Detail of inlaid archaistic bronze vessel with provenance to the Prince Kung collection, estimated at $100,000-$200,000
WINDSOR, Conn. – Nadeau’s Auction Gallery will hold an American Antiques, Chinese, Continental, and Jewelry Spring Auction on Saturday, May 6. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
ATLANTA – At the start of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the wider world. Please enjoy the September 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted otherwise.
Green Goblin action figure, $76,700, Hake’s Auctions
An eight-inch Green Goblin action figure, issued by Meego in 1977 as part of its World’s Greatest Super-Heroes line, AFA-graded 80+ NM, sold for $76,700 at an auction of pop culture rarities held July 26-27 by Hake’s Auctions in York, Pennsylvania. Also, Gil Kane and Dick Giordano’s seven-panel art for page 27 of Marvel Premiere #15 from May 1974, featuring the debut of Iron Fist, reached $20,350; and Al Plastino’s original art for page 1 of Superman #184 from Feb. 1966 achieved $15,055.
Nantucket curlew decoy, $228,000, Copley Fine Art Auctions
A Harmon Hollow Nantucket curlew decoy sold for $228,000 at the 17th annual Sporting Sale held July 14-15 by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Also, an oil on canvas image of Setter Puppies by Edmund Henry Osthaus earned $102,000; a dog painting titled Steady by A.F. Tait, depicting two setters pointing quail, achieved $73,800; a miniature shorebird set of 22 decoys by Elmer Crowell realized $92,250; and Crowell’s Wing-Up Greater Yellowlegs made $84,000.
12-cent U.S. postage stamp, $19,520, Holabird Western Americana Collections
A 12-cent U.S. postage stamp with a portrait bust of George Washington sold for $19,520 at a Wild West Auction held July 21-24 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, an 1860 U.S. Army Colt revolver with a Richards conversion attained $13,750; a light aqua Endlich & Good squat-shaped beer bottle, dating to circa 1861-1864, realized $7,187; and an early 1900s First National Bank of Foraker (Oklahoma) $10 bank note went for $4,458.
Chinese Export porcelain punch bowls, $64,000, Nye & Company Auctioneers
A pair of 19th-century Chinese Export porcelain punch bowls sold for $64,000 at an Estate Treasures auction held July 20 by Nye & Company Auctioneers in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Also, an early 20th-century folk art cowboy iron shooting gallery target, attributed to William F. Mangels and titled The Stick-Up, earned $19,200; and a taupe-upholstered sectional sofa designed by Joe DiUrso for Donghia, with squared corners and raised ends, finished at $12,160.
Camille Claudel sculpture, $150,000, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
A bronze and hardstone sculpture of a woman sitting in a chair with her head resting against a fireplace mantel, created by Camille Claudel (French, 1864-1913), sold for $150,000 in an online Fine & Decorative Art auction held August 1 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, based in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, an oil on canvas by B. Prabha (Indian, 1933-2001), titled Fisher Women Painting, achieved $18,750; and an ornately carved Victorian desk attributed to R. J. Horner brought $7,500.
19th-century French Japonisme armoire, $30,000, Andrew Jones Auctions
A late 19th-century French parcel paint decorated Karelian birch and faux bamboo Japonisme armoire sold for $30,000 at the Part VI sale of the John Nelson collection, held July 24-25 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a pair of circa-1900 Louis XV/XVI transitional style parcel gilt and blue painted bibliotheques brought $30,000, and a third quarter 20th-century Modernist fossil marble, granite and steel table went to a determined bidder for $27,500.
Machine Man Robot, $84,000, Morphy Auctions
A circa-1960 Machine Man Robot from the Japanese company Masudaya’s famed Gang of Five robot series, one of only a few known, sold for $84,000 at a Toys & Collectibles Auction held Aug. 9-10 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Japanese battery-operated Electroman Robot attained $78,000, and a scarce 1950s Italian gumball vending machine in the form of a 54in full-figure robot, with prizes visible inside its chest, finished at $48,000.
