MT. CRAWFORD, Va. – A rare 17th century English clock made by Samuel Betts of London sold for a record price of $109,250 during the firm’s 26th semiannual cataloged auction of Americana, antiques, and fine and decorative arts, held June 21. The winning Australian buyer won the clock through LiveAuctioneers.com in a heated battle against seven phone bidders and numerous other Internet bidders.

The circa 1650-1665 ebonized-case bracket clock, with engraved brass dial signed “Samuel Betts London” in script, featured a double-fusee movement. It carried a pristine provenance, coming from the collection of Kenneth Henry Leach, who purchased the clock circa 1911-1912 from an antique shop in rural England; thence by descent to the consignor Maurice Derby Leach Jr. and Virginia Baskett Leach, of Lexington, Va. The clock also came with an extensive examination report prepared for the Leach family in 1991 by W. David Todd of the Smithsonian Institution.

Samuel Betts (active 1645-1673) was an important early English clockmaker who made both watches and bracket clocks. Betts is often associated with Edward East (1610-1693), who is generally regarded as one of the finest clockmakers of the period and served as clockmaker to Charles I and Charles II.

As always, Evans and his staff offered a fine selection of important Virginia furniture and decorative arts, which drew strong interest and heated bidding. Leading the way was a rare mahogany Chippendale side chair attributed to the shop of Robert Walker in Fredericksburg, circa 1745-1760, with a lovely shaped crest and heavily scrolled ears. It sold for $28,750 against a $3,000-$5,000 presale estimate to an advanced Virginia collector (Lot 434). Several other early Virginia chairs were offered including a circa 1785-1795 mahogany transitional Chippendale corner or smoking chair from the Petersburg, Va., area. It had descended in the prominent Sydnor family of Richmond and Petersburg and sold for $16,100 against the $5,000-$8,000 estimate (Lot 433). Case furniture included a fine figured walnut Chippendale desk with a slightly later bookcase top, made in the Tidewater area circa 1760-1780, that survived in fine condition. The condition, combined with its direct descent through 10 generations of the Woodhouse and Davis families of Virginia, pushed its final selling price to more than 10 times its low estimate ending at $23,000 (Lot 443).

The auction offered an array of fine art including a Porfirio Salinas landscape painting measuring only 8 1/2 by 11 1/2 inches, depicting a lush field of bluebonnets. Salinas’ work is much admired in Texas and attracted strong attention from bidders in that part of the country, selling for $8,050, far over the estimate of $1,000-$2,000 (Lot 636).

Among the decorative objects offered, a Limoges dinner plate from the Lincoln White House sold to a descendant of Mary Todd Lincoln for a strong result, realizing $9,200, even though the rim had sustained significant damage in one area. Its estimate was reasonable, $300-$500, and its final price proves the adage that rarity sells well even if condition moderates the price paid (Lot 659). The plate had recently surfaced and was formerly in the collection of Dorothy Fowler Cooper of Washington, D.C.

After the auction company president and head auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “Outstanding fresh-to-the market merchandise with no reserves and conservative estimates continues to excite bidders. This is especially true for Southern material that retains its provenance. Buyers are looking for pieces that tell a story that they can relate to.” He went on to add, “One of our main objectives when cataloging is to bring out these stories, place the material within an historical context, and research and record as much of the history/provenance of the piece as possible. That is what brings these objects to life and engages collectors.”

The 679-lot auction realized $544,000 including the 15 percent buyer’s premium. More than 2,500 bidders from 31 different countries registered for the sale.

For further information email info@jeffreysevans.com or call 540-434-3939.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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ATLANTA – A mahogany carved and figured Queen Anne highboy, likely originating from Massachusetts and dating between 1730 and 1750, sold for $32,500 at a huge, high-end estates auction held June 6-8 by Ahlers & Ogletree. The highboy was one of the outstanding pieces in the private collection of Dorothy Edwards of Atlanta and proved to be the top lot of the auction.

LiveAuctioneers.com facilitated Internet live bidding.

Close behind was an English, mid-18th century George II mahogany wood tilt-top table with a round top having a floral carved border raised on a beaded and gadrooned shaft on a tripod base with acanthus leaf motif, and an early 19th century ebonized and gilt carved Empire table with white square marble top, made by noted cabinetmaker and craftsman Charles-Honore Lannuier (French/American, 1779-1819) of New York City. Both tables brought hammer prices of $30,000 each.

“Period furniture did particularly well in this auction, a category that has been somewhat soft in past years, and I attribute the success of our sale to strong British participation, both among phone bidders and online bidders,” said Robert Ahlers of Ahlers & Ogletree. “However, we had strong bidding in other categories which did perform well, too. These included fine sterling silver, Art Nouveau furniture and decorative art, musical devices and even Greek pottery.”

The auction was originally planned as a two-day event, but so much great merchandise poured in during the days leading up to the sale, there was no choice but to add a third day (June 6). Just over 1,100 lots of fresh estate items came up for bid in all, including a large number of Asian objects and artifacts, estate jewelry, fine artwork, Persian rugs, mirrors, antique clocks and more.

The following are additional highlights from Ahlers & Ogletree’s June auction. All prices quoted below and noted above are hammer prices, exclusive of a sliding scale buyer’s premium.

Of the clocks in the sale, the top performer was a Federal eagle-inlaid and figured mahogany tall case clock, attributed to the New Jersey clock maker Matthew Egerton (active 1785-1837), 97 1/2 inches tall, which rose to $23,500. Its upper portion showed a hand-painted hot air balloon, possibly documenting the first hot air balloon flight in the States. A 19th century French Aiguilles brass carriage clock with beveled glass paneled sides and maker-inscribed movement, hammered for $6,500.

From the fine art category, an original oil on canvas by the Dutch painter Charles Sayers (1901-1943), titled Bali Market Scene (1938), signed and dated and depicting people buying and selling wares at market, brought $17,000. Also, a hand-woven and palace-size Persian serapi carpet with floral design, 11 feet by 17 feet 8 inches, finished at $12,000.

A late 19th century Regina “Corona” Model 34 oak-cased upright double-combed nickelodeon music player, with a glass front and frosted accents to showcase 12 large-toothed music discs within the changer, reached $14,000. A circa-1900 French Galle Art Nouveau marquetry inlaid music cabinet with ornate floral and butterfly motif, Galle signed, hit $12,000.

From lamps and lighting, an American, circa-1910 Duffner & Kimberly leaded glass and gilt bronze table lamp, 30 inches tall, with a 20 1/2 inch shade composed of burgundy, cobalt blue and opalescent glass tiles, lit up the room for $9,000. A pair of 18th century matching George III ebonized and parcel gilt wood torcheres with pierced woven motif, wowed the crowd for $8,500.

Among the numerous pieces of fine sterling silver, one of the best items, a George III sterling silver lidded soup tureen made by Rebecca Eames and Edward Barnard I  (London, circa 1809) with facial mounts and leap tip motif and weighing 112.1 troy ounces, garnered $9,000; and a pair of George III sterling silver covered round vegetable dishes, made by Robert Garrard (London, circa 1811) with beaded, shell, leaf and gadrooned motif hit $8,000.

A hand-colored map engraving of London on four sheets laid down by Georg Balthasar Probst (German, 1673-1748), with a view of the Thames River and identifying over 200 locations and geographic sites, fetched $7,000; and a third quarter 18th century map of Paris by Johann Georg Hertel, also a hand-colored map engraving, with 48 locations identified, commanded $6,500.

Two pieces of ancient pottery from the Edwards Collection sold for $6,500 each. One was a Greek double-handled Pelike vase with red figures on each side (women and winged figures) accented in cream and black, 13 1/2 inches tall. The other was an Italian Campanian fish pottery plate with a squid and two fish on top and the sides decorated with a wave motif, 7 1/2 inches in diameter.

Rounding out the sale’s top lots were a matched pair of English two-tiered side tables composed of ebonized wood with a bone spindle gallery on each level, raised on brass wheeled casters, went for $12,500; and a third quarter 18th century pair of finely executed George III period gilt wood wall mirrors with scrolled foliate and floral decoration on the sides, 43 inches tall, sold for $9,500. A pair of 18th century matching George III ebonized and parcel gilt wood torcheres with pierced woven motif brought $8,500.

Ahlers & Ogletree is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, call 404-869-2478 or email consignments@AandOauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the Aug. 9-10 Summer Estates Auction, please visit www.AandOauctions.com.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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CINCINNATI – Cowan’s Auctions American History: Live Salesroom Auction on June 13 totaled $986,772 in sales. The 608-lot auction included scarce daguerreotypes, manuscripts, books, maps, political campaign ephemera, flags, photographs of the American West and fresh-to-the-market 19th century photography. Also featured in the June 13 auction was the Paul DeHaan Collection of items related to Adm. David Glasgow Farragut and his flagship, the USS Hartford. Strong phone bidding drove the prices of many of the lots well past their estimates.

LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.

