THOMASTON, Maine – An important collection of firefighter memorabilia and tools will fire up bidding at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries three-day summer sale on Aug. 23, 24 and 25. This auction will also serve up an extensive inventory of paintings, sculpture and folk art from the East, West and around the world. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
“There’s nothing better than a summer auction packed with rare and one-of-a-kind pieces that exhilarate and excite collectors. We’ve worked hard to build a sale that will raise the pulse of bidders near and far,” said Thomaston Place owner and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux.
A rare mid-19th century painted leather Boston fireman’s parade helmet (above) mounted with a full-body reclining greyhound dog and engraved silver presentation plaque will lead the firefighter collection. There will be a pair of 1870s period oil on tin fire pumper decorative panels depicting allegories of abundance and liberty by Philadelphia commercial artist J. Shreeve. This collection will also include painted leather fire buckets, early firefighting paintings, prints and photos, a trumpet, hose nozzles, firehouse desks, badges and advertising items.
On Friday, the auction will feature Maine paintings and sculptures, folk art, country furniture, and marine items. There will be artwork by: Andrew Wyeth (Pa./Maine, 1917-2009), John Marin (N.Y./ Maine /France, 1870-1953), Dahlov Ipcar (Maine /Vt., 1917-2017), Mark Wethli (N.Y./ Maine, 1949-), Judd Hartmann, Maine, 1948- ), Waldo Peirce (N.Y./ Maine /Mass,. 1884-1970), William Thon (Maine /N.Y./Italy, 1906-2000), Ron Frontin (Maine, 1962- ), Eric Hopkins (Maine /Conn., 1951-), Edward Potthast (N.Y./Ohio, 1857-1927) and Michael Karas (Maine /S.C./Mass., 1954- ).
Other Friday highlights will include: a large group of early weathervanes, led by an American copper Indian chief weathervane, probably by J.L. Mott Iron Works; six lots of miniature decoys by Massachusetts master carver Elmer Crowell (1852-1953); a large 19th century painted pine 48-drawer apothecary cabinet; an unusual carved owl decoy; a State of Maine seal-form carved and painted plaque; eleven ship models, and a variety of carved walking sticks.
In addition to the firefighter collection, Saturday’s offerings will include fine art, antique furniture, firearms, Asian objects, and antiquities. John Stobart’s (Mass./Fla., 1939- ) ship painting titled New Orleans, 1871 and Jasper Francis Cropsey’s (N.Y., 1823-1900) Starrucca Viaduct (Pa.), likely a study for his 1865 masterpiece by the same name, will lead the art category, along with works by John Frederick Kensett (N.Y./Conn, 1816-1872), Armin Carl Hansen (Calif., 1886-1957), Otto Summer (N.Y./Germany, 1811-1911), Winslow Homer (Mass./ Maine, 1836-1910), Montague Dawson (UK, 1890-1973), Frederick Childe Hassam (N.Y./Mass., 1859-1935), and Edward Borein (Calif., 1872-1945).
Featured early furniture will include: an important pair of Federal period shaped top card tables in mahogany and bird’s-eye maple, a New Hampshire Sheraton sideboard in rampant tiger maple, a rare French 14th century Gothic sacristy cabinet, and an exquisite Georgian Irish walnut hall table with an ornately carved apron. The firearms category will highlight a large collection of cannons.
Noteworthy among the 116-lot Asian group is a 15th–16th century Thai Buddha head in carved granite, a 19th Century Chinese celadon jade bowl with remarkable figural carvings and a Chinese Ming Dynasty pottery writhing sea dragon sculpture. Also of interest on Saturday will be a circa 150 A.D. finely woven Peruvian Nazca Sihuas Culture ceremonial mantle (below) in spectacular condition with rich, vibrant colors and a 12th century French architectural limestone fragment depicting St. John mourning at the cross.
On Sunday, the sale’s focus with shift to 19th and 20th century decorative arts. Leading the fine art category will be two mixed media works by Henri Laurens (France, 1885-1954) titled La Femme a la Guitare and Guitare et Compotier. A Maurice Utrillo (France, 1883-1955) painting depicting the East Bank of Paris in winter will be presented, along with artwork by Jean Dufy (France, 1888-1964), Josep Roca-Sastre (Spain, 1928-1997), Anne Estelle Rice (Pa., 1879-1959), Charles Woodbury (Maine /Mass., 1864-1940), Emile Gruppe (Mass., 1896-1978), and Harriet Goodhue Hosmer (Mass./Italy, 1830-1908).
An exceptional and rare Tiffany Art Nouveau mahogany boudoir desk with inset Favrile glass scarabs will lead the Sunday furniture collection. There will also be a Brunswick monarch pool table with rosewood inlaid case, two lots of leather and chrome Barcelona chairs; and a selection of Eldred Wheeler handcrafted custom furniture
Seven vehicles will be offered, such as a 2012 Harley Davidson FL 103 motorcycle, a 2005 Jaguar XK8 convertible and 1932 Essex Super Six street rod.
Other Sunday highlights will include: a collection of early 20th century Tiffany Studios art glass, including a bronze and Favrile glass lily desk lamp; a 19th century Moser enameled and jeweled art glass ewer; a natural salt water pearl necklace with diamond set 18K gold and platinum clasp; three men’s Rolex watches; two Georg Jensen silver compotes; and two sets of Tiffany & Co. English King pattern sterling flatware.
And as always, the auction will include large collections of Oriental carpets, porcelain, lighting and fine timepieces.
The auction will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time each day.
For details contact Thomaston Place Auction Galleries at 207-354-8141.
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