MAINE ANTIQUE DIGEST

FFEEAATTUURREE

This 1¾" long circa 1950 platinum, 18k This 2" long diamond bow brooch has two pear- Retailed by C.M. Kinsel, this circa 1890 Patek Philippe
gold, diamond, and sapphire bombé shaped diamonds in the middle of the right and 18k gold-cased pocket hunting watch has a white dial with
design brooch, set with pavé-set round left “loops,” one weighing 2.65 carats, and the Breguet numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds dial, and outer
brilliant-cut diamonds having an estimated other 2.90 carats. At the center of the brooch are chapter ring minutes. It sold for $3125 (est. $2000/3000).
total diamond weight of 27.00 carats and two old-European-cut diamonds, one weighing
oval-cut sapphires having an estimated approximately 1.25 carats, the other approximately
total weight of 30.00 carats, has French 1.30 carats, within a circular and rose-cut diamond
hallmarks and brought $17,500 (est. frame. It was accompanied by two GIA reports;
$12,000/15,000). one stated that the 2.65-carat pear-shaped brilliant-
cut diamond is M, faint brown color, SI2 clarity;
and the second stated that the 2.90-carat pear-
shaped brilliant-cut diamond is N, very light brown
color, I1 clarity. The brooch brought $27,500 (est.
$20,000/30,000). Salem said, “I believe the bow
brooch to be a pair of earrings from circa 1900 that
were converted into the current bow motif.”

This circa 1950 platinum, sapphire, and diamond bracelet, 7" long x 1" wide, with
channel-set sapphire rows alternating with straight baguette-cut diamond and sapphire
rows was one of the items in the sale “everyone loved.” With an estimated total diamond
weight of 5.00 carats and an estimated total sapphire weight of 52.00 carats, it brought
$16,250 (est. $12,000/15,000).

This 1½" long platinum and
diamond horseshoe brooch with
seven bezel-set old-European-cut
diamonds accented by circular-,
marquise-, and baguette-cut
diamonds, with an estimated total
diamond weight of 5.00 carats,
brought $4375 (est. $3000/5000).

Diamond, emerald, and platinum suite with a 15"
long necklace (with detachable brooch) and 1¾"
long earrings. The suite has cabochon emeralds
ranging in size from approximately 17.0 mm x 14.0
mm x 8.3 mm (in the brooch element) and 21.5 mm
x 18.0 mm x 10.0 mm to 10.0 mm x 8.0 mm x 5.4 mm
(in the necklace). Emeralds in the earrings are 13.3
mm x 9.8 mm x 5.9 mm. The earrings have two full-
cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.50 and 0.75
carat each, with baguette-cut diamond accents with
an estimated total diamond weight of 0.70 carat. The
necklace is set with round brilliant-, old-European-,
and single-cut diamonds having an estimated total
round diamond weight of 38.40 carats; the two
largest weigh approximately 2.00 carats and 1.08
carats. The central piece can be separated and worn
as a clip brooch. The suite sold for $18,750 (est.
$15,000/20,000).

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 101

FFEEAATTUURREE Renoir: The Body, The Senses, edited by Esther Bell and George T.M.

Books Shackelford (Clark Art Institute in collaboration with the Kimbell
Received
Art Museum, distributed by Yale University Press, 2019, 264 pages,
by M.A.D. Staff
hardbound, $55).
These are brief reviews of books
recently sent to us. We have included “It will be the verdict of posterity that Renoir was the greatest painter
ordering information for publishers
that accept phone or online orders. For of the nude of all time,” read the Manchester Guardian obituary of the
other publishers, your local bookstore or a
mail-order house is the place to look. French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). Renoir, famed

as one of the leading exponents of the Impressionist movement, grew up

in the shadow of the Louvre in Paris and attended the École des Beaux-

Arts, where anatomy was a core component of the curriculum. His early

success in painting is well documented, but this catalog explores how by

the 1880s, when Renoir had “wrung Impressionism dry,” his focus shifted

following a revelatory visit to Italy where he studied classic works of art

and applied his experience of them to his work. Paintings such as Gustave

Courbet’s The Bathers were influential, and from that time on his nude

paintings departed into a kind of radical territory, an “Arcadian elsewhere,”

where his compositions of figures seemed to aspire to abstraction, their

flesh catching the light, reflecting their fleeting impressions.

One hundred years after Renoir’s death, this book, a collaboration

between the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the

Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, takes an extensive and critical

view of the nudes of his oeuvre. Sterling Clark, the founder of the Clark

Institute, and a major collector of Renoir’s work, said in 1941 that Renoir expression, and critical analysis is through the

was the “greatest of painters for taste and color of feminine beauty.” lens of modern feminism. Sublimely illustrated

The sensuality of his subject matter is undeniable. Renoir was often with not only Renoir’s work but of those whose

reproached for emphasizing the models’ sensuality at the expense of their work intersects in his choice of subject matter,

interior lives, and this is discussed in depth in the book’s six chapters, this book also considers Renoir’s continuing

which range from “Renoir’s Early Nudes” to “Renoir’s Tactile Gaze” and influence on the female figure in art.

“Renoir’s Late Nudes.” Comparison with the nude subject matter of artists The exhibition Renoir: The Body, The Senses

such as Degas, Cézanne, Picasso and others is offered and analyzed. The text is on view at the Kimbell Art Museum through

goes on to examine the ways Renoir used the nude as a means of personal January 26.

Edith Halpert, The Downtown Gallery, Artist in Exile: The Visual Diary of Baroness Hyde de Neuville by The illustrations of landscapes, buildings,
and the Rise of American Art by Rebecca Roberta J.M. Olson (New-York Historical Society Museum & bridges, and people, indigenous and immigrant,
Shaykin (The Jewish Museum, under Library, in association with D Giles Limited, 2019, 268 pages, by the baroness and her contemporaries paint a
the auspices of the Jewish Theological hardbound, $49.95). vivid portrait of a young America, and are further
Seminary of America, and Yale enhanced by explanatory text and essays on this
University Press, 2019, 232 pages, This handsomely illustrated volume is the first in-depth compilation peripatetic duo who come alive in this book’s
hardbound, $50). of the art of the Baroness Hyde de Neuville, formally known as Anne pages.
Marguérite Joséphine Henriette Rouillé de Marigny (1771-1849),
This book is an overdue celebration of whose very remarkable life on both sides of the Atlantic came about as
the life of Edith Halpert (1900-1970) and a result of her marriage in 1794 to Jean Guillaume Hide (1776-1857).
her Downtown Gallery in New York City. The book has been issued in tandem with an exhibition at the New-
It was published in conjunction with an York Historical Society that runs through January 26.
exhibition of the same name at the Jewish
Museum in New York City that runs through The Baroness de Neuville, a gifted artist and a rapt observer of
February 2. Halpert founded her gallery in life, kept a “visual diary” almost all her years, and the vast trove of
1926 at the then-unusual location of 113 her work (the largest surviving body of work by a woman up until
West 13th Street in Greenwich Village, at that time), along with the written diaries of her husband, offers an
the time that the neighborhood was gaining unparalleled glimpse, not only of life in Paris and its environs during
a reputation as a haven for the avant-garde. the French Revolution but also in early 19th-century New York. The
Considered the first significant female baron, a loyalist to the monarchy, was convicted for allegedly plotting
gallerist, she embraced art and artists not to kill Napoleon. He and his wife became fugitives, living first under
considered fashionable at a time when the various assumed identities and then fleeing France altogether. At some
American arts scene was still preoccupied point they changed their surname to Hyde de Neuville. The baroness,
with the Colonial Revival movement. seeking a pardon to clear her husband’s name, pursued Napoleon
around Europe, seeking an audience with him, which was eventually
The 1913 show at the 69th Regiment granted. There was no pardon, but Napoleon did allow the couple to
Armory had introduced Americans to retain their wealth in exchange for exile in America, commenting,
modern art, and Halpert, a Jewish Russian “You are a worthy woman. I am sorry that I can’t grant you more.”
immigrant, established her gallery on the
premise that art should be as pluralistic The de Neuvilles arrived in New York in 1807, having been delayed
as America. At its opening, it was the in Spain because their ship was attacked by pirates. Once in New York
only gallery in New York City devoted they became active members of the American political and social
to contemporary art by living artists. society. The baron opened a school for French refugees and eventually
The list of artists she championed over became an admired diplomat.
the next decades reads like a roll call of
20th-century American art: Stuart Davis, Forever Seeing New Beauties: The Forgotten Impressionist Mary in Italy in 1907 is documented also, in evocative
Charles Sheeler, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia Rogers Williams, 1857-1907 by Eve M. Kahn (Wesleyan University letters by her last traveling companions. This is
O’Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, Marguerite Press, 2019, 272 pages, hardbound, $35). a biography of a most unusual and captivating
Zorach, and Max Weber, to name a few. woman.
This engaging biography of the virtually forgotten American
“Our gallery has no special prejudice for Impressionist artist Mary Rogers Williams (1857-1907) is culled from
any school,” Halpert said. “Its selection a large trove of letters, artwork, and ephemera found in a house in
is directed by what’s enduring—not by Waterford, Connecticut, in 2012 and lovingly assembled by Eve Kahn,
what is in vogue.” The gallery was a new historian, journalist, and former antiques columnist for the New York
kind of place, not only for exhibitions Times. Williams, the free-spirited daughter of a baker from Hartford,
and sales, but a place for artists to gather. studied at the Art Students League in New York City and was a member
Halpert was an ardent believer in the of the art department at Smith College from 1888 to 1906. During her
democracy of art, yet her name is scarcely summer vacations she traveled widely in Europe, where she attracted
recognized today, even by art scholars. attention by walking from village to village, sketching people, buildings,
This beautifully produced and illustrated and landscapes. An exuberant writer, she penned letters to her sisters
book and the current exhibition may well back home almost every day with anecdotes and sketches of the people
restore her reputation as trailblazing figure and scenery she saw.
in American art.
The thousands of pages of correspondence, a good selection of which
102 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 is included here, yield a portrait of a witty, spirited, fiercely independent
young woman who bridled against the era’s male-dominated art world.
Despite this, her work was exhibited successfully during her lifetime
and afterward. Her work, many examples of which are included, has
been described as “Tonalist” because of the sparing use of color she
used, especially in her landscape pastels and oils. Her untimely death

FFEEAATTUURREE

The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces Off the Wall: American Art to Wear, edited by
A. Lawrence by Justin W. Thomas at Play by Shirley M. Mueller, MD (Lucia|Marquand, Dilys E. Blum (Philadelphia Museum of Art, in
(Historic Beverly, 2019, 102 pages, distributed by ACC Art Books, 2019, 192 pages, association with Yale University Press, 2019, 216
softbound, $12 plus S/H from Historic hardbound, $40). pages, hardbound, $45).
Beverly, [www.historicbeverly.net/shop]
or [978] 922-1186). What makes collectors collect? Attempts to answer this This book traces the ascent of “wearable art,” a
question have often appeared in this publication and in others. movement within the fashion world that began in the
Justin Thomas is a collector and historian A new undertaking in this realm comes from author Shirley countercultural days of the late 1960s when fine artists
of 18th- and 19th-century domestic utilitarian Mueller, who is all at once a practicing neurologist, a financial began experimenting with nontraditional forms and
pottery, particularly from New England, advisor, and a collector of Chinese export porcelain. Mueller materials to create similarly nontraditional apparel. The
and is a frequent contributor on this subject gives us examples from her own collecting adventures in subject of an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum
to Maine Antique Digest. This new book which authentic and inauthentic porcelains are shown side of Art (until May 17), this new volume describes in
concentrates on the pottery industry in and by side with accompanying photos of brain imaging and detail the one-of-a-kind clothing created by a group of
around Beverly, Massachusetts, 18 miles scientific explanations. To answer the above question, some more than 75 American artists. The 1967 “Summer of
northeast of Boston. of the reasons people collect are (not necessarily in this Love,” the ever-present backdrop of social unrest, and
order) intellectual reward, social interaction, enjoyment of reaction against design parameters inherited from the
The Beverly Pottery was a major industry possession, and thrill of the hunt. Also, because it makes us Bauhaus movement of the 1930s helped set the stage
on the Bass River from the 1860s until the happy! for new expressions in form and materials. Protests
early years of the 20th century. Founded by against faculty by students frustrated with what they saw
Charles A. Lawrence (1829-1904), son of a There are regions in the brain that respond to pleasure, as antiquated ways of teaching art at Brooklyn’s Pratt
Portuguese immigrant who had operated a anticipation, pain, and so on, and these can be identified to Institute were agents of change, as was an exhibition
pottery in nearby Charleston, it produced a some extent by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging called Wall Hangings at the Museum of Modern Art in
wide variety of redware jugs, pitchers, and (fMRI). Mueller, with her scientific background, has a New York City. These young artists made the migration
jars of various sizes, as well as stoneware particular view of the mechanics of desire and satisfaction, from creating fine art to making apparel, attracted by
and tile pipe. Though many of these pieces which include the neurological evidence of what goes on the colorful textiles of Central and South America, and
survive, little is known about the factory when a collector is at work. But that is not to say that this designed clothing that treated the human body as an
itself. Thomas has made a great effort to book is a dry, clinical treatise on what neurons do when armature, a framework for their artistic creations. This
close this gap. confronted with a famille rose teapot. Mueller has the passion gave rise to enthusiasm for “fiber art,” and the pattern
of a collector, and she fully understands the allure and pitfalls and decoration movement, which was antithetical to
Lawrence’s enterprise, so typical of the of the hunt. minimalism and conceptual art.
19th century, used locally sourced clay and
employed potters and artists who adorned Besides being full of illustrations of fine porcelain, The book is divided into five chapters that trace the
the vessels with its signature kaolin slip Mueller’s book also shares numerous anecdotes. For example: artistic and cultural events of the era, “Collisions,”
decoration. The 1876 Centennial Exhibition “I walked into an art gallery on Madison Avenue in New “Connections,” “Vibrations,” “Articulations,” and
in Philadelphia fanned an interest in and a York. I meant to browse, look at merchandise, perhaps learn a “Reverberations.” Jean Cacicedo, a student at Pratt at
market for antiquities, and Lawrence was thing or two and leave. What I found was a Winslow Homer that time, is quoted as saying that artists were interested
quick to adopt new styles of pottery that painting....” Which of us has not had a moment like this? in “art fashioned for the body, not ‘fashionable’ art.”
featured Japanese, Greek, and Egyptian Mueller takes us through the gamut, with chapters on novelty The reader is taken on a colorful journey from the 1960s
motifs. Thomas offers a comprehensive and discovery, fakes, damage and loss, bargains, collecting through 1997, by which time the innovations of the
and well-illustrated review of this nearly gone awry (some call it hoarding), art as an investment, and movement had been assimilated into fashion as a whole.
forgotten enterprise that was an integral part collection dispersal. She reveals the motivations underlying With its 1960s typography, eye-catching apparel, and
of the ceramics industry in New England. what happens when we see that teapot or painting. Striking engaging narrative and commentary, this book tells the
an adroit balance between the jargon of behavioral science story of an unrepresented facet of a cultural movement.
and the talk of antiques, this book comes out in the end being
insightful, informative, and entertaining.

Legacies in Steel: Personalized and Historical German The lore of swords and daggers is embodied in world, many are exquisitely engraved and decorated
Military Edged Weapons 1800-1990 by Hermann Hampe the legends of King Arthur’s Excalibur and Ed Cid’s in gold and ivory.
and Rick Dauzat (Casemate Publishers Tizona, which were thought to possess mythical
[www.casematepublishers.com], 2019, 608 pages, powers. This massive volume, with its unusual The descriptive texts attempt to “put a face to these
hardbound, $200, with discounted prices available from oblong shape to accommodate its elongated subject otherwise inanimate objects” and feature biographies
some online sellers). matter, pays homage to German military edged and photographs of their owners, some of which
weapons created from 1800 to 1990. One hundred are colorized, which makes them seem alive. The
of these are featured in breathtaking closeup book’s chapters classify its contents with sections
photographs dramatically set against black or dark that include “Prussian Naval Daggers,” “Imperial
backgrounds that show beyond question the superb German Army Sabers, Degens and Pallasches,”
artistry and craftsmanship of these items of war. “Imperial German Automobile and Aero Corps
Daggers,” and so on, from the early 19th century
The book’s introduction claims it is “the largest up until the end of the Third Reich. Nazi symbolism
compendium of personalized edged weapons seems deliberately scarce. The texts, set alongside
published to date.” The swords, sabers, and degens the beautiful photography, seem more concerned
(medieval-style short swords), culled from museums with the weapons’ owners and their exploits rather
and private collections, are works of art in their own than the provenance of the objects themselves. This
right, and were used by nobility, aristocrats, high- volume would nonetheless be of great interest to any
ranking military personnel as well as by soldiers and serious collector of German militaria.
seamen. Redolent of heraldry and chivalry, each is
a representation of its bearer. Crafted from Solingen
or Damascus steel, considered the finest in the

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 103

FFEEAATTUURREE

Designs for Different Futures, edited by Kathryn B. the user. This seems utopian enough, but what are the
Hiesinger, Michelle Millar Fisher, Emmet Byrne, implications of “bioprinting,” which creates living human
Maite Borjabad López-Pastor, and Zoë Ryan tissue cells that multiply into customized organs? The idea
(Philadelphia Museum of Art, Walker Art Center, and of children’s clothing that grows as they do is appealing,
the Art Institute of Chicago, in association with Yale as is the ZXX typeface that is readable by the human eye
University Press, 2019, 272 pages, softbound, $40). but is indecipherable by text-scanning software, whether
by a government agency or lone hacker.
How might design reframe our futures—socially,
aesthetically, and ethically? Predicting the future is always Over 100 examples are given. Some are purely abstract
a tricky business. Is the view to be utopian or dystopian? dreams while others present concrete ideas. Some are
This provocative book, an accompaniment to an already in existence, such as a global seed vault, a safe
exhibition that will be seen in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, depository for food crop seeds kept in a climate-controlled
and Chicago, operates on the belief that the future can be 400' deep former mine. The idea by a paleogeneticist
better, morally and technologically. of “resurrecting the sublime” by identifying the gene
pathways of extinct plants in order to re-create their
The works by the featured designers are seen as being aromas seems enchanting enough, but again, there are
profoundly democratic, in which the benefit of good, troublesome implications if one looks farther afield.
thoughtful design is shared for the benefit of society as a Nonetheless, the book looks forward with hope in its
whole. Each of the book’s sections begins with an interview sights, and being a completely collaborative effort, it
with designers followed by their actual visions. Topics offers a plethora of differing vantage points on the future.
include bodies, intimacy, food, materials, resources, cities,
and space. The first section concerns itself with inventions The exhibit will be at the Philadelphia Museum of
that could aid people with disabilities, such as a robotic Art through March 8, 2020, at the Walker Art Center
exoskeleton that simulates and enhances body movement, (Minneapolis) from September 12, 2020, to January 3,
a 3-D-printed customized back support for those with 2021, and at the Art Institute of Chicago, February 6,
scoliosis, and prosthetics that adapt to the growth of 2021, to May 16, 2021.

