An assortment of early American gems were peppered in among a varied lot of merchandise auctioned by Paul Gorzocoski of Northfield Auction. A standing-room-only crowd packed its way into the auction hall, although numerous people were deterred from the sale by torrential downpours, fierce lightning, flooded roads and accidents on the highways. Despite the booming storms slowing transit, it was quick bidding all night for those that made it to the gallery, with lots to bid on and even some good chow served up by the mobile Roadrunner Café.

Gorzocoski has been the main auctioneer at Ken Miller’s for the past several years and was with the auction house for a total of 31 years. With Mrs Miller now in a nursing home, Gorzocoski decided it was time to open his own business and get things rolling. Working from a new location on Main Street, this was the third sale conducted under the Northfield Auction banner.

Highlighting the sale were several pieces of pottery including two stoneware jugs, one decorated with an American ship of war and the other an unusual example of Commeraws stoneware, along with two early and unusual redware flowerpots loosely attributed to the Bell Pottery. An eclectic selection of furniture ranging from an early tap table to a “cowboy” desk were also among the offerings, as well as a large selection of Oriental carpets, clocks and at least one really good painting.

Ship decoration on the stoneware jug that sold for $10,450.

The painting, a study attributed to Thomas Gainsborough, wastitled “Young Lovers in Landscape.” Consigned from a Benningtonarea estate, the painting had originally been collected by a notedNew York doctor’s wife who had amassed a collection of primarilyEnglish art between 1900 and 1930. The painting attracted theattention of a host of art collectors and dealers and bidding onthe lot was brisk with it selling at $12,100.

Another of the anticipated top lots of the auction was the jug with ship decoration that was thought to be a commerative piece for the War of 1812. The piece, incised and blue filled with sails up and American flags flying, had been discovered by a picker in Florida and consigned to the auction.

Some thought the early ovoid jug might have been the work of Clarkson Crolius, others place a Connecticut attribution on it. Regardless, it was a nicely executed example with crisp incising. Condition was good except for a thumbnail-size chunk that had been broken from the mouth of the jug and unprofessionally glued back in place.

The Thomas Gainsborough study, “Young Lovers in Landscape,” sold for $12,100.

When it came time for the jug to be offered, Gorzocoski askedfor an opening bid of $10,000, then $5,000 and the lot finallyopened up when he asked for $2,000. Four telephone lines wereactive and one of them jumped into the fray immediately hitting thelot at $2,500. Action bounced back and forth between two phones fora while until a bid from the rear of the room came at $7,500. Thebidding narrowed to the phone bidder and the client in the roomwith the room claiming the lot at $10,450.

The Commeraw was marked with the double clamshell decoration, yet instead of being brushed with blue, the potter had applied blue polka-dots inside the stamp. Active bidding on this jug was also seen with it hammering down at $4,785.

Two Pennsylvania unglazed flowerpots decorated with in floral slip pattern also attracted their fair share of attention. The pieces were also decorated with blocks on the sides from which a loose ring hung that served as a handle. The first to be offered was free of any nicks and it sold for $2,750, the second with minor chips went out at $1,320.

The two Pennsylvania unglazed flowerpots decorated with in floral slip pattern sold at $2,750 and $1,320.

Other lots of interest in the sale included a burl tea caddythat sold at $825; a miniature four-drawer chest, $715; an Ansoniawall regulator, $770; a large Rose Medallion basin, $605; and alarge Rockingham glazed teapot with unusual teapot finial andapplied decoration, $1,595.

Furniture sold included a nice tap table with button feet that brought $1,210.

All prices include the ten percent buyer’s premium charged. The next auction at Northfield will be conducted in late August and will feature the post card collection of Mrs Miller.

For further information contact Northfield Auction at 413-498-4420.