CLEVELAND – A private collection of antique arms, led by an English suit of armor, will open the Oct. 4 auction at Gray’s Auctioneers. Not to be outshone, a huge collection of American decorative, stretch and pressed glass makes its mark in the auction, lots 111 to 299. The glass collection includes notable U.S. manufacturers like Fenton, Imperial and Cambridge. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
The three-quarter suit of armor (above), circa 1630, is displayed on an antique oak pedestal base and stands 54 inches high. It is lot 1 and has an estimate of $10,00-$15,000.
Complementing the armor is a collection of international swords, muskets and pistols. Lot 9 is a circa 1580 German swept hilt rapier with a double-sided, beveled blade. Counter swept quillions and an open scrolling guard reside above a wire-bound grip. A 15th-century Gothic pole ax (below) is lot 6. It has a pierced cutout, convex ax blade and a fluted rear back spike, surmounted by a fluted spike.
Lot 11 is an elegant pair of French dueling foils from the Napoleonic period. The hilts are wrapped in shagreen and twisted wire ending in an etched, beveled pommel. The 34-inch-long triangular fluted, blued and gilt etched blades have matching padded cups, which are engraved “Coulaux & Cie, Klingenthal” with the hallmarks “CB.” Both foils have the original leather and metal engraved sheaths.
Three fleurs-de-lis adorn the 18mm barrel of the French officer’s flintlock pistol in lot 33. The 19th-century Italian-made pistol has elaborately engraved brass mounts and inlaid Napoleonic eagle motifs. An elegant hammered and heavily carved hardwood stock with checkered butt comes complete with an iron ramrod.
A 1808 Afghan Jezail flintlock with an elaborate mother of pearl and brass inlay hilt is lot 24. This British East India Company musket is engraved with crowns, a lion and a marked post 1808 lock plate. The rifle barrel is signed with brass engraved banding, and comes with a leather sling and ramrod. The gun’s action and hammer are not in full working order. The lot includes Kabul Museum deaccession papers from the 1980s.
Lot 78 is a six-piece continental 800 sterling silver tea service with tray, with a gilt wash interior and weighs 168.91 troy ounces. A hand-wrought pattern adorns the two teapots, and the sugar and creamers.
An elegant, electrified gaslight chandelier hangs at lot 105. The four-light American patinated metal fixture can be attributed to Hollingsworth in Boston.
Sparkling in this auction is a large collection of American pattern glass and numerous, well-known manufacturers of carnival, stretch and pressed glass pieces. Included, but not limited to, are Fenton, Imperial, Westmoreland, St. Clair, Degenhart, Dugan and Boyd’s. There is a variety of styles and figures, from open salts to paperweights and figurines to decorative ware.
The auction also includes fine art, furniture and decorative arts.
The auction starts at 11 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
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