Dawson & Nye Auction Sees Goods Soar Over Estimates

Morris Plains, N.J.

:On September 17 and 18, Dawson & Nye had its first sale of the 2008-2009 season, offering two days worth of furniture, fine arts, decorative objects, jewelry, porcelain and more. Many lots soared well above estimate.

The stars of the show were a life-sized pair of carved wooden Hercules figures from the collection of items belonging to the founder of Penthouse magazine. Estimated at $800–$1,200, the pair was knocked down for $26,550 after spirited competition from a combination of floor, telephone and online bidders.

Enthusiasm was pronounced for this collection overall; the assemblage of ornate Italian mirrors inspired serious rivalry among paddle holders, led by a rococo spot-gilded and patinated mirror ($400/600) that sold for $2,360, a rococo-style gilt gesso mirror at $2,242 and a shell-carved pine mirror at $2,360.

Continuing with the same consignor, two gouaches on paper by the Persian artist Mahmoud Farschian occasioned heavy bidding. Each estimated at $300/500, one sold for $2,950, the other for $4,720.

A large and ornate pair of baroque-style wrought iron doors doubled estimate to realize $4,130, while a carved wooden pair brought $3,245. Furniture was popular — a Renaissance-style table hammered down at $5,310, while a Louis XV-style bureau plat commanded $1,888, as did a pair of baroque-style carved walnut back stools.

St Louis glass was favored as ever, led by a set of 16 gilt decorated glasses that went for $2,006, a set of 18 similar water goblets brought $2,242, and a pair of gilt decorated glass pitchers realized $1,003.

Silver highlights included a Continental silver oval hinged lidded and footed box ($400/600) that was bid up to $2,478, a pair of Wedgwood urns sold for $1,652, and a set of 12 Royal Doulton plates fetched $1,770.

Among items from other consignors that proved desirable were two jewelry standouts, a lacy diamond-encrusted Buccellati bracelet ($1,5/2,500) that achieved $11,210, and an Ed Wiener modernist gold and pearl brooch that was won for $3,540.

Asian artifacts were their usual strong draw. From the Prouty collection, a Chinese jade shallow bowl fetched $1,888, while a celadon-green, dragon-carved jade censer estimated at $600–$1,200 climbed to $16,520 after some of the most energetic bidding of the sale, much of it international.

Art highlights included a Nineteenth Century silkwork of a shepherdess and her flock that sold for $4,130 and an oil on canvas attributed to Eugene Boudin that doubled estimate to bring $10,620.

Rounding out the sale were ten French provincial-style needlepoint side chairs at $3,835, a French ormolu mantle clock at $4,720, a rare Nineteenth Century example of Judaica in the form of a patinated lion-lamp menorah for $6,785 and a pair of Nineteenth Century Jacob Petit porcelain figures of a Middle Eastern couple, now electrified, at $2,360.

For more information, www.dawsonandnye.com or 973-984-6900.