Achieving the sale-high price of $11,590 was “The 100 Greatest Masterpieces” from the Franklin Mint, first edition proof set of gold vermeil on sterling silver coins, number 6251, approximately 208 troy ounces, housed in a fancy presentation box ($6/8,000).
Review by Carly Timpson
STAMFORD, CONN. — “We had a wonderful little winter auction, and we were very pleased with our results,” reported ACES Gallery owner and auctioneer, Alex Fonarow of the firm’s 348-lot Winter Estates Auction conducted on February 22. “The sale totaled just shy of $250k at an 80 percent sell-through rate. Over 1,700 bidders registered for the sale online, over the phone and in absentia. In person preview was reasonably well attended, but with the online nature of things, still a far cry from ‘the good ol’ days.’”
“I have heard from jewelers and collectors that there is a glut of silver going into refineries, resulting in a ‘physical freeze’ and subsequently trepidation among some silver and gold buyers. Still — at the end of the day — the auction prevailed, and strong interest drove healthy competition and strong results,” Fonarow added.
Despite the reports, these precious metals led the way. Earning the sale’s highest price was a “The 100 Greatest Masterpieces” set of gilt coins from the Franklin Mint. The 100 gold vermeil on sterling silver coins in this first-edition proof set were numbered “6251,” and about 50 of them were placed in the drawers of the fancy presentation box; all others were in their original sleeves. Together, the “Masterpieces” brought $11,590, selling to a phone bidder and besting its estimated $6/8,000.
This 1907 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle gold coin necklace on a 14K Italian chain sold to a phone buyer for $10,160 ($7/9,000).
Following closely behind at $10,160 was a 1907 Double Eagle coin necklace that came from a Greenwich, Conn., estate and sold to an online bidder. The $20 US Liberty Head Double Eagle coin was paired with a 14K gold Figaro link chain with a “14K Italy” marking to its hidden box clasp.
A 130-piece Gorham sterling silver flatware service in the Hunt Club pattern, from a Westport, Conn., estate, found a new home with a phone buyer. The circa 1930 set had a total weighable weight of 147.06 troy ounces and was housed in a wooden case. It was taken past its $8,000 high estimate to achieve $8,540.
One of the more unexpected results in the sale was earned by James Rizzi’s “Sunday In Central Park,” a cut lithograph that held an estimate of just $100/200 but crossed the block for $4,064. Across the bottom, the 1980 work was signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil. Matted in a gold-tone metal frame without glass so the three-dimensional effect was accented, this artist’s proof, edition number three of 15, earned the respect of a Westport lady as well as its new buyer.
Another artwork to rise above expectations was an Aboriginal oil painting on canvas that came from the estate of an oral surgeon and New York University professor emeritus in Waccabuc, N.Y. The painting, done in the Australian Aboriginal dot style associated with the Papunya Tula Art Movement, had earthy tones and featured several rosettes with insects. It sold to an online buyer for $1,952, far surpassing its $500 high estimate. Affixed to the backside of the work was a photograph of three individuals, presumably the artist and the work’s original owners. Alongside the photo was a label from Graphic Pleasures Gallery, Larchmont, N.Y., that was marked “For Gregory.”
Earning $1,952 was this Aboriginal painting, oil on canvas, 40 by 55 inches framed($300/500).
Furniture selections were led by a Black Forest carved gun cabinet, likely made in the Nineteenth Century. The cabinet’s sculpted moulding and doors were relief-carved with hanging game, fruits, vines and other foliate details. The two bottom drawers had carved hound-head pulls, with each hound grasping a stick. Inside the glass-front double doors, the cabinet had a custom leather-lined interior with three lights and space for displaying 12 shotguns or rifles. Ultimately, the monumental piece sold to a phone bidder for $3,904.
Another carved item, though much smaller, also found a new home. This 30-inch-tall stone carving of a standing bear was made by Inuit artist Nuna Parr and came from the Waccabuc estate. Signed to the underside of its base, the bear went out just over its estimate, bringing $3,048.
The same estate also produced a pair of organic Midcentury McGuire rattan and rawhide armchairs. The leather woven wood/bamboo style armchairs were paired with white and tan cross-hatched upholstered back and seat cushions and sold to an online buyer for $2,794 — a nearly 460 percent increase on the pair’s high estimate.
His Master’s Voice model phonograph, number 5A, made by The Grammaphone Company in Middlesex, England, case: 16¼ inches tall by 19½ inches wide by 18½ inches deep, cone: 25½ inches tall, was played to $2,921 ($500/700).
Attaining a similarly impressive result on a $700 high estimate was a His Master’s Voice model phonograph made by The Grammaphone Company in Middlesex, England. This Art Nouveau-style phonograph had a shaped wood case with carved floral designs and three beveled-glass windows. The wooden asymmetrical cone measured 23½ inches tall and the case alone stood 16¼ inches tall. It came from an Indian Harbor, Greenwich, Conn., collection and brought $2,921, selling to an internet bidder.
Also a surprise was the $1,464 achieved by an unusual Duvelleroy, Paris, painted hand fan. Signed “Philos,” the double-sided fan was intricately painted with the head of a terrier dog wearing an ornate collar. The auction catalog noted that this fan descended through the family of Edward Resnik, a New York City auctioneer circa 1930-1950s. It came to ACES through a private collection in Ardsley, N.Y.
Up next for ACES Gallery is the firm’s auction of a Somers, N.Y., estate collection of fine art and furnishings on March 19.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, www.aces.net or 475-500-7118.