An Analysis of the Saltillo Style in Mexican Serapes Mendoza, a history of the Aztec people and their
by Katharine Drew Jenkins (McCormick Gallery, conquest by the Europeans written around 1591. What
2019, 188 pages, softbound, $55 plus S/H from is not known is how much of the design of the serape is
McCormick Gallery, [www.thomasmccormick.com] related to the region’s indigenous people and how much
or [312] 226-6800). was influenced by its Spanish conquerors. A serape
can serve as a coat, blanket, bedspread, tablecloth, or
The exquisite serapes known as Saltillos are as scarce cape. The earliest use of the word zarape, a derogatory
as knowledge of their origin is. They were made in term, was in 1799. It is closely related to the poncho, a
Mexico during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, Mexican blanket with a bocamanga, or neck opening.
a period of great technical achievement in the art of Both are colorful woven blankets worn over the shoulder
weaving. The last were made more than a century ago, by men, fastened on one side and open on the other. The
and those that have survived are collector’s items. term Saltillo has come to designate a type of old serape,
Katherine Drew Jenkins (1906-1982) spent most of her much finer in quality than the ubiquitous ones intended
professional life researching and analyzing Saltillos. In for tourists in modern times, produced in and around
1951 they were the subject of a thesis for her master’s Saltillo, the capital of the northeastern Mexican state
degree in decorative arts at the University of California of Coahuila. A feature common to both is the diamond-
at Berkeley. A pioneering effort at the time, her work has shaped center medallion.
been referenced countless times in subsequent papers
on the subject, but the thesis itself was inaccessible, The exact origin of Saltillos eluded Jenkins during her
sequestered within the archives of the U.C. Berkeley many years of study. Her original inquiry and analysis
library. In his introduction, Thomas McCormick tells were confined to 48 examples. Despite her best efforts,
of his efforts to gain access to and ultimately publish she regarded her work as incomplete. Her efforts to have
Jenkins’s thesis in the form of this book. It is a companion the thesis published during her lifetime were unsuccessful,
to an earlier work, Saltillo Serapes, A Survey: 1850-1920. although she continued her research. After more than six
decades her groundbreaking work is in print, enhanced
It is believed but not certain that the Mexican serape with color prints and commentary by contemporary
is descended from the tilma, a shoulder garment worn experts in the field of Latin American textiles.
by Aztec men. The tilma is mentioned in the Codex

The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and been seen as too perilous to undertake. My Antiques Journey by Bill
Ambition of Maximilian I, edited by Pierre Featuring armor and objects from the D’Anjolell (Outskirts Press,
Terjanian (The Metropolitan Museum of Metropolitan Museum of Art in New 2019, 260 pages, softbound,
Art, distributed by Yale University Press, York City, along with items from $24.95).
2019, 340 pages, hardbound, $65). collections in Europe and the Middle
East, it paints a vivid portrait of this This autobiographical account
“What could be more precious to a king than an outsize figure who is not so well of the life of an antiques dealer
armor that will safeguard his body in combat?” known in the Western world. and appraiser is the story of Bill
the Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) is D’Anjeloll, who grew up in
reported to have said. Five hundred years after This work illustrates the significance postwar northeast Philadelphia
his death, this lavish volume chronicles the of the armorer’s art during the late in a world of close-knit family
life—and armor—of the legendary warrior and medieval and early Renaissance and friends that conjures up
king of the Roman Empire, who might have periods. Armor was far more than images of the Cunninghams
been crowned pope had the journey to Rome not a protective garb worn during of television’s Happy Days.
tournaments and battles. Deeply prized This unpretentious tale follows
and not available to ordinary soldiers, D’Anjeloll as he discovers the
it was literally the currency of power. joys of buying and selling at the
At the behest of the emperor, the most Golden Nugget Flea Market,
celebrated armorers decorated their through his college days and early
creations with precious metals and career working in marketing and
gems. Readers may be surprised to at local auction houses, and
know that sumptuous textiles were finally to his long association
worn over the armor as well; more with the Bucks County Antiques
often than not they were destroyed in Dealers Association as show
battle. Armor was synonymous with chair and president. Filled with warm and amusing anecdotes, it is peppered
the wearer’s higher standing, and no with pricing tips and observations, printed in red, that further illuminate the
one was more concerned with this than landscape of D’Anjeloll’s world.
Maximilian, a man preoccupied with
expanding his sphere of influence and The author shares with us the trials and tribulations of hosting antiques
establishing his legacy. This extensive shows in a changing economic climate, as the old guard hands over the reins
volume re-creates a world presided to a new generation, strategizing against the dilemmas of falling attendance
over by a martial hero. The exhibition and rising rents. The book’s 48 chapters are an easy read, told in an upbeat,
of the same name is on view at the Met positive style, and conclude with advice from D’Anjeloll on what’s hot and
through January 5. what’s not, as well as tips on how to downsize and sell unwanted items, with
listings of his favorite antiques establishments in the Pennsylvania and New
Jersey area.

104 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

Fragile Earth: The Naturalist Impulse in FFEEAATTUURREE
Contemporary Art by Jennifer Stettler Parsons
(Florence Griswold Museum, distributed by Wesleyan Cosmos: The Art and Science of the Universe
University Press, 2019, 120 pages, softbound, $32.95). by Roberta J.M. Olson and Jay M. Pasachoff
(Reaktion Books Ltd., distributed by the
“A museum rarely has the opportunity to activate a University of Chicago Press, 2019, 320 pages,
dynamic response to its surrounding environment,” writes hardbound, $49.95).
Rebekah Beaulieu, director of the Florence Griswold
Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in the introduction to This book is about humankind’s fascination with
this book on the exhibit of the same name, which closed the heavens and its attempts to understand it through
at the museum last September 8. What the exhibit and this art and science. It is a collaboration between two
book strive to do is demonstrate the relevance of ecology people in unrelated professions: an astronomer and
and nature in contemporary artistic practice. an art historian. The authors, inspired by the 1985
visit of Halley’s Comet, embark on what they call “an
Building upon the success of an earlier exhibit, Flora/ interdisciplinary study of astronomical phenomena
Fauna, this book illustrates the work of five artists who in art.” Generously illustrated, the book’s text
created installations at the Griswold, all of whom are follows developments in astronomy and Western art
concerned with issues of climate change and global chronologically in broadly named chapters such as
warming in the Anthropocene era, the newly minted term “Astronomy,” “Constellations,” “Meteors, Bolides and
for the current age in which we live, in which the effects of Meteor Showers,” and so on. We see a Renaissance
human activity are the dominant influence on our planet. depiction of the heavens in a 1515 French tapestry and
The artists’ subject matter celebrates nature, not so much in The Astronomer, a 1668 oil by Vermeer. Farther along,
painterly representations but in installations that bring the there is a Dadaist painting by the German painter
denizens of the natural world front and center. In that spirit, George Grosz alongside a discussion of eclipses of the
we see the hallway of the 19th-century Griswold house sun. The text combines cultural history and science
decorated with wallpaper made of 1000 insects arranged in together in a diverse and entertaining narrative.
concentric geometric patterns created by Jennifer Angus.
There is a window full of jars full of insects preserved in Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles: Price Guide
an amber-like substance. Artist Mark Dion has created 2020 by Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel (Black
a Louise Nevelson-like cabinet full of colorful marine Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2019, 538 pages,
debris: bottles, disposable lighters, and plastic balls softbound, $29.99).
and netting; and a work entitled 300 Million Years of
Flight with silhouettes of bats, birds, and aircraft. James This perennial antiques price guide, published
Prosek contributes fine watercolors of plants and animals since 1968, lists 16,000 prices in 730 categories
reminiscent of John James Audubon as well as taxidermy. with 2500 new color photos. Concentrating
Courtney Mattison re-creates an endangered coral reef in almost exclusively on the American antiques and
ceramic sculptures. Amply illustrated, the book contains collectibles market, its listings are for items that
essays and discussion by the artists. It asks the question, sold between June 2018 and June 2019. The prices
“Nature is all around us, but do really we see it? quoted are either realized prices from auctions
or completed sales. Each section contains an
introductory section to help identify unknown
pieces in that category.

A glance at any of the pages shows the breadth
of the listings offered. These are presented
in a factual, no-nonsense format, with color
illustrations that are useful but not ostentatious, and
if the item is illustrated, this is noted in its listing.
The type size is small to enable more listings to
be included. Each section contains an explanatory
preface. There are tips scattered throughout, not
always germane to antiques or collecting, but
well meaning nonetheless. There is a section on
record-setting prices by category, and a special
center section is devoted to iconic designers of the
20th century. While no periodical guide can give
an absolute portrait of the antiques and collectibles
market in a given year, the Kovels’ guide,
although mainstream in nature, remains
one of the best.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 105

FFEEAATTUURREE

A Book Review Duveen Brothers and the Market for Decorative Arts,
1880-1940
Duveen Brothers: by Charlotte Vignon
Dealers and Advisors The Frick Collection, in association with D Giles
Limited, 2019, 320 pages, hardbound, $59.95 plus S/H
from The Frick Collection, (212) 547-6848 or

(www.frick.org/shop).

by Lita Solis-Cohen

Charlotte Vignon, curator of decorative arts at The The Duveens’ genius was Auguste Decour, decorators already at work at the
Frick Collection and visiting associate professor anticipating the potential mansion. He sold the paintings to Frick essentially at
at the Bard Graduate Center in New York City, of the American market and cost, knowing that if Frick was happy with the result
has written a revealing book about the role of Duveen building a clientele by exploiting he would be able to sell him other furnishings at
Brothers as dealers and advisors in the formation of collectors’ social ambitions. considerable profit.
major American collections of decorative arts during
the Gilded Age. She makes the history of art dealing a forming some of the greatest American collections. Joseph Duveen worked closely with the decorators
serious academic subject. The three Duveens most deeply involved—Joel, Paul and André Carlhian, whose interiors required
French furniture he could supply. If it was ever found
The Duveens catered to Americans’ passion for Henry, and Joseph—selected works for two generations he had sold a fake, he would buy it back to protect his
Chinese porcelain and French decorative arts from of clients, many of whom relied entirely on their reputation.
the Middle Ages through the end of the 18th century. judgment.
They had a hand in forming the great American Joseph Duveen was known to bid up prices at
collections, including the Cloisters, the Wrightsman The Duveens rarely sold or donated to American auction to preserve the high prices he charged clients.
collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Anna museums, but their clients enriched museums or He bought collections, and then he gave good clients
Thomson Dodge Collection at the Detroit Institute of founded their own museums. Nearly 2000 objects in the preference. In one instance, after J.P. Morgan died in
Arts, and the collections at The Huntington Library, National Gallery of Art have a Duveen provenance, as 1913, his son Jack Morgan sold the Morgan porcelain
Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, do an equally high number at the Metropolitan Museum collection to Joseph Duveen while it was still on loan to
California. Gifts from the Wideners and the Kresses of Art. The galleries of The Frick, the Huntington, the the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Joseph Duveen gave
at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., have Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Detroit Institute of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Henry Frick preference on
Duveen provenances, as do many masterpieces at The Arts, and the Taft Museum in Cincinnati have many buying from the collection, and Rockefeller insisted on
Frick Collection, New York City, and museums in works with provenance that includes the Duveens. cherry-picking the best; Duveen agreed to this in order
Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and San Francisco. to keep a good customer.
The Duveens did contribute to British museums.
The story of how three generations of Duveens Joel Duveen donated a five-room wing to the Tate for The details of the Duveen Brothers opening galleries
transformed the status of decorative arts from bric-a- exhibition of works by J.M.W. Turner. Joseph also in London and New York City at the end of the 19th
brac to works of fine art is chronicled in this history financed several galleries at the Tate, including one century and in Paris in 1907 are well documented in the
of the trade in the finest Chinese porcelains, French devoted to the paintings of John Singer Sargent, and in firm’s records at the Getty Research Institute, which are
18th-century furniture and decorations, Renaissance 1937 he gave five galleries for contemporary sculpture. accessible on microfilm at the Metropolitan Museum
bronzes, tapestries, Limoges enamels, and Italian In 1932 he gave a room to the National Gallery, of Art, the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, and the
majolica, from the 1880s to the 1940s. All of these London, for the exhibition of early Italian painting, and Institut national d’histoire de l’art, Paris. The records
categories had been collected a generation before the the following year he underwrote the expansion of the include the firm’s history from 1874 to 1964. In 1964
Duveens came on the scene. National Portrait Gallery, paid for the restoration of the archival material was acquired by Norton Simon
several galleries at the Wallace Collection, and financed along with what remained of the Duveen inventory.
Vignon claims that the Duveens’ genius was the Duveen Gallery at the British Museum for the Simon sold the archives to the Sterling and Francine
anticipating the potential of the American market and display of the marble fragments from the Parthenon. In Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts,
building a clientele by exploiting collectors’ social the 1920s Joseph Duveen donated to the Petit Palais in and then they were put on long-term loan to the Getty
ambitions. What the Duveens sold became emblems of Paris some 60 works, including a male torso by Rodin, Research Institute.
social status for which high prices were justified. They thus permanently removing these artworks from the
remained America’s most prominent antiques dealers market and benefiting from the publicity. The book is rich in photographs, and they include a
for nearly 60 years. selection of objects as well as galleries and rooms of the
To help Americans “to learn and to love and cherish firm’s clients that are well described by Vignon. Written
They not only sold furniture, decorations, and art and beauty,” as Joseph Duveen wrote to his client through the eyes of the dealers, the book traces the
paintings, but they also provided interior decoration Eva Stotesbury, the Duveen galleries presented stock exodus of antiques and objects from Europe to America
design. They opened galleries in the center of the London in period room settings. Joseph Duveen often installed and tells how the powerful rich American families with
art district and in the commercial centers of New York works of art in clients’ homes in order to convince them names such as Vanderbilt, Astor, Huntington, Gould,
City and Paris, following examples set by art dealers. to buy them; he wouldn’t bill them until years later. He Mackay, Morgan, Rockefeller, Frick, Stotesbury, and
Art was the major part of their business, and there are installed Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s series of paintings Widener bought antique furniture for their houses for
several books about the Duveens as art dealers listed in “The Progress of Love” in Henry Clay Frick’s New social advancement.
Vignon’s extensive bibliography. This is the first book to York City mansion, supervised by Charles Allom and
focus on the Duveens’ trade in decorative arts. Collecting antiques, which began to develop inAmerica
after the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition
The Duveens managed to establish themselves as in Philadelphia, was endorsed by tastemakers Edith
trustworthy antiques dealers at a time when fakes were Wharton and Ogden Codman (their book The Decoration
common. They produced brochures and illustrated of Houses was published in 1897) and decorator Elsie de
catalogs, acquired prestigious collections, and made Wolfe. Historic reconstruction of period rooms became
sure their successes were reported in the press. fashionable in the 1890s. Objects were acquired for their
decorative qualities. A new generation of art dealers
Vignon shows how the Duveens’ success relied on emerged. In Europe the “old curiosity shop” became a
their control of the international art trade through a fine art gallery, and dealers became gentlemen.
network of dealers, experts, and decorators. (There is
an alphabetized list with biographies of these players Joel, Henry, and Joseph Duveen epitomized the bric-
and some of their major clients at the back of the book.) a-brac dealer turned gentleman. They were Jewish, like
the dealers before them, who worked with a network of
“By helping to transform millionaires to noblemen Jews, often of Dutch, German, or Austrian origin, who
within the cosmopolitan elite, the Duveens quickly settled in Paris or London and did business with each
grew wealthy and secured their own social ascent,” other. Duveen uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great-
writes Vignon. She traces their humble beginning to grandparents had been art dealers in Holland. At age
Joel Duveen, a young Dutch émigré, who began as 20 Joel Duveen left Holland for England and opened a
a bric-a-brac dealer in Hull, England, and ended his shop in Hull, a port where London dealers knew they
career as a respected art dealer who was knighted could find recent imports from the Continent, such as
before he died. His son Joseph was named Baron Chinese porcelains and Delftware. Joel added French
Duveen of Millbank, continuing the family’s rise. As furniture, which was supplied by his cousin Henri H.
did their fellow members of the elite, they traveled first Duveen, who was buying on the Continent.
class, stayed at Claridges and the Ritz, and frequented
the finest restaurants in New York City, London, and After ten years in Hull, Joel moved to London in
Paris. They had close ties with European aristocracy 1879, offering a third of the share of the business to his
from whom they bought antiques en bloc. cousin Henri as a supplier. They decided to send Joel’s
younger brother Henry to New York City to open up a
They were willing to do anything necessary, legal wholesale connection with American dealers.
or otherwise, to obtain success, including deceiving
American customs officials, which led to one of the In 1890, after working separately for six years, Joel
greatest fraud and smuggling scandals of the 20th and Henry founded Duveen Brothers with galleries in
century. Nevertheless, their influence was enormous in London, New York City, and Paris, selling tapestries,

