Fontaine’s – Fine & Decorative Arts Auction
May 18, 2024
1485 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
www.fontainesauction.com

PITTSFIELD, MASS. — Fontaine’s will present a two-day fine and decorative arts auction May 18-19 that includes more than 750 lots of Nineteenth/Twentieth Century lighting, Tiffany Studios lamps, art glass, leaded glass windows, silver, porcelain, marble and bronze statuary, Asian items, paintings, American and European furniture, clocks, watches and jewelry. This auction will feature longtime collections from Long Island and upstate New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Highlighting the sale will be more than 130 Tiffany Studios items, including windows commissioned by St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

Good lighting designs never go out of style, and there are arguably no more desirable and attractive examples than what the pioneering Tiffany Studios put out in the early 1900s. Tiffany’s nature-inspired lighting continues to bring robust prices and elicit high demand from buyers. “Tiffany Studios will be exceptionally well represented in this auction,” said auctioneer and owner John Fontaine. “We always have a solid grouping of fine and rare Tiffany lamps, but this time around, we have one of our largest presentations with more than 130 lots of Tiffany Studios offered on the first day alone. There will be lamps and art glass, as well as windows, humidors, candlesticks and, of course, desk accessories.”

Some of the most rare and sought-after patterns will be featured, kicking off with the first lot across the block: a circa 1910 Tulip table lamp ($70/90,000) with an 18-inch shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1596.” Expected to lead the day is a circa 1920 Drophead Dragonfly table lamp ($80/120,000) with a Roman base and a 22-inch shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, NY, 1507.” Among floor lamp is a circa 1910 Tiffany Studios Favrile glass and bronze beaded floor lamp with Pulled Feather sleeves ($20/25,000), 71 inches tall.

Floral designs are perennially popular, such as a circa 1910 Poinsettia ($30/40,000) with a 18-inch shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1558” and a Peony table lamp ($60/80,000), circa 1915, having an adjustable base and 22-inch shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1505-14.” Another notable Tiffany lamp with an unusual color palette is a Tyler Scroll table lamp ($30/40,000) with this circa 1905 example having a custom commissioned base and 18-inch shade. Desk lamps, sconces and chandeliers will round out the selection of Tiffany lighting with a circa 1910 Nautilus desk lamp estimated at $8/12,000.

Around the turn of the century, Tiffany Studios devoted a whole division of its firm to creating ecclesiastical stained and leaded glass windows that were ordered by churches and other religious organizations alike. As some churches closed down, remodeled or sold off buildings, many of these windows have come onto the market. They are highly collectible and typically bring five- or six-figure prices.

Highlighting the auction are four pairs of Gothic Revival windows made by Tiffany Studios and commissioned for St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. The largest pair is estimated at $20/30,000 and two very similar pairs are each estimated at $15/25,000. Each window, having vibrant mottled glass, depicts a Gothic Revival design of an arched window with four columns and shield. The shields are decorated with a cross and crown.

The auction includes all the typical collecting categories one expects here from lighting and art glass to decorative arts, paintings and jewelry, to name a few. Fontaine’s always manages to pull out a few surprises and items, such as a Steinway & Sons Mahogany Model B grand piano, part of the Crown Jewel collection ($40/60,000), circa 1995. This series of Steinway’s handcrafted pianos were made with fine veneers.

Another standout seldom seen at auction is a notable piece of French majolica: a monumental signed Sarreguemines majolica peacock centerpiece ($8/12,000) from the Nineteenth Century, measuring 27 by 43 by 26 inches. Established as a pottery in 1784, Sargeguemines was prized for its earthenware due to the clay deposits found here, which it mixed in unusual ways, as well as its talented artists.

Diamonds, diamonds and diamonds are at the heart of the select offering of jewelry, led by a platinum ring with nearly 4 carats of diamonds ($15/25,000) centered by a 3.7-carat round brilliant diamond flanked by baguette diamonds. Another choice ring is a palladium and diamond ring ($12/16,000) with nearly 2½ carats of diamonds in all, featuring a 1.86-carat Old European cut diamond. For those who prefer pearls though, there is a 14K white gold, sapphire and miki-moto pearl necklace and bracelet ($4/6,000).

Several watches will also cross the block, including a Rolex GMT-Master, Ref. 1675, 18K yellow gold and stainless steel wristwatch, circa 1976 ($6/8,000) and a Cartier “Cougar” 18K gold ladies’ wristwatch ($5/7,500).

The auction has offerings across the board, including a well-curated selection of art. Best known for his Barbizon landscapes, Constant Troyon (French, 1810-1865) is represented in this sale with an oil on canvas, “The Gamekeeper And His Dogs” ($15/20,000), 61¾ by 43¼ inches (sight). Provenance traces back to a 1921 purchase at the American Art Association in New York.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20). For information, www.fontainesauction.com or 413-448-8922.

Selection of Tiffany Studios Lamps & Lighting
Constant Troyon “Chasse et Ses Chiens”
Charles Parker Co. Aesthetic Plant Stand
Reed & Barton Set of Three Sterling Vases
Bradley & Hubbard Aesthetic Plant Stand
Anton Chotka Orientalist Lamp
Tiffany Studios Favrile Glass Vases
Sarreguemines Majolica Peacock Centerpiece
Aquamarine & Diamond Ring
Tiffany Studios Pair of Gothic Windows
Black Forest Carved Musical Mantel Clock
Handel Scenic Table Lamp, No. 6752
Winged Griffin Partner’s Desk
Louis Vuitton Monogram Steamer Trunk
Unique “Rosebush” Table Lamp
Tiffany Studios Gooseneck Vases
1485 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 448-8922 info@fontainesauction.com www.fontainesauction.com