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Statement antiques go big at Fontaine’s Sept. 22 auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
antiques
The top lot of this auction was a pair of gilt bronze 15-light chandeliers, with three figural maidens, that sold above high estimate at $51,425. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery image

PITTSFIELD, MASS. – Traditional antiques made a big splash at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s antiques and fine art auction on Sept. 22. The auction achieved robust prices across the board with a wealth of choice antiques from fine art to lighting, including several statement pieces that will transform their new homes. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

“The auction grossing over $1 million was extremely diverse and we were pleased to see buyers embrace traditional antiques, such as Tiffany table lamps, gilt chandeliers and marble statuary,” said John Fontaine, owner of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery.

Lighting is always a strong performer here and this auction was no exception. The top lot of the auction was a pair of gilt bronze 15-light chandeliers (above) that went above its high estimate to bring $51,425 from a floor bidder present in the gallery. The chandeliers have a tapered and fluted center post with arrow feathers pointing from the top with three figural maidens supporting large cornucopias, 51 inches tall, they were removed from a local mansion.

Not surprisingly, Tiffany Studios table lamps also did well in the sale. A trio of standout examples featured a 16-inch Apple Blossom lamp that went mid-estimate at $26,015, an 18-inch green linen fold lamp going just above high estimate at $21,780 and a 12-light Lily lamp with 12 tubular stems over a bronze pond lily pad base, also going out at $21,780.

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A Tiffany Studios 12-light Lily table lamp with 12 long tubular stems and a bronze pond lily pad base brought $21,780. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery image

Fontaine’s usually has exceptional sculptures and this time out, it boasted two carved marble sculptures, one of which kicked off the auction. Lot 1 was Sogno D’Amore (Cupid Dreaming) in Carrara marble that attained $36,300. The 56½-inch-tall sculpture depicted a sleeping figure of Cupid with his quiver laying at the base, above him a partially nude figure of a winged Psyche floated in the clouds.

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A carved Carrara marble sculpture titled ‘Sogno D’Amore,’ 56½ inches tall, achieved $36,300. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery image

A Fratelli Romanelli (Italian, 19th-20th century) sculpture, 34 inches tall, of a young girl soared over its $6,000-$8,000 estimate to hit $18,755. The girl was shown sitting on a tree stump holding a garment across her body in her left hand, with roses, grapevines and filigree on the garment and along the base.
With an extremely diverse lineup, this auction ran the gamut from A (architectural elements) to W for Wurlitzer jukeboxes. The latter category saw three Wurlitzers from 1940-41 bring $11,795, $8,470 and $7,260.
Among the massive architectural pieces on offer was a monumental figural carved walnut fireplace mantel, circa 1880, which brought $18,150. Flanking the piece were two large Atlas figures standing with garments tied at the waist and having one hand at their hip and the other on the top of their head. A large frieze panel was elaborately carved with swirling filigree, birds, winged griffins and maiden’s head with an overhanging top. The mantel measured 108½ by 81½ inches.

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A monumental figural carved walnut fireplace mantel, circa 1880, with two large Atlas figures, went out at $18,150. The piece measures 108½ by 81½ inches. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery image

Another standout piece that made the auction’s top five list was a Regina style 35-disc changer music box in a mahogany bow front case that outperformed its $12,000-$15,000 estimate to realize $30,250.

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Hitting all the right notes in the auction was this Regina style 35-disc changer music box in a mahogany bow-front case that sold for $30,250.

A number of fine jewelry lots crossed the block, led by a pair of Tiffany & Co. platinum and diamond floral pendant stud earrings (below) going above high estimate to earn $20,575 and a 3-carat diamond and 18K gold ring centered with a six-prong set stone surrounded by 20 pave diamonds in a horseshoe-shaped bezel for $14,520.

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Jewelry offerings were led by a pair of Tiffany & Co. platinum and diamond floral pendant stud earrings that fetched $20,575. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery image

Rounding out the auction were a 460-piece Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware set in the Francis I pattern, heavily filigree decorated, that made $18,150, a W. & T. Avery English jockey chair in oak with a black leather upholstery and brass tacks for $13,310 and a J. Krejci & Son cylinder organ in a walnut case, also going out at $13,310.

For details contact John Fontaine at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery: 413-448-8922 or info@fontainesauction.com.

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