Woody Auctions wows the ABCG world with $132K centerpiece

J. Hoare three-handled American brilliant cut glass centerpiece with sterling silver mounts, $110,000 at Woody Auction. The winner looks to be a LiveAuctioneers bidder, and 86 people were watching the sale.

DOUGLASS, Kan. – It was, said Woody Auctions, an “exceptionally rare opportunity to add an outstanding one-of-a-kind-piece to your collection.” And one very eager bidder did not let that opportunity go. At the firm’s Presidential Auction Weekend on March 16, an American brilliant cut glass (ABCG) centerpiece set in elaborate sterling silver mounts soared past its estimate of $20,000-$25,000 to bring $110,000 ($132,000 with buyer’s premium). The winner was a LiveAuctioneers bidder.

This 14.5in bowl is well known in collecting circles and has been featured in many publications, including Jane Shadel Spillman’s 1999 book The American Cut Glass Industry: T.G. Hawkes and His Competitors. The glass element, cut with the design variously known as the Crystal City or the Wedding Ring pattern, is by J. Hoare & Co., the Corning, New York firm established by the Cork, Ireland glasscutter John Hoare in the 1860s. Although the winged serpents are mounts are marked only ‘Sterling’, the firm worked with both Tiffany and the Gorham Manufacturing Company.

The bowl, consigned in near-perfect condition, save for a small pattern chip, had provenance to the collection of respected members of the American Cut Glass Association, the late Tom and Mildred Jacks.

For three decades before the First World War, American brilliant cut glass was perhaps the finest in the world. Fighting the prejudice that claimed that the best glass was made in Europe, American companies steadily earned their stripes at a succession of international exhibitions. In 1893, J. Hoare & Co. entered a punch bowl into the Chicago World’s Fair; it took two months to make and weighed 70 pounds. The bowl won several medals for its quality and artistic design.

J. Hoare three-handled American brilliant cut glass centerpiece with sterling silver mounts, which sold for $110,000 ($132,000 with buyer's premium) at Woody Auction.

J. Hoare three-handled American brilliant cut glass centerpiece with sterling silver mounts, which sold for $110,000 ($132,000 with buyer's premium) at Woody Auction.

Roland Arkell

Roland Arkell

Roland Arkell is editor of Auction Central News and deputy editor at Antiques Trade Gazette. He has been writing about all aspects of the art and antiques market for more than 25 years.

Two top-tier American brilliant cut glass collections unite at Woody March 16

ABCG round tray signed Hawkes panel pattern, estimated at $4,000-$8,000 at Woody.

DOUGLASS, Kan. — Not one but two outstanding husband-and-wife lifetime collections of American brilliant cut glass will head to market in a show of force at Woody Auction on Saturday, March 16. The complete catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

Amazingly, the two collections are well known, as they represent two different former presidents of the American Cut Glass Association — Wilbur and the late Mary Bluhm, and Leon and Carol Torline. In all, 350 choice lots are headed to market in what is certain to be a major event in the ABCG community.

The sale’s highest-estimated lot is a magnificent three-handled ABCG centerpiece in the Crystal City pattern (also known as Wedding Ring), designed and executed by J. Hoare. It features a sterling silver rim with winged serpent handles and feet, and is well known in the ABCG community, having appeared in numerous books and publications. Originally in the Tom and Mildred Jacks collection, the centerpiece carries an estimate of $20,000-$25,000.

Hailing from the Bill Atzenhoffer estate is this ABCG round tray in the Arabian II pattern and signed Egginton. Measuring 14in in diameter, this is a fantastic example with no identified flaws. It is estimated at $5,000-$8,000.

Another round tray, this one measuring 10.25in in diameter, is a signed Hawkes panel pattern. Examination reveals good fluorescence under black light, and an extra clear blank with good signature. From the Wilbur And Mary Bluhm collection, the tray is estimated at $4,000-$8,000.

And yes, a third round tray in American brilliant cut glass is a sale leader. Signed Hawkes Willow Pattern and measuring 9.75in in diameter, the design is also known as Latttice and Rosette. After testing, Woody Auction discovered this Wilbur and Mary Bluhm tray did not fluoresce under black light. However, the house still believes in the piece’s authenticity, leading to a $3,000-$6,000 estimate.

J. Hoare three-handled American brilliant cut glass centerpiece with sterling silver mounts, $110,000 at Woody Auction. The winner looks to be a LiveAuctioneers bidder, and 86 people were watching the sale.

J. Hoare three-handled American brilliant cut glass centerpiece with sterling silver mounts, $110,000 at Woody Auction. The winner looks to be a LiveAuctioneers bidder, and 86 people were watching the sale.

ABCG round tray in Arabian II pattern, estimated at $5,000-$8,000 at Woody.

ABCG round tray in Arabian II pattern, estimated at $5,000-$8,000 at Woody.

ABCG round tray signed Hawkes panel pattern, estimated at $4,000-$8,000 at Woody.

ABCG round tray signed Hawkes panel pattern, estimated at $4,000-$8,000 at Woody.

ABCG round tray signed Hawkes Willow Pattern, estimated at $3,000-$6,000 at Woody.

ABCG round tray signed Hawkes Willow Pattern, estimated at $3,000-$6,000 at Woody.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Haviland Limoges porcelain and American cut glass shine at Woody Jan. 6

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DOUGLASS, Kan. – A private Colorado collection of Haviland Limoges comes to market at Woody Auction on Saturday, January 6, along with a variety of American cut glass, KPM and more, highlighting the decorative arts mastery of 19th-century artisans. The catalog is now available for bidding in an online-only auction at LiveAuctioneers.

David Haviland was an importer of English porcelain who, upon encountering the fine wares coming out of France, immediately shifted his focus and business model. He began slowly by purchasing porcelain from other manufacturers and having his own Limoges-based artisans decorate and fire them. By the 1860s, his operation was fully capable and was producing some of the finest French porcelain of the 19th century.

As the 19th president of the United States, serving from 1877-1881, Rutherford B. Hayes placed what was at the time the most expensive order for White House state dinner service porcelain, choosing Haviland as the preferred vendor. This incredible fish platter, featuring the presidential seal of the era, is “one of the rarest Haviland items” ever encountered by the auctioneer. The platter is estimated at $5,000-$8,000.

Signed by artist Edouard Sandoz and marked for Haviland Limoges, this duck or pelican-themed tea service set dates to the 1920-1936 period. It has some minor repairs, as noted by the auctioneer, but is in otherwise remarkable condition and considered “very rare” by Woody. It carries an estimate of $1,000-$2,500.

American brilliant cut glass (ABCG) continues to fascinate collectors with its complex artistry. From the same Colorado collection comes this ABCG wine stem featuring a turquoise cut to clear design with a Croesus pattern By J. Hoare. It is estimated at $2,000-$3,000.

Large sets are also included in the sale. A “massive” Bohemian art glass coffee set in the style of Moser is estimated at $750-$1,500, while a Pikard pedestal punch bowl set is also estimated at $750-$1,500.
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Haviland fish platter with the U.S. presidential seal from the Rutherford administration, estimated at $5,000-$8,000 at Woody Auction.
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Haviland Limoges duck or pelican-themed tea service set, estimated at $1,000-$2,500 at Woody Auction.
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American brilliant cut glass wine stem, estimated at $2,000-$3,000 at Woody Auction.
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Bohemian art glass coffee set in the style of Moser, estimated at $750-$1,500 at Woody Auction.
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Pikard pedestal punch bowl set, estimated at $750-$1,500 at Woody Auction.
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