106 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

French furniture, silver, enamels, snuffboxes, and and $120,000 and $130,000 for two pairs of famille a taste for it in the United States. In 1880 the decorator
miniatures. jaune vases. Rockefeller also selected vases priced Jules Allard created the first “Louis” interior for the
at $40,000 and as low as $5000. He also purchased Vanderbilts. French interiors became more popular
“When Joel Duveen’s eldest son, Joseph Duveen, the 30 pieces of older Ming Dynasty wares for a total of in 1900, reaching a peak between 1915 and 1925
future Baron Duveen of Millbank, became head of the $246,500. The most expensive pieces went to the and declining with the Wall Street crash in 1929. The
Duveen Brothers in the 1910s, he redirected the firm’s Rockefellers’ New York City apartment, and some Duveens bought French furniture from other dealers, at
activities toward the trade in old master paintings. went to Kykuit, Rockefeller’s father’s residence in the auction, and privately en bloc.
Within a few years, he became the greatest art dealer of Hudson River valley.
the first half of the twentieth century,” writes Vignon. Henry Clay Frick moved into his furnished and
Throughout his life he continued to offer clients As did Rockefeller, Frick asked advice from Theodore decorated residence at 1 East 70th Street, New York
important antique furniture and art objects. Y. Hobby, curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, City, in the spring of 1915, and for several years Duveen
where the Morgan collection had been on view. Frick Brothers sent him furniture and objects for acquisition,
Like his uncle Henry, Joseph chose New York bought 60 pieces from the Morgan collection for more usually with huge markups. For example, Frick paid
City as his permanent residence, directing the gallery than $1.78 million, paid for with shares of the Atchison, $78,000 for a chest of drawers with mahogany veneer
from there, but he went to Europe several times a Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company. Among the and gilt bronze mounts by Jean-Henri Riesener.
year. The Paris gallery was overseen by his younger most important purchases was a pair of large famille Duveen had acquired the piece from Wildenstein a
brothers Louis, Edward, and Ernest and his nephew noire vases that cost $120,000. Hobby said he knew few years earlier for 88,000 francs, or about $16,000.
Armand Lowengard, whose father was one of the great of no others of equal importance. The New York Times In only three years Duveen Brothers had sold an entire
Paris antiques dealers and whose mother was Joseph wrote about the high prices paid for Chinese porcelains. collection of 18th-century French furniture and objects
Duveen’s sister. to Frick, who until a few years earlier had never bought
Peter and Joseph Widener of Lynnewood Hall, a piece of French furniture. This huge commercial
Edward Fowles, who began as an office boy at the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, bought a fifth of the Morgan success reinforced the prestige of the firm.
London gallery in 1898, became Joseph Duveen’s collection for more than a million dollars. Many of the
chief collaborator, and with Lowengard he oversaw Kangxi period vases were monochrome vases, but This book demonstrates how two generations of
acquisitions in Europe. At his death in 1939 Joseph some had famille rose and famille noire decorations. a family of antiques dealers, active a century ago,
Duveen entrusted Fowles and Lowengard with running The highest prices, about $90,000 each, were paid for transformed the international art market while building
the Paris gallery. When Lowengard died in 1944, Fowles famille noire vases. The Widener collection, now at the a clientele of American millionaires, who in turn
became the sole director of Duveen Brothers, which he National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., includes a enriched many America museums with their gifts of
managed from New York City until 1964, when he sold Wanli green vase with dragon handles for which Peter works of the highest quality.
the entire inventory and building to Norton Simon. Widener paid $23,000. It is one of the fine illustrations
in this book. Is the American art and antiques market very
In part two of the book the author spells out the different today? A few very rich collectors buy what
changes in the American market for Chinese porcelain, The purchase and dispersal of the Morgan collection a few Duveen-type dealers and advisors tell them is
French furniture and decorations, and medieval and marked the end of the Duveen Brothers’ trade in the best the market can muster. American collectors
Renaissance furniture and works of art. For example, Chinese porcelain. Collectors such as Charles Lang of decorative art today are more often buying
Henry Duveen sold the Garland collection of Chinese Freer and scholar Ernest Fenollosa at the Museum of contemporary and 20th-century design. The dealers
porcelains to J.P. Morgan for $400,000, his cost, so that Fine Arts, Boston, were buying from Asian dealers who do not always own what they sell, and they rarely buy
it would remain in America and on view at the Met. sourced porcelain directly from China; they wanted en bloc. The big collections generally go to auction en
When Morgan died, his son Jack Morgan sold the ancient art, especially Chinese bronzes. Prices for bloc, often with guarantees.
collection to Joseph Duveen in 1915 for $3 million, porcelain fell. The 1919 death of Henry Duveen, who
a high sum, and then Joseph Duveen broke it up and was the expert in this field, also contributed to Duveen Chinese porcelains and French furniture remain a
sold it piecemeal to John D. Rockefeller Jr., Henry Clay Brothers’ abandoning the trade in porcelain. small part of American trade. The collectors of this
Frick, and Joseph E. Widener. material are more often now in the Middle East and
The firm never lost interest in French furniture and Asia, and they now enrich museums in that part of the
John and Abby Rockefeller bought 66 pieces for $1.9 objects of art. Joel and Henry Duveen began trading in world with their collections.
million. They paid $75,000 each for four famille noire this field in the 1870s. They imported and established
Kangxi vases; $135,000 for a large famille verte vase;

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Country Americana & Decorative Arts Sale
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Saturday, January 4 - 12:00 Noon

Previews: Friday, January 3 – 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to noon (or by appt. week of Dec. 30)

Sample of advertising

Ancient Bronze
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+ Others
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or visit our web site www.hpcountryauctions.com
to view illustrated catalog • 845-471-5660 for further info.
Boat Model, Skitch Henderson Estate Sample of Federal Furniture

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 107

SFHEOATWURE

Delaware Antiques Show, Wilmington, Delaware

The 2019 Delaware Show

by Lita Solis-Cohen

There is no question that the Delaware Antiques Show
is one of the very best for Americana. Collectors
come from all parts of the country knowing that a
large contingent of dealers in American furniture, textiles,
silver, folk art, ceramics, pewter, and silver made or
used in America will be there along with those dealing
in Continental brass and iron and Asian porcelain with
international appeal. Dealers say it is the most engaged
audience of any show. Collectors look carefully and ask
questions and learn from the experts. They did some
buying.

This show has a formula for success.

Dealers said they thought the opening night crowd on Christopher Rebollo of North Wales, Pennsyl-
Thursday, November 7, 2019, was thinner than usual and vania, sold the pair of Philadelphia side chairs,
more social than shopping, though a few things were sold. 1765-80, with a rare splat design and earlier style
Friday and Saturday were very crowded with serious acanthus leaf knee carving, from the Pepper fam-
buyers, and some came back on Sunday and found plenty ily. The splat design appears in chairs from the
left to buy. Deshler family in the Germantown White House.

There was a selection of painted chests. Several pieces Hilary and Paulette Nolan of Falmouth, Massachusetts, asked
of furniture seen in the New York and Philadelphia shows $12,500 for this circa 1800 Pennsylvania Dutch cupboard with
sold in Delaware. Some were still available. Kelly Kinzle lollipop cutouts and an old dry surface. The banister-back
sold a diminutive paint-decorated chest from Lehigh chair with crisp turnings and original black paint was made in
County at the preview and could have sold it twice. On New York circa 1750 and was $2800.
Saturday Christopher Jones sold a chest decorated by
the Shenandoah Valley painter Johannes Spitler that last Polly Latham, a Boston dealer in Chinese export
appeared at a show in New York in 1984. porcelain, sold all four of these pots de crème
from Thomas Jefferson’s dinner service. Each
Jones also sold a Philadelphia maple side chair that is monogrammed with a “J” within a gilded
survived with its original leather-covered slip seat, sunburst design. It is said that the service was
possibly from the shop of Solomon Fussell (1704-1762). ordered by Governor and Mrs. Christopher Gore
Several other Philadelphia chairs sold. James Kilvington of Massachusetts for Jefferson while the couple
sold a tall-back cane-seated walnut side chair, 1690- were in London on a diplomatic mission, as they
1710, with turnings similar to Philadelphia ladder-back ordered a similar service with a “G” for them-
rush-seated side chairs. Similar chairs are in museum selves at the same time. The service was acquired
collections and illustrated in Joe Kindig’s catalog of by a descendant of Jefferson at the bankruptcy
Philadelphia chairs and in the catalog for Worldly Goods, sale after his death. The pots de crème and other
a 1999 exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. pieces came to market at a Christie’s sale in
Philip Bradley sold a low-back Windsor chair signed by January 2013.
Gilpin. Christopher Rebollo sold a pair of Philadelphia
Chippendale side chairs. Elliott and Grace Snyder sold Martyn Edgell of Cambridgeshire, U.K., brought Greg K. Kramer of Robesonia, Pennsylvania, said
a New England ladder-back chair with arms that end in a selection of Abolition Society china. The Staf- this rare 1840s-50s paint-decorated Dutch cupboard
dish-shaped turnings that would hold a teacup and saucer. fordshire pitcher has a poem titled “Negroes” is the best one he has ever owned. Attributed to John
on the back; it was $2250. The blue earthenware Leiby of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in salmon and
Tables sold too. Frank Levy sold a Philadelphia sugar bowl was $1350, and the plate. $1450. red paint with yellow trim, it is one of three exam-
card table with carving by Martin Jugiez. Peter Eaton ples known, and is the smallest. It was $195,000.
sold a diminutive Rhode Island card table, and Taylor Kramer sold a lot of wall decorations and smalls,
Thistlethwaite sold a diminutive one-drawer table from including redware and stoneware.
the Shenandoah Valley. Jim Kilvington sold a diminutive
George II oak dressing table, circa 1730, with very slender
legs and pad feet. Olde Hope and Jeffrey Tillou each sold
a large painted farm table.

Kelly Kinzle and James Price each sold a tall-case
clock. Yes, there is a market for American furniture,
especially when fresh.

There is also a market for schoolgirl needlework. Amy
Finkel sold more than a dozen samplers, and Stephen and
Carol Huber made more than half a dozen sales. They sold
a rare 1811 drawing book by Ann Dearborn, a student at
Clifton Hill Academy, Dorchester, Massachusetts, a
boarding and day school for girls run by Judith Foster
Saunders and Clementina Beach. Winterthur has samplers
made by students at this school.

The American silver market was active. Jonathan Trace
made multiple sales of bowls and spoons, and Colonial
Williamsburg is considering acquiring his large New York
coffeepot. Spencer Marks made a dozen sales of 19th- and
20th-century silver, made by Gorham, Tiffany, and other
makers of Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic Movement, and
modern American silver. Spencer Marks’s sales included
a Gorham tea service, flatware, bowls, and candlesticks.

Folk art sold. Colette Donovan said she had a good show,
selling early New England furnishings and a portrait. Joan
Brownstein sold several miniature watercolor portraits
and several full-size portraits, and Elle Shushan had red
dots on half a dozen miniatures and spaces on her wall
where others had hung.

Many collectors carrying more than one bag were
seen walking out of the show. Marcy Burns said she sold
American Indian baskets, pottery, and beadwork. Martyn
Edgell, who comes from the U.K. with a full range of

108 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

This early painted chest by Johannes Spitler (1774-1837), Shenandoah (now Page) James and Nancy Glazer of Bailey Island,
County, Virginia, yellow pine, 24" tall x 50" wide x 23" deep, is one of 24 pieces of Maine, asked $25,000 for this carved secre-
furniture decorated by Spitler, including 21 painted chests. This is an early example tary, circa 1880, signed “I Weber, Meadville,
of Spitler’s red, blue, black, and white abstract design. Christopher H. Jones of PA,” 7' high x 42½" wide x 22" deep. The
Alexandria, Virginia, wanted $39,000 for the chest. It was sold in the fall of 1984 artisan is listed as a shoemaker in Meadville.
by Atlanta dealer Deanne Levison at the Pier Show in New York City and recently
came back on the market from the family of the collector. Elizabeth A. Davison,
author of a forthcoming book on Spitler, to be published in 2021, came to the show.
She first examined the chest on Nantucket and said that one of the turned feet is
original and it is an unusual early design for this maker. Davison noted that Spitler
was the decorator and that several different cabinetmakers made the chests he
painted. The chest sold to mid-Atlantic collectors.

Chippendale tall-case clock, the case
labeled by James McDowell, Duck
Creek (now Smyrna), Delaware, with
works attributed to Richard Miller,
1793-1805, in a mahogany case, 96½"
high x 19¾" wide x 16¼" deep. It is
illustrated in Delaware Clocks by Philip
D. Zimmerman, who wrote that Miller made a hasty retreat from New
Jersey to escape prosecution as a Tory and was reluctant to sign his
clocks after the hostilities. The price on the wall label was $100,000
from Frank Levy of Bernard and S. Dean Levy, New York City.

Peter H. Eaton of Wiscasset, This 24" x 18" portrait of a gentle-
Maine, offered this Queen Anne man in a blue waistcoat by William
high chest with five drawers on Jennys (1774-1859) was $6800
the top and three drawers on the from Joan Brownstein of Wiscas-
set, Maine. Jennys worked first in
base, a deeply scrolled skirt, and Connecticut and then on the North
Shore of Massachusetts. Brown-
very tall cabriole legs with large stein sold four miniature portraits,
pad feet. It’s made of maple and a pair of drawings that look like
birch. Eaton said it was made on blown-up miniatures, a model
the North Shore of Massachu- house, a paint-decorated stool, a
pair of oil on canvas portraits of an
setts, 1745-55. The waist molding Ohio couple, and more.

is restored, and proper cotter

pin brasses have been reset in

original holes. The top case is

34¼" wide, and the lower case

is 36¾". It was purchased from

a local family, and the price was
$5500. Eaton sold a Rhode Island
card table (not shown) of unusual
small size with a serpentine top
and blocked ends.

English pottery, said he had an extremely good show. show ads before they went to Delaware. Frank Levy, who was a Winterthur Fellow, called it
Polly Latham sold nearly all the China trade porcelain The show benefits educational programs at the one of the masterpieces of Philadelphia furniture. Alan
made for the American market she brought to the Miller said it is an early Philadelphia table made in the
show along with some Chinese porcelain made for the Winterthur Museum, proselytizer of good taste in late 1740s, with carving by the hand of someone who
European trade. Barbara Israel sold stone ornaments for Americana, the legacy of Henry Francis du Pont, who worked on Independence Hall. He wonders if the top is
the garden—a turtle and a crocodile sold early in the had an unerring eye. original and thinks it might once have had a marble top,
show. but he said he has never examined it with the top off to
As part of the educational program for this 56th prove his hunch.
Dealers who made few sales said they expect to hear Delaware Antiques show, Irish design and influence
from people who took pictures and notes and went home on design in America was explored. Robert O’Byrne’s Discussions about attributions are one of the sports
to measure and think about a purchase. The booth rent lecture on Irish country houses on Friday at 10 a.m. of this show. “Was the dressing table in Frank Levy’s
for this show is reasonable compared with other shows. was well received. The loan exhibition, Irresistibly booth made in Long Island or New Jersey?” was one
Dealers can stay at the Westin that adjoins the Chase Irish: Decorative Arts from the Winterthur Collection, overheard discussion. “What is the origin of the hocked
Center in the industrial park or at other motels nearby. greeted visitors as they entered the show. A gold buckle leg on the tea table that Sumpter Priddy offered?”
The Chase Center, just off I-95, is convenient for those reminded visitors that Philadelphia silversmith Philip
driving and just a short cab ride from the Amtrak station Syng was Irish. The 12-light silver chandelier that Of the hundreds of “smalls,” as the trade calls them,
in Wilmington for those who come by train. hangs in Winterthur’s Readbourne Parlor was in a very few are illustrated. It takes several trips and great
special case. It was probably made by Mark Fallon of stamina to see them all, but the quality stands out.
Moreover, the show comes at the right time of the Galway, Ireland. The elaborately carved tea table from
year. November is the beginning of holiday shopping. the same parlor has a history of ownership in Graeme This show has a formula for success. Good
The fact that there is no sales tax in Delaware is another Park in Horsham, Pennsylvania, the estate of Scottish- advertising, events that bring Winterthur alumnae and
bonus. Dealers with websites said before the show they born doctor Thomas Graeme (1688-1772). The label major Winterthur donors to the show, and a long history
sent e-mail blasts to clients who then reserved what called the table either Irish or from Philadelphia and in the same venue work in its favor. Collectors look
they hoped to buy. Some clients went to the show to suggested that Graeme used it at his Philadelphia forward to this annual fall conclave where they discuss
have a look and be sure and then bought, and others townhouse. Dealers and scholars at the show said it is new information and acquisitions with old friends.
bought long distance. Others said they sold from their a Philadelphia table, not Irish. New York City dealer
For more information, call 1-800-448-3883 or see the
website (www.winterthur.org/das).

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 109

SFHEOATWURE

This prisoner-of-war bone ship model in its original straw-work The portraits of George Alexander Kennedy Sr. and Eleanor Clock collector and author
Scott Kennedy with George Alexander Kennedy Jr., circa 1800, Bob Frishman of Andover,
case is of a desirable small size (12¼" x 10¼" x 6¼") and has oil on canvas, 36" x 27½", are by Charles Peale Polk (1767-1822). Massachusetts, came to
a reflecting glass. The man-of-war has 24 gun ports with brass The son of Elizabeth D. Peale and Robert Polk, Charles Polk the Delaware show for the
guns; the figurehead is a Roman soldier. It was $16,500 from went after the death of his mother to live with his uncle Charles first time and bought this
Diana Bittel of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and it sold at the Willson Peale, from whom he received his artistic training. From miniature of a girl wearing a
1791 to 1796, he lived in Baltimore, where he went into the dry watch and chain from Phila-
preview. goods business but failed. He continued to paint, however. The delphia dealer Elle Shushan.
pair of portraits was $60,000 from Schwarz Gallery, Philadelphia. He said it was for his “horol-
ogy in art” collection. The
price on the tag was $2200.

This early sampler by Hannah
Johnson of Newbury, Essex
County, Massachusetts, dated
1768 was $28,000 from Amy Fin-
kel, Philadelphia, and came with
a family history. It sold.

Philip Bradley of Sumneytown, Pennsylvania, asked $26,000 for
the paneled-back settle, probably Chester County, circa 1725.
Made of pine, it is 62" high x 75" wide x 20" deep. Retaining
traces of old blue paint, it is part of a group of settles with

lollipop-shaped armrests. One was found in a Quaker meeting

house in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. This one has

Titus Geesey and Donald Shelley provenance.

