DENVER, Pa. – Previews are always especially busy at any of Morphy’s fine and decorative art auctions because of the broad variety of categories represented. By that token, the company’s sprawling Pennsylvania gallery should be buzzing with activity prior to their Sunday, Sept. 13 auction, as the inventory includes 835 lots of premium-quality jewelry, coins, antique clocks, mechanical music and fine and decorative art of every imaginable type. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
The expansive selection of fine jewelry runs the gamut of precious metals and gemstones fashioned as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets; and also includes timepieces by prestigious watchmakers such as Rolex. Lot 386, a sophisticated 5.0dwt dinner ring in a platinum setting, displays two sizable diamonds weighing 1.00cts and 1.15cts respectively, with eight tapered, baguette-cut accent diamonds. The stylish ring is expected to make $1,500-$4,500 at auction.
In the numismatic section, one of the most highly prized coins is entered as Lot 273. It’s a 1910 Staint-Gaudens $20 gold piece with Lady Liberty on the obverse. Estimate: $1,200-$1,400.
The rich sounds of mechanical music will fill the gallery whenever Lot 615, a Regina Orchestral 27-inch music box, is activated. Originally a coin-operated model, the machine is now set up to play in continuous mode. Standing 79 inches tall, it is accompanied by one dozen 27-inch discs provided for the new owner’s immediate enjoyment. The music box is estimated at $6,000-$8,000.
Keeping an eye on the time will not be difficult for auctiongoers. They can count on the precision of Lot 767, a 59-inch-tall Howard & Co. of Boston wall clock. Housed in a walnut case and in excellent condition with pendulum, the stately American timekeeper could reach $3,000-$5,000 on auction day.
Among the many appealing decorative art objects to be auctioned is a J.P. Mene bronze on marble base of a jockey riding a horse. Nicely detailed, with no signs or damage or repair, the properly marked 14-inch-tall bronze is cataloged with a $2,000-$3,000 estimate.
An extensive collection of figural cast-iron doorstops includes forms replicating animals, people, buildings and more. Within the lineup are many rarely seen designs, such as Lot 77, made by Judd Co., and titled The West Wind. It is a depiction of a beautiful little girl walking among flowers as the “west wind” billows around her blue smock-type dress and blond pigtailed hair. A book example with great presence and size, the near-mint, 18-inch-tall doorstop is expected to attract bids in the vicinity of $3,000-$4,000.
The auction will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern.
For details contact Morphy Auctions by calling 717-335-3435 or email serena@morphyauctions.com.