Rafael Osona Online Auction Americana, Fine Art, Decor
April 27 at 9:30 am
21 Washington Street
Nantucket Island, MA
www.rafaelosonaauctions.com

NANTUCKET, MASS. — A “cherry” 1948 Willys Jeepster ($20/30,000) will drive Rafael Osona’s annual spring auction on April 27 among a select mix of 650 lots sourced from Nantucket seaside estates and residences.

Among 106 mostly Twentieth Century paintings presented, 47 are the work of Nantucket artists, each artist a member of or inspired by the island’s original circa 1920 artists’ colony. Of note: a luminist composition by Robert Stark Jr (1933) ($12/15,000)

American art of the late Twentieth Century is further represented among paintings by Lowell Herrero (b 1921) ($3/5,000 each) by Molly Dee (b 1938) ($5/7,000) and by Donald Journey (b 1945) ($3/5,000). Also of note, a work by Robert Jones (b 1943) ($9/12,000).

Storied mid-Nineteenth to Twenty-First Century works by equally acclaimed Nantucket basket weavers have evolved since the island’s 1840s “floating lighthouse” handiwork tradition. Perhaps inspired of boredom during seemingly endless hours spent in the dark, dank Nantucket Lightship’s hold, the island’s industrious men put themselves to task. Lightship duty over their hand-woven utilitarian baskets were well received ashore. Generations since, townspeople and their needs have changed. Today’s Nantucket basket tradition produces elegant ladies’ purses, high-fashion evening purses and artist-signed, one-of-a-kind woven decorative objects. Nantucket baskets past and present are recognized worldwide. Among 33 presented are Jose Formoso Reyes’ Nantucket cocktail purse ($3/4,000) and Bill and Judy Sale’s nest of five vintage oval Nantucket baskets ($3/4,000).

The auction presents artistry and fine craftsmanship in American bench-made furniture. Stephen Swift uses matched-grain wood from select American trees. Each of seven Stephen Swift lots demonstrate a true wood craftsman’s art, as seen in his cherry and ash side-by-side eight-drawer chest ($2,5/3,500)

From Nineteenth Century American cherry trees, a Connecticut Chippendale bowfront chest of drawers ($800-$1,200} and an American Queen Anne-style flattop highboy assert similar grace ($1/1,500).

Five sailor’s valentines by late Twentieth Century American makers demonstrate interest and evolution since the traded shell assemblages of the early Nineteenth Century whaling maritime.

Whales themselves are represented figuratively among 27 lots ranging from Nineteenth Century whaleman crafted walking sticks to Twentieth Century cribbage boards, weathervanes and Brian Mitchell’s purely sculptural whale carvings. Perhaps the most novel among whale-related offerings is Dave Burtchill’s vintage tiger maple quilt rack set upon carved whale fluke feet ($300/400).

From Osona’s jewelry and silver departments, 13 lots of South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater pearls ($3/4,000) and 18 lots of sterling silver, including Frank W. Smith’s Lily of the Valley flatware set ($2,5/3,500) will cross the block.

The ceramics and glass department offers a collection of Nineteenth Century Sunderland lustreware ($2/2,500) and a large dinner service of Chinese Rose Medallion ($800-$1,200). There’s Canton, continental and Steuben glass.

A signed circa 1930s broken star patchwork on cadet blue ground ($500/700) and a ‘50’s floss embroidered applique apple blossom ($500/700) lead 10 quilt offerings.

Twenty-four vintage and contemporary rugs include tribal, Persian and Oriental as well as Claire Murray designs and a fetching antique American hooked “Scotty Dogs” rug.

Absentee, telephone and online bidders may register in advance during the exhibition or via the Rafael Osona Auctions website.

The auction is conducted at the American Legion Hall, 21 Washington Street. Live, in person preview: April 25 and 26 from 10 am to 5 pm.

For additional information, www.rafaelosonaauction.com or 508-228-3942.

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Molly Dee oil on canvas
Robert Jones oil Atlantic Beach