Pennsylvania German decorated chest, probably Lehigh County, circa 1800, with a pelican in her
piety on the escutcheon and iron strap hinges, 28¾" x 48¾" x 22½", $28,000 from Olde Hope, New
Hope, Pennsylvania, and New York City. The cow weathervane by L.W. Cushing & Sons, Waltham,
Massachusetts, circa 1880, molded copper with zinc and old white paint, 28" long, was $12,500.

Paint-decorated chest of draw- Kelly Kinzle of New Oxford, Pennsylvania, offered for $35,000 this Wythe
ers, probably South Shaftsbury, County, Virginia, dower chest attributed to Johannes Hudel/John Huddle
Vermont, ascribed to the Thomas
Matteson family based on signed (1772-1839). It is from a group of Wythe County blanket chests published
examples. It is 37" high and was
$46,000 from Thistlethwaite by J. Roderick Moore in The Magazine Antiques in September 1982 (p.
Americana, Alexandria, Virginia, 516). The chest is dated 1828 twice on the back. Kinzle said these chests
and Glasgow, Kentucky. Taylor were influenced by the work of Johannes Rank (1763-1828) of Jonestown,
Thistlethwaite focused on sur- Pennsylvania. This chest is in remarkably good condition; there is some
face. He also offered (not shown)
a patinated copper, brass, and inpainting on the feet.
pewter cabinet with a slate top by
Paul Evans (1931-1987) made in
New Hope, Pennsylvania, in 1967
for $28,500 and a tiger maple
chest-on-chest made in Manches-
ter, New Hampshire, in the last
quarter of the 19th century for
$24,800.

110 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

This blue heron, carved and painted The Queen Anne tiger maple dressing table, all original
in 2014 by Frank Finney (b. 1947),
was $28,000 from Newsom & Berdan except the engraved brasses, 1760-70, was $24,500 from
Antiques, Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, Skip Chalfant of H L Chalfant, West Chester, Pennsyl-
and Hallowell, Maine. They sold three
other carvings by Frank Finney at the vania. The double-door spice box with an arched flat
show. panel and ogee feet, circa 1775, in old patina, with two
drawers restored, was $12,500.
The Chippendale cherry tall case with a scroll pediment, housing
an eight-day brass movement clock with a date aperture and sec-
onds dial by John Eberman of Lancaster, circa 1790, was $14,000
from James L. Price of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The mahogany
chest-on-chest, its upper case with three drawers over two over
three, with three drawers in the base, on ogee bracket feet and
with original brasses, mid-Atlantic, circa 1790, was $12,750. Price
sold a lowboy and another clock.

Dealer Malcolm Magruder came on Friday This circa 1780 creamware presentation bowl to the
to shop for mochaware and filled six bags. “I John Dickinson family was $28,000 from Stephen-
have a client and came to shop,” he said. Douglas Antiques, Rockingham, Vermont, and
Walpole, New Hampshire.

James Kilvington of Greenville, Delaware, sold this George II The poppy bowl by Clemens
Friedell (1872-1963), 13¾"
dressing table, the cane-seat Philadelphia chair, circa 1690-1710 diameter, was $9500 from
($8500), English Sheffield candlesticks, China trade Fitzhugh Spencer-Marks, Southampton,
porcelain, and more. Massachusetts. Friedell was an
Arts and Crafts silversmith in
Pasadena, California. He worked
for Gorham before moving to
the West Coast. The poppy is the
state flower of California. This
is the largest size poppy bowl
Friedell made.

This polychrome-decorated porcelain

pitcher made in New Jersey, illustrat-

ing the landing of General Lafayette at
Castle Garden, was $22,500 from the
Kuraus of Lampeter, Pennsylvania.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 111

SFHEOATWURE

Arthur Liverant of Nathan Liverant and Son, Linda Eaton (right), Winterthur’s director of collections
Colchester, Connecticut, shows a portrait of a and senior curator of textiles, and Stella Rubin (center) of
gentleman, possibly George Athearn (1754-1837) Darnestown, Maryland, look over a very large Quaker
of Martha’s Vineyard, signed by the artist at the autographed wedding quilt of red calicoes and white cotton
lower left “E. Savage Pinxt” for Edward Savage with many autographs. Rubin wanted $22,500 for the whimsical
(1761-1817) and dated on the ledger the sitter is album quilt from Pennsylvania, circa 1850, on the wall behind.
holding, December 11, 1786. In good condition
The Pennsylvania hooked rug dated 1898 and with and in its original frame, the painting
the initials “EB” was $5800, and the raised-panel was $35,000.
cupboard in Spanish brown and green paint, circa
1827, was $9500 from Jewett-Berdan Antiques,
Newcastle, Maine. The hooked rug sold.

This Plains Indian beaded pipe
bag with miniature pipes on
the pouch and American flags,
1890s, in excellent condition,
was $5800 from Marcy Burns
American Indian Arts, New
York City. The dealer said
she had a good show selling
pottery and baskets.

Elliott and Grace Snyder of South Egremont, Massa- Jeffrey Tillou of Litchfield, Connecticut, asked
chusetts, asked $20,000 for this New England corner $22,000 for Undercliffs Near Coldspring by
chair with an openwork splat with heart cutouts and Thomas Chambers (b. 1808) in a period frame.
whimsical carving on the arms. They pointed out char-
acteristics of both Salem (sharp-edge cabriole legs) and The Chippendale blockfront chest from coastal
Newport (sweptback talons). They said they sold more
at this Delaware show than ever before. Massachusetts, mahogany with pine secondary

wood, with original brasses, a diminutive 32¾"

high x 33½" wide x 21¼" deep, with a Wendell

family label on back, was $68,000. Tillou had

a very good show, selling a large hutch table,
treen, fireplace equipment, weathervanes, and
more. He sent e-mail blasts to clients before the

show and also sent pictures of his booth at the

show.

Dower chest with two drawers,
Berks County, Pennsylvania, or pos-
sibly Frederick County, Maryland,
29" x 52" x 24", painted white pine,
brass hardware, and iron strap
hinges, missing a section of the right
foot, $12,800 from Sumpter Priddy
III of Alexandria, Virginia.

112 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Did you forget a
gift for someone?

John Chaski of Camden, Delaware, asked We can help!
$14,000 for this rare frontal portrait Give the gift of M.A.D.
of Judah Wetherbee by Rufus Porter
(1792-1884). Mail to:

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instructor, it was priced at $2400. or call 1-800-752-8521

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Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 113

FFEEAATTUURREE

Auction Prices Realized

Here are a few notable prices of antiques sold recently at auction, as provided
by press releases. All prices include the buyer’s premium when charged. We’re
always looking for news of prices realized at auctions, particularly unusual
or top lots. Send pictures, complete descriptions, and information to A.P.R., Maine
Antique Digest, PO Box 1429, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or e-mail them to <mad@
maineantiquedigest.com>.

Art Deco ceramic bookends by A. Drexel Reverse-serpentine blockfront Chippendale chest of drawers,
Massachusetts, circa 1770, mahogany and white pine, with
Jacobson for Cowan in the form of blocked ogee bracket feet, four graduated dovetailed drawers
with original brasses, conforming molded one-board top with
pelican heads, black, silver, and copper good overhang, 33¼" wide, top 37¾" x 23½", the left front foot
with minor and recent restoration because of damage from cat
glazed, one with the Cowan incised scratches, $15,375. “We were happy to offer the fine Chippendale
chest in our October sale,” said Michael Locati, co-owner of
mark at the lower left on the reverse, Locati, LLC. “In a challenging furniture market, it was nice to
each 5½" x 4¾" x 2⅝", $2214. Locati see such a strong price.” Locati LLC, Maple Glen, Pennsylvania,
LLC, Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, in an in an online sale that closed October 21, 2019.

online sale that closed October 21, 2019. Jumbo lobby card for Dracula (Universal, 1931),
17" x 14", once belonging to actor Bela Lugosi,
who played the title character. Since the studio
printed a very limited number of these cards, only
a handful of examples have ever surfaced. They are
so scarce that it is unknown if a full set is still in
existence. It is also impossible to know what images
feature in the full set, as only two of the jumbo
lobby cards appear in the pages of the pressbook.
This card sold for $192,000 at Heritage Auctions,
Dallas, Texas, on November 23 and 24, 2019.

Circa 1898 poster by Henri Thiriet (1873-1946), Russian poster for Battleship Potemkin (SovKino,
“Absinthe Berthelot,” a rare Belle Époque design R-1929), 27¾" x 37". Only a few copies are known
depicting a bustling outdoor café scene, 39¼" to exist. It features artwork by the Stenberg
x 49¾", condition A-. It sold for $108,000 (est. brothers, Vladimir and Georgii, known for their
$30,000/40,000) at Poster Auctions International, colorful geometric posters. Born to a Swedish father
Inc., New York City, on October 27, 2019. and Latvian mother, Vladimir and Georgii grew
up in Moscow but did not become Russian citizens
until 1933. The brothers’ success can be linked to
their masterful skills as graphic designers, their
knowledge of avant-garde theater and film theory,
and their embrace of Constructivism. The poster
sold for $108,000. Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas,
November 23 and 24, 2019.

Poster by Manuel Orazi (1860-1934), 1900, “La Maison Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), Early 20th-century architectural terra-cotta plaque
Moderne,” 31½" x 44⅞", condition B+ (slight tears by the New Jersey Architectural Terra Cotta
at edges), $78,000 (est. $50,000/60,000). Julius Meier- image used for the poster “Salon des Cent.,” Company, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, 9" x 13½"
Graefe’s La Maison Moderne opened in 1899 as a 1896, 25⅜" x 19⅛", condition A, hand- (sight size), $861. It depicts two putti carving a clay
competitor of Bing’s Maison de l’Art Nouveau. Both signed and numbered. According to the model of a head and is titled Modeling Soft Clay
were high-end art dealers focusing on the latest in new, Is Child’s Play but Getting a Commission Is a Hard
modern art, which at the time included the works of catalog, in the summer of 1895, “Lautrec Proposition. According to the consignor’s family
Louis Comfort Tiffany, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, history, this piece was designed by Conrad Rossi-
Felix Aubert, and Pierre Selmersheim. La Maison, and fellow artist Maurice Guibert are Diehl (German/American, 1842-1926), who was an
however, had a generally younger clientele and was more ancestor. Locati LLC, Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, in
at the forefront of the movement than Bing’s gallery. on board the steamer Le Chili, en route an online sale that closed October 21, 2019.
Orazi, a master lithographer and designer, depicted a
model in serene stillness, surrounded by all manner of along the Atlantic coast from Le Havre to
delicate objets d’art, including elaborate combs, fanciful
lamps, curious statues, and glassware. Poster Auctions Bordeaux. Lautrec cannot keep his eyes
International, Inc., New York City, October 27, 2019. off the young woman berthed in cabin No.
54. She’s meeting her husband in Senegal.
114 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020
Lautrec, suddenly obsessed, ignoring pleas
from Guibert, refuses to get off the boat at
Bordeaux. Finally, he is persuaded off the
boat at Lisbon. But not before he’s captured

a photograph of the unknown woman, which

he turned into a lithograph of the exact same

pose.” Estimated at $60,000/80,000, it sold for

$78,000. Poster Auctions International, Inc.,

New York City, October 27, 2019.

FFEEAATTUURREE

First postwar release Italian photobustas David Howard Hitchcock (1861-1943), From Kapiolani Blvd., Wayne Thiebaud ( b. 1920), Gum Machine,
for Casablanca (Warner Bros., 1946), 1931, oil on canvasboard, signed and dated lower left, titled on the from “Delights” series, 1964, etching, pencil
each 13½" x 19¼". A photobusta is similar reverse, 15¼" x 19¼", $12,300 (est. $10,000/15,000). Clars Auction signed lower right, titled lower left, edition
to a lobby card. These original release Gallery, Oakland, California, November 17, 2019. 68/100, 4" x 3¾", $12,300 (est. $10,000/15,000).
photobustas feature Humphrey Bogart, Clars Auction Gallery, Oakland, California,
Madeleine Lebeau, Paul Henreid, and Victorian hall tree, November 17, 2019.
Ingrid Bergman. Vibrant examples of circa 1880, having a
the format, they have indications of carved walnut figural Sorel Etrog (Canadian,
handling that include slight edge wear, deer head surrounded 1933-2014), bronze
pinholes, minor tears, and mild creases. with conjoined deer figural sculpture,
One has a small chip in the bottom antlers mounted to Rushman, 62½" x 30" x
border, and both have light surface a quartersawn oak 15", signed, edition 3/7,
scuffs and minor unobtrusive stains. Also support, 95½" x 36" ex-Hokin Gallery, Palm
present on both pieces are tax stamps x 25", $6150 (est. Beach, Florida, acquired
in the upper background. They sold for $1500/2500). Clars at a 1992 show of his
$90,000. Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas, Auction Gallery, sculpture, $57,200. Palm
November 23 and 24, 2019. Oakland, California, Beach Modern Auctions,
November 17, 2019. West Palm Beach, Florida,
November 9, 2019.

Diego Giacometti (1902-1985), Oiseau, Smith & Wesson 2nd Model Schofield .45-caliber revolver, serial
bronze, 3¾" x 7½" x 2¼", stamped #8855, issued during the Indian Wars era. Only 5934 2nd models
signature. The consignor was a lifelong were made for the U.S. government in 1876-77. They were all
collector and dealer of art and decorative chambered for the .45 Smith & Wesson cartridge and fitted with 7"
objects. Her notes introducing the piece read, barrels with blue finish and two-piece walnut grips that bear the date “1877” on left
“The bird is signed on the underside and panel with the inspector stamp “DAL” for David Lyle and “CW” on right panel for Charles
came directly from Diego who was a lovely Woodman, both of which are clearly legible. The Smith & Wesson patent dates are stamped
friend.” She handled private sales for him on the left side of the barrel with Schofield patent stamped on the right side. The butt has the U.S.
in New York City (transactions that were stamp. “The survival rate of original Schofield revolvers remains very low, given a large majority were purchased
accompanied by paper receipts), but as this from the government by Wells Fargo, which had the barrels shortened and stamped with the company’s logo,” said
piece was a personal gift, there is no receipt. Milestone Auctions co-owner Chris Sammet. The revolver sold for $5760 (est. $4000/5000). Milestone Auctions,
Estimated at $30,000/40,000, it sold for Willoughby, Ohio, November 2, 2019.
$41,600. Palm Beach Modern Auctions, West
Palm Beach, Florida, November 9, 2019.

Chieftain chair by Finn Juhl for Niels François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008),
Vodder, 37" x 41", teak and original black Mouton, 34" x 34" x 13", epoxy stone
leather, the tufted shaped back flanked by and patinated bronze, signed in the
concrete and in the bronze, edition
horns, each having a step 187/250, 1990, accompanied by a copy
joint, continuing to sleek of the letter of guarantee issued by Arij
armrests covered in Gasiunasen Fine Art, Inc. on gallery
leather, on tapered legs letterhead, dated November 29, 1993.
with sculpted backrails, The sheep went from the artist to Arij
Gasiunasen Fine Art, Inc. to a private
signed with branded collection. The sheep sold for $247,000
manufacturer’s mark to a phone bidder from Switzerland.
to frame, “Niels Vodder, The same phone bidder bought another
Cabinetmaker / Copenhagen sheep (not shown), 197/250, with the
Denmark,” $79,950 (est. same provenance, for $221,000. Palm
$30,000/50,000). Clars Beach Modern Auctions, West Palm
Auction Gallery, Beach, Florida, November 9, 2019.
Oakland, California,
November 17, 2019.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 115

FFEEAATTUURREE

Framed 1924 The only known pictorial example depicting two teams of the Negro League baseball, the Philadelphia
Hilldale Giants and the Newark Cuban Stars, just before their opening day game of the 1927 Eastern
Winchester Colored League season. Before the opening day ball game, which took place at Mayo Island Park

cardboard triptych located in Richmond, Virginia, on May 9, 1927, the Philadelphia and Newark teams lined up on their

advertisement. respective baselines for an opening ceremony, from which this image was taken. Pictured are ten

This three-panel ballplayers from the Hilldale team, followed by league and team executives for both ball clubs and
finally a total of 14 Cuban Stars players. The text below the image reads “Opening Game Eastern
heavy cardboard Colored League-Mayo Island Park-Richmond-Va.-May-9-1927.” The photographer’s mark at lower

store advertising right reads “‘The Browys’ / Rich. Va.” This original panoramic photo is 6" x 19". It has been archivally
matted. The photo sold for $7530 (est. $5000/10,000) at Hake’s Auctions, York, Pennsylvania, on
piece was produced November 6, 2019.

for Winchester

following the
1923 competitive
shooting season

when the company

was boasting the
accomplishments of shooters using Winchester firearms in both
the 1922 and 1923 competition. The right panel boasts about the
Winchester Model 52 and pictures images of shooters in military garb

using this model. The left panel features trap shooters armed with

the Model 12 slide action shotgun and Winchester shot shells. The

large center panel features two deer hunters in a canoe, armed with a
Model 1894 rifle, who have just spotted a buck. The entire base of the
sign features over a dozen images of Winchester boxed ammunition.
The image measures 37½" x 55" not including the wood frame.
The triptych sold for $2340 (est. $2000/3500) at Milestone Auctions,
Willoughby, Ohio, on November 2, 2019.