39-star American flag, $24,120, New Frontier Western Show & Auction
A 39-star American flag flown at the Capitol Building in Santa Fe in 1912, the year that New Mexico joined the Union, sold for $24,120 at auction held August 27 by New Frontier Western Show & Auction of Loveland, Colorado. The auction was held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Also, an antique Colt Single Action Army revolver attributed to the 101 Ranch sold for $8,100, and a pair of Buermann inlaid spurs with cut-out snake heelbands found a new owner for $5,700.
Jean Shrimpton photo print, $3,438, John Moran Auctioneers
A massive photo print on canvas with a neon attachment, titled Jean Shrimpton Astronaut and created in 2014 by Andrew Martin Designs after Richard Avedon, sold for $3,438 at a ReDesigned auction held July 19 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a lapis blue 1980 Mercedes Benz 450 SL automobile in pristine condition sped away for $18,750, and a red 1961 Gibson Les Paul Jr. electric guitar with a 1960s-era Gibson amp earned $8,750.
Albert York oil-on-plywood work, $110,250, Sarasota Estate Auction
An oil-on-plywood painting by Albert York, titled Imaginary Playground (Trees and Fence), sold for $110,250 at an auction held July 23-24 by Sarasota Estate Auction in Sarasota, Florida. Also, Romare Bearden’s The Quilters rose to $73,000; an unsigned, untitled Itzchak Tarkay acrylic on canvas achieved $20,790; a gouache on paper by A. R. Penck brought $13,230; a sculpture by Jorge Blanco, titled Later, made $14,490; and an antique 22K gold, sterling and diamond necklace hit $11,970.
Covered Meissen dish, $4,250, Kamelot Auctions
A 19th-century covered Meissen dish sold for $4,250 at a three-day sale held July 19-21 by Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia. Also, an original circa-1950 set of rattan armchairs went for $3,750, and an 18K gold and sapphire necklace by Marco Bicego slipped around a new neck for $2,250. The auctions were divided into Luxury Goods: Jewelry & Handbags; Mod Interiors: Chic, Bamboo & Rattan; and Estate Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts. Most lots sold above their estimates.
King Henry VIII document, $66,435, RR Auction
A one-page vellum manuscript document signed by King Henry VIII and dated July 26, 1536, in which he discusses sponsoring the feast day of St. George, patron saint of England, sold for $66,435 in an online auction held July 20-August 10 by RR Auction, based in Boston. Also, a document Abraham Lincoln signed as president, regarding rebuilding the North-South economy in 1865, realized $41,321; and an early Marilyn Monroe document, signed twice by the starlet, earned $32,103.
Nathan Cobb, Jr. swimming Canada goose, $252,000, Guyette & Deeter
A swimming Canada goose by Nathan Cobb, Jr. of Cobb Island, Virginia sold for $252,000 at a Decoy & Sporting Art auction held July 29-30 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland, by Guyette & Deeter. Also, a Ward Brothers greenwing teal hen flew away for $33,000; an Edmund Osthaus sporting art canvas realized $69,600; a mute swan by Maryland carver Oliver Lawson finished at $15,600; and a set of Nantucket lightship baskets carried away $10,800.
Anne Ramsdell Congdon painting, $123,000, Rafael Osona Auctions
A 1941 oil on canvas by Anne Ramsdell Congdon, titled View from Monomoy, sold for $123,000 at an Americana, Fine Art & Marine auction held Aug. 6-7 by Rafael Osona Auctions in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Also, an iconic red sail painting by Robert Stark, Jr., titled Sunset Sail, drifted to $70,725; an 1895 portrait painted by Wendell Macy, titled Lady in the Sun, Nantucket, won $20,910; and Sybil Goldsmith’s View of Town from the Creeks, painted in 1976, rose to $8,190.
