William Rush is known by many to be one of America’s first great sculptors. His works line the collections of renowned museums, including his hometown Philadelphia Museum of Art, where he worked and taught, establishing the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Thomaston Place headlines its upcoming sale with a fabulous Rush sculpture it believes to be one of the earliest surviving examples of a Native American in a tobacco advertisement. It joins fine handwork across many mediums: bronze, painting, jewelry, coins, decoys and more in this week’s picks.
THOMASTON PLACE AUCTION GALLERIES
Sale Date: February 11-12, 2017
Lot 90
Tobacconist Figure of an American Indian by William Rush (1756-1833)
Possibly the earliest surviving example of a Native American as a tobacco advertisement, displayed at an early Nineteenth Century shop on Third Street above Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Base painted with the number “458” – possibly the address of the tobacco shop. Probably carved between 1790-1810, height 42 inches.
Estimate: $75/100,000
NEAL AUCTION COMPANY
Sale Date: February 11-12, 2017
Lot 195
Monumental Pair of Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Seven-Light Candelabra
This candelabra form was designed by Charles Percier (French, 1764-1838) during the early Nineteenth Century for Empress Josephine. A similar example is conserved by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which also holds Percier’s original drawing of the candelabra. Foliate candle arms supported by Nike-form standard over orb and stepped pedestal base, height 53 1/2 inches.
Estimate: $15/20,000
MICHAAN’S AUCTION
Sale Date: February 11, 2017
Lot 101
Giraffe Jewelry Suite
Diamond, ruby, blue & green enamel, 18k yellow gold.
Estimate: $2/3,000
SKINNER
Sale Date: February 10, 2017
Lot 132
Micmac Beaded and Silk Applique Decorated Woman’s Hood
Circa 1840s, traditional C-scroll designs in white beads and detailed with intricate multicolored silk applique, height 15 ¼ inches.
Estimate $20/30,000
CLARKE
Sale Date: February 5, 2017
Lot 194
Large Art Deco Style Watercolor on Paper
Classical Nudes and Animals, unsigned, in the manner of Jean Dupas, height 56 inches.
Estimate: $1/1,500
GREAT GATSBY’S
Sale Date: February 10-12, 2017
Lot 497
1904 World’s Fair Prize Nine-Tube Mahogany Clock
Monumental Herschede nine-tube, triple chime, tall case clock, purportedly a category winner in the 1904 Saint Louis World’s Fair, height 102 inches.
Estimate: $30/35,000
COPLEY FINE ART AUCTIONS
Sale Date: February 17, 2017
Lot 237
Yellowlegs, Bunn/Bowman
This exemplary shorebird is notable for its superb form, impeccably painted surface and original bill and wing tips. The Herrick-Ward yellowlegs is one of the finest Bunn/Bowman decoys held in private hands, length 11 ¾ inches.
Estimate: $50/70,000
ROLAND AUCTIONS
Sale Date: February 4, 2017
Lot 411A
Emile Picault, “Victory”
Nineteenth Century, bronze, mounted on a rouge marble pedestal base. Sculpture height 44 inches.
Estimate: $35/40,000
HERITAGE AUCTIONS
Sale Date: February 15-16, 2017
Lot 4096
1892 $20 PR65 Deep Cameo
The 1892 double eagle is a rarity in both business-strike and proof format. The emission of the 1892 business strikes was a meager 4,430 pieces, an effect of Treasury policy implemented in 1882 aimed at increasing the circulation of lower-denomination half eagles and eagles. The experts at PCGS estimate that perhaps 24 to 28 coins survive today, a figure that aligns with the paucity of our auction offerings of this date, particularly with the Ultra Cameo or Deep Cameo designation.
Current Bid: $32,000
