It was a good week to be a consignor of Asian antiques, as this Across The Block features a number of jade, porcelain and hardstone figures, among other paintings and objects, that went sky high.
Litchfield’s Opening Lot Sets $14,000 High Mark
LITCHFIELD, CONN. – It was all downhill after the first lot of Litchfield County Auctions’ June 23 sale, when a pair of Chinese white jade moon flask vases with covers, estimated for $800-$1,200, sold for $14,375. The buyer was a Connecticut private collector bidding online, who prevailed against an international phone bidder and a few bidders in the room. For more information, 860-567-4661 or www.litchfieldcountyauctions.com.
Locati’s Online Sale Starts The Summer
With Success
MAPLE GLEN, PENN. – Locati presented its online sale, June 4-18. The sale had a wide variety of fresh-to-the-market items and comprised more than 400 lots from collections and estates in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Of special interest were noteworthy Chinese pieces, fine art and bronzes. Among the highlights were a Chinese imperial porcelain bowl that realized $4,500 and a Chinese bronze figure of Lohan (shown) that brought $5,000. “We are finding that the Asian market is still strong,” said Michael Locati, the firm’s co-owner. “However, only better pieces are performing well. There is less speculation in the market these days.” For information, 215-619-2873 or www.locatillc.com.
Aaron Willard Boston Clock
Tops Mapes’ Summer Event
VESTAL, N.Y. – Mapes Auctioneers & Appraisers’ June 26 estate auction was filled with antiques and art held back from various other auctions just for this summer event. After strong bidding, an Aaron Willard Boston tall case clock in mahogany with reeded columns, moon phase movement, ogee feet, and in what the auctioneer described as “superb condition,” realized $25,760, making it the top lot of the day. For further information, www.mapesauction.com or 607-754-9193.
Jade Ruyi Scepter Desired Above All At Heritage
BEVERLY HILLS – One of the traditionally popular mediums in Asian art, jade has been pursued by collectors and curators alike for generations and was featured prominently among the top lots in Heritage Auctions’ Asian art auction June 28-29. The top lot was a Chinese celadon jade ruyi scepter, Qing dynasty, Eighteenth/Nineteenth Century, which sold for $68,750, nearly double its low estimate. Measuring 16-1/8 inches long, the scepter has eight auspicious symbols carved in relief to the terminal end and a slightly curved handle, which is pierced with a silk tassel. For further information, 877-437-4824 or www.ha.com.
Painted Two-Drawer Chest Sells
At The Top At Ingraham & Co
COVENTRY, CONN. – Ingraham & Co.’s weekly Wednesday auction turned up some choice Americana in its June 20 sale. The firm presented a fine two-drawer blanket chest in pine with sprawling floral decoration on a red background. In a volley between a floor bidder and an absentee bid, the absentee prevailed with a final bid of $1,808. The piece was reported to have come from a coastal Connecticut estate. For more information, 860-742-1993.
Atypical Moran Civil War Hospital Painting
Aids Rhode Island Estate
NEWPORT, R.I. – The top lot from Gustave J.S. White’s June 27 sale was an 1865 painting titled “Union Volunteers Hospital,” which Edward Moran painted in 1865. The painting was one of two works by Moran in the Rumford, R.I., estate of Clive W. Bridgham. Speaking after the sale, Mike Corcoran said he had expected the painting to bring $50,000, so he was pleased when a dealer bought it for $84,000. For information, 401-841-5780.
Serene Landscape Stirs Bidding Fight
At Winter Associates
PLAINVILLE, CONN. – Monday evening auctions are a staple at Winter Associates, and on June 25 the company offered some 320 lots of antique Oriental rugs, art, Americana, Victoriana, nautical, jewelry, silver, toys and taxidermy. An oil on canvas laid down on Masonite, depicting a meadow with a cloudy sky and trees in the distance, signed by American artist Arthur Wesley Dow (1857-1922) came up in the middle of the sale with a $2/4,000 estimate. Despite some craquelure and minor issues, bidders fought for the 12-by-21¾-inch painting until it sold at $10,200. For information, 860-793-0288 or www.auctionappraisers.com.
Dentist Daguerreotype Sale
Painless At Merrills
WILLISTON, VT. – One of the more interesting lots to cross the block at Duane Merrill’s on June 30 was a circa 1850 occupational daguerreotype of a dentist, shown holding an implement in his hand with a bag of tools on the table next to him. Estimated at $200/300, it had been consigned from the estate of a Rutland county collector. Interest escalated bidding and it was ultimately won by an online bidder for $1,968. For information, 802-878-2625 or www.merrillsauction.com.
Hardstone Does Not A Hard Sale Make
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIF. – A local estate yielded treasures for Robert Slawinski Auctioneers, Inc’s June 25 sale. Collected by four generations who arrived in San Francisco in 1847 and who became founding members of the Pacific Mining Exchange, the family traveled to China at the beginning of the Twentieth Century and began amassing one of the largest collections of Asian antiques on the West Coast. One of the top lots was this Chinese lacquered box with applied hardstone decoration. Estimated at $2/3,000, bidding quickly surpassed estimate until it was purchased by a Chinese buyer bidding online, for $15,600. For more information, www.slawinski.com or 831-335-9000.
