Varied cultural objects drew significant interest at auctions this week, with Indigenous North American items including a Navajo weaving that finished for $49,375 at Main Street Auctions and a carved Haida amulet that reached $2,340 for Eldred’s. Asian cultures were also represented, featuring a Chinese plaque that led Americana Auctions at $34,560 and a Japanese sword that earned $13,200 at Vero Beach. For these stories and more, read on.
Victorian Clock Chimes For Tom Hall’s Highest Price
BOYERTOWN, PENN. — Fine art, clocks, Persian rugs and more were featured in Tom Hall Auctions’ March 18 online-only sale of property from a prominent Berks County, Penn., collector and dealer who was downsizing. The top lot, realizing $6,600, was a 87½-inch-high Victorian walnut jeweler’s regulator clock made in America circa 1880. It had a porcelain face, a French pinwheel hidden movement and a compensating pendulum measuring nearly 12 inches in diameter. For information, www.tomhallauctions.com or 610-799-0808.
Navajo Rug Sweeps Up At Main Street Auctions
WOODBURY, CONN. — A Nineteenth Century Navajo rug was the top lot at Main Street Auctions’ March 22 sale, surpassing its $300-600 estimate to attain $49,375. The handwoven wool rug had bold horizontal stripes and stepped diamond motifs in natural cream, red and indigo and was child sized, measuring 46 by 31 inches. Auctioneer Art Pappas said the rug was rare but “the details are always important at this level — weaving and age (1860-70) as well as the colors and design were important. People from the West Coast flew in to view it and it found a home in Colorado.” For information, 203-266-0323.
Victorian Gold Chain Necklace Shines At MCS
ISLAND PARK, N.Y. — A standout at MCS Antique and Estate Buyers’ March Madness Jewelry Sale on March 20 was a Victorian gold-filled book chain necklace with a hanging locket that brought $540. Coming out of a Long Island, N.Y., estate, the necklace sold online through LiveAuctioneers to an online bidder and was noted for its detailing and workmanship. For information, www.mcsestatebuyers.com or 516-205-4545.
Sword Swings To Top-Lot Status At Vero Beach Auction
VERO BEACH, FLA. — A rare and notable Japanese sword sliced its way to the top of Vero Beach Auctions’ March 21 auction. The Yukimitsu katana samurai sword realized $13,200, just over its $5/10,000 estimate, selling to a collector. It came out of the estate of noted Japanese arts collector Bob Lighnter, who accrued quite a collection of samurai swords over three decades. This signed sword was early, circa 1250-1350, and had Japanese handwriting on its wooden scabbard that identified its maker. The blade was about 26 inches long. For more information, www.verobeachauction.com or 772-978-5955.
Opfer Bidders Go Full Steam Ahead For New York Central
TIMONIUM, MD. — More than 710 lots of model trains and related accessories cross the block in Richard Opfer Auctioneering’s March 23 train auction. Achieving the sale-high price was Lionel’s New York Central Vision J1 Hudson, model 5344. In a glass case on a wooden base, the engine and tender measured 23 inches long and rose to more than double its high estimate, finishing at $1,080 ($300/500). For information, www.opferauction.com or 410-252-5035.
At Flying Pig, Flags & Paddles Wave For Patriotic Crock
WESTMORELAND, N.H. — Incised with a scene featuring soldiers, a large American flag and a canon, this stoneware butter churn generated significant interest and realized $41,250 to become the top lot in Flying Pig Auctions’ three-day sale featuring “phase one” of the Massachusetts South Shore estate of Matthew Joseph King, March 22-24. The three-gallon churn was cataloged as “wonderful, important and rare,” and measured 15 inches tall with a 7½-inch diameter. For information, www.flyingpigantiquesnh.com or 603-543-7490.
Amulet Charms Bidders At Sandwich Auction House
SOUTH YARMOUTH, MASS. — Buyers were charmed by a Haida carved walrus ivory amulet in Sandwich Auction House’s March 25 Discovery auction that sold for $2,340. Dating to the late Nineteenth-early Twentieth Century, the amulet measured 4 inches long and was carved in a totem style with a figural design. It also retained an old collection label. For information, www.sandwichauction.com or 508-385-3116.
Art Deco Ring Sparkles For Clars
OAKLAND, CALIF. — The headline lot of Clars’ Antique Diamonds: A Collector’s Auction on March 19 was an Art-Deco diamond and platinum ring that sold for $75,600. Finishing over its $50/70,000 estimate, the ring featured a cut-cornered square step-cut diamond of 4.92 carats within a platinum mounting set with 26 single-cut diamonds and accented by etched scrollwork. For information, www.clars.com or 888-339-7600.
Chinese Plaque Marches At Americana Auctions
REHOBOTH, MASS. — Marching to top-lot status at Americana Auctions’ March 22 sale was a Nineteenth Century Chinese carved plaque, which sold to a Beijing collector for $34,560. Selling just over its high estimate, the signed plaque depicted an elaborate village with parading figures made from individually carved bone and metal pieces mounted on a hand-painted background. Consigned by a Florida woman of Asian descent who had once received it as a gift, it was signed with Chinese characters translated to “Youxizibai” and “Celebrating the Imperial Gift.” For information, www.americana-auction.com or 508-771-1722.
