:A stunning painting of the "Union Wading Company Fire, Pawtucket,
R.I., 1870" by Boston artist J.P. Fisk brought a record price of
$193,000 at Skinner's Americana sale this past Sunday, June 5.
Fisk was an eyewitness to the devastating fire and he sketched
the event and then painted it in amazing detail. Dealer William
Samaha was the successful bidder.
Another of the top lots was a distinguished Philadelphia
Chippendale carved walnut dressing table that fetched an
impressive $171,000. The table dated from the late 1740s to the
late 1750s and was attributed to cabinetmakers Henry Cliffton and
Thomas Carteret and carved by Nicholas Bernard.
A complete report of the sale will appear in a future issue.