John McInnis to offer 1,800 lots of antiques, art in Jan. 24-27 sale

Monumental German Meissen figural clock, estimate $35,000-$55,000

AMESBURY, Mass. – John McInnis’ 24th-27th, 2019 auction event will feature more than 1,800 lots of important antiques, fine and Asian art; lighting, silver, currency, jewelry and other rarities. This sale, consisting of four themed daily auctions, includes finds from the Burbridge Foundation of Oklahoma City, The Plumer/Barton and Walton family estates from Newbury, Massachusetts, and other private New England collections. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
Day one of the sale – Thursday, January 24th – begins with 325 lots of currencies, coins, badges, and medallions. There’s certain to be high interest in lot #287, a 1934 US Federal Reserve $1,000 bill. This nearly uncirculated note is estimated at $1,300-1,600. And lot #10, a 14K gold 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition medal awarded to architect Sophia Hayden – an icon in the woman’s equality movement – is estimated at $2,500-5,000. Day one also includes 350 lots of silver and jewelry on offer starting at 4pm. Things are twice as nice with lot #559, a platinum and gold double diamond ring, estimated at $10,000-20,000. Lot #560, a 18k gold Patek Philippe lapel watch is estimated at $4,000-8,000. The watch features a yellow gold case enameled with a green dragon holding an arrow in its beak and an enameled wings pin centered by an amethyst. And lot #562, a man’s 18K Gold Tri-Compax Universal Swiss wristwatch, is estimated at $3,000-5,000.

18th-century Patek Philippe open-face lapel watch, estimate $4,000-$8,000

Day two of the sale – Friday, January 25th – features over 400 lots of Asian art. Lot #700, a 43″ tall Chinese bronze censer with provenance to the Burbridge Collection Foundation, is estimated at $10,000-20,000. This 19th century incense burner is decorated in extraordinary detail with solid cast pine tree-form handles, a dragon finial, dragons above foxes, flying elephants, and Fenghuang. Lot #905, a pair of 19th century Chinese porcelain vases, is estimated at $4,000-8,000. They stand nearly two feet tall and are decorated with chrysanthemums and diaper patterns. Lot #872, a 19th century Chinese gilt bronze cloisonné urn, is estimated at $2,000-4,000. This example is detailed with a low relief running floral motif, dragon-from handles, and raised medallions and characters. Lot #792, a carved Chinese Zitan wood sideboard, is estimated at $1,000-3,000. This buffet table, measuring 49″ x 72″ x 22-1/4″ has a scrolled top, a front carved with figures, clouds and dragons, and integrally carved figural drawer pulls. And lot #760, a rare, large 19h century Suzani textile is estimated at $8,000-14,000. It measures 8’6″ X 5’7″ and is embellished in heavy silk embroidery.

19th-century Chinese bronze temple censer, estimate $10,000-$20,000

Day three of this sale – Saturday, January 26th – will tempt buyers with over 500 lots of eye-catching decorative arts and other fine antiques. Lot #1537, a 1600s Indian Vizagapatam dresser box is lac-engraved and is estimated at $2,000-3,000. Lot #1651, an impressive pair of rock crystal table lamps, is estimated at $3,000-5,000. Each measures 36″ tall overall and feature natural rock crystal vasiform bodies. Lot #1222, an elaborate light gilt bronze period chandelier from the Burbridge Collection Foundation, is estimated at $5,000-10,000. This two tiered fixture measures 50″ x 38″ and is decorated with scrolled shells and flora, Greek winged sirens, and scrolled acanthus leaf arms. Lot #1495, a monumental – perhaps one of a kind – last quarter 19th century German Meissen figural clock is estimated at $35,000-55,000. This example measures 29”x 27” x 11-1/2″. It comes to life with sculptures of Father Time, frolicking cherubs holding symbolic props, and a floral encrusted dial ring. And lot #1254, a Lenzkirch bracket clock with a chiming fusee movement is estimated at $2,000-3,000.

Jean Louis Victor Faure (1786-1879), ‘A View of the Forum Romanum’ and ‘The Colosseum,’ estimate for the pair: $80,000-$140,000

Day four of this sale – Sunday, January 27th – is dedicated to fine and classical art. Look for lot #1879, Pierre Felix Fix-Masseau’s (1869-1937), “WWI Renault FT17 Tank and Hapsburg Eagle,” to ignite a bidding battle. Estimated at $3,000-5,000, this marked and signed bronze measures 8-1/2″ x 15″ x 9″. Lot #1901, a pair of Roman-themed paintings by Jean Victor Louis Faure is estimated at $80,000-140,000. These include “A View of the Forum Romanum” and “The Colosseum.” Each is signed, framed, and measure 33″ x 43″ overall. Lot #2000, Theodore Clement Steele’s “Autumn Brown’s County” is estimated at $10,000-20,000. Lot #1906, Auguste Toulmouche’s “Reverie” is estimated at $9,000-14,000. This framed, oil on canvas work is signed and dated 1879. It measures 30-1/2″ x 22″ overall and depicts a daydreaming woman holding a note in one hand. And it’s all work and no play with lot #1823, Benjamin West’s “The Artist In Her Studio.” This framed, signed watercolor features a painter surrounded by glowing, cherubic children holding traditional fine art symbols. It is estimated at $20,000-30,000.