MONROVIA, Calif. – John Moran Auctioneers’ Traditional Collector catalog Oct. 2 featured a wide array of Continental furniture and decorative arts, Chinese and Japanese antiques, and American, European and Russian silver, all offered alongside works of art by American and European artists. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
Some of the evening’s most hotly contested lots were silver selections by a variety of European and American makers. Bidders online were enamored with an extensive Towle Georgian sterling silver flatware service (above) consigned from a private collection. Composed of 306 pieces, the service was initially expected to bring between $5,000 and $7,000, which was immediately outstripped, ending in an $11,250 price realized through LiveAuctioneers. All prices realized include Moran’s 25 percent buyer’s premium.
A George III sterling silver soup tureen by maker Paul Storr dating to 1812 was brought to the block with an $8,000 to $12,000 estimate, bringing $10,000 thanks to interest online and in the room (below).
A handsome eight-piece Florentine .800 silver tea service with galleried tray brought $2,250 (estimate: $2,000-$3,000). A finely finished Austrian enameled and gem-set ewer with oviform body achieved a $2250 selling price, over the $800/1200 estimate.
One of the earliest bidding wars to crop up on Tuesday was for a charming sketch by British artist, poet and author Edward Lear (1812-1888). One of the artist’s earlier works dating to 1837, Alderly depicted figures walking through a park. After a heated bidding war fueled by online bids, the piece earned $5,000 (estimate: $1,500-$2,500).
Additional fine art highlights included a baroque oil painting depicting the History of Alexander the Great, executed in the manner of Flemish painter Frans Francken II the Younger (price realized: $6,250; estimate: $5,000-$7,000).
Realizing an impressive $11,250, a highly detailed interior church scene with women waiting for devotion dating to 1868 by Belgian artist Juliaan de Vriendt (1842-1935) inspired multiple bidders to sign up to vie for the work via telephone (estimate: $8,000-$12,000).
A number of clocks from the estate of Harry J. O’Connor III were featured in this catalog, including Continental tall-case, desk and mantel clocks. A Swiss carved linden wood William Tell-motif tall case clock modeled after the Tell monument by sculptor Richard Kissling (1848-1919) from the O’Connor estate earned $16,250 (estimate: $5,000-$8,000) (PHOTO 4). A French chinoiserie gilt bronze-mounted tall case clock dating to the 18th century was offered with a $5,000-$7,000 estimate. The piece proved exceptionally popular among online and floor bidders, bringing $11,875 at the block. A nicely modeled period French Empire gilt-bronze figural mantel clock surmounted by a standing figure of Empress Josephine sold above estimate for $2,000-$3,000.
A pair of Russian Imperial porcelain vases found a buyer online at $8,125 (est. $8,000-$12,000) .
A set of English target/dueling pistols by London maker Henry Nock dating to the late 18th/early 19th century earned $5,937 (est. $1,000-$2,000).
A contemporary backstaff, a navigational instrument used to measure the altitude of the sun or moon, in the style of earlier 18th century examples achieved an impressive $4,062 price realized (est. $800-$1,200).
A monumental Japanese cloisonné vase decorated with irises and birds on a yellow ground was expected to bring $2,000-$3,000; floor bidders brought the price up to $3,125.
For more information regarding any auctions past or present or to speak to a specialist regarding consignment, contact John Moran Auctioneers email info@johnmoran.com or telephone: 626-793-1833.
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