ATLANTA – On the 1st of each month, ACN columnist Ken Hall gathers top auction highlights from around the United States and beyond. Here’s what made headlines since last month’s report:
19th century Russian icon, $24,400, Crescent City
A 19th century oil on curved panel Russian icon, possibly of St. Maximus the Confessor, 12¼ inches by 10½ inches, sold for $24,400 at an estates auction held Nov. 15-16 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a small, circa 1898-1908 Russian icon of Christ Pantocrator in a sterling and enamel riza, by Nicolay Kemper, rose to $14,760; an oil on canvas painting by Alberta Kinsey (1875-1952) made $3,075; and a French Louis XVI-style carved rosewood triple-door armoire hit $3,081. Prices include a sliding-scale buyer’s premium.
E. Howard No. 47 clock, $356,950, Fontaine’s Auction
An E. Howard & Co. No. 47 astronomical regulator wall clock, one of only three known, sold for $356,950 at a clocks and watches auction held Nov. 22-23 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Mass. It was a new auction record for an E. Howard & Co. clock, eclipsing the previous record of $277,300 paid for a No. 68 astronomical floor clock, also at a Fontaine’s Auction clock sale. Also, an E. Howard & Co. No. 25 drumhead astronomical regulator changed hands for $121,000. Prices include a 21 percent buyer’s premium.
Black Forest hall rack, $19,600, S & S Auctions
An antique Black Forest hall rack, rare and highly collectible mainly for its finely carved, life-size dog (30 inches tall), sold for $19,600 at an auction held Nov. 16-17 by S&S Auctions Inc. in Repaupo, N.J. Also, an Emile Galle etched art glass vase, just 3¼ inches tall, realized $14,700; an antique gilt carved center table with a pietra dura top brought $11,025; and a French Chronos & Amour gilt and patinated figural bronze clock on a bronze mounted marble base rose to $13,475. Prices include a 22.5 percent buyer’s premium.
Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, $142,200, James D. Julia
A Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp with a conical shade of mottled blue panels, completed by a chain of seven leaded mottled glass dragonflies, on a bronze trumpet base, sold for $142,200 at a glass and lamp auction held Nov. 12-13 by James D. Julia Inc., in Fairfield, Maine. Also, a Tiffany Studios chandelier with an openwork bronze top and a curtain of prisms descending from the cap rose to $45,662; and a Daum cameo glass and enameled rain scene lamp with pointed dome shade lit up the room for $36,735. Prices include an 18.5 percent buyer’s premium.
Winchester Model 1873, $149,500, Rock Island
A deluxe, special order Winchester Third Model 1873 rifle with fine case sold for $149,500 at an auction held Dec. 6-7 by Rock Island Auction Co. in Rock Island, Ill. Also, a Colt Python Silver Snake Edition rang out at $14,950; and a prewar Colt SAA with carved pearl grips and factory engraving by master engraver Wilbur Glahn hit the mark at $51,750. Overall, the auction grossed about $11.4 million and, with it being Rock Island’s final sale of the year, the total gross for 2014 was $47.5 million. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
Harry Bertoia sculpture, $48,800, Palm Beach Modern
Three monumental sculptures by Harry Bertoia (including the one in the middle, which sold for $48,800) were a huge hit at a modern art, decorative art and sculpture auction held Nov. 1 by Palm Beach Modern Auctions in West Palm Beach, Fla. It was a new auction record for a work by the artist using the spill cast technique. Also, a painting by Hisao Domoto (Japanese, b. 1928), titled De Cotunuite, realized $43,920; and a metal and wood sculpture by Jesus Rafael Soto (Venezuelan, 1923-2005) went for $21,960. Prices include a 22 percent buyer’s premium.
Ward Brothers pintails, $105,000, Guyette & Deeter
A pair of circa-1932 pintail decoys by the Ward Brothers sold for $105,000 at a decoy auction held Nov. 12-13 by Guyette & Deeter Inc., St. Michaels, Md. Also, a circa-1880s widgeon drake by the Stevens Brothers brought $35,075; a pair of circa-1900 canvasbacks by Mitchell Fulcher, Stacey, N.C., realized $28,750; a wood duck by Jim Schmiedlin, Bradfordwoods, Pa., made $28,750; and a circa-1940s perch plaque by Oscar Peterson hit $22,425. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
1969 Porsche 912 coupe, $8,625, Carlsen Gallery
A tangerine colored 1960 Porsche 912 coupe sped off for $8,625 at an auction held Nov. 29 by Carlsen Gallery Inc., in Freehold, N.Y. Also, a Hudson River School oil on canvas landscape painting, signed “G. Hartwick” (New York) breezed to $9,200; a diamond solitaire ring with platinum with diamond baguettes realized $8,050; a painting by Susan Waters titled Young Lady Holding Basket With Lamb rose to $8,050; a 19th century Herize serape brought $5,750; and a 14K white gold and diamond women’s ring made $5,750. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
Natural saltwater pearl, $813,750, Rago Arts
The largest known near-round natural saltwater pearl, also known as the Putlov Pearl Brooch, sold for $813,750 at a jewelry, couture and objets de vertu auction held Dec. 7 by Rago Arts & Auction Center in Lambertville, N.J. It was the most ever paid for one lot at a Rago auction. Also, an English natural pearl diamond platinum bracelet fetched $65,625; a Van Cleef & Arpels French diamond platinum clip went for $62,500; and a massive deep orange-red coral bead necklace changed hands for $59,375. Prices include a 25 percent buyer’s premium.