U.S.-made Model FP-45 Liberator Distler (German) Mickey Mouse
.45-caliber single-shot pistol.
Produced solely in 1942, it was Organ Grinder lithographed tin
made in the U.S. and intended for wind-up toy, circa 1930, 100%
use behind enemy lines by resistance original with original box, $32,450
fighters. It was a single-shot .45 ACP (est. $20,000/35,000). Hake’s
pistol that was to be used to kill an enemy Auctions, York, Pennsylvania,
and take his gun and not meant as a long-term
weapon. The FP-45 was a crude, single-shot November 7, 2019.
pistol designed to be cheaply and quickly mass-
produced. It had just 23 largely stamped and Hake’s Auctions broke an auction record with its $185,850
turned steel parts that were cheap and easy to (est. $200,000/500,000) sale of a Star Wars action figure
manufacture. It fired the .45 ACP pistol cartridge from an unrifled on November 7, 2019. The Boba Fett J-slot rocket-firing
barrel. Five extra rounds of ammunition could be stored in the pistol prototype came with a storied history that began at the 1979
grip. The pistol sold for $2040 (est. $800/1200) at Milestone Auctions, New York Toy Fair. Although the figure made its debut there,
Willoughby, Ohio, on November 2, 2019. it never actually saw production, making it exceedingly
rare. According to Hake’s president Alex Winter, its price
Mid-19th-century wood case sewing is a world auction record for any Star Wars toy. Graded
kit with pincushion top. An old AFA 85+ NM+, the 3¾" tall figure is a fully painted Kenner
faux Liberty 1883 gold-toned Toys engineering pilot with country of origin and copyright
5¢ piece acts as a pull on a stamps, indicating it had reached the final phase of prototype
homemade burlwood lid that lifts development. Originally, 80 to 100 Boba Fett prototypes were
to reveal a false bottom in which shipped to Kenner from Hong Kong for safety testing, and of
rests a minute unmarked brass- those, approximately 24 to 26 examples of the J-slot variety—
frame .22 rim-fire derringer referring to the J-shape slot on the figure’s reverse side—are
with spur trigger and thought to have survived. The previous world auction record
walnut bird’s-head for a Star Wars toy was $112,926, which was paid for the AFA
grips. The overall 85 NM+ Boba Fett L-slot rocket-firing prototype that led
length of this little Hake’s July 11, 2019, sale.
gun is 4" from end
to end and 2" high Edward M. Eggleston (1882-1941) travel
from hammer spur to poster, “Atlantic City /America’s
bottom of grip. It has a swing-out barrel, Great Seashore Resort / Pennsylvania
and the hammer is working. Also included was a partial / Railroad,” circa 1935, 40¼" x 25",
cardboard box of Clinton .22 short ammunition. The sewing Condition A- (minor tears and creases at
kit with derringer sold for $1920 (est. $300/500) at Milestone edges and in corners). Eggleston designed
Auctions, Willoughby, Ohio, on November 2, 2019. three posters for the Pennsylvania
Railroad promoting travel to Atlantic
Willard Frederic Elmes (1900-1956), City. The others promote the New
“Golf by the North Shore Line,” gouache Jersey seaside city as America’s “All-
maquette, circa 1923, 21½" x 14½", Year Resort.” Facing north, this image
condition A-, with tears and minor flaking captures hotels along the boardwalk,
in image. Elmes, who is best known for including the recognizable Chalfonte,
his Mather & Company work incentive Marlborough-Blenheim, and Traymore.
posters, also designed about a half- The artist also provides a snapshot of
dozen images for the Chicago Rapid the colorful bustle along the boardwalk
Transit Company and the North Shore and the activity of bathers on the beach.
Line in the 1920s. These images were It sold for $16,250 (est. $10,000/15,000)
originally painted and then transferred at Swann Galleries, New York City, on
onto separate lithographic stones for November 14, 2019.
each color in the printing plants. The
poster was printed by the railway in
1923. The only difference between the
final image and the maquette is the flag,
which was removed. While a handful of
these original paintings exist, they are
scarce. The maquette sold for $10,625
(est. $8000/12,000), a record for the
artist. Swann Galleries, New York City,
November 14, 2019.

116 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FAEUACTTUIROEN

Skinner, Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts

Skinner Americana

by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo
Photos courtesy Skinner, Inc.

Color prevailed at Skinner’s November 2 and 3, 2019, Americana As this coastal
auction in the Marlborough gallery, where offerings included the Massachusetts
collections of Bill McKeever of Urbana, Ohio; Pamela and Brian Chippendale mahogany
Ehrlich of Mystic, Connecticut; Tom and Carolyn Porter of Delaware, Ohio; reverse-serpentine
Pam Boynton of Groton, Massachusetts; and August Knapp of Hudson, Ohio. bureau opened at
Interest was high, and Skinner looked forward to a good sale. Auctioneer, $50,000, Stephen
executive vice president, and director of the Americana department Stephen Fletcher reported, “I
L. Fletcher had an interesting observation: “It doesn’t hurt when people like was very happy when I
the person whose estate or collection is selling.” That was borne out in the found it.” Nine phone
sale when bidders expressed warm feelings toward the collectors. bidders agreed with
him and pushed the
“It doesn’t hurt when people like the person piece to $291,000 (est.
whose estate or collection is selling.” $50,000/100,000). Any
number of observers
All was in place, but then nature and the power grid interfered. The day described the price as
before the sale a pole in the parking lot that Skinner had asked the power an old-fashioned one,
company to replace or repair was toppled by high winds and cut off all alluding to the strength
power to the building. of the 1980s. Despite
the presence of a
Joel Bohy, director of militaria and historic arms, arrived at 7:45 a.m. to receipt reading “made
get ready for his 10 a.m. sale only to be met by police officers who informed in Philadelphia,”
him that no one would be admitted to the property. Period. No sale that day, the bureau, dated to
and no preview for Americana. Power was not restored until around 11 p.m. between 1760 and
1780, is decidedly a
The next morning all was well. The only indication of the previous day’s Massachusetts work.
problem was a trail of temporary cables and lines across the parking lot— The bureau was
well bound and perfectly safe. Skinner staff were thankful that the event described in a 1964 letter from Israel Sack, Inc., New York City, to the owner at the time asking
occurred before anyone would have been in the parking lot. The Americana to include it in a publication of “the finest pieces produced by our Colonial craftsmen.” A 1932
sale started at 10 a.m. and ran alongside the preview for Bohy’s sale, which inventory by Washington, D.C., dealer and later foreign service officer Alvin Chapin Detwiler
had been postponed until Monday, November 4. stated, “Everyone who has seen the piece including Morris Schwartz, Charlie Lyons, and
Willoughby Farr say this is the finest chest of its type they have seen.” Fletcher said a number
As he opened the bidding at $50,000 on a Chippendale mahogany reverse- of people who viewed the bureau gasped when they saw it. Several suggestions of Marblehead
serpentine bureau, Fletcher reported, “I was very happy when I found it.” origin were floated. The bureau went from one collection to another, the identities of which
The bureau was a coastal Massachusetts piece dated to between 1760 and were not disclosed.
1780. Nine phone bidders agreed with him and pushed the piece, estimated
at $50,000/100,000, to $291,000 (including buyer’s premium). This dovetailed pine box, 10" x
16" x 9", with applied molding
Other noteworthy pieces and prices included a Connecticut tall-case and a single drawer is attributed to
clock, circa 1790, that sold for $123,000 and a double-sided sign for the drum maker and craftsman Robert
Canal Hotel, Port Jervis, New York, that sold for $171,000. Crosman (1707-1799) of Taunton,
Massachusetts. It is decorated with
For more information, visit (www.skinnerinc.com) or call (508) 970-3200. the letters “IP,” a painted panel of
wavy white lines, a lead escutcheon,
This two-sided two red-and-white birds, a
painted sign for vine with scrolling stems, red
the Canal Hotel, berries, and flowers. Estimated at
Port Jervis, New $15,000/25,000, it sold on the phone
York, dates from for $52,275. Esther Stevens Fraser
around 1826, in her April 1933 article “The
and it sold for Tantalizing Chests of Taunton” in
$171,000 (est. The Magazine Antiques suggested that “IP” refers to Jerusha Pineo of Taunton. As he offered it,
$40,000/60,000). Fletcher noted that the box had been hidden for much of the 20th century.
The Canal Hotel,
the former This poplar blanket
Fort Decker chest with three
blockhouse, drawers is attributed
accommodated to the Long family of
laborers at work Ada, Hardin County,
on the Delaware Ohio, and dates to
and Hudson about 1830. The case
Canal. The 41" x is grain-painted in
32" sign is painted orange; its recessed
on each side with panels are decorated
a yellow house, with pots of tulips
a yellow and and stars on a green
red canal boat ground. The drawers
being hauled by a have a vinegar putty-
horse, and “S. St. painted design. The
JOHN” on a black chest was estimated
smalted ground. at $8000/12,000 and
The building that sold for $27,060. It
the sign came from is now home to the Minisink Valley Historical Society. came from the estate
Stephen Fletcher described the sign as “one of the best signs we’ve ever sold.” of August Knapp. Just before he died in July 2019, Knapp instructed his children to “Send the
best stuff to Skinner.” They did.
The sign came from the collection of Brian and Pam Ehrlich, and prov-
enance includes Marguerite Riordan and Fred Giampietro. The successful Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 117
bidder was David Schorsch, who was buying for a client.

AFUECATUIORNE

This silver tablespoon by Paul Revere
Jr. of Boston dates to about 1789 and is
marked for Revere and monogrammed
“SSP” for Samuel and Sarah

Parkman. Estimated at $6000/8000,

it sold for $14,760. It had been sold in

1909 by Koopman & Co., Boston.

This 18th- or 19th-century oval ash burl bowl with
cutout handles came from the 64 lots offered from
the collection of Bill McKeever of Urbana, Ohio.

Estimated at $1500/2500, it sold online for $11,070.

This Rhode Island mahogany watch
hutch with shell carving, circa 1770, was
offered with a silver pair-case fusee pocket
watch (not shown) with a movement by

Bullingford, London, in a case by Vale

& Co., Birmingham, circa 1822. The lot

brought $10,455 (est. $2000/4000). It was
accompanied by a note from Richard
Drown of Newburyport, Massachusetts,

indicating that the clock was cleaned in

1836. The hutch came from the collection

of Brian and Pam Ehrlich and went to

Connecticut dealer David Schorsch, who

has now owned it three times.

These three silver casters, circa 1740, were made by Chris Barber (left) and Stephen Fletcher engage in a presale
Simeon Soumaine of New York City in baluster form discussion. Mascolo photo.
and in three sizes: for sugar, mustard, and pepper.
Each bears an engraved crest, and each caster and This early 19th-century tulip poplar blanket chest
domed cover is marked “SS.” The set brought $12,300 from Washington County, Pennsylvania, is paint
(est. $20,000/40,000). A set of three such casters is rare. decorated with rays of the sun on the top and a
This set, along with a fourth example by Soumaine pine tree pattern on the façade and with stylized
that is octagonal and bears the arms of Joshua sponge-applied green and burnt-sienna branches
Maddox of Philadelphia, had sold at a Constantine & and pine cones on all sides. The chest stands on
Pletcher auction in 2011. The Maddox example is in bracket feet. A note accompanied the chest: “This
the Yale University Art Gallery. X-ray fluorescence chest belonged to Andrew Sonnendecker, my
spectrometry analysis of the casters comparing the grandfather…Gail Williamson.” Estimated at
silver alloy in this set to other Soumaine pieces was $3000/5000, it brought $14,760. It came from the
done at Winterthur. A full report was available. Knapp collection.

This Connecticut tall- Bidding went at a staccato pace when This early 19th-century poplar cupboard, 30¼" x
case clock, 87" tall, with the colorful collection of Tom and 26½" x 18½", with a single paneled door, in overall
an elaborately engraved Carolyn Porter of Delaware, Ohio, began red paint with yellow and black detail came from the
silver brass dial dates from to sell. A gaily painted 19th-century Porter collection. Estimated at $1000/1500, it sold on
about 1790 and was made thread box, 12" x 6½" x 6½", was a the phone for $6765.
in Plainfield by Reuben case in point. Decorated with hearts on
Ingraham and John a green ground, with a red-and-yellow
Avery. It realized $123,000 thread holder, a pincushion mounted
(est. $25,000/35,000). on the top, and a single drawer with a
The successful bidder brass pull, the box sold for $28,290 (est.
was Arthur Liverant, $1500/2500). The Porters had acquired it
buying for the Wadsworth at Sotheby’s in 1995.
Atheneum Museum of Art;
he described the clock as
an “absolute masterpiece”
and a total work of art. It
came from the collection of
Pamela and Brian Ehrlich.
The clock stands in a
simple and slender but very
elegant tiger maple case
that heightens the impact
of Avery’s engraved brass
dial, which retains vestiges
of the original silver. Avery’s
elaborate engraving details
the four seasons in each
of the four spandrels and
includes a verse on the
ideal steadiness of time
and the unpredictability
of the human condition.
That it retains the original
weights and pendulum is
remarkable, noted Liverant,
who said he’d known about
the clock for some time, as
it had been owned by him
or his father at least three
times, if not four.

118 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FAEUACTTUIROEN

This pair of 1845 oil on canvas portraits, 46" x 29", of Theodore and The 21" x 33" oil
Ann Eliza Collins by Susan C. Waters (1823-1900) brought $15,990 (est. on cardboard street
$8000/12,000) from a phone bidder. Each is signed on the back “Mrs. S.C. scene, Market Square
Waters” and has identification of the sitters; Theodore was four, and Ann at the Old Town House,
Eliza was two. The paintings had sold previously at Skinner in October Marblehead, by native
2013 when the painting of Ann Eliza brought $15,600 and the painting son Jonathan Orne
of Theodore brought $7200, and again in March 2017 when the pair of Johnson Frost (1852-
portraits fetched $14,760. 1928) is unsigned
and sold for $23,370
Chris Barber (left) (est. $15,000/25,000).
and Christopher Fox It was illustrated
prepare themselves in a 1971 Parke-
for auction. Bernet Galleries
Mascolo photo. catalog where it
was titled Early
Days of Marblehead
and described as
“Whereabouts
unknown.” It seems to
be the larger part of a
two-part composition
on two separate pieces of cardboard, the smaller of which was sold in 1971. Johnson, who was
born and died in Marblehead, knew his town and its history intimately. He began painting at age
70—with no artistic training.

From the Ehrlich
collection, this
pine chest from
New London,
Connecticut, was
made between
1700 and 1730
with a cleated
top, snipe hinges,
a cutout skirt
on sawtooth
ends, and
crease molding
surrounded by
designs made
with a pinking
iron. In a dark
blue-green paint, it bears the initials “AH,” possibly for Abigail Hempstead, daughter
of Joshua Hempstead of New London and great- granddaughter of Robert and Joane
Hempstead, among the founders of New London. Estimated at $4000/6000, the chest
sold online for $11,070. It may have descended in the Joshua Hempstead family. It was
from the estate of George L. Considine in 1986, the estate of Lillian Blankley
Cogan at Christie’s in 1992, and then it went from Marguerite Riordan in
Stonington, Connecticut, to the Ehrlichs.

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Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 119

SFHEOATWURE

Antiques at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, New York

Enthusiasm and Energy at Rhinebeck

by Fran Kramer

The clocks may fall back, but Antiques at Rhinebeck eternally Saugerties Antiques Center, Saugerties, New York, is known for This “shoe” almost touched the
springs forward. Every year on Columbus Day weekend and unusual finds, especially large items. Santa ($1450) was there, and ceiling. Saugerties Antiques Center
Memorial Day weekend, this colorful antiques show near behind him were an antelope and a huge shoe. offered it for $1800. Yes, that is a
the Hudson River in Rhinebeck, New York, between Albany (the deer with antlers below it.
capital) and Manhattan (the Big Apple) calls regulars to its bounty.
The exhibitors return, and the buyers jump into their cars or vans or A-S Antiques, Oriskany Falls,
onto trains. There are lots of retail buyers and decorators for clients New York, showed a Chippendale
living in some of those pricey apartments near Central Park. slant-front desk (left), $1595;
a Victorian garden gate (rear),
Don’t think, however, that there are not good buys and good finds $325; an Empire secretary, $795;
at Rhinebeck. Because of one of the biggest groups of dealers (130- a bird’s-eye cherry table, $795;
plus) Frank Gaglio of Barn Star Productions had ever assembled and a Troy, New York, chapel
for Rhinebeck, at the October 12 and 13, 2019, show you could stove, $495. Reportedly, the gate
have had many choices in many price ranges for anything you and the stove sold on Saturday.
might collect.

Rhinebeck dealers are known
for provoking questions such as
“Where in the world did you find that?”

Merchandise at Rhinebeck can include Victorian garden pieces,

Empire, Federal, and country furniture, holiday items, quilts and

rugs, folk art, paintings, signs and more signs, games, architectural

elements, pottery, and sculpture. You get the picture?

Plus, Rhinebeck dealers are known for provoking questions
such as “Where in the world did you find that?” There is no single
answer, but they all admit they work hard, follow tips, and keep

in touch with other dealers or past/present clients. And not only

do these exhibitors show their exciting merchandise, they follow

up with as much provenance as they can, including newspaper

articles, book records, and auction details.

One exhibitor, Victor Weinblatt, always has some candid
comments. For this show he offered, “Considering the distraction
of a weekend filled with hourly breaking news of political scandal
and international genocide, Rhinebeck’s gate was decent. And
preshow buying was strong.”

Another exhibitor, Scott Ferris, said that while selling was better

at the spring show, overall interest in his merchandise was greater

at the fall show.

Held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, the October show did

see good attendance and good sales. Gaglio told us: “The Rhinebeck

shows continue to grow in popularity and collector interest as

witnessed by the number of sales reported by the exhibitors and the
number of objects leaving the show floor. It is a testament to the
dealers’ hard work and acute sensitivity to what is selling in today’s

market and pricing their inventory accordingly. Saturdays always
are bigger attendance days; however, our admissions staff gave out
close to one hundred complimentary return passes for Sunday, and

nearly three-quarters of them were turned in, adding to the new

attendees. The weather was perfect, and we look forward to our
spring show, Memorial Day weekend, May 23 and 24.”

For more information, check the website (www.barnstar.com) or

call (845) 876-0616.

Suzan McClellan-Whiting of Woodstock, New York, Sanford Levy of Jenkinstown Antiques,
always has a big smile. She is joined by her husband,
Steven, and a friend, Emerald McClure, in this quick shot New Paltz, New York, always has lots
in front of her two-door red cupboard, 60" x 44" x 11", of memories to share. For example, this
priced at $1600. A miniature English chest, $1000, was 19th-century stepback cupboard in old
atop the cupboard.
paint—he sold it 15 years ago and just
We have known J & R Ferris Antiques, Boonville, New bought it back. Your price: $7600. The
York, for decades, and they always offer remarkable entire collection of 11 pieces of blue-
finds. This 40" x 46" abstract oil on canvas by Edward
Christiana (1912-1992) was priced under $18,000. Scott and-white was just $365.
Ferris showed a newspaper article about the artist in
which he said, “I would encourage the housewife and
the senior citizen to paint.”

