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FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2024 • VOL. 54, NO. 46
Fall Bounty Of Antique Lighting And Decorative Arts Lights Up Fontaine’s Auction Tiffany Studios Nasturtium Table Lamp Attains $825,000 Fontaine’s Sept. 28 and 29 auction attained just over $6.5 million from 1,000 lots over two days. The sale was strong, with Tiffany Studios lighting and decorative arts objects dominating, but there were unusual and exceptional items across the board. Three major collections contributed to this auction, and notable results were achieved in each, with many items selling far over estimate. “ T h e s e w e re o l d t i m e collectors that had a keen eye for collecting, and all three estates performed better than expected,” said owner and auctioneer John Fontaine. “We were quite pleased with the competitive bidding we saw and the results.” The top lot of the auction came out of the Dr. Joseph T. Sheridan collection and was a ca. 1905 Tiffany Studios “Nasturtium” table lamp. Estimated at $300.000-$500,000, the lamp had a rare “Mosaic and Turtle-Back” base and attracted a total of 12 active bidders, vying for the lamp online, over the phone and absentee. Bidding remained hot up to the very end with several bidders chasing the lamp past the $600,000 mark. One very determined private collector hung on until the final bid, claiming the lamp for $825,000, including the The top lot of the auction buyer’s premium. was this Tiffany Studios Besides Nasturtium table lamp the “Nasthat sold for $825,000. turtium” lamp, a parade of two dozen Tiffany lighting examp l e s , f ro m lamps and chandeliers to sconces, accounted for the first day’s top 25 lots. Altogether, there were over 225 Tiffany lots in the auction, realizing just under $4.5 million. Most sold within or above t h e i r e s t i m a te s a n d a t t ra c te d competitive bidding. A c a . 1 9 0 5 T i f fa ny S t u d i o s “Laburnum” table lamp, also from Sheridan’s collection, 30 inches tall, that was even more rare due to its “Bird Skeleton” base, brought $375,000. Tiffany lighting came in all forms, not just table lamps. A standAnother fine Tiffany lamp crossing the block out included a pair was this ca. 1905 Tiffany Studios “Laburnum” of ca. 1881 lanterns table lamp, 30 inches tall. Part of its appeal made for the two-story was its rare “Bird Skeleton” base, and buyers “ M o o r i s h ” s m o k i n g room in the Cornelius drove bidding to $375,000.
Vanderbilt II mansion that realized $245,000. Louis Comfort Tiffany and Associated Artists worked in collaboration to design these lanterns for the grand New York City mansion in which socialites and the wealthy gathered. This pair was later part of the late singer John Denver’s estate. Also crossing the block was a vibrantly colored “Flowering Bouquet” chandelier, ca. 1910, that went out at $187,500, and a ca. 1910 “Peony Border” floor lamp having a “Chased Pod” Senior floor base and a “Pig Tail” finial, $168,750. Garden ornament also was a robust category with fine statuary and sculptures being popular in both small and large scale. A 16-inch tall patinated bronze sculpture by celebrated sculptor Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, “Reflections,” went to $17,500, while a Robert Holmes bronze sculpture, “Spinning Dancer,” 83 inches tall and which overlooked the Hudson River, brought $15,000. Multiple other bronzes were avidly scooped up by buyers, led by a Vasily Grachev (Russian, 1831-1905) bronze grouping, “Tsar And His Falconer,” which flew past its $5,000-$7,500 estimate to bring $40,625. There were about two dozen paintings represented in the auction with choice selections, led by late French Expressionist Bernard Buffet’s “Nature Morte au Compotier et Aux Fruits” going out at $37,500. This painting came out of the Ledgerock collection, which featured several other desirable items, including a mid fourth-century attic red-figure Bell Krater, decorated on each side with classical figures, which achieved $21,250. “This collection had some unusual and amazing things,” added Fontaine. From the Hunter Mountain, N.Y., estate of Hassan Basagic came a collection of 150 examples of Arts and Crafts furniture and decorative Continued on page 7 arts, led by a Tiffany Studios bronze floor
Haddon Heights Celebrates Vintage Thanksgiving Decor By Karl Pass For those thinking about setting a unique table for Thanksgiving this year, think vintage and head to an antiques shop such as the Haddon Heights Antiques Center. Haddon Heights will have a special sales display on Thanksgiving-themed items. In the sales display, as well as throughout the multi-dealer shop, shopgoers will find all sorts of dinnerware, turkey platters, salt and pepper shakers, serving pieces, compotes, and linens that harken back to bygone days and thoughts of Grandma’s special stuffing or pumpkin pie. Vintage ceramic turkey planters and Pilgrim figurines and candles also abound. No one will have trouble making an interesting centerpiece for the table or decorative display for the sideboard. Continued on page 6
Joseph Sulkowski Oil-On-Board Painting Brings $3,900 At Locati By Karl Pass Michael Locati and his team at Locati LLC hold monthly onlineonly sales with diverse material near New Hope, Pa. Their September sale results showcase this diversity and range of quality items. A 19th-century Timby’s Solar timepiece realized $1,900; a shellwork double sailor’s valentine, 19th century, from Barbados, $1,200; and a Sterling Strauser (1907-95) oil-on-board painting brought $1,100. Prices in this postsale report are hammer and do not include the buyer’s premium. A Joseph Sulkowski (b. 1951) oil-on-board sold for $3,900 and Continued on page 3
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . A Bernard Buffet painting, “Nature Morte au Compotier et Aux Fruits,” brought $37,500.
starting on page 2
SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . .
on page 5
EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR on page 5 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 5 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . . . . on page 5
FEATURE AUCTION: Hake’s November 19 and 20 Pop Memorabilia Auction - Page 2
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 7