This Nineteenth Century Turkish Oushak rug was the sale’s top lot, selling for $15,625 and measuring 220 by 164 inches.
Review by W.A. Demers; Photos Courtesy Lewis & Maese
HOUSTON, TEXAS — Lewis & Maese took bidders on a magic carpet ride on February 25, with two choice carpets leading the day’s auction of 531 lots. Top lot, at $15,625, was a Nineteenth Century Turkish Oushak rug that measured 220 by 164 inches. Runner up was an antique hand-knotted Oushak rug of the same dimensions, which went out at $10,125.
In the realm of hand-knotted rugs, Oushaks, woven in a method known as the Turkish knot, are created by passing the colored weft yarn over the two warp yarns, which is then pulled through between them and cut to form the pile.
The sale totaled $232,900 and posted a sell-through rate of 78 percent, attracting 732 registered bidders.
A Nineteenth Century Chinese bronze censer surpassed its $1,5/2,500 estimate and sold for $6,875 despite a slight crack in the lid’s corner. It was 23½ inches high, 13 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
Fine art sailed to favor as an oil on canvas painting by Herb Mears (1923-1999), “Sailboats in Port” squeaked past its high estimate to dock at $6,250. The unframed painting was 48 by 66 inches. Mears was born in New York City, developing an interest in art at a young age. In Paris, he studied under Fernand Leger and spent time painting in France and Italy before coming to Houston, in 1951. He and a colleague opened an art school, The Studio of Contemporary Arts, where they aspired to find potential students.
An oil on canvas painting by Houstonian Herb Mears, “Sailboats in Port,” was bid to $6,250. The unframed painting was 48 by 66 inches.
That dream did not pan out, however, and Mears took on employment as a draftsman for Houston Lighting and Power Company. He later gained recognition and secured a teaching position at the Museum School. Mears also taught at the Contemporary Arts Museum, University of Houston and Rice University.
Highlighting the furniture category was a set of eight late 1930s ebony Joseph Giannola side chairs, which more than doubled its high estimate to finish at $5,625. The Anglo-Indian carved and pierced side chairs from Ceylon had a seat height of 17½ inches.
Rolex asserted its royalty among wristwatches with two notable examples crossing the block. A two-tone Rolex datejust 36mm with diamond numbers and a blue face met its high estimate, taking $5,625. Fetching $5,000 was a 36mm stainless steel example.
Fetching $5,000 was a Rolex 36mm stainless steel datejust model.
In the decorative arts category, a vintage French bronze and cut crystal table lamp outshone its $800-$1,000 estimate and was bid to $4,375.
Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. The date of the next sale, an online “Man Cave” auction. is set for March 24. For information, 713-869-1335 or www.lmauctionco.com.
