The lot was attributed to
Judkins and Senter and sold to Yardley, Penn. dealer Todd
Prickett for $127,000.
BOSTON, MASS. -- A Portsmouth Federal secretary/desk topped the
bill at Skinner's Americana auction this past Sunday, June 8. The
gallery reported a good sized crowd made up of old-time familiar
faces and a host of new "30-something" couples that bid actively
throughout the day.
The auction went over 95 percent sold with carpets making up the
majority of the passed lots. Sales totaled well above the high
presale estimate of $1.1 million with an impressive $1.7 million
realized from the 450 lots offered.
The Portsmouth secretary/desk in mahogany, flame birch and
rosewood veneer was attributed to Judkins and Senter, circa 1813.
Skinner's American expert Stephen Fletcher commented that the
piece, boasting a single-family history, was "beautiful" and was
in "wonderful condition" despite not retaining an original
surface or brasses. Fletcher related that the secretary/desk had
been discovered in a recently constructed contemporary home in
Rye, N.H., and that the consignors were moving to Santa Fe, N.M.
"Santa Fe is not the place for this piece of furniture,"
commented Fletcher, who said that it was his hope it would stay
in New England.
Portrait of the steamer "Puritan" by Fred Pansing, $52,875.
Bidding on the piece opened at $70,000 and bounced back and forth
between the gallery and the telephones with phone bidder Todd
Prickett of C.L. Prickett Antiques claiming the lot at $127,000.
All prices include the buyer's premium charged.
Prickett, of Yardley, Penn., who specializes in Chippendale and
Queen Anne furniture, "but always aspire to acquire prime Federal
examples," commented that the secretary desk is an extremely rare
form and further stated that he was very pleased with the
purchase.
Other lots that did well included a selection of redware from the
Charles Cook collection with a pitcher marked "Clinton Ware" and
decorated with an eagle selling at $37,600, a portrait of the
American steamer Puritan by Fred Pansing sold well above
the $8/12,000 presale estimates at $52,875, and a pair of marine
paintings featuring yachts, thought to be by Elisha Taylor Baker,
soared past the $600/800 estimates to a selling price of $55,225.
A complete review will appear in a future issue.
