"Russian Lady" sculpture by
Beckum, $52,900.
WINDSOR, CONN. -There was standing room only at Nadeau's annual
spring auction, as well as a record-breaking amount of phone and
absentee bids coming from throughout the US and Europe.
One of the top lots was the famous Russian Lady sculpture, which
was mounted atop of the downtown Hartford bar The Russian Lady
Cafe for more than 20 years sold at Nadeau's Auction Gallery on
March 23 for $52,900.
The statue originally stood atop the Rossia Insurance Company in
Hartford, Conn. until the 1970s. It is signed "Edmund Schulte
Beckum, sculptor, February 8, 1914-1915, Bronxville N.Y."
Seascape by D.W. Tyron, $57,500.
One of the many stars of the auction came to the block at the
beginning of the auction, when jewelry was sold. A 3.03-carat
diamond ring in a platinum setting realized $28,750.
Furniture did very well. Highlights included a Federal inlaid
mahogany sideboard, circa 1790, which reached $19,550. Other
furniture included a set of six Margolis Chippendale-style chairs
that totaled $9,660; a Federal mahogany three part banquet table,
circa 1810, that sold for $5,750; and a circa 1765 George III
mahogany bachelor's chest of drawers which realized $ 7,187.50.
Historically important, a collection of Civil War letters, mostly
written by Sergeant Charles W. Grannis of Company A of the 10th
Regiment of Connecticut, was offered. Describing particulars
about slaves, soldiers, and battles, along with a hand-drawn
sketch of the Battle of Roanoke Island, the group brought in
$14,950.
Federal inlaid mahogany sideboard, circa 1790, $19,550.
The strongest point of the auction were works of art, including a
framed oil painting on canvas, New England seascape, signed lower
left by Connecticut artist D.W. Tryon, 1873, for $57,500; a
framed oil painting on canvas, impressionistic California
landscape scene, signed Maurice Braun, 14 by 18 inches, for
$21,850; a framed needlework sampler depicting two cats, marked
Eliza Bar Work, for $ 1,850; and a framed oil painting on canvas
still life, signed twice by C.E. Porter, for $20,700.
There were also many illustrator works. A framed oil painting on
artist's board, a study of young woman in black evening dress,
signed lower right, Frahm, circa 1945, sold for $3,105, and a
framed oil painting on mounted paper, featuring a blond woman in
a red robe, signed lower right, Buell, circa 194, sold for
$2,645.
Decorative accessories included a Louis XV revival gilt bronze
table clock, dial inscribed Toms & Luscombe, Paris, measuring
42 inches tall, for $24,150; a Chinese export blue and white bowl
for $862.50; a brass cage with two singing birds marked France
for $1,782.50; a Handel desk lamp for $1,610; a bronze frog
fountain marked Gorham Founders, artist signed J.A. Gwachtman,
for $1,897.50; and two English earthenware mocha mugs, both "as
is," circa 1820, for $2,530.
Total revenue for the auction was $670,000. Prices include the
buyer's premium.