“Friday the 13th proved to be a day of great success for Cowan’s Auctions. From the Civil War to the American West and beyond, Cowan’s achieved incredibly strong prices for a wide range of photographs, documents, manuscripts and other ephemera in our June 13 American History sale,” noted Katie Horstman, director, American history. “We were delighted with the enthusiastic response we received for the historic collectibles that were offered in the auction.”

Two items shared the top selling lot position in the June 13 sale. Over 10 phone bidders battled back and forth for a rare California gold quartz pocket watch, which eventually sold to a phone bidder for $37,600. A flute owned by African American musical prodigy Blind Tom also sold for $37,600. Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins was born a slave on a Georgia plantation, where he eventually encountered his first instrument, the piano. General James N. Bethune caught word of the boy and began to exhibit him around the South, eventually securing an audience with President James Buchanan at the White House in 1860, which was possibly the first featured performance of an African American musician in that venue.

Items from the Paul DeHaan Adm. Farragut Collection also achieved strong results. An oil on canvas attributed to William Stubbs and depicting the Battle of Mobile Bay nearly doubled its estimate of $5,000-$7,000 and sold for $10,575, a handwritten draft signed by Rear Adm. D.G. Farragut of the victory at Mobile Bay garnered $8,225, and a sheet iron weather vane of a ship’s captain, modeled after Adm. Farragut brought $5,875.

Documents and manuscripts performed well in the auction, with many pieces exceeding their estimates. A CSA Lt. William M. Owen Washington artillery manuscript archive quadrupled its estimate of $4,000-$6,000 and sold for $18,800. An Austin & Cyril Hawkins archive with a focus on the California Gold Rush also realized $18,800. A Louisiana Purchase Exposition / St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904 archive involving Thomas Cridler, the European commissioner for the fair, sold at $12,925. A collection of criminal photographs from Montana Old West Prison Outlaws realized $11,162. An 1863 Abraham Lincoln commission signed as president, for Thomas H. Ruger, brigadier general, realized $8,225.

Historical photography was featured in the auction. A rare CDV of the escaped slave “Gordon” displaying scars on his back trumped its estimate of $2,500-$3,500 and hammered down at $13,200. A salt print by Vannerson of the freed Richmond slave Gilbert Hunt realized $7,800, and a cabinet card photograph of “Comanche Jack” Stilwell realized $7,050.

Additional notable lots in the June 13 auction included a remarkable table constructed of relic wood from famous naval ships by Cmdr. Joseph P. Mickley, which sold for $17,625. An Oxford Lectern Edition of the Holy Bible realized $10,575, a New York Draft Riots broadside titled “Don’t Unchain the Tiger” sold for $8,225, and a scarce William Henry Harrison campaign flag banner hammered down at $7,637.

For more information about the auction call Horstman at 513-871-1670 ext. 236.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A large, important 19th century Chinese porcelain screen consisting of four large panels – each one Famille Rose, with mountain scenes and elders – sold for $126,900 at a Fine Asian Carvings & Works of Art Auction held June 14 by Elite Decorative Arts.

LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.

The porcelain screen, a truly gorgeous piece with the four panels mounted in a carved wooden frame and measuring 38 1/2 inches by 46 3/4 inches, was the top lot of the sale.

Just under 50 people held bidder cards in person at the event, while thousands more participated online.

“There’s always a strong Internet component whenever we feature Asian items,” said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts, adding that a handful of people submitted left (absentee) and phone bids.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 21 percent buyer’s premium for winning bids submitted online, and 18 percent for in-person and phone bids.

Chinese red coral carvings are always a huge hit with collectors and this sale had several great examples. One grouping, depicting a family tree, with birds and a carved flower arrangement, 15 1/2 inches tall, was the auction’s second top lot, bringing $90,750. Also, a massive hand-carved red coral depicting a Quan Yin, 9 1/2 inches tall on a 1-inch footed base, topped out at $30,250.

Another Chinese carved red coral rendering of a Quan Yin dressed in a beautiful carved gown standing on a patch of flowers, standing 7 inches tall, changed hands for $5,566; while a large Chinese carved red coral grouping of a Quan Yin with children, boasting a fabulous carved detail of a bird of paradise holding a necklace to the back of the Quan Yin’s head, topped out at $6,665.

A palace-size Chinese porcelain Famille Rose fish bowl from the Guangxu Period (circa 1875-1908), 21 3/4 inches in diameter, with cleverly painted fish to the interior and the exterior displaying dragons, birds and flora climbed to $16,520. A Chinese silver dragon footed bowl with two dragon handles and various panels of dragons and people throughout realized $3,509.