120 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Need some ideas on
how to make a room
look like a library?
Have a look at this
booth by Two Sisters,
Baltimore, Maryland.
The two runners were
$265 and $325, and the
screen between them
was $1200.

The “Dracula” sign,
$225, and a great 53" x
87" hooked rug, $2800,
were offered by Joshua
Steenburgh of Pike,
New Hampshire.

In the style of

Frank Lloyd

Wright, these
two 1960s
chairs were
$1500 the pair
from Dordick

& Husted

Antiques,

Woodstock,

New York.

Joanne Pinello Kaley of Cobblestone Antiques, Pleasant Valley, New York, is shown
with her $595 game wheel, $275 watch repairs sign, and tiger maple slant-front
desk, $2800.

Gardens would welcome any of these pieces from Eisener/Hoyt, Michael Friedman
and his wife,
Brewerton, New York: a French potting table; flasks, priced from $125 Donna Vita,
to $165 each; and a bench, $750. of Weston,
Connecticut,
among his
photographs, some
of which will be
at an exhibit at
the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame,
Cleveland, Ohio,
for the next few
months. You could
have bought one
at Rhinebeck, for
$400 and up.

Keith and Diane Fryling of Green Lane, Pennsylvania, offered a Pennsylvania Look carefully at this black velvet and silk quilt, 65" x 45", that was $1650 from South
sawbuck table, circa 1830, 28" x 55" x 33", for $2300 and a black cat rug, $1250, Road Antiques, Stanfordville, New York. Someone did early on, and it sold.

signed and dated 1972. Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 121

SFHEOATWURE

Wooden carrier in the shape of rabbits, late 19th century. “Never seen
one,” said dealer Greg K. Kramer of Robesonia, Pennsylvania.

Fun things from Norwoods’ Spirit of America, Timonium, Maryland. The hooked rug was
$2300.

Stephen Score of Boston, Massachusetts, loves color Looking for a bargain? How about one of these Christmas tree ornaments, starting from $7
and pieces with interesting textures. Front and each. Exhibitor Judi Stellmach of Blue Dog Antiques, Stafford Springs, Connecticut, showed
center in his booth were this red carrier and settee dozens of them, along with items such as the horse vane, $595, and the hooked rug showing

made with leather strips. off a dog, $295.

Signs are the specialty of Victor Weinblatt of South Hadley, Massachusetts, who sold a 1940s Staircase model, bought in New York City, dating to 1920-29, $1400 from
double-sided figural bottle-shaped Connecticut liquors sign, a Ferry Captains sign, a Maine Jacqueline Walker Antiques, Aberdeen, Maryland.
Bean Hole Beans sign, plus a rooster weathervane, a dressing table, and 1930s hand-drawn
Kansas tattoo parlor flash art in its celluloid-covered original frame.

122 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Dordy Fontinel of Nellysford, Virginia, who runs antiques shows in Virginia and has been
active in antiques since she was a teenager, offered a carousel seat for $2200.

John Sideli of Westport, Massachusetts, offered a selection of his own
creations in mixed media, including this $4200 violin. Longtime show
promoter and M.A.D. contributor Jackie Sideli joined John for the picture.
John sold two of his works plus a piece of furniture.

Cast metal clown head,
$750 from J.S. Cocoman
Antiques, Glenmont,
New York.

Tom and Cathy Rawson of Thomas M. Rawson Antiques, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, offered a
painting found in Indiana for $1295 and a lift-top box with hand-forged hinges for $3950.
Tom said he buys only what he personally likes and had a great year.

Charles Berdan of Jewett-Berdan, Newcastle, Maine, was featuring architectural elements How is this for a table? Created by MacKenzie-Childs, upstate
New York purveyor of colorful ceramics and furniture,
as he posed for our picture, but we wanted the shirt off his back, literally! It was a it was $495 from Holden Antiques, Naples, Florida, and
Goodwill store find, and for aficionados of shirt makers, does the name Robert Graham Sherman, Connecticut.
ring any bells?
Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 123

AFUECATUIORNE

Schmitt Horan & Co., Manchester, New Hampshire

Five Clock Stars

by Bob Frishman
Photos courtesy Schmitt Horan & Co.

There were 899 lots—comprising thousands of clocks, watches,
tools, parts, music boxes, books, and other antiques—presented
at the October 26 and 27, 2019, auction held by Schmitt Horan
& Co. in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Continuing a recent strategy of a “discovery” day, the first 397 lots
were offered in rapid sequence on Saturday. These were lower-value
items, often grouped in multiples, sold only to room bidders, with
no absentee, Internet, or phone activity. Few of the lots needed the
detailed descriptions, photographs, and condition reports traditionally
found in the firm’s printed and website catalogs. But all this stuff
needed to disappear, and it did, carted away by participants in the hotel
salesroom that was more crowded than usual with bargain hunters.

Five clocks deserve special attention.

That Sunday was more typical. At a selling pace slowed by This large bronze “Yacht Wheel” model by the Third in a group of large rare
Chelsea Clock Company, Boston, made $13,200 (est. Chelsea clocks was this circa 1926
phone and online bidding, the better lots sold to bidders worldwide, $10,000/15,000). With Chelsea, the rule is the bigger “Hanging Chain” model, with a 10"
but noticeably fewer in the room, who benefited from careful and the better. This circa 1913 eight-day mantel clock, dial, retailed by Tiffany & Co., New
complete cataloging. I took home a small lot of good books and a nice serial number 101057, stands 25½" tall and has an 8½" York. Its heavy bronze case contains
English marine chronometer, but I resisted some of the day’s tempting silvered dial. As do most Chelsea windups, this one the company’s standard round eight-
bargains because of my space and budget, familiar reasons to many strikes ship’s bells every half-hour. day ship’s-bell movement, serial
number 172729. The high bidder
aging collectors these days. paid $12,000 (est. $8000/10,000).
The Sunday sale had no true blockbusters. A handful of high-
I was sorry that an Australian
estimate clocks by Boston’s E. Howard & Co. could have qualified, friend and collector was only the
but these either failed to sell or sold low because of condition and tenacious underbidder for this
exquisite French carriage clock by
originality concerns. Nearly all of the hundreds of desirable clocks Breguet, Neveu & Co., Paris. He
was outlasted by another phone
and watches sold below or within conservative estimates, indicating— bidder, assisted by Brendan Sullivan,
board president of the American
the bad news—an ongoing weakness in demand, but also—the good Watch & Clock Museum. Selling
for $21,600 (est. $10,000/15,000), the
news—continuing opportunities for buying at prices far below those 6½" tall portable clock features a
gilt engraved one-piece brass case
of the recent past. containing an eight-day grande
sonnerie movement sounding the
Five clocks sold on Sunday deserve special attention, and their high hours and quarter-hours on two
prices confirm it. Their photos and descriptions follow. The prices bells. Breguet is the most famous
include a 20% buyer’s premium, up from 17.5% previously charged. name in French horology.
Three were made by the Chelsea Clock Company, still in business
just outside of Boston, and they were standouts in a large number of
Chelsea clocks on offer. On the catalog cover were two other small
clocks, one English and one French, that merited the strong bidding

they received.
The next live auction will be in spring 2020, but online-only sales

are planned in the interim. The firm, formerly R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
but now fully owned by Dan Horan, is perfecting its dual strategy of
efficiently selling large lackluster accumulations and professionally
promoting high-quality consignments. More information can be found
at (www.schmitt-horan.com).

Two phone Another “Yacht Wheel” example was this bronze
bidders battled patinated wall model, now mounted on a modern
for this rare and mahogany stand. Circa 1925 and with a 10" “Special” dial
possibly unique boasting applied bronze numerals, it sold for $12,600 (est.
vitrine-form desk $10,000/15,000). Its ship’s-bells eight-day movement is
compendium by serial number 164002. Both editions of the comprehensive
Thomas Cole book Chelsea Clock Company: The First Hundred Years by
(1800-1864), Chelsea expert Andrew Demeter contain lists correlating
London, circa serial numbers to dates of manufacture.
1855. Standing
just 9½" tall, Many of us at the auction preview were startled by the
it sold for small size of the rare Thomas Cole clock. From the large
$21,000 (est. photos on the catalog front cover and inside page, we
$10,000/15,000) somehow expected something grander. However, after the
to a remote initial surprise, we appreciated the object’s petite jewel-like
bidder assisted appeal. The triangular clock panel hinges down to reveal a
at the phone sophisticated watch movement geared in an innovative way
table by Tom to its mainspring power source. Frishman photo.
Manning,
moonlighting
curator of
the American
Watch &
Clock Museum
in Bristol, Connecticut. The gilt-metal
instrument features an eight-day clock,
thermometer, and calendar on its three
inclined triangular sides. Retailed by Hunt
& Roskell, London, it shows Cole’s secret
signature inside, necessary to discourage
contemporary forgeries. Cole, one of the
most prestigious 19th-century British
artisans and designers, is well documented
in a 1975 book by John Hawkins, Thomas
Cole & Victorian Clockmaking.

124 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

Letter from A Skull, an Apple, a Unicorn, and a Polecat
London
On October 25, 2019, Christie’s dispersed items that this rare object, first seen at auction at Christie’s
by Ian McKay, <[email protected]> from the diverse collections of Oliver Hoare (1945- in 1855, may in the 17th century have had a very
2018). A dealer who specialised in Islamic art and who in distinguished, perhaps royal, owner. However, there is
As ever at this time of year, I have been looking 1974 had inaugurated that saleroom’s specialist sales in
out for something to serve as a “Letter from the field, Hoare was well known for his fascination with also the possibility that such a story could have been
London” Christmas card, and I found something in works of art of all kinds that had something remarkable
a December 3-10, 2019, Sotheby’s book sale that a slightly later 19th-century attempt to add a false
seemed to fit the bill. or curious about them. provenance, so let us leave that to one side.

The Carol Singers is a pencil and watercolour In 2017 he held an exhibition called Every Object Tells This curious pomander was sold for $83,400.
drawing by the German-born Jewish artist, illustrator, a Story that included such things as the fabled unicorn’s Enter a Unicorn
and amateur musician Gerard Hoffnung (1925- horn and a silver cane top that had belonged to a voodoo
1959), who moved with his mother in 1939 from The top lot in the Hoare sale, at a treble-estimate
Nazi Germany to England and there enjoyed a very priest. $691,930, was the Flemish tapestry of “The Lady and
successful career. It was, however, the curious 3" high silver pomander in the Unicorn,” which dates from around 1500.

Despite having no price to report, since the auction the form of a skull pictured here that Christie’s specialist A little over 8' wide, it certainly depicts on the right a
closed after deadline, with the help of this image may Milo Dickinson settled on for one of the saleroom’s
I as usual wish M.A.D. readers, one and all, a Happy online “5 minutes with...” appreciation pieces in the lady cradling a unicorn and prudently holding its horn
Christmas and a Good New Year. runup to the sale—and it is that curious object that forms
the first of my two picks from the sale. down and out of harm’s way, but one cannot help noticing
For this month’s bill of fare, I range from a selection that the elegantly attired lady in the centre has a leashed
of marine models and pictures to a hugely expensive Pomanders were portable receptacles for herbs
bottle filled with what Sotheby’s dubbed the “Holy polecat in one hand and a flower in the other. On the left,
Grail” of single malts. The mix also includes an and spices whose properties were thought to provide an equally well-dressed youth, a fellow whose pouch is
exceptionally rare Mamluk axe head, a Donegal initialed “AE,” feeds an exotic bird. The background
carpet, and a highly decorated “Schmuck Kästgen.” protection against infection, or at least serve the more
is densely covered with flowers but also inhabited by
A curious scented skull keeps company with two genteel as an escape from unpleasant smells, but another bird and a couple of rabbits.
ladies who have a unicorn and a polecat as pets, while
for older tennis fans I can offer a rare Sphairistike set. the example in the Hoare sale was something quite Christie’s point to similarities with a series of seven
such tapestries with mille-fleurs style backgrounds
An 8th-century Umayyad gold dinar now worth exceptional. in the Met Cloisters in New York City. They too have
a few million dollars, Japanese prints by Hokusai, The top of the wreath-crowned skull opens to reveal a
and a further selection of exceptionally high-priced the initials “AE” woven into the design, and the Met’s
Orientalist pictures add to the mix, as do pictorial and painting of Christ leading souls out of Limbo and a Latin examples have been attributed to the La Rochefoucauld
more prosaic souvenirs of voyages to the Pacific with family.
Captain Cook. inscription reading “After death, life eternal.”
The skull itself fits into an apple with bite marks to The initials were thought to refer to François, son

one side and elsewhere an inscription, dated A.D.1628, of Jean II de La Rochefoucauld and Marguerite de
Barbezieux, specifically to the first and last letters of
that reads “From Man came Woman, From Woman came his wife’s name, Antoinette d’Amboise, and their son,
Antoine.
Sin, From Sin came Death.”
It seems likely, said Christie’s, that this tapestry was
This pomander thus serves additionally as a vanitas part of the same commission.

piece, a reminder that we are all destined to perish in

the end.

What further intrigued Dickinson was the possibility

“The Lady and the Unicorn,” a
tapestry of circa 1500, very likely
a companion piece to a group now
in the Met Cloisters collections
in New York City, was bid to a
treble-estimate $691,930 in Lon-
don.

Different aspects of the curious
skull and apple pomander sold

by Christie’s for $83,400.

No End of Decoration on This “Schmuck Kästgen”

Nineteen embossed silver plaques, each enclosed richly ornamented caskets as “Schmuck Kästgen,”
or framed by multicoloured panels and though it is not clear whether the reference to
schmuck, or jewellery, refers to the ornamentation
borders that incorporate turquoises, foiled garnets, or to what was intended to be kept inside the caskets.

amethysts, peridots, and citrines, feature on the The stories featured in the plaques, said the
extraordinary over-the-top creation seen here. cataloguer, testify to the wide education of the
original owners, drawing on both mythological and
Boasting further cold-painted and black enamelled Old Testament stories.
decoration to the casket’s body, which is around
9½" high, it dates from around 1673-77. A creation Offered with a high estimate of around $100,000,
of Peter Winter of Augsburg, it is one of eight this remarkable, if somewhat over-the-top creation
was sold instead at $401,505.
such caskets recorded as having been produced by
The “Schmuck Kästgen” sold for a much, much
goldsmiths working in that German city in the years higher than predicted $401,505 in a November 11,
1640-1700. 2019, Sotheby’s sale called “Style”—one that offered
European silver, gold boxes, and ceramics.
All of them, except this one and another sold
at auction by a member of the Rothschild family
back in the 1930s, are today held in two princely
collections in Munich and Dresden.

Contemporary Saxon inventories describe these

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 125

FEATURE

Anyone for Sphairistike?

Something of a tongue-twister one might think, but that mallet, a net, and three racquets, each stamped with the The rare Sphairistike set sold by
was the ancient Greek term, translating roughly as skills name of Henry Malings of Woolwich (London), one of Trevanion & Dean of Whitchurch,
two principal manufacturers of such equipment. Shropshire, England, for $26,545.
at ball games, that a Welsh-born former officer in the British
Army, Major Walter Wingfield, settled on in 1874 when he The weights of the racquets vary from 10 ounces to 12 years 1887 to 1893.
patented and first advertised a new game. ounces, and though two showed some defects, their condition In all five, “Lottie” beat the same player,
was generally considered good. All three
The name didn’t catch on, and a suggestion that he should are lighter than later racquets, said the Blanche Bingley Hillyard, the first time
call it lawn tennis, said to have been made by a future British auctioneers, and measure 27" in length whilst still only 15 years old. That must have
Prime Minister, Arthur Balfour, was eventually adopted. and 8" across the width of the head. In been rather annoying for her opponent.
November 1874 Sphairistike racquets
There are other claimants to the honour of being the creator changed to a heavier weight and
acquired asymmetrical shaped heads.
of the now universally popular game, but Sphairistike,
initially played on an hourglass-shaped court using rubber We may conclude, said the
balls imported from Germany, certainly had its moments of saleroom, that these racquets predate
fame and popularity. that change and, though not stamped
“Sphairistike,” were produced before
This set, dated to 1874 and containing three racquets, was the alteration in shape.
offered in an October 12, 2019, sale held by Trevanion &
Dean of Whitchurch, Shropshire, England. The carrying case When first marketed, such sets were
bears a label featuring an illustration of the net to be used in priced at five guineas (around $7 at today’s
Wingfield’s new game and, to the lower left, a pair of crossed exchange rates), but this very rare survival
racquets and a ball. was sold at $26,545 to a U.K. collector who
finally saw off competition from an online American bidder.
To the outer edges of the label it is explained that “The
court can be erected in five minutes and need never be taken One further note of interest is the fact that one racquet
down, as it is made to stand all weather. The bats however was inscribed “W Dod” (for Willy Dod), an ancestor of the
must be brought into the house, as they are liable to damage.” consignor. Dod’s sister, Charlotte or “Lottie” Dod, went on to
A further label advertising other available sporting equipment win the ladies single title at Wimbledon five times during the
is to be found inside the case.

