Navajo chief’s blanket. Keno Auctions image.
“These clocks were rare then and they are rare now. This one is doubly rare because of its provenance and condition,” said Leigh Keno, president of Keno Auctions.
LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.
“Overall, it was a great sale. There was a diverse group of objects offered, and we had bidders from all around the world via the Internet and telephone bidding. Registered Internet bidders from over 25 countries and extremely active telephone bidding are witness to the excitement generated by the sale. We were very pleased with the results,” said Keno. The sale total was $807,000.
Several of the objects were consigned from the Frederic Remington Museum of Ogdensburg, N.Y., including a collection of Native American items that were collected in the late 19th century. All of the objects attracted spirited bidding from multiple bidders. A Third Phase Navajo cochineal dyed chief’s blanket brought $35,000, a group of three early blankets took in $33,750, and a Crow gun scabbard circa 1880 was hammered down at $10,625.
About these objects, Keno said, “the early date and authenticity of these objects was apparent early on, as we had massive interest in this group. A collection of fresh objects like this rarely comes on the market, as it showed in the active bidding today.”
One of the most sought after lots of the sale was a flea market find: an over 4-foot-tall zinc model of the Statue of Liberty commissioned by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (French, 1834-1904). The consignor was sure that he had purchased something special when he discovered it at the flea market for $200. Multiple bidders from the United States and Europe agreed, as Keno hammered it down for $37,500.
Another recent discovery was a double portrait by the Chinese-American artist Yun Gee (1906-1963), whose scarce paintings were exhibited in an exhibition at the Marlborough Gallery in New York in 2005. The painting had been collected by a New York City couple in the 1930s, but had remained hidden in a relative’s collection until offered for sale this fall. Painted in the Fauvist manner in 1926, it garnered great interest in the run-up to the sale, and made $42,500.
In addition to the Yun Gee painting, the sale featured a number of modern and contemporary works. A collection of six Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989) ink sketches, which he had given to his accountant, collectively brought $23,625, while a Charles Demuth (American, 1883-1935) watercolor made $16,250, and a large Esteban Vicente (American, 1903-2001) oil achieved $35,000.
An Iconic Wharton Esherick (American, 1887-1970) music stand with beautiful lines sold for $23,750, while a Hans Wegner (Danish, 1914-2007) swivel chair in original condition made $16,250. A rare Alexander Calder (1898-1976) artist’s proof tapestry did well, bringing $12,500, a record for the form.
There was also a representation of traditional artwork, highlighted by the Haskell of American and European painting from the Remington Museum. All of these pieces had not been on the market since the early 20th century. Works included a William Trost Richards (American, 1835-1905) oil seascape that sold for $31,250 and an Edmund Darch Lewis (American, 1835-1910) landscape that brought $20,000. From a private collection, came an elegant portrait by Charles Webster Hawthorne (American, 1872-1930) titled Morning Chocolate that made $36,250.
Afterwards, Leigh Keno commented about the range of objects. “We had bidders from all over the world competing for a wide range of objects. Overall the bidding was strong, with the top prices paid for fresh, high quality objects.”
Keno Auctions next sale will be during Americana Week in January.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Navajo chief’s blanket. Keno Auctions image. Howard regulator clock. Keno Auctions image. Yun Gee self-portrait. Keno Auctions image. Statue of Liberty model. Keno Auctions image. Esherick music stand. Keno Auctions image.
