A set of six Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder Egyptian chairs sold for $22,000. Leighton Galleries image.
Mid-century furniture sold exceedingly well. Highlighting this category was a set of six Niels Vodder teak Egyptian chairs designed by Finn Juhl. The chairs carried an estimate of $6,000-8,000 and after fierce competition between the Internet, floor and phone bidders, they were finally hammered down at $22,000.
Another surprise of the night was a pair of unsigned teak caned-seat benches estimated at $300-500, which were hammered down at $4,300. Rounding out the category was a 1950s Johannes Hansen valet chair designed by Hans Wegner which was hammered down at $6,500 against a $5,000-7,000 estimate, and a pair of Worts Mobler credenzas also designed by Hans Wegner, each bringing $950 against their $800-1,200 estimates.
A fine estate collection of Judaica silver also stirred up some competitive bidding. Among the pieces exceeding their high estimates included a Hanukkah oil menorah selling for $2,200 against a $1,500-2,000 estimate, a German seder plate realizing $2,300 exceeding high estimate of $1,500, and a Sabbath challah plate that reached $1,300 topping its estimate of $800-1,200.
Among the artworks that sold exceedingly well was a Leroy Neiman lithograph Namath which garnered $3,200 (est. $300-500), a bronze sculpture after Antoine Barye Running Elephant realized 1,800 (est. $400-600), an A. Carrier bronze Cavalie sold for $1,200 (est. $600-800), an English watercolor portrait of Mr. Thomas Haixby Esq. brought $1,100 (est. $300-500), a Bernard Buffet lithograph Bouquet with Butterflies reached $900 (est. $400-600), and a bronze sculpture of Ben Franklin after Francois-Marie Suzanne realized $700 (est. $300-500).
Bidding also proved strong for jewelry. The sleeper of the night was an amber, amber-style and plastic costume jewelry group that soared past its $250-350 estimate hammering down at $1,900. Other highlights include a 2.25-caret diamond engagement ring selling for $7,500 (est. $6,000-6,500), a gold mechanical Pesag bracelet watch going for $1,500 (est. $1,000-1,200), a yellow gold choker necklace realizing $1,400 (est. $800-1,000), a Tiffany sapphire and diamond ring selling at $1,300 (est. $800-1,200), and a pair of 18K fluted earclips that fetched $500 (est. $250-300).
There were many other lots well exceeding their high estimates throughout the evening. An 18th century Italian inlaid desk was hammered down at $12,000 against a $1,000-1,500 estimate, a Samuel Yellin iron candlestand sold for $4,800 (est. $2,000-3,000), a Japanese carved ivory tusk section reached $1,700 (est. $400-600), a Wedgwood Colonnade china service brought $1,400 (est. $500-700), a Chinese enameled dragon-form ashtray garnered $1,300 (est. $300-500), a pair of polychromed blackamoor figures brought $1,100 (est. $600-800), and a pair of Chinese porcelain figural headrests sold for $850 surpassing its modest estimate of $150-250.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
A set of six Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder Egyptian chairs sold for $22,000. Leighton Galleries image. Eighteenth century Italian inlaid desk, hammer price: $12,000. Leighton Galleries image. Pair of Danish Modern benches, hammer price: $4,300. Leighton Galleries image. Leroy Neiman lithograph ‘Namath,’ hammer price: $3,200. Leighton Galleries image.
