This Philadelphia William and Mary mahogany spice or valuables box on frame has a large center drawer that conceals a secret drawer. The important cabinet sold for $112,575. Image by Pook & Pook Inc.
The sale began on Friday evening with a selection of pieces from three collections: Margaret Schiffer of West Chester, Pa.; the Studdiford family of Point Pleasant, N.J.; and a southeastern Pennsylvania collection.
Items from the collection of Margaret B. Schiffer, a well-known Chester County, Pa., author and expert in the antique field and a specialist in historical needlework, toys and Christmas ornaments, were the first to cross the block. The volume Historical Needlework of Pennsylvania, written in 1958, was a definitive reference book for the time, recording the origins and progression of the art in the 18th and 19th centuries primarily in southeastern Pennsylvania. With her husband, Herbert, and son Peter, Schiffer Publications, printed numerous books on antique furniture and accessories.
A Pennsylvania painted chest that was most likely made by Jacob Knagy sold for $15,405. With its stenciled urns, flowers and pinwheels, it encompassed many folk art designs. An unusual Soap Hollow miniature painted blanket chest dated 1868, with stencil decoration on a salmon ground came from Harry Hartman and did well at $8,295.
A Pennsylvania or Maryland low-back Windsor bench in a nice old red painted surface, pictured in Santore’s book Windsor Style in American, plate 206, sold for $21,330.
Asian art did well as expected. A low estimate did not prevent a Peking vase from reaching $15,405. Other Chinese items included a crystal censor for $4,740, a yellow Peking bowl and vase for $4,977 and a jade buckle for $5,346.
An earthenware sugar bowl was a rare Alamance County, N.C., piece originally bought by Titus Geesey from Joe Kindig Jr. in 1930. This hand-painted covered bowl brought $37,920.
A painting by John Edward Costigan, which was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 118th annual exhibition, depicted sheep and a girl in a grove of trees. It sold for $45,030.
Local Pennsylvania artist Fern Coppedge was represented by a beautiful winter landscape titled The Delaware Valley. It sold for double the high estimate for $65,175. An entrancing snow scene of a Quakertown street by Walter Emerson Baum finished within estimate at $30,810. An oil on canvas painting of the American side wheeler J.B. Schuyler by James Edward Buttersworth had the phone lines busy as it made $94,800.
An important Philadelphia Queen Anne brass face tall clock by one of the earliest and best known makers, Edward Duffield, was presented in an excellent state of preservation. A collector took it to his home for $118,500.
The surprise of the day was a Queen Anne walnut fire screen with candlestand that sold for $49,770.
For details contact Pook & Pook Inc. at 610-269-4040.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
This Philadelphia William and Mary mahogany spice or valuables box on frame has a large center drawer that conceals a secret drawer. The important cabinet sold for $112,575. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. The first lot of the sale, a Chester County, Pa., mahogany tall case clock by Benjamin Garrett of Goshen Township, went to a local collector for $45,030. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. A William and Mary armchair, circa 1735, sold for $28,440. This early Chester County or southeastern Pennsylvania example had a baluster back and old black painted surface with punched star decorations. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. This oversize Noah’s Ark set measuring 31 inches long and having 124 animals and figures sailed to $21,330. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. This Chester County walnut desk on frame attracted a lot of interest. Dating to circa 1745, this is an early and unusual form. It easily surpassed the high estimate of $8,000 to sell for $30,810. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. Magdalena Briner Eby of Perry County, Pa., made this hooked rug during the second half of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century. Measuring 45 inches by 115 inches, it is one of the largest examples of her work known. It sold for $11,850. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. The vibrant colors with red ground made the difference in this Pennsylvania tole-decorated tin coffeepot from the Keller-Keener family in Manheim. It brought $15,405. Image by Pook & Pook Inc. Having been exhibited at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center in 1968, this oil on zinc scene of the Berks County Almshouse by John Rasmussen, a Pennsylvania itinerant painter, earned $33,180. Image by Pook & Pook Inc.