David Hockney lithograph, $20,480, La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery
A lithograph by David Hockney (British, b. 1937-), titled Four Flowers in a Still Life, dated and numbered 6/50, sold for $20,480 at a Multi-Estates Summer auction held August 13 by La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery in New York City. Also, an early 20th-century floral still life by Charles E. Porter (American, 1847-1923) achieved $1,920; a 102-piece set of Kirk sterling silver flatware weighing 127 troy ounces earned $2,300; and a Lucien Picard 14K Art Deco ladies’ watch brought $640.
1927-D Double Eagle gold coin, $4.44 million, Heritage Auctions
A 1927-D Double Eagle US gold coin, part of the Bob R. Simpson collection and graded MS66 PCGS, sold for $4.44 million at a US Coins Signature Auction held August 23 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The price bested the previous record for the 1927-D Double Eagle of $2.16 million, set at Heritage’s Fun US Coins Signature Auction in January 2020. In the recent sale, five bidders continued to chase the coin after it exceeded $3 million.
Kobe Bryant rookie card, $34,375, Hindman
A 1996-1997 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant rookie basketball card No. 30, graded BGS 9 Mint, sold for $34,375 at a sale of The Definitive Collection of Kobe Bryant Rookie Cards held August 24 by Hindman in Chicago. The card was considered to be a holy grail collectible and featured a die cut image of Bryant, foiled borders and a cloud background. The auction was held on August 24, which has become known as Mamba Day in honor of the numbers Bryant wore during his basketball career: 8 and 24.
Jamie Wyeth painting, $192,000, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
A mixed-media work for Study for Lighthouse by Jamie Wyeth (American, b. 1946-) sold for $192,000 at a Splendor sale held Aug. 26-28 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, a watercolor painting by Andrew Wyeth (American, 1917-2009), titled The Pantry, achieved $162,000; an oil on canvas by Robert Scott Duncanson hit $138,000; and a Modernist color composition painting by Beauford Delaney (American, 1901-1979) made $102,000.
Herend Rothschild Bird pattern table service, $10,710, Doyle
A Herend porcelain table service in the Rothschild Bird pattern sold for $10,710 at an Entertaining with Style auction held August 11 by Doyle in New York City. Introduced in 1860, the pattern portrays a story about Baroness Rothschild of Vienna, who lost her pearl necklace in her garden. Several days later, the necklace was discovered by her gardener, who saw the birds dangling it from a tree. In addition, a group of Lettuce Ware by Dodie Thayer sold as several lots for a combined $20,853.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
Signed, uncorrected advance proof of the Maurice Sendak book ‘We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy,’ est. $1,250-$1,500
DANVERS, Mass. – JG.Limited, the recently-formed auction arm of the venerable collectibles powerhouse JG Autographs, Inc., is holding its inaugural online-only sale through Tuesday, August 23. The 500-lot History & Culture auction features items relating to JFK, Thomas Jefferson, the Wright Brothers and Harry Truman. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.
Antoni Clave, ‘L’enfant a l’oiseaux,’ $37,500
LOS ANGELES – Pieces collected by the late Kirk and Anne Douglas drew thousands of bidders to a May 18 sale by Andrew Jones Auctions to benefit The Douglas Foundation. The sale achieved a total of $343,000 as well as white glove status. More than 200 lots of modern art, antiques, tribal works, fine and costume jewelry, personalized accessories, memorabilia, books and ephemera were offered.
Chinese export porcelain cup and saucer decorated with images inspired by John Trumbull’s famous patriotic painting, ‘The Declaration of Independence,’ est. $5,000-$7,000
TOWSON, Md. – The Alex Cooper auction house will hold a sale titled Fine Art, Furniture, Decorative Art & Rugs on Saturday, March 5, starting at 10 am Eastern time. Among the lots will be a selection of Chinese Export porcelain with patriotic American themes. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
A circa-1900 Dorflinger Montrose pattern green-to-clear punch bowl set with matching bowl, base, ladle and 13 cups achieved $110,000 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2014. Image courtesy of DuMouchelles and LiveAuctioneers
NEW YORK – Let’s make one thing clear right away: No one technically needs a punch bowl. In his delightful 2010 book, Punch, author, cocktail expert and historian David Wondrich spends a long paragraph recounting the many receptacles in which he has prepared the crowd-pleasing tipple, including, in part, “pasta pots, Le Crueset Dutch ovens, spackle buckets, salad spinners, five-gallon water-cooler jugs, candy dishes, candy jars, Lexans of all sizes, nameless orange plastic things from Home Depot, large earthenware pots, galvanized washtubs and a host of other miscellaneous vessels I’m not recalling.” But wanting a nice punch bowl has a long and honorable history. Wondrich states in Punch that the term “punchbowl” emerged by 1658 and silversmiths were producing them by 1680.
