Kashan Mohtasham Persian rug, estimated at $33,000-$40,000 at Jasper52.

Kashan Mohtasham Persian rug, estimated at $33,000-$40,000 at Jasper52.

Bijar tomato-red square rug, estimated at $24,000-$29,000 at Jasper52.

Bijar tomato-red square rug, estimated at $24,000-$29,000 at Jasper52.

ACN Staff

ACN Staff

Content bearing the byline of ACN staff has been researched and written by multiple members of the Auction Central News team.

Italian art glass scion Ercole Barovier moved the medium forward

An intarsio vase by Ercole Barovier achieved $16,000 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2018. Image courtesy of Wright and LiveAuctioneers.
 
An intarsio vase by Ercole Barovier achieved $16,000 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2018. Image courtesy of Wright and LiveAuctioneers.

An intarsio vase by Ercole Barovier achieved $16,000 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2018. Image courtesy of Wright and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Ercole Barovier (Italian, 1889-1974) was arguably the most influential and innovative Murano glassblower in the early part of the 20th century.

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