New England Glass agata bowl with unusual acid finish surface, $11,200.
Mount Washington peachblow acid finish footed bowl, $13,440.
The Early Auction Company hosted another incredibly strong sale of Art Glass during its annual Summer auction on July 23 and 24. The auction was highlighted with a stellar selection of rdf_Descriptions from the estate of Maud Feld of New York City. Feld was a premier dealer in American art glass for a good part of the Twentieth Century and all of Early’s sales this year have featured treasures from her collection. The auction also featured fresh-to-the-market rdf_Descriptions from numerous other collections from Colorado, Minnesota, California and Michigan.
A flawless plated Amberina water carafe from the Feld collection led the charge at the July Early sale, shattering records and selling well above the presale estimates to a private collector in the room for $47,040.
“To our knowledge,” stated auctioneer Steven Early, “this carafe was a one-of-a-kind piece.” The record price paid for the carafe eclipsed a previous record for plated Amberina that was established at Early’s this past April when a lemonade pitcher, also from the Feld collection, sold for $36,960. Incidentally, both lots were purchased by the same collector.
A rare 71/2-inch plated Amberina bulbous water pitcher, from the Feld collection, did well selling at $15,680, while a 7-inch plated Amberina cruet of excellent shading with a cut amber faceted stopper sold at more than double the low estimate at $10,080.
“There just aren’t many other pieces like these,” stated Early. “Mrs Feld had a great eye for collecting. These examples attracted an enormous amount of attention from collectors, you just don’t see them very often and in some cases you never see them.”
One such example from the Feld collection was the 5-inch New England Glass agata bowl that attracted interest from buyers from across the country. The bowl, shaded in a subtle pink to white with random mineral stain effect, was extremely unusual due to the surface being in an acid finish.
“Most of these pieces they made had a shiny finish,” stated Early, “this one was particularly unusual with the acid treatment.” Estimated at $3/5,000, the vase sold after active bidding for $11,200.
The auction also featured extraordinary glass from other collections featuring stunning examples of Steuben, Quezal, Tiffany and Mount Washington, as well as an expanded selection of contemporary glass by artists such as Chihuly and Lundberg.
The Earlys have seen a growing number of people present at the auction, creating a more social atmosphere among the buyers and somewhat of a reunion for longtime customers.
Other top lots included a Steuben 53/4-inch Aurene vase that carried a presale estimate of $4/6,000, yet hammered down at $19,040, and a signed Steuben leaf and vine vase with millefiori decoration brought $4,200.
A signed Libbey Amberina compote of the finest color did well selling at $4,480, a rare Durand Moorish craquelle vase brought $5,040, a signed Durand King Tut-decorated vase, 63/4 inches, swept past estimates bringing $4,200.
A fabulous Thomas Webb & Sons epergne 103/4 inches in height was estimated at $4/6,000, yet sold after stiff competition for $20,160; a New England agata Morgan vase with original griffin holder brought 5,880; a Fenton off-hand decorated vase in a rare Karnak red color also doubled estimates at $6,720.
A large Quezal covered urn in the King Tut swirl pattern did well at $6,160, a rainbow D.Q. mother-of-pearl footed center bowl more than tripling estimates at $8,008, and a Webb & Sons decorated Burmese sociable, 83/4 inches tall, sold at $10,080.
Prices include the 12 percent buyer’s premium charged.
