Wiederseim auctions Lalique car mascot for record $204,750
Lalique ‘Renard’ fox car mascot, sold in a grouping of five decorative foxes for $204,750. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Wiederseim Associates Inc.
The top lot of the sale was a rare Rene Lalique frosted glass fox-form car mascot “Renard,” the French word for “fox.” Because the mascot was not signed and was amongst hundreds of porcelain and other decorative foxes all out of the same estate, it was understandably not cataloged as a period R. Lalique glass mascot. It was sold as part of a lot with four other decorative foxes all for the single estimate of $100-$150. An alert staffer at RLalique.com spotted the photo and recognized the R. Lalique Renard, likely the rarest and most valuable of all commercial Rene Lalique car mascot models produced in the late 1920s, and placed the great fox in their worldwide auction listings. Soon Wiederseim began receiving inquiries about the piece from all over the world. It was confirmed by worldwide collectors and experts that only five such examples were known to exist prior to the discovery of this one. Wiederseim had seven phone bidders from the UK and USA, two bidders in the room and additional bidders online through LiveAuctioneers.com. Bidding on the mascot opened at $30,000, ultimately narrowing down to a battle between two private collectors from England. The bidding came to a close at $204,750. All prices in this report are inclusive of 20% buyer’s premium.
Another strong price was achieved by a wonderful circa-1900 Marklin battleship Columbia, with clockwork mechanism and original paint decoration in pristine untouched condition. One of the finest examples known, it opened at $30,000, and after very competitive bidding, was knocked down to Rich Garthoeffner, Garthoeffner Gallery in Lititz, Pa., for $81,900.
There was also spirited bidding for the many equine and sporting art paintings. Richard Stone Reeves’ [American, 1910-2005] oil-on-canvas equine portrait of a horse and jockey titled lower left “Berlo/ E. Guerin Up” went for $28,080, while a Franklin Brooke Voss [American, 1880-1953] oil portrait titled “Ruler/Brook Steeplechase 1929 and 1930/Belmont Park/Property of Foxcatcher Farms” garnered $11,115.
A Hubert Shuptrine [American, 1936-2006] watercolor portrait of a bearded man sold for $17,550; and a marvelous Audubon Elephant Folio “Great White Heron,” engraved, printed and colored by R. Havell in 1835 went for $17,550.
Furniture highlights included a rare set of eight Philadelphia Federal mahogany side chairs, circa 1800, which sold for $14,040; an Empire mahogany cabinet in the manner of Joseph Barry, Philadelphia, which realized a surprising $5,557; and a diminutive 19th century Bermuda red cedar chest-on-stand that brought $4,680. An Empire mahogany worktable, 19th century, with a carved spread-winged eagle base, which did six times the high estimate at $3,510.
The extensive and eclectic selection of accessories and decorative objects also yielded some robust results and included a beautiful gilt decorated three-part mirror, circa 1800, with original églomisé panels that made $4,387; a 19th century folk art carved wood standing fox with glass eyes and original paint decoration, $4,680; and a carved bowl with a note stating: “In which Princess Nahienaena’s feather lei was returned to Hawaii from the Marquesas by Reverend James K. Kekela in 1899.” It contained seven feather leis historically worn only by royalty, and sold for a regal $15,210.
Wiederseim Associates’ next auction is scheduled for Saturday Feb. 11, 2012, with Internet live bidding through www.LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information, call 610-827-1910 or 610-574-9010.
View the fully illustrated catalog fro Wiederseim’s Nov. 26 auction, complete with prices realized, online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Lalique ‘Renard’ fox car mascot, sold in a grouping of five decorative foxes for $204,750. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Wiederseim Associates Inc.
Lalique ‘Renard’ fox car mascot, sold in a grouping of five decorative foxes for $204,750. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Wiederseim Associates Inc.
Richard Stone Reeves (American, 1910-2005), ‘Berlo/E. Guerin Up,’ oil on canvas, $28,080. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Wiederseim Associates Inc.
Circa-1900 Marklin Battleship Columbia toy boat, $81,900. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Wiederseim Associates Inc.
Audubon Elephant Folio “Great White Heron,” engraved, printed and colored by R. Havell, 1835, $17,550. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com and Wiederseim Associates Inc.
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