Revolutionary War powder horn used at the Battle of Concord, est. $90,000-$100,000
WILTON, Conn. – A Revolutionary War powder horn, an extensive archive of material about Playboy magazine’s Hugh Hefner and a legal summons signed by the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp will all be part of University Archives’ online auction on Wednesday, November 10, at 10:30 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
ATLANTA – At the beginning of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the world at large. Here’s his October 2021 edition of Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.
Kyser & Rex mechanical bank, $288,000, Bertoia Auctions
A Mikado cast-iron mechanical bank made by Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) sold for $288,000 at Part 2 of the sale of the Schroeder toy collection held Sept. 10-11 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, New Jersey. The bank, in pristine to near mint condition, was the red table version. The user placed a coin under the right hat, turned the rear crank and watched as the man lifted the left hat to reveal the coin, then lowered the hat as the coin was deposited.
1987 Hermes handbag, $15,000, Crescent City Auction Gallery
A circa-1987 Hermes Kelly Sellier handbag in natural black box calf leather with gold hardware sold for $15,000 at an Important Estates Auction held Sept. 18-19 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a 1988 oil on canvas by James Michalopoulos, titled New Orleans Center Hall Cottage, went for $10,625, and a circa-1965 oil painting by Clementine Hunter, titled Uncle Tom in the Garden with Little Eva, made $9,375.
Chinese dragon bowl, $200,000, Briggs Auction, Inc.
A Chinese porcelain dragon bowl with Yongzheng mark sold for $200,000 in an online Fine Estates Auction held July 30 by Briggs Auction, Inc. in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania. Also, an early 20th-century Louis Vuitton steamer trunk adorned with various travel stickers brought $12,250; a Scandinavian peg tankard with Danish Coronation medal realized $10,625; a George Nakashima Minguren side table with triangular-form free-edge top made $8,750; and a painting by James Webb hit $8,750.
Elvis contract for Graceland, $114,660, PristineAuction.com
The 1957 contract signed by Elvis Presley and both of his parents for the purchase of the home in Memphis that became known as Graceland soared to $114,660 in a single-lot online auction held August 10 by PristineAuction.com, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The document stated that the Presleys would trade their property on Audubon Drive in Memphis for a $55,000 credit, plus an extra $90,000 to purchase Graceland.
Model steam locomotive, CA$15,340, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
A 7 ¼in gauge model steam locomotive of the Great Western Railway 4-6-0 locomotive and tender sold for $15,340 in back-to-back online auctions held September 11 and 12 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada. Also, an 1869 French style Boneshaker bicycle sped off for $10,620; and an iconic 1946 Wurlitzer jukebox Model 1015 hit $7,670. Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Moby-Dick first edition, $60,000, Potter & Potter Auctions
A first American edition copy of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick; or, The Whale sold for $60,000 at a Fine Books & Manuscripts Sale held August 28 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a 38-volume set titled The Writings of Mark Twain brought $33,600; a set of five Christmas books by Charles Dickens made $28,800; and a typed letter by Nikola Tesla, signed, hit $10,800.
Shaw cup and saucer, $75,000, Skinner, Inc.
