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Minton majolica boar's head tureen with matching fitted tray, est. $40,000-$60,000

Majolica celebrated at Strawser Auction Group May 25, 27-28

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Minton majolica boar's head tureen with matching fitted tray, est. $40,000-$60,000
Minton majolica boar’s head tureen with matching fitted tray, est. $40,000-$60,000

WOLCOTTVILLE, Ind. – A three-day, semi-annual Antique Auction featuring more than 1,800 lots of furniture, silver, estate jewelry, fine art, lighting, glass, porcelain and majolica will be held May 25, 27 and 28 by Strawser Auction Group. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Things will kick off Day 1, Wednesday, May 25, beginning promptly at 3 pm Eastern time, with 627 lots of jewelry, bronzes, furniture, lighting, toys and art. “The jewelry came out of a wealthy estate in Chicago and is unequaled in terms of quality,” said Michael Strawser, the president of Strawser Auction Group and the founder of the Majolica International Society.

Multi-diamond drop pendant on a 14K white gold chain, est. $20,000-$40,000)
Multi-diamond drop pendant on a 14K white gold chain, est. $20,000-$40,000

Lot 27 is a multi-diamond drop pendant displayed on a 14K white gold 18in wheat chain and featuring three diamonds totaling more than 12 carats: a 2.0-carat round brilliant cut diamond set around 18 round brilliant cut diamonds; a 0.85-carat round brilliant cut diamond surrounded by a halo of diamonds; and a spectacular pear-shaped, 8.6-carat main diamond. The necklace is estimated at $20,000-$40,000.

Action will resume on Day 2, Friday, May 27, at 3 pm Eastern time with a large selection of glassware such as Fenton, Carnival glass and art glass as well as ceramics, including 175 majolica and porcelain oyster plates as well as art pottery. In all, nearly 650 lots will come up for bid.

Thomas Downing cylindrical oyster jar with blue decorated lettering, est. $3,000-$5,000
Thomas Downing cylindrical oyster jar, est. $3,000-$5,000

The likely Day 2 star lot is a Thomas Downing (American, 1791-1866) cylindrical oyster jar with blue-decorated lettering, impressed with “T. Downing / Pickled Oysters / No. 5 Broad St. / New York,” and estimated at $3,000-$5,000. Downing was an African-American oysterman who owned New York City’s most famous oyster house.

Day 3, scheduled for Saturday, May 28 and starting at 8 am Eastern time, will contain what Strawser described as “one of the finest selections of majolica we’ve have had in some time, to include the Betsy and Rick Porter collection, which has many rare and important majolica pieces by such makers as Minton, George Jones and others.” Day 3 will feature 560 lots.

The premier lot of Day 3 and of the auction overall is a monumental majolica boar’s head tureen with a matching fitted tray, estimated at $40,000-$60,000. “This is the rarest of all Minton majolica game tureens,” Strawser said. “An example is in the MAAS Powerhouse Museum in Australia.”

Minton majolica teapot in the form of a vulture attacking a snake, est. $30,000-$40,000
Minton majolica teapot in the form of a vulture attacking a snake, est. $30,000-$40,000

Also on offer is a Minton majolica teapot in the form of a vulture attacking a snake, the vulture depicted with a pink neck, brown feathers with black wing tips on a rock mound base. It is the rarest of Minton’s figural majolica teapots, and it is estimated at $30,000-$40,000. Another Minton prize is a majolica Flat Iron cobalt teapot depicting a large white cat on its handle peering down at a mouse with a carrot. Its estimate is $20,000-$30,000.

Minton majolica figure of Europa riding a bull, the only known example, est. $8,000-$12,000
Minton majolica figure of Europa riding a bull, the only known example, est. $8,000-$12,000

Other noteworthy Day 3 majolica offerings will include a circa-1860 Minton majolica figure of Europa riding a bull, the only known example of its type, estimated at $8,000-$12,000. A similar Minton majolica figure was exhibited at the London International Exposition in 1862.

Circa 1870-1880 Native American Navajo saddle blanket, est. $3,000-$5,000
Circa 1870-1880 Native American Navajo saddle blanket, est. $3,000-$5,000

Also worthy of mention is a circa 1870-1880 Native American Navajo saddle blanket that has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000; and a 1985 bronze sculpture of an Indian and eagle by Bob Robertson, titled Sacred Act, which should achieve $800-$1,200.

To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, call Michael Strawser at the Strawser Auction Group at 260-854-2859 (his office) or 260-336-2204 (his cell); or email him at michael@strawserauctions.com. To learn more about the Strawser Auction Group, please visit www.strawserauctions.com.

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