This cased Sphairistike set comprises an original red

All at Sea—Maritime Marvels and Mishaps

The two paintings featured in this modest estuary into London. Taeping got the better tug it John Steven Dews’s evocation of the Great Tea Race of 1866 sold at
selection from a “Marine” sale held by seems and, drawing less than her rival, made good $31,420.
Bonhams on October 29, 2019, seem to me pretty progress and docked at 9:47 p.m. Ariel tied up less
straightforward, even if one of them was a shade than half an hour later, and a third clipper, Serica,
preemptive in its content, but I must admit that tied up at 11:30 p.m.
splendidly constructed and rigged models of sailing
ships made by prisoners-of-war have always left It had taken the clippers 99 days to complete a
me wondering just a little. passage of some 14,000 miles, and it was more or
less a dead heat!
Prisoners certainly had a lot of time on their
hands, but given the conditions under which some Sold for $29,010 by Bonhams was Charles
of them would have lived—crammed into rotting Dixon’s painting RMS “Olympic” off New York,
old hulks off English shores, for example—how on an oil that was last seen at auction at Sotheby’s
earth did they produce such splendid models? New York in 1978. Having come to London from
a U.S. collection, it was once again secured by an
Nearly 30" long, the example pictured below American buyer.
represents a 48-gun French frigate, originally
called Minerve, that in the spring of 1806 had a Olympic was the sister ship of the ill-fated Titanic
lucky escape from a skirmish with Lord Cochrane’s and for a little over ten years enjoyed a successful
H.M.S. Pallas, but later that same year was seized career as a passenger liner, converting to a troop
in action and passed into Royal Navy ownership. transport during World War I (in which service she
As H.M.S. Alceste she saw service in British hands also rammed and sank a U-boat). She returned to
serve as a successful liner once more in the 1920s
for the remaining years of the Napoleonic wars, and early 1930s.

and in 1811 she led a British squadron that captured Then in May 1934, in thick fog, she rammed and
a French convoy carrying more than 200 cannon to sank a Nantucket lightship, with the loss of seven
Trieste. of its crew. Retired from service, Olympic was
scrapped three years later.
It has even been suggested that this action may
have influenced Napoleon in changing the direction Dixon’s painting is dated 1910, but Olympic’s
of his eastward expansion from the Balkans to maiden voyage to New York did not occur until the
Russia, with famously disastrous consequences. following year, and it is possible that the picture
was commissioned as a promotional exercise and
Alceste was later converted to a troop transport, advance celebration of good times to come.
serving as such in North America in 1814. A few
years later, returning from a diplomatic mission to Charles Edward Dixon’s somewhat
China, she struck a reef in the Java Sea and was preemptive celebration of the arrival
subsequently plundered and burned by Malayan in New York of the White Star liner
pirates. Olympic sold at $29,010.

Seen here in full and in detail, the model sold at Full and closeup views of a Napoleonic prisoner-of-war
$24,185. bone model of a 48-gun frigate that began life in France as
the Minerve and following capture served with distinction
John Steven Dews, born in 1949, is one in the Royal Navy as H.M.S. Alceste. It sold for $24,185 at
of the modern masters of marine painting, Bonhams.
and sold for $31,420 in the Knightsbridge
sale was an undated oil of the clippers
Taeping and Ariel competing in the Great
Tea Race of 1866.

Racing back to England with the new
season’s tea crop was a regular contest, but
that year’s competition proved the most
extraordinary and famous of them all. Four
clippers competed neck and neck for most
of the way round the world to England, but
by the time the Scillies, the islands that
mark the western extremity of England,
were sighted, Ariel and Taeping were still
neck and neck and only a few hours ahead
of their nearest rival.

They raced up the English Channel
together, rounded Kent, and headed to

pick up tugs for the passage up the Thames

126 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

Now Darkened, but Another Great Day Out for the Orientalists
Decidedly Deadly and Rare
Under the heading “The most Parisian 1935) that had topped the million-dollar mark,
Mamluk armour is seen on the of Ottomans...,” last month’s London and in the Sotheby’s sale his work was again
market on a fairly regular basis, selection reports included one prompted by the keenly pursued.
but Mamluk weapons are far scarcer— sale at $8.25 million of Young Woman Reading,
and within that already limited category, a painting by Turkish artist Osman Hamdi The Tribute is a picture of circa 1897,
axes are even more of a rarity. Bey (1842-1910) that was offered as part of a executed in the artist’s best hyper-realist
Bonhams sale on September 26, 2019. style—and one that was last offered at auction
But it does not end there as far as the in a Christie’s London sale of 1977, when, I
example seen here is concerned. Such a Barely a month later, another work by the imagine, the price was much more modest than
combination of an axe and mace would artist sold for $6,011,440. It was part of a group the $5,560,750 needed to secure it this time out.
appear to be unique, or so said Christie’s, of 40 Orientalist paintings, described as one of
who offered it as part of an October 24, the greatest ever formed, that was offered at Market in Jaffa, of 1887, is the work of
2019, sale of arts and crafts from the Islamic Sotheby’s on October 22, 2019. These paintings, Gustav Bauernfeind (1848-1904), who trained
and Indian worlds. according to newspaper reports, were part of a as an architect and became a painter only in
collection formed by Saudi billionaire Nasser later life, following a trip to Italy in the early
Thought likely to have been made in Al-Rashid with the help of Brian MacDermot, 1870s. Initially it was Swiss and Italian views
Mamluk Egypt in the 15th century, this gold damascened steel piece, founder of London’s Mathaf Gallery. that he produced, but three extended trips to
a little over 5" high, is overlaid in gold with entwined scrolling and Palestine in that same decade saw his focus
foliated tendrils, though as is typical in the case of the few Mamluk Osman Hamdi Bey’s oil painting is illustrated change.
axes that are known, the blade edge has been left undecorated. and briefly described below, along with a couple
more of the nine pictures in that exceptional As might be expected, Bauernfeind was
It more than doubled the high estimate in selling at $209,300. sale that topped the million-dollar mark and particularly interested in the streets, buildings,
helped push the overall sale total to a little over temples, and other urban architecture he saw
Volcanic and Mythical Giants from Japan $43 million. in Cairo, Jerusalem, Jaffa, Damascus, and
elsewhere, and he would often travel with a
Also known as “Black Fuji”—though the Japanese title refers Titled Koranic Instruction, it is a work of camera to capture the settings and everyday life
to haku-u, or white rain—the monumental view of Mount Fuji 1890 and a painting last seen at auction in that fill his paintings.
by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) seen below features a sudden Germany back in 1982. The setting is a secluded
downpour on the lower slopes that has resulted from a storm on a corner of the Yesil Cami, or Green Mosque, in This example of his work was last seen at
late summer’s afternoon. The sun casts a dramatic light, with darker Bursa in western Anatolia. In this composition, auction at Sotheby’s New York in 1985, when
thunderclouds contrasted with the clear blue sky. framed by a Mamluk lantern and monumental it was as part of the Coral Petroleum collection
candlestick, a seated man is receiving Koranic and sold at $352,000. This time out it sold at
The coloured woodblock print titled Shower Below the Summit, instruction from the standing hoja, or teacher. $4,824,000.
measuring roughly 10" x 14", comes from the series “Thirty-Six Views
of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjürokkei),” published around 1831, and in a Most of Bey’s paintings depict an imagined Another of the more highly valued works
Sotheby’s sale of Japanese art held on November 5, 2019, this example past, and the figures that populate them are very in the Sotheby’s sale was Riders Crossing the
of a well-known print just topped the high estimate to sell at $257,690. often members of his own family. Self-portraits Desert, a work of 1870 by one of the more
are there as well, and in this painting, he is the famous Orientalists, Jean-Léon Gerome (1824-
It was another very famous work by Hokusai that had carried the seated figure. 1904). Depicting a group crossing the Egyptian
highest estimate. An example of Under the Wave off Kanagawa, or as desert under a burning sun, some riding horses,
it is perhaps more familiarly known in the West, The Great Wave, had One of the Sotheby’s sale catalogue others on camels and or on foot, it carried a high
carried a high estimate of around $500,000 but failed to sell. illustrations reproduces a photograph from the estimate of over $6 million but barely exceeded
Edhem Eldem collection, squared up for artistic the low one in selling at $4,055,690.
Sold for exactly the same sum as Hokusai’s Mount Fuji view—but guidance, in which the artist is seen seated and
against an estimate of around $38,000—was a coloured woodblock wearing the same costume. It differs only in the
print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861), one whose Japanese title positioning of his right arm.
translates as Mitsukuni defying the Skeleton Spectre conjured up by
Princess Takiyasha. In the reporting on that earlier Bonhams sale
I noted two works by Ludwig Deutsch (1855-
In this triptych in which each sheet measures roughly 15" x 10", a
fearsome apparition has been conjured up by the Princess Takiyasha, The Tribute by Ludwig Deutsch—$5.56 million.
who looks on as she reads from the scroll of spells by means of which
she has called up a monstrous skeleton in an attempt to frighten off
Mitsukuni, a warrior sent to destroy her.

The giant skeletal figure pulls back the tattered reed blinds and looms
out of the darkness to menace her would-be assailant. Untrimmed and
a fine impression with bright, overall unfaded colours, it appears to be
one of the earlier states of this well-known print.

Koranic Instruction by Osman Hamdi Bey— Riders Crossing the Desert by Jean-Léon
$6.01 million. Gerome—$4.05 million.

Shower Below the Summit, one of “Thirty-Six Views of Mount
Fuji” by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), sold at $257,690.

Mitsukuni defying the Skeleton Spectre conjured up by Princess Market in Jaffa by Gustav Bauern-
Takiyasha, a three-sheet print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798- feind—$4.82 million.
1861), which sold for $257,690 at Sotheby’s.
Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 127

FEATURE

With Captain Cook in Tahiti

Principal attractions in a sale of topographical consisting of several mats sewn together, their
pictures held by Christie’s on October 29, streamers of feathers, and the heap of coconuts

2019, included three Tahitian paintings relating to and bananas on board, had altogether a picturesque

Captain Cook’s second great second voyage into effect.”

the Pacific and around the world. In the recent Christie’s sale it was bid to $847,560.

Two of them were actually painted on the voyage A smaller canvas, View of Vaitepiha Bay, Tahiti

by expedition artist William Hodges (1744-1797) (Tautira Valley from Tautira Bay), which sold for

and served as field studies for the finished paintings $400,155, had been produced by Hodges at Cook’s

that he exhibited at London’s Royal Academy in initial Tahitian anchorage, one that he found at

1776. Tautira Bay before moving on and mooring off

Among the treasures owned for many years by Point Venus.

the collector and philanthropist Richard Kelton The third work in the group, titled A Waterfall

(1929-2019), they were for many years housed in the Tuauru Valley (not shown), was a large

at his spectacular home on the edge of that same oil on panel that Hodges worked up many years

great ocean at Marina del Rey, California, said later from his sketches. Acquired by Kelton at

the saleroom’s topographical specialist, Captain Cook’s Christie’s in 2005, it sold at $289,270. Matavie Bay in the Island of Otaheite, an oil sketch by William
Nicholas Lambourn. dessert spoon, Bid to $144,635 in the King Street sale Hodges, sold for $847,560 at Christie’s.

The only three Tahitian works by Hodges $13,660. was the portrait of Captain James Cook Hodges’s View of Vaitepiha Bay, Tahiti, sold at $400,155.
to have come to auction in the reproduced left.

last 30 years, the pictures offered It was painted by John

in this recent King Street sale Webber (1751-1793), the official

formed part of a series of sales expedition artist on Cook’s final

held by Christie’s in London and and fatal voyage. Cook met his

New York to disperse items from death on February 14, 1779, in a

the Kelton collections. conflict with the local populace

Acquired at Sotheby’s in 2000, that had its origins in the theft

Matavie Bay in the Island of at Kealakekua Bay of one of his

Otaheite (Matavai Bay Tahiti), ship’s boats.

seen above right, captures the Cook’s appeal also extended to

view that Hodges had from the silver dessert spoon pictured

H.M.S. Resolution when it above. Hallmarked for 1750, it

anchored off Point Venus in bears the initials “JC” and is

August 1773. accompanied by a later paper

There, as the German-born label that explains that it had been

expedition naturalist Georg passed down by descendants of

Forster noted in his journals, his sister Margaret. It was part of

“…we had the pleasure to see John Webber’s portrait of a larger lot when sold at Sotheby’s in

several canoes coming off the shore Captain James Cook, sold in 2003, but offered on its own it made
London for $144,635.
towards us. Their long narrow sails, $13,660 at Christie’s.

Over $40,000 a Dram for the “Holy Grail” of Whiskies Sold at $466,690 was one of only a dozen bottles
ever released of a 54-year-old Bowmore malt whisky.

Promoted as “The Ultimate Whisky Collection,” accompanying illustration. One of just a dozen such bottles, it boasts a hand-blown
an exceptional, American-owned property offered A report in The Times by their consumer affairs and platinum-flecked bottle, sculpted by Scottish glass
at Sotheby’s on October 24, 2019, saw a single bottle
of 60-year-old Macallan set an auction record at correspondent, Andrew Ellson, noted the fact that so artists Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns, that is said to
$1,866,750! few people had tried the whisky that tasting notes were
not really an option. re-create Atlantic waves crashing against the shores of
Overall, this 391-lot collection—in which around Islay, the island home of the distillery.
half of those lots were products of Macallan’s Speyside He did, however, report that David
distillery—raised around $9.78 million. Robertson, a master distiller at Macallan Also part of the package were a platinum neck collar,
for many years, had sampled the cask and
That star turn was described by the auctioneers was not overly impressed. stopper, and three special crystal glasses, as
as “...the most iconic of all bottles of Scotch whisky,
Ellson notes that Robertson told the New well as a little 5 ml sample bottle of the whisky.
the essential centrepiece of any great collection and, This could have been an answer to my
York Times, “When I tasted it, the whisky
for whomever opens the bottle and enjoys it with was quite intense, dry and tasted of fruit previous remarks about whisky never likely
their friends, perhaps savouring it over time, with the with some hint of warming spice. But I to be tasted, but, of course, if one were to
potential to have over forty-five 15ml pours, this bottle had to try a lot of whiskies over the years give in to temptation and down even that wee
provides the ultimate opportunity to taste the ‘holy grail’ and in my humble opinion, there were a dram, would that not mean that the lot was to
of all whiskies—a once in a lifetime experience.” number that were better than this one.”
some degree defective when next it came
Distilled over 90 years ago and aged in European The recent sale at Christie’s also offered
two specially cased sets of the “Six to auction?
oak for 60 years, it is one of only 40 bottles that the Pillars Collection” that features a range
Macallan distillery has confirmed were produced from of Macallan malts that sold at $855,595 For the benefit of those not familiar with
the famous “Cask 263” in 1986.
the rules that apply to such things, the age

of a single malt whisky is determined by
the number of years it has spent maturing
in the cask before being bottled.

Not all were graced with the fairly simple labelling and $808,925 in their specially designed `
and packaging seen in the accompanying illustration. decanters.

Pop artist Sir Peter Blake (b. 1932) and the Italian The more expensive of the two limited-

painter Valerio Adami (b. 1935) each produced specially edition sets, seen below, came in a French

designed labels for a dozen bottles, as previously polished walnut cabinet created by James The record-breaking
Laycock, while the slightly cheaper bottle of 1926 Macallan,
featured on these pages. example boasted a black lacquer and sold for $1.86 million.
Two bottles from Cask 263 were released with no walnut cabinet by Laycock.

labels and initially sold at auction in 2001 and 2002 by

McTear’s of Glasgow. One of them was later painted

by Irish artist Michael Dillon (b. 1957) with a depiction

of the Macallan distillery’s neighbouring Easter Elchies

House, and in November 2018 it was sold for a world-

record $1.53 million at Sotheby’s. (See “Letter from

London” in the February 2019 issue, where the piece

titled “Such Stuff as Drams Are Made On” offers a little

more background.)

The whereabouts of that other bottle sold by McTear’s

is unknown—and who knows, perhaps someone actually

drank it.

Surely not! One of two specially bottled and cased sets of Macallan malts in the The rare bottle of Bowmore whisky,
The new record holder is one of the remaining 14 recent Sotheby’s auction, this one sold for $855,595.
bottles which, it seems, boast only the comparatively together with its specially created bottle,
platinum fittings, and glasses, that sold at
unprepossessing labels and packaging seen in the $466,690.

128 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

Rare Dinar Sets the Islamic Gold Standard A Donnemara Carpet from Donegal

Coins have not featured very often in my selections, but when one sells Acarpet that has remained in the same family Woven to a design by a principal figure in
for $4,791,410, then readers must certainly not be shortchanged! since it was acquired in 1910, the handsome the Arts and Crafts movement, Charles
Here are the two sides of a rare Umayyad gold dinar dated 105 A.H. “Donnemara” pile carpet seen here was woven
(A.D. 723), a coin weighing 4.27 grams whose Arabic inscription, Voysey, this “Donnemara” carpet was sold
“Ma‘din Amir al-Mu’minin bi’l-Hijaz,” translates into English as “Mine in Killybegs, Donegal, Ireland, but at least
of the Commander of the Faithful in the Hijaz.” for $122,060 by Sotheby’s.
equally notable, or commercially significant,
This marks it out as an exceptionally rare specimen of the first Islamic I imagine, is the fact that was designed by
coins to mention a location within the present Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Charles Francis Annesley Voysey (1857-1941).

It is thought that the gold used in its manufacture came from a mine An influential Arts and Crafts architect and
located between the twin holy cities that we in the West have long called designer who was also noted for his furniture,
Mecca and Medina—possibly one that had been given to its earliest textile, and wallpaper creations, Voysey was
owners by the Prophet himself. contracted in 1887 by Alexander Morton
to provide him with designs for fabrics and
The meaning of Ma‘din for mine in this context, said the auctioneers, carpets.
remains the subject of scholarly debate, because it can be used figuratively
(much as one can describe someone as “a mine of information” in The very successful owner of an English
English) as well as literally. But there are good reasons to accept that textiles firm, Morton had been inspired by
the term here refers to a place from which ores or metals are mined and William Morris and the whole ethos of the
recovered. Arts and Crafts movement. With support from
the British government, who were hoping to
Though Amir al-Mu’minin, meaning “Commander of the Faithful,” is promote industry in rural Ireland, Morton and
a title that can refer only to the caliph himself, two caliphs held office his son started producing hand-knotted carpets
during the year 105 A.H. in Donegal in 1898, initially in a hayloft in
Killybegs.
Hisham (105-125 A.H.) succeeded Yazid II (101-105 A.H.), but it
seems the former is thought most likely to have been the ruler to whom First seen around 1903, the “Donnemara”
the inscription refers. carpet was described in a pamphlet issued by
the famous Liberty’s store in London as “a
The Umayyad gold dinar sold at $4.79 million by pleasing rendering of tulips and half blown
Morton & Eden in London on October 24, 2019. roses, modulated and blended together....”

This example, measuring 19' x 11', was
offered by Sotheby’s on November 12, 2019, as
part of a sale called “Style: Private Collections,”
where it trebled the high estimate to sell at
$122,060.

WHITE’S AUCTIONS

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Pokemon Hidden Fates/ Carved Coconut
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Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 129

SFHEOATWURE Western Reserve Antique Shop, Canfield, Ohio, showed a
counter with “Farm Fresh Raspberries U-Pick” lettered on the
Ludlow, Vermont front; it was $2500.