A cup and saucer from Samuel Shaw’s Society of the Cincinnati Chinese Export porcelain service sold for $75,000 in Americana auctions held Aug. 18-19 by Skinner, Inc. in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Also, an Andrew Clemens patriotic sand bottle rose to $75,000; two molded copper models of the Massasoit weathervane brought $31,250 and $43,750; a portrait of a child in a blue dress by William Matthew Prior climbed to $28,750; and a Portsmouth, New Hampshire work table brought $17,500.
Ivan Aivazovsky painting, $169,650, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
An oil on canvas by Ivan Aivazovsky, titled After the Storm, sold for $169,650 at an auction titled the Splendid, Part II, held August 27-29 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, an oil on hardboard depicting the yacht America by James E. Buttersworth realized $117,000; and a painting by Andrew Wyeth, titled In the Georges Islands, finished at $87,750.
Korean glazed ceramic moon jar, $22,500, Auctions at Showplace
A large Korean Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) white glazed ceramic moon jar sold for $22,500 at an estate auction held August 8 by Auctions at Showplace in New York. Also, an Indian ink and watercolor on paper Paithan manuscript illustration, depicting a figure with two horses, earned $4,062; and a colorful 1990 Pop Art acrylic on paper of a man, a house and a water tower by Tom Slaughter finished at $3,125.
Duncan McFarlane oil, $39,680, Marion Antique Auctions
A mid-19th-century marine oil on canvas rendering of the packet ship City of Montreal by Duncan McFarlane sold for $39,680 at a Summer Sale held June 26 by Marion Antique Auctions in Marion, Massachusetts. Also, a diminutive oil on canvas by Charles Henry Gifford, depicting New Bedford Harbor, realized $33,920; an Izannah Walker doll went for $26,240; and two wooden decoys by Canadian carver Tom Chambers rose to $5,625.
Laverne Chan cabinet, $113,400, Freeman’s
A four-door Chan cabinet by renowned 20th-century designers Philip and Kelvin LaVerne sold for $113,400 at an Art and Design auction held September 15 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a striking glazed ceramic work ,Untitled (Dango) by Jun Kaneko, achieved $20,160; a 1950s settee by Paul Laszlo realized $11,970; and two prints by Josef Albers, SP IV and SP XII, both from Homage to the Square, brought $13,680 and $10,710.
Jason Rich painting, $12,500, John Moran Auctioneers
An oil on board by Jason Rich, titled Working Sun to Sun, sold for $12,500 at an Art of the American West auction held August 31 by John Moran Auctioneers in Monrovia, California. Also, a painting by Bill Anton, titled Range Management, brought $10,625; a 20th-century Thomas Curtis, Sr. Navajo / Dine silver bolo and buckle set achieved $8,750; and John William Hilton’s 1961 work Desert Hideaway realized $7,500.
Sleeping mallard decoy, $144,000, Guyette & Deeter, Inc.
A sleeping mallard decoy by Shang Wheeler, which was featured on the dust jacket cover of Shang by Dixon Merkt, sold for $144,000 at a Summer Auction held Aug. 6-7 by Guyette & Deeter, Inc. in Saint Michaels, Maryland. Also, the finest known pair of canvasbacks by Elmer Crowell soared to $78,000; a mallard drake by John Blair, Sr. rose to $96,000; and an oil painting of waterfowling on Chesapeake Bay by Herman Simon brought $102,000.
Nicolai Fechin still-life, $281,000, Dallas Auction Gallery
A floral still-life painting by Russian artist Nicolai Fechin sold for $281,000 at an auction held September 8 by Dallas Auction Gallery in Dallas. Also, a 1951 work by Porfirio Salinas, titled Bluebonnets with Fence and Gate, realized $56,250; a signed oil on canvas by G. Harvey titled Pinon Smoke Santa Fe achieved $75,000; a circa-1905 Parisian street scene by Edouard Cortes went for $93,750; and an acrylic on canvas by Ernie Barnes, titled Two Shots, hit $81,250.
