THOMASTON, Maine – Art of nearly every genre could be seen at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ July Splendor Sale, held on July 7, 8 and 9. Attracting aggressive bidding, the multifaceted selection united to achieve an overall result of $1.9 million. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated through LiveAuctioneers.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries Owner and Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said: “I was excited to see so much interest in this auction. The great selection of art and decorative rarities certainly brought out the buyers from near and far.”
The top lot was Le Chariot d ’Arras, a painting by French Impressionist Jean-Baptiste Corot, which rose to $120,000 after spirited bidding. A delicate summer landscape work by another 19th-century French artist, Alfred Sisley, brought $53,125; and Reverie, a work by New York painter Irving Ramsey Wiles depicting a contemplative young woman sold for $33,000, surpassing its $10,000-$20,000 estimate. A delightful mixed media work by American outsider artist Bill Traylor of a dancing man and a dog also exceeded its $30,000-$40,000 estimate to fetch $51,000.
Modernist art also fared well. An untitled work by Etel Adnan brought $68,750, and an abstract painting by Auguste Herbin reached $24,000.
The power of the Wyeth name continues to work its magic in Maine. An inscribed original watercolor remarque by Andrew Wyeth on the front endpaper title sheet from the book Christina’s World brought $34,375, against a $2,000-$3,000 estimate, and N.C. Wyeth’s graphite on paper study of pirates sold for $22,800 against a $12,000-$16,000 estimate. Two Andrew Wyeth signed prints were pursued by bidders, bringing results far above estimates.
John of Colchester Vine painting of cows, $12,500. Image courtesy of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Works by other Maine artists posted encouraging results, such as The Ames Brothers, a painting by Emily Landsingh Muir that achieved $24,000 against a $2,000-$3,000 estimate, and Eric Hopkins’ Water and Sky Currents, a watercolor and graphite work that soared past its $5,000-$7,000 estimate and ended at $11,250.
Circa-1890 Navajo rug, $13,750. Image courtesy of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Other artworks that greatly exceeded expectations included William Preston Phelps’ painting depicting a Mount Monadnock, N.H. autumn landscape that secured $18,000; a 19th-century English painting of cows by John of Colchester Vine that earned $12,500; and Einsammes Ufer (Lonely Shore) by German artist Carl Zoph, which surpassed its $1,000-$1,500 estimate and brought $9,375.
Bidders appreciated the Danish mid-century and modern design furniture in the early July sale. A Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair settled at $19,200, surpassing its $6,000-$8,000 estimate, and a rosewood desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen obliterated its $2,000-$2,500 estimate to command $8,400. Two important art pottery vessels by Brother Thomas Bezanson greatly exceeded expectations when they each brought $5,100.
Vase by Brother Thomas Bezanson, $5,100. Courtesy Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
High-flying Chinese lots included a huanghuali wood box with semi-precious stone inlay that reached $33,000, greatly exceeding its $1,000-$1,500 estimate; a pair of round huanghuali wood tables that realized $13,750; and a blue and white porcelain Bleu de Hue bowl that sold for $10,000.
Chinese inlaid huanghuali box, $33,000. Image courtesy of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Two surprises from the jewelry collection included an Egyptian gold necklace with ancient scarab pendants that brought $13,750 against a $1,500-$2,500 estimate, and a vintage platinum ring set with large aquamarine and diamonds that achieved $11,250. Silver lots were also in demand, with a 192-piece set of Tiffany & Co. Shell & Thread pattern flatware bringing $8,750 and a 207-piece set of Georg Jensen Continental flatware scooping up $8,125.
There was enthusiastic bidding for vehicles, including a 2006 Jaguar XJ Super 8 that roared off with $16,800 and a 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 convertible that rolled away with $11,250. Interestingly, a circa-1900 German toy clockwork battleship sailed past its $1,000-$1,500 estimate and sold for $16,800.
Other noteworthy lots included a 1940s-era silver-mounted show saddle and tack by Edward Bohlin that trotted off with $15,000; a large circa-1890 Navajo rug that earned $13,750; a Soumak palace-size carpet that rolled up $10,800; a Lalique art glass Deux Figurines mantel clock that reached $7,200; and a Black Forest carved sculpture in the form of a mother and baby bear that achieved $6,250.
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