PHILADELPHIA — A Gorham Mfg Co, silver presentation punch bowl in the Japonesque manner rose to the top of the single-owner Victor Niederhoffer sale at Freeman’s Auction June 19 as it sold for $106,250. The bowl measures 9½ inches high by 18 inches diameter and weighs 119.1 ozt. It features repoussé and chased dragons, waves, fish and a wild-haired figure riding the dragon with a tray of paints in one hand and brush in the other. The rim is decorated with applied leaves and shells, handles in the form of dragon heads, a gilt-washed interior and coiled snake base.

The inscription on the presentation piece, which was executed the following year in 1884 following the Hera’s victory, reads “Won By/The Sloop Hera/In a Match Race With/The Sloop Lillie/1883.”

According to Freeman’s, the sloop Hera was designed and built in Nahant, Mass., 1881, by W.B. Smith for N. Sumner Myrick (1852–1930). Myrick was an attorney, railway company principal, and an expert on the Merchant Marine, serving for many years as the vice-chairman of the Shipping Committee in the Chamber of Commerce of the United States.

The piece was acquired by Niederhoffer at a June 15, 1998 Sotheby’s silver sale.

For more information, www.freemansauction.com or 215-563-9275.