CRANSTON, R.I. – A figural charcoal on paper drawing by the renowned portrait artist John Singer Sargent (Mass./UK/Italy, 1856-1925) sold for $22,800 at a two-session auction held Feb. 15 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers. Majolica pieces, fine art and steam engines all fared well in the auction. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
The Sargent drawing (above) was a study for Moloch, the god of material possessions, from the Pagan Gods Mural that adorns the walls of the Boston Public Library. Sargent was approached for this commission by the library’s architects in a project that lasted from 1895-1919. Sargent achieved fame and fortune for his elegant depictions of high society, particularly the portrait Madame X.
Session 1 of the sale, held in the morning, featured an important single-owner collection of steam engines, cast-iron and other pre-World War II toys and other items. Session 2, starting at 12:30 p.m., showcased Bruneau & Co.’s normal mix of antiques, fine art, decorative arts, silver and more, including an outstanding collection of English, German and French Majolica collectibles.
“The Sargent was the second lot in Session 2 and it topped its $10,000-$15,000 estimate, selling to a phone bidder,” said Travis Landry, a Bruneau & Co. specialist and auctioneer. “The drawing carried a huge amount of interest. It was also exciting to see a George Jones pitcher, which I had to drop from $200 to $50 just to get an opening bid, hammer for $900” ($1,125 with premium).
Another George Jones piece – a majolica partridge tureen made in England around 1875, had an estimate of $400-$600 but ended up brining a robust $5,000. The 7-inch-tall tureen featured a figural nesting bird handle atop a leafy lid, with rabbits and oak trees decorating the bowl against a pale blue background. Other majolica pieces in the auction also performed well.
These included a three-piece Minton and English majolica teapot grouping from the late 19th or early 20th century. Included were one Minton lemon teapot with a mushroom lid, one Minton apple blossom teapot and one teapot with an applied branch handle and spout with bird finial. The yellow teapot was marked “Minton John Mortlock.” The group changed hands for $5,000.
“It was great to see that the majolica market is alive and well for the great pieces,” said Kevin Bruneau, president of Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, who added, “It was an amazing day all the way through, from passionate collectors during the steam engine sale in house to international bidders on fine and Asian arts. This sale had a ton of interest. Everyone went home pleased.”
Steam engines proved popular. Top lots included an early 20th century German horizontal steam engine with a large flywheel mounted to a footed casing decorated with stencil designs, retaining some original paint ($1,875); and a group of three early 20th century American steam engine pumps: two horizontal double flywheel pumps and one vertical cast iron electric pump ($1,250).
A Jeff Koons (American, b. 1955) porcelain blue balloon dog in the original box fetched $7,500. The 10½-inch-diameter, striking cobalt blue metallic dog, mounted to a silver mirror-polished plate, was edition #1,495 of 2,300. Koons’s sculptures depict everyday objects, including balloon animals. They’re made from stainless steel, with mirror-finish surfaces. He works in New York.
Also earning $7,500 was a two-piece art glass sculpture by the noted American glass artist Dale Chihuly (b. 1941). The striking creation was an organic abstract yellow and red shell-shaped basket cradling a red and yellow jack-in-the-pulpit footless vase. The sculpture, 7½ inches tall and marked “Chihuly” on the bottom, was in a display having an overall height of 14 inches.
An oil on canvas painting by James Brade Sword (Pa., 1839-1915), depicting Long Pond on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., housed in a 23- by-35-inch frame, gaveled for $5,312. The work, signed “J.B. Sword” lower left, was an Impressionist landscape depiction of the vast greenery that Martha’s Vineyard offers, catching clouds rolling across an evening sky.
A pair of fine, cloisonné Gu vases from the Qing Dynasty rose to $3,438. The powder blue multi-piece construction vases, 19½ inches tall, were decorated with lotus flower, taotie and lingzhi mushroom patterns and displayed vibrant gilt bronze throughout both.
A large standing gilt bronze Buddha, made in Thailand in the 19th century and standing 68 inches tall from finial to feet (77 inches overall, counting the 9-inch wood base), commanded $6,600. The finely cast, gilt Buddha was shown with his arms outstretched and with a pleasant and serene face, mother of pearl eyes and an elaborate robe and sash.
For details contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers at info@bruneauandco.com or 401-533-9980.
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