Federal painted tall clock decorated by Rufus Cole, signed and dated, 1832. Fairfield Auction image.
A local family was sorting the small estate of their aunt when they came across the oil on board of a beach scene and summoned Fairfield Auction to evaluate the painting. It was quickly determined to be a work of the Edward Henry Potthast, probably the best-know painter of beach scenes in American art. The painting was given an auction estimate of $80,000-$120,000 and sent to the Monroe, Conn., auction gallery for sale. It will also be included in Mary Ran’s forthcoming catalog raisonne.
Other American artists represented in the sale include Jack Lorimer Gray, Eric Sloane, Ludwig Bemelmans, Wolf Kahn, Herbert Paus, William S. Macy, Harriet Bowdoin, Adelaide Cole Chase, Harry Pfeiffer and Vincent Glinsky. British and European artists represented include Thomas Sidney Cooper, Gustavo Simoni, Thomas Wainewright, William Lionel Wyllie, Franz Meulen, Niels Bredal, Georges Maroniez and Louis Soonius
A strong collection of modern prints and photographs from a local artist’s estate include works by Sam Francis, Joan Miro, Henry Moore, and Robert Motherwell. Of particular interest is George Rouault’s Old Courtesan from 1937 and a collection of original photographs by Paul Caponigro. Six pencil-signed lithographs by Francisco Zuniga will also be sold.
Several large bronzes will be sold including the iconic Pan of Rohallion by Frederick MacMonnies. The 30-inch figure, cast by Jaboeuf Rouard of Paris, is estimated at $4,000-$6,000. Other bronzes by Antonin Mercie, Charles Marceaux, Emmanuel Villanis will also be sold.
Two heretofore unknown photographs by Margaret Bourke-White will be included in the sale. They include an interior view of the artist’s bedroom and a detail of her dressing table with a constellation design. They were produced by the artist for an biographical article that was apparently never published, but are nonetheless well documented and include notes in the artist’s hand verso.
A strong grouping of books and ephemera includes a signed limited first edition of Roll, Jordon, Roll by Julia Peterkin and Doris Ulman. The book focuses on the lives of former slaves and their descendents on a plantation in the Gullah coastal region of South Carolina and includes 90 photogravures by Doris Ulman. A Disney children’s book signed by Walt Disney, a first edition of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and a small collection of Beatrix Potter books, two signed by the author will also be sold. Of special interest is a period album with over 250 unused patriotic Civil War envelopes.
A small selection of Americana includes an estate found Federal tall clock decorated by Rufus Cole in untouched attic-found condition. With typical grain-painted and stenciled decoration the clock is signed in pencil on the inside throat door by Abraham Cole and dated 1832. An early and vibrant painted game board and two good mill weights will also be sold. A compact Pennsylvania graduated chest with notched corners and a large and impressive Regency convex mirror should also attract bidders.
A group of Native American art features an early Plains pipe bag with quill and beaded decoration, a polychrome kachina doll as well as a parfleche box and excellent Nez Perce cornhusk bag.
A large and impressive collection of lighting from the estate of well-known dealer and collector Jack DeGaetano includes over 30 examples by Handel, Pairpoint and Tiffany. Leading the group is a Handel reverse-painted scenic with palms in a jungle. There is also an array of Pairpoint puffy lamps. Dozens of Handel and Pairpoint bases will also be sold.
Other items of interest include a cased deluxe model Webley & Scott shotgun, a set of Japanese samurai armor with helmet and a Navy Buships “canteen” diver’s watch among a selection of fine men’s watches. A portrait miniature attributed to Moritz Dafflinger, a fine Russian icon of St. Nicholas and several Teplitz Art Nouveau busts should also find bidders.
For more information contact Fairfield Auction at 203-880-5200.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Federal painted tall clock decorated by Rufus Cole, signed and dated, 1832. Fairfield Auction image. Edward Potthast, ‘At The Beach,’ 12 inches x 16 inches, oil on board, signed lower left. Fairfield Auction image. ‘Roll, Jordon, Roll,’ by Julia Peterkin and Doris Ulman, signed limited first edition with 90 photogravures and slipcase, 1933. Fairfield Auction image. Handel reverse-painted table lamp from the Jack DeGaetano estate. Fairfield Auction image.
