Matthew Boulton sterling centerpiece, Birmingham, circa 1830. Estimate $6,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery.
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Auction Gallery’s Dec. 4 auction will showcase a huge collection of estate jewelry, silver, antiques, fine art, antique furniture and Asian porcelains from local estates. Live Internet bidding will be hosted through LiveAuctioneers.com for the auction that begins at 11 a.m. Central. Two English sterling silver pieces by important Birmingham makers are the high point of the auction.
The first is an impressive Georgian centerpiece by the Matthew Boulton & Plate Co., Birmingham, circa 1828 (Matthew Boulton, 1728-1809). Described as “The Father of Birmingham,” Matthew Boulton is a tremendously important man who had an entrepreneurial vision, drive and ambition as an engineer and inventor. Boulton’s work as well as that of his business partner, James Watt, pushed the technological boundaries of his time and led directly to Britain occupying center stage as the world’s first industrial nation, something which has shaped our lives ever since. (Internet source: The Birmingham Assay Office). The centerpiece is accompanied by the 1950 receipt of purchase from the Langford Strong Room, London Silver Vaults. It is expected to fetch $6,000 to $12,000.
A rare English sterling silver Queen Victoria commemorative center bowl by the Elkington Plate Co. Ltd, Birmingham, circa 1901, will open conservatively at $1,500. The circular bowl having scalloped borders and wide rim set with 24 various coins and is incised underfoot. This bowl contains coins of various types issued during the reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901.
Christmas arrives early at Austin Auction Gallery as estate jewelry dominates the auction comprising well over 150 of the sales 567 lots. The collection includes American and Continental fine diamonds and gold, a collection of Victorian hair jewelry, vintage Chanel and Miriam Haskell costume pieces and a large collection of early Bakelite with many fruit and figural pieces. Highlighting the Bakelite is a scarce and unusual amber/root beer necklace, having a circular linked chain hung with five apricots and six ornately pierced leaves. The necklace opens at $400.
The fine art category is led by a large painting titled Summer Night by Walter Granville-Smith (New York, 1870-1937). Bidding on this work opens at $5,000. Heavy in Texas art, the sale includes paintings by John Barger (New Mexico, Texas, b. 1953), Edwina Krisch Mintel (Texas, 1896-1966), Olin Travis (Texas, 1888-1975) and perhaps the largest assembled collection of works by Carl J. Smith (Texas, b. 1928) to be offered in one sale, including Western and landscape art.
A fine selection of Chinese ivory, art and porcelains as well fine antique furniture will also be offered at Austin Auction Gallery’s sale Dec. 4.
Preview hours are Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and doors open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, sale day.
For more information call 512-258-5479 or e-mail info@austinauction.com (this e-mail address is protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. View the complete catalogue and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Matthew Boulton sterling centerpiece, Birmingham, circa 1830. Estimate $6,000-$12,000. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery. Elkington sterling silver commemorative Queen Victorian coin bowl, circa 1901. Bidding will start at $1.500. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery. Georgian ‘giardinetti’ gem-set brooch in 14K gold. Bidding will open $500. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery. Among the large collection of early Bakelite is this scarce Apricot necklace, which will open at $400. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery. ‘Summer Night’ by Walter Granville-Smith (New York, 1870-1937). Estimate: $6,000-$8,000. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery. ‘Indian Rider’ by Carl J. Smith (Texas, b. 1928) is expected to bring $1,200-$1,500. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery. Chinese carved ivory maiden, 13 3/4 inches tall. Estimate: $1,250-$1,500. Image courtesy of Austin Auction Gallery.
