:A highly unusual stoneware folk art figure of a stag decorated with spots of cobalt became the top selling lot at Pook & Pook's two-day Americana auction this past Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29. Appearing as the cover lot, the handsome hand-molded form was in virtually mint condition with the recumbent stag resting on a shallow platform with his front legs stretched forward.
Thought to have been made in western Pennsylvania, circa 1875, the figure had a nice overall tan surface and measured 14½ inches long from the tip of his paddle-form tail to the front of his outstretched hoof and 11½ inches tall to the top of his antler. With a carved open mouth and a full set of teeth, the figure was termed by auctioneer Ron Pook as "expressive."
Several in the gallery also became expressive as they chased the lot with vigor all the way to a selling price of $111,150.
A complete review of the auction will appear in a future issue.
—DSS
