The table lamp had a
22-inch-diameter shade and reached $149,500.
PITTSFIELD, MASS. - Fontaine's Auction Gallery conducted its
spring 2003 auction on May 16-18, featuring more than 600 items
gathered from estates across New England. Included in the sale,
which totaled $2.3 million, was furniture from well-known makers
such as Belter, J&JW Meeks, Herter Brothers, Charles Boudine
and others; Twentieth Century lighting; and early American
antiques, including furniture and early American portrait
paintings.
Topping the sale was a Tiffany peony table lamp, which brought
$149,500. The lamp featured a 22-inch-diameter brilliantly
colored leaded shade depicting flowers and foliage throughout and
a double geometric border on the bottom of the shade, signed
"Tiffany Studios, NY," and a decorative Tiffany-style base.
Also sold was an important pair of bronze torchieres by Edward F.
Caldwell & Co., circa 1905. Caldwell was one of the
preeminent American designers of lighting, fixtures and metalwork
of the Twentieth Century. Realizing $92,000, the torchieres had
been made as a special commission for the Mellon estate in
Pennsylvania. When the mansion was razed, they were donated to a
Pittsburgh hall of worship.
A third highlight of the sale was a painting by Robert Bateman,
an acrylic titled "Bald Eagle with Salmon," circa 1972, signed
lower right corner and measuring 32 by 471/2 inches. The painting
brought $66,500.
All prices reflect a 15 percent buyer's premium.
