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Philadelphia auction

Stephenson’s Jan. 1 auction welcomes New Year with art, silver, jewelry, furniture and Pa. folk art

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Seven-piece Mexican sterling silver tea and coffee service including hot water swing kettle on stand, 925 mark, total weight 284.257 ozt., est. $4,000-$8,000
Seven-piece Mexican sterling silver tea and coffee service including hot water swing kettle on stand, 925 mark, total weight 284.257 ozt., est. $4,000-$8,000

 

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – For many who collect or sell antiques, the first tradition of each year is browsing the upscale goods and bidding online in Stephenson’s New Year’s Day Auction. Family-owned since 1962, Stephenson’s specializes in fresh-to-the-market estate goods and collections from the Mid-Atlantic states and beyond.

Throughout any given year, owner Cindy Stephenson and her team of specialists carefully assess and set aside rare, beautiful and interesting objects specifically to offer in their next January 1st sale. This year’s selection is characterized not only by premium-quality fine and decorative art, furniture, antiques and jewelry, but also “many unique items that will immediately be recognized as something very special,” Stephenson said.

More than 400 lots will cross the auction block at Stephenson’s Bucks County (suburban Philadelphia) gallery on New Year’s Day, with absentee and Internet live bidding available through LiveAuctioneers. Major consignments came to Stephenson’s from a residence in Philadelphia’s historic Society Hill (exceptional furniture, art and old needlework), the home and Ardmore (Main Line) antique shop of Marjorie Schneider, and collections, estates and upscale homes from as far away as Florida.

An array of especially fine sterling silver will be offered. Two substantial Victorian sauce boats made in 1894 by Carrington & Co., London, are lavishly adorned with female caryatids, high-relief cherubs, and floral, foliate and shell decorations. Weighing 75.77 ozt (the pair), they carry an $8,000-$12,000 estimate.

 

Pair of large and ornate 1894 Carrington & Co., London, sterling silver sauce boats, est. $8,000-$12,000
Pair of large and ornate 1894 Carrington & Co., London, sterling silver sauce boats, est. $8,000-$12,000

 

A luxe 7-piece Mexican sterling silver tea and coffee service that includes all of the staples plus elegant extras like a hot water swing kettle on stand (see image at top of page) has a total weight of 284.257 ozt, inclusive of tray. Superbly crafted, the set is estimated at $4,000-$8,000.

An important, original John Reber (1857-1938, Lehigh County, Pa.) carved and polychrome painted folk art rooster is the actual book example from the quintessential reference book Just For Nice by Richard S. Machmer (fig. 266). Made around 1900, the 6¾-inch cockerel was actually part of the legendary Machmer private collection. Its further line of provenance includes its Oct. 24, 2008 sale at Pook & Pook, and a private Pennsylvania collection. The artwork is accompanied by a copy of the Machmer book in which it is illustrated, and is estimated at $2,500-$5,000.

 

Important John Reber (1857-1938, Lehigh County, Pa.) circa-1900 carved and polychrome painted folk art rooster, actual book example from ‘Just For Nice’ by Richard S. Machmer, fig. 266. Height: 6¾ inches. Provenance: Private Pa. collection, Pook & Pook auction Oct. 24, 2008, the private collection of Richard S. Machmer. Est. $2,500-$5,000
Important John Reber (1857-1938, Lehigh County, Pa.) circa-1900 carved and polychrome painted folk art rooster, actual book example from ‘Just For Nice’ by Richard S. Machmer, fig. 266. Height: 6¾ inches. Provenance: Private Pa. collection, Pook & Pook auction Oct. 24, 2008, the private collection of Richard S. Machmer. Est. $2,500-$5,000

 

Bidding is expected to be brisk for a handsome copper fire screen with jade cabochons and hand-wrought cast-iron finials, feet and other ornamentation. The screen was made around 1900 by Newlyn, one of the most desirable names of the English Arts & Crafts movement. The manufacturer’s desirable circle-of-fish logo is integrated into the design in repousse fashion. Purchased in Scotland in the 1980s, the screen has remained in the same private collection ever since. It is modestly estimated at $300-$500.

 

Newlyn English Arts & Crafts fire screen, circa 1900, hammered copper with three jade cabochons, wrought-iron feet, finials and ornamentation; manufacturer’s desirable circle-of-fish logo integrated into design, purchased in Scotland in the 1980s, est. $300-$500
Newlyn English Arts & Crafts fire screen, circa 1900, hammered copper with three jade cabochons, wrought-iron feet, finials and ornamentation; manufacturer’s desirable circle-of-fish logo integrated into design, purchased in Scotland in the 1980s, est. $300-$500

 

The many fans of Mid-Century Modern would recognize the distinctive look of Warren Platner for Knoll Furniture designs. Stephenson’s will offer a pair of 1960s Platner lounge chairs with linen boucle upholstery. The seating classics will be auctioned together with an estimate of $2,000-$4,000.

 

Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Furniture lounge chairs, 1960s, linen boucle upholstery, est. $2,000-$4,000
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Furniture lounge chairs, 1960s, linen boucle upholstery, est. $2,000-$4,000

 

Forming a perfect partnership with the chairs is an acrylic-on-canvas trompe l’oeil painting by Paul Kane. Titled Baja, the 60 by 52-inch artwork is artist-signed on verso and estimated at $1,000-$2,000.

 

Paul Kane, ‘Baja,’ acrylic on canvas, 60 x 52in., artist-signed on verso, est. $1,000-$2,000
Paul Kane, ‘Baja,’ acrylic on canvas, 60 x 52in., artist-signed on verso, est. $1,000-$2,000

 

There will be 15 newly consigned lots from the New York City paperweight collector whose prized pieces debuted in earlier Stephenson’s sales. Among the choices are designs by John Deacons, Chris Buzzini and Mike Hunter of Twists Glass Studio.

 

Manhattan collection of art glass paperweights, including creations by John Deacons, Chris Buzzini, and Mike Hunter (Twists Glass)
Manhattan collection of art glass paperweights, including creations by John Deacons, Chris Buzzini, and Mike Hunter (Twists Glass)

 

Stephenson’s is known for its expertise with estate and other fine jewelry. One of the shining highlights of the New Year’s sale is an 18K gold alexandrite jewelry suite with an Egyptian lotus motif. The suite was actually made in Egypt as a special commission for a former top model who enjoyed buying beautiful things as she traveled the world. Made in the late 20th century, the set is expected to reach $800-$1,200.

 

18K gold alexandrite jewelry suite, Egyptian lotus motif, late 20th century, est. $800-$1,200
18K gold alexandrite jewelry suite, Egyptian lotus motif, late 20th century, est. $800-$1,200

 

Additionally, the auction features a large private collection of American brilliant cut glass – much of it signed – and fine porcelain, all from one knowledgeable, longtime collector.

Stephenson’s Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 New Year’s Day Auction will begin at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Bid absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call Cindy Stephenson at 215-322-6182 or e-mail info@stephensonsauction.com.

 

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