Cataloged as “after Wiggins,” this American oil scene of New York’s Central Park in the winter set an appropriate mood for the holiday sale, selling for $530. It bore a signature lower right, was inscribed on reverse and measured 12 by 16 inches minus the frame.
Review by W.A. Demers, Photos Courtesy Donny Malone Auctions
SAUGERTIES, N.Y. – Hidden treasures of art and unique items emerged in Donny Malone’s November 24 Christmas sale. Comprising 500 lots, the sale ran the gamut from fine art to dinnerware, jewelry and collectibles, just in time for holiday hunter/gatherers. Unlike the Black Friday events that draw shoppers to big box stores for door-buster deals, the merchandise on offer here had been hidden away in household and estate collections for years perhaps, now each showcased in sequence for competitive online bidding.
The king of wintry cityscapes, of course, is Guy Carleton Wiggins (1883-1962), the American impressionist painter, president of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts and member of the Old Lyme Art Colony. Not everyone can afford a bona fide Wiggins, which ascend into the five-figure realm for the best examples. Listed as “after Wiggins,” an American oil scene of New York City’s Central Park led the sale, selling for $530. Bearing a signature lower right and inscribed on reverse, the oil on board measured 12 by 16 inches minus the frame.
Dinner services were sought-after in this period leading up to hoped-for resumption of family holiday gatherings. Bringing $500 was a set of 12 Theodore Haviland Limoges porcelain dinner plates, each 10¼-inch plate decorated with flowers in the center and a green gold and floral border. Other notable sets across the block included a 74-piece Georges Briard Peony porcelain dinnerware set at $381, eight Black Knight dinner plates and ten Limoges France plates at $250; a set of 12 Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria floral dinner plates, also realizing $250; and a set of 12 fine porcelain dinner plates from Czechoslovakia, each 11 inches with flowers in the center, green border and gold rim earning $237. And no holiday table setting would be complete without a set of seven .950 silver knife rests in the shape of pea pods. They came boxed and wrapped up a price of $200.
Smoking stands may be passe, but Art Deco design is timeless. An Art Deco Frankart-style nude woman smoke stand commanded $343. It sported original green patina paint, a replaced glass dish and stood 36 inches tall.
Tiffany is a name synonymous with gift-giving, and there were several such items among the sale’s notable lots. First, there was a Tiffany & Co .925 sterling silver “key” pendant, which found a buyer at $343. There were also two Tiffany & Co sterling silver cuff bracelets, each bringing $281, a .925 1997 bracelet and a .925 2005 bracelet.
A Tiffany & Co .925 sterling silver “key” pendant unlocked a winning bid of $343.
Christmas décor was represented by a ceramic tabletop Christmas tree light. In two parts, marked “Gerry” in script on the base and, most important, having working lights, it went out at $343. And speaking of décor, a great addition to any store holiday window display came in the form of four gold hanging winged angels blowing horns that were made as store props. Each 47 inches long, the hard composition, mannequin-style cherubs featured movable arms and legs. Collectively, they left the gallery at just $237.
More fine art was on offer with a 1950s oil painting, “Winter Roof Tops, Industrial City,” unsigned but of nice quality and in vintage original framing, 20 by 16 inches, taking $250. A member of the renowned American artistic Nemethy family of New York, Kristina Nemethy painted the oil on canvas “Catskills Winter Stream,” a tranquil scene of snow-dusted trees and stream at either sunrise or sunset. The oil on canvas, signed and framed, 18 by 14 inches, garnered $225. The daughter of Albert Szatmar Nemethy (1920-1998), Kristina was one of his six children, all talented painters, including Julian (b 1948), Georgina (b 1950) Albert R., George and Veronica.
A lighting highlight was an antique Pittsburgh ice chipped glass shade reverse paint lamp with a winter landscape scene. With metal base and original patina finish, its base, 22 inches high and top, 7½ inches high, it finished at $212.
Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. Donny Malone’s next sale is scheduled for January 3. For information, 845-663-3037 or www.donnymalonauctions.com.
