A world record was set at Clars when this rare Gold Rush era gambling device, a Hugh McConnell and Frederick Adolph Will (1837-1912) Faro dealing box, lot 4105, sold to an Internet bidder for $20,230. Clars Auction Gallery image.
OAKLAND, Calif. – A new world record was set at Clars Fine Art and Antiques Sale on March 16 when a rare Gold Rush-era gambling device described as a Hugh McConnell and Frederick Adolph Will (1837-1912) faro dealing box sold for $20,230 to an Internet bidder. LiveAuctioneers.com provide Internet live bidding for the two-day auction, March 16-17, which realized just over $1 million.
Created in San Francisco by the famed makers, the faro box bore the name F.A. Will on the under slider and was complete with leather case. Faro is a game in which players bet on cards draw from a dealing box. Presale estimate on this faro box was $1,000 to $2,000 and the bidding opened at $500. Fueled quickly by savvy collectors, the price escalated quickly.
The decorative arts category dominating the sale in both excitement and prices realized.
Excitement returned on Sunday when several lots in the decorative arts and furnishings category realized over-the-top prices. A rare Meissen Armorial plate from the “Swan Service” (circa 1737-1741) was decorated with the coat of arms of Count Bruhl, then director of the Meissen factory. Modeled by Kändler and Eberlien, the plate was conservatively estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. Once again, advanced collectors drove the price to $17,850.
An 18th century Italian giltwood carved chandelier, which had been wired for electricity, also solidly surpassed expectations, more than doubling its high estimate. Executed in the Renaissance taste, the fixture hung in the foyer of the Classical Mansion in San Francisco built in 1904 for noted millionaire Julius J. Jack. Expected to achieve a high $7,000, this chandelier brought an impressive $21,420. A second chandelier from this mansion, an America hanging leaded glass fixture also sold for almost twice its high estimate at $7,110.
But perhaps the most surprising lot of the decorative arts offerings was a pair of Chinese export silver teapots. Each of the pots featured a finely hammered ground decorated with exotic flowers, birds and textured reserves in repousse. Presale estimates had this unassuming pair at $500 to $700 but that didn’t last long as they escalated quickly against heated bidding selling in the end for $16,660.
This sale also featured property from the estate of Frank N. and Frances D. Alioto of San Francisco. A pair of monumental, possibly Sevres, scenic vases was offered for $6,000 of the high side but quickly soared to a final sale price of $11,035. Also from the Alioto estate was a Shreve & Co. Renaissance-style sterling silver jardinière, which exceeded expectations realizing $7,735 and a pair of Baccarat crystal candelabra that sold very well at $4,443.
The other categories in this two-day sale also performed well with the highlights of the jewelry offerings being a Hamilton platinum and diamond covered wristwatch selling for solidly within estimate for $21,420 and a fine jadeite and diamond ring in platinum earning $19,040.
In fine art, the headliners were an oil, sand and oxblood on canvas by Nonda (Greek, 1922-2005) titled Poisson, circa 1962, which sold nicely for $9,520 followed by the top lot of the photography offerings. By George Hoyningen-Huene (American/Russian, 1900-1968), his silver gelatin titled, Divers (Horst with Model), Paris, achieved high estimate, selling for $8,925.
In the Asian category, a number of offerings realized much higher than expected prices. Of particular note were two lots, the first being a Chinese underglaze blue porcelain censer, Ming/Qing Dynasty, that was estimated to sell for $800 to $1,200 but achieved a surprising $9,520. Following were two Chinese Mongolian-style tobacco boxes, Qing dynasty. Offered as one lot, these tobacco boxes achieved $8,887 against their high estimate of $700.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
A world record was set at Clars when this rare Gold Rush era gambling device, a Hugh McConnell and Frederick Adolph Will (1837-1912) Faro dealing box, lot 4105, sold to an Internet bidder for $20,230. Clars Auction Gallery image. This rare Meissen Armorial plate from the ‘Swan Service’ (circa 1737-1741) was decorated with the coat of arms of Count Bruhl, then director of the Meissen factory. The plate was conservatively estimated at $6,000 to $8,000 but sold for $17,850. Clars Auction Gallery image. This 18th century Italian giltwood carved chandelier (electrified) surpassed expectations selling for $21,420. This fixture hung in the foyer of a San Francisco mansion built in 1904. Clars Auction Gallery image. The most surprising lot of the sale was this pair of Chinese-export silver teapots. Expected to achieve $500 to $700, heated bidding drove the final sale price to $16,660. Clars Auction Gallery image. This pair of monumental scenic vases, possibly Sevres, was estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 but sold for $11,035. Clars Auction Gallery image. The highlight of the jewelry offerings was this Hamilton platinum and diamond covered wristwatch that sold for $21,420. Clars Auction Gallery image. This oil, sand and oxblood on canvas by Nonda (Greek, 1922-2005) ‘Poisson,’ circa 1962, sold for $9,520. Clars Auction Gallery image.
