Marion Antique Auctions – Ancient to Modern Sale II
November 26 at 10 am
13 Atlantis Drive, Marion, MA
www.marionantiqueauctions.com
frank@marionantiques.com
508-748-3606 or 508-498-7136

MARION, MASS. — Mary Jean McLaughlin’s collecting journey began with enthusiasm in the early 1970s when she decided to decorate her porch and one bedroom in her Guilford, Conn., home with wicker. Eventually, the enthusiasm evolved into a serious study of the history of wicker furniture. She collected only the very best and rarest pieces to come to market, and after 40 years of pursuing this passion, she managed to assemble the greatest collection of wicker in America.In fact, many of the pieces being offered in Marion Antique Auctions’ November 26 sale were part of the 1993 Smithsonian Exhibition, including a rocking chair manufactured by the Wakefield Rattan Co. in 1876 for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. This piece features an American flag woven across the back, as well as the year “1776.” It is in the original natural finish. This historic piece was used on the cover of the book that accompanied the Smithsonian Exhibition.

Additionally, there is a rare wicker easel, circa 1890. Other significant items include fancy Victorian reception or photographer’s chairs, etageres and corner shelves, fancy tables and some whimsical frames. All of these pieces are in original natural finish. There are three wicker china cabinets, circa 1920, and several dining tables, just to name a few. A wicker collection of this size, scale and historical importance has never been offered before and Marion Antique Auctions said it is excited to be handling the sale.

This diverse auction has offerings in many other categories, including a selection of early Nineteenth Century American portraits, highlighted by a miniature portrait of a young woman by Sarah Goodrich of Massachusetts. There is a pair of circa 1839 fire buckets from Newport, R.I., as well. One of the most interesting pieces of folk art is an early Twentieth Century carved wooden weathervane in the form of Daniel Boone with his flintlock musket, attributed to Manuel Perry of Mattapoisett, Mass. Perry emigrated from the Azores and was noted for his shipbuilding skills.

The furniture category is led by a rare set of six New Hampshire Windsor chairs signed by T.G. Furber with their original paint (Taradash collection). There are some early Twentieth Century figural andirons depicting lobsters, striped bass and Mother Goose on offer. There is a large collection of interesting stoneware containers with blue decoration by makers that include E.L. Norton of Bennington, Vt. Another piece that also should do quite well is a late Nineteenth Century mechanical windup rocking toy in its original box.

This may be the largest and most varied offering of sterling silver that Marion Antique Auctions has ever presented, the firm stated. There are tea sets by makers such as Jensen, Gorham, Reed & Barton and others. There is a Tiffany & Co. flask, Peruvian and Mexican handmade pieces, an Indian silver teapot by Grish Chunder Dutt, Calcutta. Additionally, there are a number of fancy silver flatware pieces.

The most interesting objects in this sale come from collector Alfred J. Walker. It is an extensive collection of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Neapolitan presepio (creche) figures. They are made of carved wood and terracotta with glass eyes. They were exhibited at the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, along with numerous other museums.

Marion is also selling part of the Larry Roberts Taino collection, including zoomorphic figures and a birthing zemi. There is a selection of Native American objects, led by a man’s Tlingit jacket from the late Nineteenth Century with beaded fish motifs.

Equestrian enthusiasts will love the bronze sculptures by Duane Scott, one of which is “Win, Place and Show,” as well as a Hermes horse saddle from the Ames family of North Easton, Mass.

The estate of Raymond Silveira of Mattapoisett, Mass., yielded a collection of vintage advertising signs related to automobiles, Coke and Pepsi and heavy equipment. The estate’s barn was storing a 1947 Studebaker pickup truck, a 1963 Buick Skylark convertible and a 1963 Ford Ranchero, all of which are being sold without reserve.

A Marion attic yielded a small Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, which was a late addition to the catalog. Rounding out the sale is a selection of estate jewelry, led by a Harry Winston gold and diamond lady’s watch in its original box, as well as an 18K gold cigarette case from the estate of Calvin Bullock.

This sale will take place at the 13 Atlantis Drive gallery. The viewing for the sale is Wednesday, November 23, and Friday, November 25, from 10 am to 5 pm, and a limited viewing on the morning of the sale from 8 to 9:30 am, or by appointment.

For additional information, 508-748-3606 or www.marionantiqueauctions.com.

Viewing: Wed & Fri 10 am to 5 pm & limited partial viewing Sat 8 am to 9:30 am & by appointment
Over 500 lots, mostly all unreserved. Featuring 150 pieces of museum quality antique wicker furniture from the Mary Jean McLaughlin Collection, many of which were included in the landmark 1993 Smithsonian Exhibition at the Renwick Gallery and in an accompanying book published by Rizzoli, also an important collection of 18th & 19th c Neapolitan Creche figures, a Native American collection, Taino objects, sterling silver, mission oak furniture, art pottery, American folk art, paintings & etchings, ship models, scrimshaw, historical docu- ments, Louis Vuitton trunk, gold & diamond jewelry, stoneware, vintage advertising signs, antique cars & truck & much more.
George Hays
18th c Neapolitan Creche figures
T. Tuttle candlesticks
Ernst Wahliss umbrella stand
Liberty Bell rocker, 1876, probably for Centennial Exhibition
Eric Sloane oil on board 19th c weathervane
Harry Winston watch
L&JG Stickley taboret
Folk art carved swan
Taino
Stoneware collection
Norman Rockwell signed limited edition
Ca. 1880 wicker fire screen
Unknown maker, 1993 Smithsonian Exhibition, pg 71 Rizzoli book
Heywood Bros & Co, 1890
Large Victorian wicker etagere
Etagere, Smithsonian Exhibition
3 antique cars
NH Windsor chairs signed T. G. Furber, original paint