Copy of Journey into Mystery, $319,800, Goldin Auctions
A copy of Journey into Mystery #83, from 1962, featuring the first appearance of Thor, graded CTGC 9.4, sold for $319,800 in an online auction held in September by Goldin Auctions, based in Runnemede, New Jersey. Also, a copy of the 1962 Marvel Amazing Fantasy #15 comic, featuring the first appearance of Spider-Man, commanded $707,000; and a 1996 copy of the Super Mario 64 game, graded WATA 9.8/A++, changed hands for $800,000.
Taffin diamond ring, $387,500, Hindman
A diamond ring by Taffin, containing an internally flawless cushion cut 5.89 carat diamond, D color and Type IIa, sold for $387,500 at an Important Jewelry auction held September 13 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, a diamond ring with a 5.12 carat emerald cut diamond, D color, VVS2 clarity, rose to $181,250; a Vendura yellow gold multi-gem and diamond ‘Sunburst cuff bracelet hit $43,750; and a Tiffany & Co. diamond bracelet realized $37,500.
Harrington & Richardson calendar, $6,548, Route 32 Auctions
A 1908 Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. calendar, depicting a hunter with a back pack and elk by artist Phillip Goodwin, sold for $6,548 at a Firearms & Western auction held Aug. 26-27 by Route 32 Auctions in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Also, a Winchester Model 1866 .44 caliber centerfire rifle, shipped in 1870, realized $7,188; and a 1911 Peters (“Big Game Ammunition Will Stop Them”) poster rose to $5,462.
Copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, $3.6 million, Heritage Auctions
A copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 from 1962, featuring the first comic book appearance of Spider-Man, by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, sold for $3.6 million at a Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction held Sept. 8-12 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. It was the most ever paid for a comic book, eclipsing the $3.25 million pledged earlier this year for a copy of Action Comics #1. Also, a copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 from 1963 realized $241,200.
Chinese Imperial vase, $2.45 million, Doyle New York
A Chinese Imperial falangcai vase, created during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796), sold for $2.45 million at an Asian Works of Art auction held September 20 by Doyle in New York. The vase came from the collection of Sarah Belk Gambrell, the Belk department store heiress. It bore a four-character mark in blue, indicating its origin as a product of the Qianlong Emperor’s imperial workshop. Only a few were produced.
Gerrit Beneker painting, $11,250, Bakker Project
An early 20th-century oil on board by Gerrit Beneker, titled Mudhead, sold for $11,250 in an online Fine Arts auction held August 28 by The Bakker Project in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Also, an early 20th-century charcoal drawing by Kathe Kollwitz, titled Mother and Child, achieved $12,500; and a circa-2010 oil on canvas by Christopher Sousa, titled Sometimes in the Morning, went to a determined bidder for $6,250.
Molded copper ‘Massasoit’ weathervane, $43,750
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Each year, Skinner times its August Auction to attract Americana enthusiasts from across the country who attend the numerous focused annual shows held in New Hampshire. This summer was no exception, with well-attended public previews and many requests from those not viewing in person. The two auctions, held August 18 and 19, offered fine American furniture from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, along with a robust and diverse selection of pottery, porcelain, silver, folk art, weathervanes, maritime art, pewter, and Shaker items consigned by private collectors, talented members of the trade and institutions. On the whole, buyers agreed, and the sale totaled 50% above the high estimate.
Chest of drawers, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1770, bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hennage, 1990-293
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Earlier this year, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation announced the most significant single American decorative arts bequest in its 90-year history: The Joseph H. and June S. Hennage collection, with its more than 400 objects of various media, including American furniture and miniature furniture, American silver, and Chinese porcelain that will transform Colonial Williamsburg’s already renowned collections. To celebrate this momentous bequest, an exhibition of approximately 50 highlighted objects, A Gift to the Nation: The Joseph and June Hennage Collection, will open in the Miodrag and Elizabeth Ridgely Blagojevich Gallery at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, one of the newly expanded Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, on June 26 and remain on view through 2023. While the items selected for the exhibition represent only a fraction of the overall collection, they will illustrate the Hennages’ exceptional taste and collecting style, the American origins and family histories of the objects, and the couple’s passion for American decorative arts.