Large Chinese carved wood panel from the Nineteenth Century depicting a mountain landscape and enhanced with hardstone inserts brought $57,600.

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — On June 26, CRN conducted its Summer Mélange auction, which, appropriately, offered up two unrelated but compelling lead items.

A large Chinese carved wood panel from the Nineteenth Century depicting a mountain landscape and enhanced with hardstone inserts brought $57,600, including buyer’s premium, from a floor bidder. The panel measured 40¾ by 30½ inches and weighed a hefty 55 pounds.

The first item across the block, an oil on canvas by Albert Ernest Backus (American, 1906–1990) depicting a brilliant blooming Royal Poinciana tree, fetched $43,200 from another floor bidder. Measuring 25 by 30 inches, the framed work stemmed from the consignor’s parents, who owned a Massachusetts nursing home in the 1980s. The painting was given to them by the family of a deceased resident.

A complete review of this auction will appear in a later issue.