The sizzling hot midsummer Midwest weather closely mirrored the heated bidding that took place at Jackson’s International July 15 and 16 auction. The sale attracted more than 500 bidders worldwide, representing 23 countries and producing sales of $2.2 million.
The auction featured important European and American fine art together with important Russian works from many private collectors.
From fine furniture to glassware, ceramics, Orientalia, lighting, clocks, paintings, bronzes and Russian works, hardly a category was not represented. Russian works, however, clearly saw more intense competition compared to any other category, as Russians continue to buy back their heritage with enthusiasm. For example, a Russian paste set, Badge and Star of the Order of Saint Andrew, that carried a presale estimate of $30/40,000, sold to a buyer from Moscow for $135,700.
The sale began with European and Old Master paintings, including a Paris Street scene by French artist Antoine Blanchard (1910‱988), which sold to a buyer from Texas for $14,160. A pair of paintings, also depicting Paris scenes, by Jules Rene Herve (French, 1887‱981) sold for $15,930.
A 33-by-24-inch oil, “Coronation of the Virgin,” by Mexican artist Miguel Cabrera (1695‱768) sold to a Mexican buyer for $61,360. A large oil on panel of the “Annunciation to the Shepherds” by Dutch artist Cornelis de Bie (1621‱654) sold to a Swiss phone bidder for $12,980.
Russian works, other than the top lot included a Faberge nephrite presentation cigarette case that sold for $47,200. Then a 7-inch silver and enameled kovsh by Ovchinnikov finished at $33,000.
Other Russian sales of note included a 3-inch Faberge cigarette case in guilloche enamel with some repairs that sold for $29,500. An interesting silver picture frame in the shape of a duga (harness), measuring 11 inches in height, sold for $27,140 against an estimate of $6/9,000. An engraved silver case made to hold a deck of playing cards and measuring 33/4 inches, sold to a British dealer for $22,420, and an interesting trompe l’oeil silver and enamel little cake stand in the form of an embroidered cloth sold for $18,800.
Russian icons also fared well, especially those with silver and enamel decorative covers (riza). A circa 1890, 12-by-10-inch Russian icon of St Nicholas with filigree and enamel silver gilt riza sold to a collector from St Petersburg for $70,800. An icon of the Korsun Mother of God with silver gilt and shaded enamel riza sold for $64,900, and a 12-by-10-inch icon of Christ with enameled riza sold for $36,580.
In the second session, perhaps the most interesting item was a scarce Symphonion triple disc “Eroica” musical, carved oak, long case clock †German, circa 1895 †that sold to a Russian buyer for $92,040.
A seven-piece heavily carved late Nineteenth Century library set consisting of a bookcase, desk and chairs in the renaissance revival-style sold for $20,060. An American rococo laminated rosewood lamp table attributed to J&JW Meeks sold for $16,520.
European sculpture and bronzes sold well †leading the way was a figure of the Amazon on a rearing horse by Austrian artist Erich Schmidt-Kestner (1877‱941) that sold for $7,552. Next to sell was a petite carved ivory figure of a nude woman by German artist Ferdinand Preiss (1882‱943), measuring only 6¾ inches high, with a slight repair, which finished at $7,080.
A small collection of KPM handpainted porcelain plaques was offered next. The first was a plaque depicting a scene from Shakespeare’s Othello that sold for $15,340. An Ohio collector also paid $15,340 for a KPM plaque depicting the Goddess Diana with Lion after the painting by Angelo Comte de Courten (Italian, 1848‱925).
All prices given include the buyer’s premium.
For more information, www.jacksonsauction.com .
