: The Early Auction Company hosted another incredibly strong sale
of Art Glass during its annual Summer auction on July 23 and 24.
The auction was highlighted with a stellar selection of items
from the estate of Maud Feld of New York City. Feld was a premier
dealer in American art glass for a good part of the Twentieth
Century and all of Early's sales this year have featured
treasures from her collection. The auction also featured
fresh-to-the-market items from numerous other collections from
Colorado, Minnesota, California and Michigan.
A flawless plated Amberina water carafe from the Feld collection
led the charge at the July Early sale, shattering records and
selling well above the presale estimates to a private collector
in the room for $47,040.
"To our knowledge," stated auctioneer Steven Early, "this carafe
was a one-of-a-kind piece." The record price paid for the carafe
eclipsed a previous record for plated Amberina that was
established at Early's this past April when a lemonade pitcher,
also from the Feld collection, sold for $36,960. Incidentally,
both lots were purchased by the same collector.
A rare 71/2-inch plated Amberina bulbous water pitcher, from the
Feld collection, did well selling at $15,680, while a 7-inch
plated Amberina cruet of excellent shading with a cut amber
faceted stopper sold at more than double the low estimate at
$10,080.
New England Glass agata bowl with unusual acid finish surface,
$11,200.
"Lots bearing the distinguished provenance of Mrs Feld did
extremely well, some exceeding their presale estimates by three and
four hundred percent," stated the auction house.
"There just aren't many other pieces like these," stated Early.
"Mrs Feld had a great eye for collecting. These examples
attracted an enormous amount of attention from collectors, you
just don't see them very often and in some cases you never see
them."
One such example from the Feld collection was the 5-inch New
England Glass agata bowl that attracted interest from buyers from
across the country. The bowl, shaded in a subtle pink to white
with random mineral stain effect, was extremely unusual due to
the surface being in an acid finish.
"Most of these pieces they made had a shiny finish," stated
Early, "this one was particularly unusual with the acid
treatment." Estimated at $3/5,000, the vase sold after active
bidding for $11,200.
The auction also featured extraordinary glass from other
collections featuring stunning examples of Steuben, Quezal,
Tiffany and Mount Washington, as well as an expanded selection of
contemporary glass by artists such as Chihuly and Lundberg.
The Earlys have seen a growing number of people present at the
auction, creating a more social atmosphere among the buyers and
somewhat of a reunion for longtime customers.
Other top lots included a Steuben 53/4-inch Aurene vase that
carried a presale estimate of $4/6,000, yet hammered down at
$19,040, and a signed Steuben leaf and vine vase with millefiori
decoration brought $4,200.
A signed Libbey Amberina compote of the finest color did well
selling at $4,480, a rare Durand Moorish craquelle vase brought
$5,040, a signed Durand King Tut-decorated vase, 63/4 inches,
swept past estimates bringing $4,200.
Mount Washington peachblow acid finish footed bowl, $13,440.
Mount Washington pieces did exceptionally well with a
peachblow acid finish footed bowl selling at more than double
estimates at $13,440, a Mount Washington peachblow toothpick holder
in original Tufts silver stand realized $10,640, and a rare
91/4-inch decorated Mount Washington peachblow vase was bid to
$22,400.
A fabulous Thomas Webb & Sons epergne 103/4 inches in height
was estimated at $4/6,000, yet sold after stiff competition for
$20,160; a New England agata Morgan vase with original griffin
holder brought 5,880; a Fenton off-hand decorated vase in a rare
Karnak red color also doubled estimates at $6,720.
A large Quezal covered urn in the King Tut swirl pattern did well
at $6,160, a rainbow D.Q. mother-of-pearl footed center bowl more
than tripling estimates at $8,008, and a Webb & Sons
decorated Burmese sociable, 83/4 inches tall, sold at $10,080.
Prices include the 12 percent buyer's premium charged.