Adamson oil painting, $11,210, Michaan’s
An oil painting by Harry Curieux Adamson titled Pintails (1995), depicting a flock of American mallard ducks taking flight amid a marsh setting, sold for $11,210 at an estate auction held Dec. 7 by Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, Calif. Also, Ansel Adams’ photograph Young Oaks, Winter realized $2,478; an Allan Clark bronze of an Indonesian dancer topped out at $5,605; an E. Howard & Co., Boston, 18K gold pocket watch rose to $2,360; and a Royal Vienna porcelain plaque depicting Ruth in the Cornfield made $3,540. Prices include a 17 percent buyer’s premium.
Platinum-diamond ring, $228,000, John Moran
A platinum ring centered with a 12.82-carat natural fancy yellow rectangular step-out diamond sold for $228,000 at an auction held Dec. 9 by John Moran Auctioneers in Altadena, Calif. Also, a Van Cleef & Arpels brooch depicting birds on a branch soared to $26,400; a high-karat gold Indian Kasu mala necklace garnered $19,200; a Patek Philippe gentleman’s wristwatch featuring an 18K yellow gold case hit the mark for $14,400; and a Tiffany & Co. hand-hammered rose brooch topped out at $5,700. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
Sapphire-diamond bracelet, $21,600, Kaminski Auctions
A 14K gold, sapphire and diamond bracelet sold for $21,600 at an annual Thanksgiving auction held Nov. 30 by Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, Mass. Also, a diamond and pearl Art Deco bracelet rose to $9,000; a monumental Russian silver samovar brought $16,800; a Tiffany & Co. Chrysanthemum center bowl achieved $4,800; a painting by Brian Coole titled The Burning of Charlestown hammered for $8,400; a collection of 106 cigar cutters made $7,200; and an 18th century New England Queen Anne table hit $5,700. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
Action Comics #1, $310,700, Heritage
An unrestored copy of Action Comics #1 (DC, 1938), the most desirable comic book in the hobby, graded 3.0 by CGC, sold for $310,700 at a comics auction held Nov. 22-24 by Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills, Calif. Also, Frank Frazetta’s original paperback book cover painting for Jongor Fights Back realized $179,250; a collection of Silver Age comic books (led by a copy of Journey Into Mystery #83) brought $179,250; and a copy of Pep Comics #22 (graded 7.0) hit $143,400. Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.
Babe Ruth baseball cap, $303,277, Grey Flannel
A baseball cap worn by Babe Ruth during the historic 1934 U.S. All Star Tour of Japan sold for $303,277 in an absentee, phone and Internet auction held Dec. 16-17 by Grey Flannel Auctions, based in Westhampton, N.Y. Also, a baseball signed by 23 of the 1932 New York Yankees, including Ruth, Lou Gehrig and other Hall of Famers, topped out at $115,242; a circa 1980s Julius “Dr. J” Erving Philadelphia 76ers game-worn uniform attained $44,428; and a 1950s jacket worn by Roy Campanella made $71,554. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
1795 U.S. $1 coin, $170,375, Legend
A 1795 U.S. $1 off center draped bust coin, graded PCGS MS 64, sold for $170,375 at an auction held Dec. 20-21 by Legend Rare Coin Auctions at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev. Also, an 1893-CC U.S. $1 coin graded PCGS PR64BM, soared to $129,250; a 1921 U.S. $1 coin graded PCGS PR66 changed hands for $123,375; a 1913 U.S. 5-cent coin graded PCGS PR63 gaveled for $99,875; and an 1864 U.S. 3-cent piece graded PCGS PR66 went to a determined bidder for $58,750. Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.
Paul Evans cabinet/dry bar, $48,800, Palm Beach Modern
A mixed-metal cabinet/dry bar designed by Paul Evans (American, 1931-1987), one of 11 of his “Cityscape” pieces up for auction, sold for $48,800 at an autumn-themed auction held Nov. 22 by Palm Beach Modern Auctions in West Palm Beach, Fla. Also, a pair of large, five-arm Stilnovo sconces fetched $20,740; a monumental “Sputnik”/starburst chandelier with illuminating glass spikes soared to $19,520; a pair of Marco Zanuso “Milord” lounge chairs made $11,590; and an Emil Stejnar chandelier hit $7,625. Prices include a 22 percent buyer’s premium.
Zhang Daqian scroll, $236,000, Michaan’s
A hanging scroll by the 20th century Chinese artist Zhang Daqian, titled Horse and depicting a lone horse, sold for $236,000 at an Asian works of art auction held Dec. 15 by Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, Calif. Another hanging scroll by Daqian, titled Prunis and Bamboo, went for $177,000; a set of four gilt-silver filigree and enameled female warriors chalked up $32,450; a gilt-bronze figure of Yama and Chamunda also brought $32,450; and one lot of four carved snuff bottles, with a jade toggle, made $26,550. Prices include a 17 percent buyer’s premium.
