A Beacon for Auction Buffs Along the Jersey Shore

POINT PLEASANT, N.J.

: - February 15, 1846, is a tragic milestone in maritime history along the Jersey Coast. Because of a violent storm at sea, nine ships found the ocean floor. Indeed, this event was immortalized in a Nathaniel Currier print; but on a positive note, this tragedy gave birth to the United States Life Saving Service.

One of the vessels that met its end off Point Pleasant was carrying cargo equaling more than $80,000. Today, other valuable cargo still finds its way to Point Pleasant in the form of antiques and collectibles found at the Point Pleasant Galleries Auctions, as witnessed by the more than 200 bidders during its Saturday, August 9, sale. Included in this 309-lot sale were an assortment of furniture and decorative items, along with a hefty collection of majolica.

The top lot of the sale was a George III-style mahogany banquet table (121/2 feet long) with three pedestal bases. It sold for $3,080. Another decorative furniture item that captured bidders' attention was an Oriental lacquered console with a slate top that brought $2,420. Selling for $2,090 was a brass inlaid campaign chest/desk. A Centennial mahogany shaving stand with mirror, decorated with finely carved birds, left the gallery at $1,540. For $1,320 you could have been the new owner of a Nineteenth Century flame mahogany English writing desk with brass paw feet. Fetching $1,760 was a two-piece English cupboard.

A settee, decorated with a pair of stylized swans along the back and reeded legs and paw feet, went to a phone bidder for $880. A pine tall-case clock, with its original paint decorated face, sold for $1,650. A phone bidder acquired an American Empire mahogany butler's desk for $990. Selling for the same price was a pair of decorated marble-top stands. A closed-door pewter cupboard went to a phone bidder for $660. A Renaissance Revival ebonized candlestand that was decorated with birds, left the gallery for $632.

Choices were abundant for majolica collectors. A pair of 12-inch majolica vases in the form of dolphins went to a phone bidder for $2,640. With interest from the floor as well as the phones, a six-inch George Jones sardine box sold to the trade for $1,045. A 101/2-inch pitcher that was decorated with a swan was purchased for $962 from the phones. When three 91/4-inch Minton majolica oyster plates crossed the block, two went to the same floor bidder for $1,760 for the pair and the third one, which had a chip, sold for $660. Three nine-inch leaf plates were purchased for $825. A nine-inch Minton majolica shell/seaweed oyster plate exchanged hands at $770, while two others with imperfections brought $440 and $330.

Realizing $495 was an eight-inch pineapple syrup pitcher. Nine-inch compote decorated with storks sold for $467.

Other highlights included a converted figural bronze five-light fixture that went to a phone bidder for $1,760. Seventy-five pieces of Thomas Webb crystal stemware sold for $990. A three-piece Royal Vienna urn, with an early mark, left the gallery at $880. An oil on canvas (401/2 by 51 inches) attributed to Chafin exchanged hands at $770. A set of 12 Rosenthal dinner plates brought the same money. For $715 you could have owned a figural bronze tray signed G. Morin, an 181/2-inch cut crystal trumpet vase or a pair of Oriental ginger jars that were mounted a lamps. An 181/2-inch signed Dresden figural urn realized $660. Selling for the same money was a pair of ornate bronze mirrored sconces.

A pair of stone columns exchanged hands at $825, as did a 170-piece ornate silver plate flatware set and case. Bringing $550 was a seven-inch Tiffany silver jar with lid. A signed Steuben crystal bear sold for $467.

Prices reported include a ten percent buyer's premium.

Commenting on the sale after it concluded, auction house owner Greg Hawriluk said that he was happy that the items sold for what they should have, and that both he and the estates are pleased with the results.