Notables that crossed the block in our August 6, 2021 issue include sparkling lots of sapphire and silver. A Sri Lankan Ceylon oval cut sapphire ring weighing more than 30 carats brought six figures at Kodner Galleries, while silver was presented from makers in the U.S., Italy and Mexico at other auction houses. Art collectors found value in paintings by Gifford and Berk. Finish up your review with a hand-carved sabino wood trastero that crossed the block at Santa Fe Art.
Ceylon Sapphire Is A Stunner
DANIA BEACH, FLA. – Weighing in at 33.64 carats, a Sri Lankan Ceylon oval cut sapphire ring sold for $327,250 at Kodner Galleries Inc’s July 21 sale. The stone was set in an 18K white gold ring and flanked by two trillian cut diamonds weighing 3.04 carats together. A 2021 AGL and two 2006 GIA reports accompanied the lot. The firm said the sapphire was natural and without heat treatment with a vivid saturation of color, the diamonds were H color and VS2/SI2 clarity. Nearly all of the other top performers in the sale were jewelry, with a 3.04-carat round brilliant cut loose diamond selling for $65,450 and a pair of earrings with 20.0 carats of oval cut Burma rubies and 2.10 carats of diamonds selling for $16,660. For information, www.kodner.com or 954-925-2550.
Nice Pair of James Beebe & Co. Cast Iron Settees Sold At Fontaine’s Heritage Auction
CANAAN, N.Y. – A multi-estate auction conducted on July 18 by Ralph Fontaine Heritage Auctions presented more than 350 lots of Victorian, period, oak, garden items, midcentury and more. A pair of antique cast iron twig benches signed James Beebe & Co. (shown) shot past their respective $1,000 high estimates to land at $14,375. They were among 65-70 lots of cast iron from one collection, according to Ralph Fontaine. A nine-tube acanthus carved Elliot grandfather clock from a West Hurley, N.Y., estate chimed to $7,500, a Gustav Stickley plate rack in original finish brought $3,900 and six maps from a single collection totaled $9,000. For information, www.fontaineheritage.com or 413-442-2537.
Henrietta Berk Painting Captures Summer Vibe At Michaan’s
ALAMEDA, CALIF. – Sold highlights from Michaan’s July 17 gallery auction that presented fine art, furniture, decorative arts, Asian art and jewelry included a diamond and platinum ring at $33,000; a Louis Comfort Tiffany for Tiffany & Co. imperial topaz, emerald, 18K yellow gold ring bringing $18,000 and an oil on canvas painting, “Celebration” (shown) by Henrietta Berk (American, 1919-1990) that captured a summer vibe and went out at $10,200. For information, 510-740-0220 or www.michaans.com.
‘Countess Of Pembroke’ Breaks High Estimate In Kaminski Sale
VERNON, N.Y., & CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. – Kaminski Auctions presented two virtual onsite auctions on July 24 and 25 in Vernon for the estate of Pat and Nathan Kornfeld, and in Chestnut Hill, where the auctioneer was commissioned to sell the living estate of Sylvia Sacks Rudolph from her home. Bidding took place live at the Kaminski gallery and by internet, phone and absentee bid. On day one, an antique portrait depicting the Countess of Pembroke, an oil on canvas laid on board (shown), shot past its $15,000 high estimate to bring $30,000 on the phone. Also, a pair of Fiske cast iron classical Victorian garden urns went out at $3,900. For information, www.kaminskiauctions.com or 978-927-2223.
Scalloped Edges Spell Desire For Spanish Colonial Trastero
SANTA FE, N.M. – A hand-carved sabino wood trastero, or cheese cooler, dating to Seventeenth Century North Central Mexico sold for $18,800 at Santa Fe Art Auction’s July 24 New Mexico Now sale. The work measured 68-3/8 inches high and featured original hand-forged hardware. A primitive scalloped edge surrounds the top case, a motif that continues through the screened windows that appear on each door. The case listed provenance to a Juan Ajato in Mexico and was sold from the collection of Holler and Saunders, a dealership in Nogales, Ariz., that specializes in Spanish Colonial furniture and decorative arts from Mexico and South America. For information, www.santafeartauction.com or 505-954-5858.
Maciel Mexican Silver Bowl Is Fruitful At Cordier
HARRISBURG, PENN. – Founded in the 1930s in Mexico City, the Maciel Silver Factory produced high-quality hollowware and jewelry until it closed in 1970. Among the company’s signature motifs was the flower medallion seen beneath the rim on this sterling centerpiece bowl, which sold for $480 at Cordier Auctions & Appraisals’ July 25 sale. The work, 4¼ inches high, featured three applied feet attached to the body with a base that appeared to take its inspiration from corn. For information, 717-731-8662 or www.cordierauction.com.
Grade-A Atmosphere Pushes Small Gifford Work
NEW YORK CITY – An oil on board by Sanford Gifford (American, 1823-1880) sold for $17,500 at Auctions at Showplace’s July 25 sale. Measuring 11¾ by 8-7/8, the painting was signed and dated to 1869. The luminist landscape work centers on a small cove with a fiery dusk or dawn sky that transitions from yellow to orange to blue. A leader of the Hudson River School and a prolific painter of New England, New York and New Jersey, this painting was presumably completed before Gifford left or after he returned from a trip to the Middle East and Egypt that year. The following year he would travel to the Western United States on an expedition with Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden. For information, www.nyshowplace.com or 212-633-6063.
Buccellati Sterling Silver Italian Centerpiece Towers Over World Auction Gallery Sale
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Bringing $16,640, double its high estimate, a large Buccellati sterling silver Italian three-tier ivy centerpiece topped World Auction Gallery’s July 25 sale. Fully hallmarked and in excellent condition, the centerpiece was 20 inches high with a diameter of 19 inches and a weight of 168 troy ounces. It came from a Long Island home. For information, 516-307-8180 or www.worldauctiongallery.com.
Presentation Silver Water Pitcher Leads Auction At Dana J. Tharp
WILLOUGHBY, OHIO – Fine art coins and jewelry were the order of the day on July 24 at Dana J. Tharp Auctions. An elaborately decorated William Adams coin silver presentation water pitcher led the 400-lot sale, going out at $2,728. The pitcher was given to Lucy G. Adams and stood 9½ inches tall, signed on the bottom “W. Adams New York.” Depicted was a farmstead scene on one side and two gentlemen with a cask on the reverse. Total weight was 500 grams. For information, 440-463-7158 or www.danajtharpauctions.com.