Japanese lots were highlighted by an ink and brush watercolor painting by the noted and listed French/Japanese painter Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita (1886-1968), titled The Bolivian Shepherd, artist signed and dated 1932. It achieved $18,150. Also, an antique Japanese Tsuba Samurai sword guard made of 22K gold, bronze and copper and showing a puppeteer and a rat in a kimono, hit $4,961.

A pair of 19th century Japanese bronze and mixed metal floor vases, both 30 inches tall with gold peacocks to the front and rooster handles and niello trim to the top and bottom, went for $8,772, and a vintage Japanese heavy bronze planter, 14 1/2 inches tall and depicting two warriors holding up a heavy bronze planter, finished at $3,993.

A pair of 18th century Chinese yellow porcelain rice bowls sold as single lots. One, 5 1/2 inches in diameter, brought $5,566, while the other, 4 1/2 inches in diameter, sold for $3,751. Also, a late 19th century Chinese silver hand mirror with dragon jade handle, 8 inches long, with carved jade floral disk to the top of the mirror and eight small round jade disk inserts, topped out at $4,838.

Two late 19th or early 20th century Famille Rose covered vases, 17 1/2 inches tall and depicting Quan Yin surrounded by foo dog handles and finial, with attached tops, wowed the crowd for $8,722. Also, a rare Chinese antique hand-painted enameled Grisaille-decorated yellow ground planter with a flower and leaf design over yellow ground, circa the Qing Dynasty, made $5,324.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s major highlights, an outstanding pair of Chinese sterling silver vases, each one standing 7 1/2 inches tall and depicting scenes of warriors among the mountains in relief, with dragon handles, breezed to $4,840, and a Chinese hand-painted enameled porcelain plaque attributed to He Xu Ren, with a winter scene and poem, hit $4,719.

For further information call Elite Decorative Arts at 561-200-0893 or email an inquiry to info@eliteauction.com.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery’s June 14-16 Fine Art, Jewelry and Decoratives Auction will go down as the firm’s most successful June sale in their history and ninth-highest performing sale overall. Total sales achieved over $1.6 million with Asian winning highest sale of the auction.

LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.

A lot of five Chinese hardwood and huanghuali official’s hat armchairs achieved the event’s highest price of $143,800 against its high estimate of $40,000. Following close behind were two Chinese hardwood and huanghuali small compound cabinets that brought $131,000 (estimate: $15,000 to $20,000). Both of these top sellers came to the sale through the Edward Gerber Estate.

An exciting surprise was realized during the Saturday session on a Himalayan thangka, Amitayus. Thee estimate on this piece was $700 to $900 but, in typical auction style, this lot skyrocketed to $15,500.

Fine jewelry came on strong with exceptional results. A fine jadeite and platinum ring, which featured one free-form jadeite cabochon measuring approximately 15.9 x 8.47 x 5.20mm, sold within estimate for $29,000. A pair of diamond and yellow gold stud earrings featuring two brilliant cut diamonds achieved $6,500.

An oil on panel by Emilio Sanchez-Perrier (Spanish, 1855-1907) titled Man in a Boat on a Lily Filled Pond sold for $17,900. A painting titled Miss Chy Thanh Nhan #3, by Do Quang Em (Vietnamese, b. 1942) sold for $10,700.

Turning to American works, a combined group of seven earthenware sculptures by Beatrice Wood (1893-1998) sold for $13,800. From Samuel L. Margolies (1897-1974), a dry point etching, circa 1940, titled Men of Steel went for $7,700. A new global record was achieved for Clyde Frederick Kelley (1886-1965) when his oil on canvas board titled The Soul Saver flew past high estimate selling for $5,355. In photography, a gelatin silver print by Richard Misrach (b. 1949) titled Saguaro #7, from the Saguaro Suite Arizona, brought $5,000.

A new world record for a Koran pierced brass box in the Safavid style was also set at Clars’ June sale. Coming from the Edward Gerber Estate, this offering was expected to sell for $300 to $500 but high demand for its form and beauty, drove the selling price to $5,000 selling to a Middle Eastern Sheikh.

Sterling from Tiffany & Co., New York, was the high seller in this category. A sterling silver flatware service in the Olympian multimotif pattern, 1878, sold extremely well achieving $7,800. And from the same time period but coming from France, an ormolu mounted and champlevé decorated clock executed in the Renaissance taste, sold for $5,600.

For more information contact Clars by email: info@clars.com or call 510-480-0100.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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