An unsigned marine painting of “The Frigate USS Congress at Sunset” brought an exceptionally robust $457,000 at Skinner’s March 3 sale of American and European paintings. While not a record, it was close. The vessel is thought to be pictured at anchor in Boston Harbor in 1861.

Another marine painting did achieve a record, however. Jonas Lie’s 1920 “Vesper,” which was among a group of works deaccessioned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, sold for $88,125 to a phone bidder who was busy throughout the sale.

A complete report of the sale will appear in a future issue.

-Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo.