PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Important clocks and all manner of traditional antiques will cross the block at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery on Saturday, May 19, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern. Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
This auction will feature 300 lots, including clocks and watches, furniture, bronze and marble statuary, art glass, Royal Vienna and KPM porcelains, 19th and 20th century lighting, Tiffany windows, carousel figures, Black Forest items, Oriental rugs, and Asian and Russian items.
“We are always pleased to have a standout selection of clocks, which we are well known for,” said owner/auctioneer John Fontaine. “In this auction, we have a fine example of an E. Howard No. 57 wall regulator as well as an R.J. Horner and Elliott mahogany nine-tube grandfather clock along with many other fine clocks as well as antiques across the board.”
The 73-inch-tall Howard regulator (above), estimated at $60,000-$80,000, has its original 14-inch silvered dial and a No. 3 brass eight-day weight-driven time-only movement signed “E. Howard & Co., Boston” in a walnut case. The clock is inscribed as “presented to Joseph S. Waterman, December 1890.”
Also leading the clocks category is an R.J. Horner and Elliott mahogany nine-tube grandfather clock (below) with a striking 12-inch silvered dial signed “Elliott, London, England.” The brass eight-day weight driven movement is signed “J.J. Elliot, 9051” and “H&H” for Harris & Harrington. The ornately decorated clock case is carved with two winged griffins, full standing figures of Chronos “Father Time,” figural maidens busts and a center carved medallion with a scene of a sailing ship. It stands 106 inches tall.
Sharing the block will be a French skeletonized inverted pendulum mantel clock, circa 1820, having a nine-rod gridiron pendulum that swings from a knife edge suspension, a deep green enamel dial signed “Huguenin, a Paris” and gilt Roman hour numerals, 22 inches tall overall.
A number of fine jewelry pieces will be offered, including a 14K gold ring having three prong-set diamonds totaling 9.46 carats, and an 18K pair of Russian Queen Katarina diamond and amethyst pendant earrings.
Music boxes are a perennial favorite and this sale boasts a coin-operated animated Swiss station music box featuring a two-part rosewood and stripe inlaid case with two doors and two drawers in the base. The top has pierced carved fretwork, ripple piecrust trim and an ebonized pierced filigree carved crest with a lyre. The coin-operated spring-driven music box accepts 20-cent Swiss francs and measures 65¼ by 29½ by 15½ inches.
Highlighting the furniture offerings are a J. & J.W. Meeks laminated rosewood center table with its original white turtle-shape inset marble top over a laminated serpentine apron, 30½ inches tall, and a desk and chair that was designed for the new chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, circa 1857, by the architect of the Capitol, Thomas U. Walter. The chair was made by Bembe & Kimbel, New York and the desk by Doe & Hazelton, Boston.
Rounding out the auction are a pair of Tiffany Studios three-light tulip table lamps (below) with six gold iridescent 10-rib art glass tulip form shades, 16 inches tall, and a Wurlitzer Model 950 jukebox, 1942, designed by Paul Fuller. This model was the first to use the long bubble tubes and fluorescent lights. It is 63 inches tall.
For details contact Fontaine’s Auction Gallery at 413-448-8922 or email info@fontainesauction.com.
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