This Oriel Cabinet Co., Norman Suite dining room set from a Brooklyn, N.Y., estate achieved the sale’s highest price — $21,250 ($10/15,000).
Review by Carly Timpson
LARCHMONT, N.Y. — In the firm’s Super Election Estate Auction on November 3, Clarke Auction Gallery presented 654 lots of design, antiques, jewelry, sterling silver, artwork and militaria. With furniture and decorative arts leading the sale, the auction closed with a 92 percent sell-through rate.
Achieving the day’s highest price was an Oriel Cabinet Co., Norman Suite dining room set. The set comprised a round table that would extend if fitted with its six included leaves, an intricately carved china cabinet, two servers of varying size, six side chairs and two arm chairs. It came from a Brooklyn, N.Y., estate and had some light wear but was bid above its $15,000 estimate, ultimately achieving $21,250.
The second highest price was also achieved by a furniture lot. This one was the NV-48 settee by Finn Juhl in collaboration with Niels Vodder Cabinetmaker. Juhl’s design included a teak frame and “floating” cushions; this example of the 48 Sofa Bench was characterized by its dark wood and black leather cushions. Leaving a Fairfield County, Conn., estate, the settee more than doubled its high estimate to sell for $18,750.
This Model 48 settee by Finn Juhl in collaboration with Niels Vodder Cabinetmaker, Denmark, 1948, teak, leather and brass, 55 inches long, brought $18,750 ($7/9,000).
Chinese items also did well, with several pieces far exceeding their modest estimates. One such lot was a hexagonal ge-ware brush washer. While possibly from the Ming dynasty or earlier, it was apparently unmarked aside from an affixed label to the bottom with the depiction of a lion and a ribbon reading “Veritas.” The censer was fitted on a carved wooden stand bearing a label that read “New York / 1954 / 93.” Estimated just $500/700, the lot sold to an online buyer for $11,520. When asked about its success, a representative from the auction house noted that the lot did have substantial interest before the sale so they knew it would do well, but they still did not expect it to do this well.
Another notable Chinese lot was a pair of cloisonné dragon-form candle holders. Designed to resemble winged dragons with fire coming out of their mouths when lit, the figures were perched atop stylized wave bases and came with fitted carved wooden stands. Leaving a Roslyn Heights, N.Y., estate, the fire-breathing dragons were bid to $5,750.
Continuing with pairs, two carved giltwood lion figures sold to an online buyer for $5,376. These polychrome felines were carved in a crouching position with their faces angled upwards and mouths open in a ferocious roar. Despite some losses to the gilding and one with a tail in need of repair, the 31-inch-long lions left their Long Island, N.Y., estate for well above the $900 high estimate.
These carved polychrome giltwood lions, 17 by 31 inches each, roared to $5,376 against an estimate of just $600/900.
Making $11,250 was a lady’s Cartier Tank Watch. The dial of this 18K yellow gold watch was emblazoned with pavé diamonds and unidentified blue gems. The case was further accented with diamonds and had a blue set cabochon crown. From a Scarsdale, N.Y., estate, the watch was fitted with an aftermarket 18K gold bracelet, but it sold with the watch’s original Cartier papers.
Also in accessories was a chunky Etruscan Revival bracelet. The hand-hammered yellow gold hinged bracelet was stamped “18K” but the auction catalog said it actually appeared to be 14K gold with 18K plating. Leaving a Westport, Conn., estate, the piece earned $5,500.
The fine art category was led by an unattributed Continental School oil on canvas painting of a male nude. The figure was depicted resting outdoors on a red drapery, facing the distant scenery. Estimated just $800-$1,200, this Eighteenth or Nineteenth Century painting did much better, ultimately earning $9,600.
A bronze sculpture of four horses, on which were three riders, was bid to $6,000. The hind leg of one of the horses was marked “I.C. Storrs” and “3/8.” The large 40-inch-wide sculpture by Immi C. Storrs was from a Pleasantville, N.Y., collection.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, www.clarkeny.com or 914-833-8336.