Antiques in Vermont

by Fran Kramer

Antiques in Vermont was called the Vermont Pickers Market
in 2018 because it set up fast, did not rely on fancy booth
arrangements, and lasted only a few hours. Prices are reasonable.
One has to move and decide quickly. And it is the last show of Vermont
Antiques Week. Winter is coming.

Decisions and sales happened fast.

About 28 dealers exhibited from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Okemo
Mountain Lodge on October 6, 2019. Some set up that morning, very
early, and others set up the night before. Booths and booth wallpaper
remained from the previous show, so all that was needed was putting up
tables and drilling into walls to hang up items.

The speed and organization was very impressive. Some patrons came
from earlier shows, but others seemed to be visiting only that show.
Whatever the case, decisions and sales happened fast. The show is
managed by Steve Sherhag of Canfield, Ohio, who has boundless energy
and who must have a twin. How can one person run three shows this
same week, exhibit in his own booth at one, and oversee details such
as getting pizza in for the dealers? Yes, his brother takes the money and
gives out the “tickets,” but any manager has to have really confident,
experienced dealers to successfully make this work. And he does have
confident, experienced dealers.

For more information, call Steve Sherhag at (330) 207-2196.

Graphic child’s graduated
blocks, $595 from Old
Farm Antiques, Fleetwood,
Pennsylvania.

Frank Wood of Alfred, Maine, All-original, painted and stenciled, this diminutive apothecary
offered books, crocks, and wall chest was $1650 from Neufeglise and Spiegel of Lyons,
Shaker smalls. New York.

Sold, red cupboard,
by Maria’s
Pond Antiques,
Pattersonville, New
York. Exhibitor

Karen Wheaton

stands in front of it.

Walker Homestead
Antiques, Brookfield,
Massachusetts, offered a
huge blue cupboard and
beside it a $325 banister-
back chair.

130 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

J.S. Cocoman Antiques, Farrin’s Antiques, Randolph, Maine, with a
Glenmont, New York, Foster Machine Co. Office sign, $850.
offered this 21" high black
Manager Steve Sherhag (center) in his booth with his arm in a sling, talking doll for $675.
to patrons.

Millcreek Antiques, Geneseo, New York, showed a $245 red chest
and a rare tin lantern, $675.

Stack of lift-top grain-painted chests from Suzanne Baker
of Westville, Indiana, priced at (from top) $425, $355, and
$625.

Painted Pony of
Montvale, New
Jersey, offered this
huge magnet trade
sign for $450.

Setup for this show utilizes the walls and booth paper from the previous Mourning picture, $550, and an 1810 slant-front desk, priced at
show held there, which closed at 3 p.m. on October 5. Former exhibitors had $1950, from Stephen Burkhardt of Felton, Pennsylvania.
several hours to pack up and leave unless they were doing both shows, as a
few dealers did. Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 131

SFHEOATWURE

Ludlow, Vermont

The Black River Antiques Show

by Fran Kramer

Nostalgia. Do you remember this show run by a church Prospect Hill Antiques, Kathy Brown of Old
group, featuring the best homemade buffet at any antiques Essex Junction, Bethpage, New York,
show opening, in a setting where dealer/buyers sat outside Vermont, showed a offered this toy cart
at picnic tables waiting for the show to open, bringing their own horse, $450; a quilt for $595.
wine and cheese and crackers, even on cold nights? (left), $595; and a Bucks
County coverlet, $395. John and Eileen Smart of
We do, and we shared in the cheese. But times change, and the Rutland, Vermont, had this
ladies and the church sponsorship moved out and multitasking $490 carved wooden horse.
manager Steve Sherhag moved in. We are not sure where the picnic
tables are. Or the wine and cheese.

That buffet was so memorable that often exhibitors took home
recipes, such as the one for broccoli salad, said Laura McCarthy
of Bayberry Antiques, Rockland, Massachusetts, who has done the
show for 21 years. She was pleased with her sales at this show,
mainly smalls.

The real goal of those who attend—
finding affordable pieces to resell.

She was one of many exhibitors who returned; new ones joined.
Sadly, the homemade cover-your-plate food buffet was replaced by
a local caterer with pasta and salad, bread, water, and cookies. We
heard that on day two of the show, homemade cookies and other
food was available for sale by members from the church.

But food aside, one thing remains, and probably the real goal
of those who attend—finding affordable pieces to resell, as this
is primarily a show for dealers. No frills. And good eyesight or
glasses are essential to scour the tabletops. About 27 dealers in 33
booths (several took two booths) were ready for the opening on
October 4, 2019, at 7 p.m., and the first-in-line buyers went left and
right, looking for goodies.

The show went on from the Friday night preview, 7 to 9 p.m., to
the next day, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some dealers sold better
the second day than the first.

For more information, call Steve Sherhag at (330) 207-2196.

Robert M. Conrad of Yeagertown, Pennsylvania, showed a powder
horn with a screw top, $795. He told us that what he sold were his
top-quality items.

Hepplewhite chest, $750,
from John Bourne of
Pittsford, Vermont, and
a double-sided sign, $350,
plus a Quebec ferry, $950.

Rona Andrews of Wellesley,
Massachusetts, had several
examples of early lighting, such
as this tin light tagged $695.

132 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Playtex swimming caps from the 1950s and ’60s. Inverted bowls from Bayberry Antiques, Chalkware from Diane Farr of Boalsburg,
Do you remember them? Janet Goodwin of Rockland, Massachusetts. The burl one sold, while Pennsylvania—$625 for the squirrel, $600 for the cat, and
Hinesburg, Vermont, does. They were $245. the original oyster white-painted bowl was still $625 for the rooster.
available. Laura McCarthy told us that she sold
many other smalls, including baskets and stone
fruit, plus a set of drawers in red paint.

Rare fraktur from Jim and Diane Farr of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, $1750 Always in the same
each. They were done by Andreas Kolb (1749-1811), a schoolmaster and booth and always with
fraktur artist. The one on the left is a songbook bookplate for Malle impressive finds at
Aldorfer (Mollie Alderfer) of Lower Salford, Montgomery County, reasonable prices, Robin
Pennsylvania, November 1800. The example on the right is a songbook Stephens, formerly from
bookplate for Magdalena Schwerdle, Franconia Township, Montgomery an upstate New York
County, Pennsylvania, February 1786. Both are illustrated in This area near this writer and
Teaching I Present by Mary Jane Lederach Hershey (2003). now from Richmond,
Massachusetts, saw her
pair of English treen
tea caddies snapped
up immediately by
a longtime Vermont
dealer. Priced at $795
and $695 and from the
late 1830s, they were in great shape and a great find.

The booth of Cargill Antiques Collection, White River Junction, Vermont.

Overview of the show, with the second room, much smaller, at the rear right.

Get your
antiques news
firsthand at

www.MaineAntiqueDigest.com

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 133

SFHEOATWURE

Ludlow, Vermont

The Okemo Antique Show

by Fran Kramer

Ludlow, Vermont, in the central part Colette Donovan of Merrimacport, Massachusetts, is known for The ski lodge. Note the ease of unloading/loading on the
of the state, becomes “well known” her imaginative booth arrangements. How about this one? Move left rear side.
to antiquers every fall for two, and right in. Settle in the settle “convenience chair,” priced at $695;
now three, antiques shows in town—two at put on the American Indian (Penobscot) birch bark slippers, Jewett-Berdan, Newcastle, Maine, featured a globe, $750,
its famous ski resort, Okemo, and one at a $285. and an architectural finial.
community center nearby.
Thomas Longacre of Marlborough, New Hampshire, offered a Pull-toy donkey, $435 from Mike and Lucinda
The first show at the Okemo Mountain great variety of items ranging from hooked rugs, $595 for the Seward of Pittsford, Vermont.
Lodge, the Okemo Antique Show, opened floral one and $225 for the oval, to a 1920s ship painting, $750,
on October 4, 2019, at 2 p.m. and ran until which he sold.
6 p.m. and then was open from 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. on October 5. The second show,
Antiques in Vermont, opened at 8 a.m. on
October 6, but setup began on October 5 at 3

The first show was purely
country, from top to

bottom and side to side.

p.m., as each previously occupied booth was
emptied—daylight or no daylight.

Some of the dealers exhibit at just one
of the shows, others at two, promising to
bring all new merch for the second. Adding
to the continuity, the same manager, Steve
Sherhag, organized and supervised all three
(the third is the Black River Antique Show at
the Ludlow Community Center), helped by a
tech-savvy brother.

The first show was purely country, from
top to bottom and side to side. Maybe a
few Halloween treats were slipped in, but
the booths were not tabletop displays. No
way. Artful arrangements that you could
take home to create an instant 19th-century
setting included chairs, tables, rugs, pictures,
and lamps, and for the outside of your home,
gates, weathervanes, and garden sculpture.

There were 32 dealers from New
England, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Florida,
Pennsylvania, Arizona, and New Jersey. It
was a diverse group.

In addition to the visual, there was much
for the more basic essential—eating. The
opening hours buffet is known for cheeses,
fruits, veggies and dips, and wine.

For more information, call (330)
207-2196 or check the website (www.
okemoantiqueshow.com).

Baker & Co. Antiques, Delmar, New York, with a $650 New York Skinny Punch and Judy, $350, from This duck hooked rug, $1450, was offered by Pratt’s
quilt and a red and black checkerboard, $495. Pewter & Wood Antiques, Cave Creek, Antiques, Victor, New York, dealers who are constantly
Arizona, and Enfield, New Hampshire.
traveling, looking for special merchandise.

MarketplaceForCollectors.com

The Visual Way to Find Art & Antiques

134 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Looking for wicker porch or garden furniture? Look no further.
Just call Jane Langol of Medina, Ohio. This set was only $750.

Harold Cole (right) of Woodbury, Connecti- Copper horse weathervane, $1850; Windsor chair, $750;
cut, with friend Jim Hohnwald of Fitzwilliam, postwar eagle, $895, all from Dennis and Valerie Bakoledis
New Hampshire.
of Rhinebeck, New York.

Cupboard, circa 1750, scraped to “sea green,” all Note the large painting of a boy and his sisters, 48" x 55",
original, $3900, from Derik Pulito of Kensington, $14,000, offered by Dan and Karen Olson of Newburgh, New
York. With provenance back to the American Folk Art Gal-
Connecticut. lery, New York City, Kenneth and Stephen Snow, and the
Donna Fields Small collection, it is attributed to John S. Blunt
Dennis Raleigh of Searsport, Maine, (1798-1835).

showed this grain-painted desk, $2950,
and an unusual pair of andirons, $1250,
beneath it, plus a painting above it for

$2250.

Bill Kelly of Limington, Maine, had a great yellow wash- Early three-masted ship model, $495 from Michael Seward of Pittsford, Vermont, sold this table.
stand, $2350, and an architectural element, $1500. Latcham House Antiques, Waterville, Ohio. Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 135

SFHEOATWURE

Stratton Mountain, Vermont

Antiques at Stratton Mountain:
The Vermont Antiques Dealers’ Association Show

by Fran Kramer

An “old” show sees young dealers, Toy wooden plane, $125, and the small sled, $575, from Bittner
exhibitors, membership, and Antiques, Shelburne, Vermont.
management.
As you look at the faces of the “next Robert and Janet Sherwood of Cambridge, New York, love color,
gen,” you see talent and knowledge, and what could be more appropriate in the fall than a huge apple
optimism and opportunity. Several of sign for $725? Or maybe you prefer a $725 railroad crossing
these faces have a long family history sign? Or “Chicken In A Basket” for $525?
of “it runs in the family.” Brian Bittner
of Shelburne, Vermont, mentioned both
his grandfather, a longtime and well-
liked auctioneer, and his father, who
is a dealer. Chris Cobb of Amherst,
Massachusetts, is also trying to fill
the big footsteps of his father, the late
Justin Cobb.

The Vermont Antiques
Dealers’ Association
brings together dealers
with funky and fun one-

of-a-kind objects.

The Vermont Antiques Dealers’

Association, affectionately called

VADA, brings together dealers

with funky and fun one-of-a-kind

objects from a state that is almost an

endangered species. Whatever time of

the year, visiting Vermont is special—

for its food, foliage, covered bridges,

and back roads. Throw in a few

antiques shows and enjoy.

On October 5 and 6, 2019, 30 dealers

gathered inside the Stratton Mountain

Base Lodge for Antiques at Stratton

Mountain, about 30 to 45 minutes from Brian Bittner, president of the Vermont Antiques
Dealers’ Association.
the other shows that long weekend. Top

of the mountain, and what a view.

VADA’s president Brain Bittner told

us after the show that he and the show Full-bodied horse weathervane, late 19th century, $2500 from
Ethan Merrill of Williston, Vermont.
director, Lori Scotnicki, were happy
with the show, and they had a good

turnout. “It set up nice,” said Bittner,

“and now that we have been in the

same location for a few years, buyers

can easily find us.”

Signs and sleds, baskets and

buckets, stands and steps, porcelain

and paintings, and so much more

at affordable prices. “Primitives, of

course, but also Asian items, silver, and

jewelry sold,” said Bittner.

Liberty Hill Antiques, Reading,

Vermont, e-mailed that they had a

very good show. “We sold a large and

small work bench, a Sheraton chest of

drawers, a small child’s sawbuck table,

a Hannah Davis band box, a walking

wheel log calipers, and a Bennington

jug with a make-do handle. Yes, we

had two eel spears that sold also. Very

pleased with the show.”

Although the majority of dealers are

Vermonters, others came from Maine,

Massachusetts, and New Hampshire,

all neighbors, and, of course, New York Jeff and Holly Noordsy of Cornwall, Vermont, with their “pets,”

state. Talkative and easy to approach, a squirrel, $425; cats, $595 and $685; and a decoy, $975.

these dealers truly seem to enjoy the

buying and selling. They are probably

thinking right now of what they will

buy or sell next. So raise a glass and

say happy new year, and they look Four-drawer decorated chest with replaced pulls, $1875
forward to seeing you again soon. from Ed and Anita Holden of Holden Antiques, Naples,
Florida, and Sherman, Connecticut. The cow weathervane
For more information, see (www.

vermontantiquesdealers.com). was $950.

136 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Coffee grinder, $850 from Dave and Bonnie
Ferriss of Lake Luzerne, New York.

Michael Pheffer of Two Sides of a River Antiques, New London,
New Hampshire, showed crocks priced from $200 to $900 each,

a copper-lined dry sink for $525, and a game wheel, $495.

Two twig stands, $45 and $175 from Yankee
Ingenuity Antiques, Chester, Vermont.

Matt King of Marshfield, Captain’s Quarters, Amherst, Massachusetts, showed a Northwest Indian
Massachusetts, offered this ceremonial button blanket with a killer whale design for $1100.

Herbert Barup of Hogback Vintage Primitives, Johnson, Ver- doorstop for $176.
mont, needed a hat big enough for his head. As you can see, he

found one. The William and Mary crotch mahogany highboy,

Boston, North Shore, was $9000.

Pony rides, anyone? Michael Weinberg of West Pelham Pink lusterware armorial piece, circa 1820, for Joseph Sailor’s valentine, $2750, held by
Antiques, Pelham, Massachusetts, asked $475 for the sign, Chris Cobb of Captain’s Quarters.
not the ride. Wooley, saddler and harness maker, $395, held by
Gregory Lovell of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, with
partner Richard Jones.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 137

SFHEOATWURE

Weston, Vermont Rooster and chicks, a papier-mâché
skittles set, late 1800s, $4800 from Lisa
The Weston McAllister of Clear Spring, Maryland.
Antiques Show
Noah’s ark with 35
by Fran Kramer animals, $990 from The
Red Horse Antiques,
Yes, classic furniture (think highboys) and accessories Bridgewater, Vermont.
sell at the Weston Antiques Show, a charming show
with a history that repeats yet evolves. The tour buses
fill the parking lots for the nearby Vermont Country Store in
Weston, Vermont, which in turn fills the appetites for samples of
fudge, cheese, crackers, and jellies. The show fills the appetites
of young buyers looking for eye-appeal pieces while satisfying
the palates of seasoned collectors looking for formal objects
with some provenance. It’s been going for 61 years, and the
show is still thriving.

The show fills the appetites.

Three floors of the Weston Playhouse are covered from top Large hooked rug, circa 1940,
to bottom with signs, Oriental rugs, folk art, prints, textiles, and $5500 from John Hunt Marshall
jewelry. Very experienced dealers are ready for the questions, of Florence, Massachusetts.
and conversations are always prominent at Weston. It is a sign
Graphic dagger, $1450 from John Hunt Marshall.
of merit to exhibit at Weston.

Opening night, held on October 3, 2019, is for foodies and
friends. The show committee offers shrimp, meatballs, crab
salad, cheeses, and other classic “nibblies,” and a local winery
offers red and white wine. To say you can skip a sit-down dinner
after this repast is a given.

We saw many discreet sold signs, and some items that sold

we discovered just by word of mouth. Folk art was a winner as

were—surprise—highboys. Booths were mainly room settings
and inside rooms of the playhouse. Some booths offered views
of the stream and its revolving waterwheel. The show is always

an invitation to stay a while.

Sold tags appeared on items ranging from highboys to still

life paintings. One dealer who had an exceptionally strong show
was Vermonter Norman Gronning. “I am very pleased and sold
top items,” he said. Another exhibitor, Chris Doscher of Witt’s
End, Wallkill, New York, told us it was a great show, maybe his
second best at Weston, and he sold every day.

The second day also saw sales, all in a very refined and
deliberate search. As one dealer said, “It’s back to reality,”

meaning no more crazy prices.

The show program, titled “Antiques for Traditional and
Contemporary Lifestyles,” had a page to remember Robert
Perry (1964-2018), a longtime exhibitor and the “official greeter
of the Weston Antiques Show.” It was an appropriate and classy
tribute to him and the current 31 dealers from the 40-plus show
volunteers and 25-plus show committee members. What a ratio

of workers to exhibitors. Is it any wonder that Weston sets a

high bar? And reaches it.

For more information, see (www.westonantiquesshow.org).

W. M. Schwind, Jr.

of Yarmouth, Maine,

always brings a mix,
and over the last 53
years in the antiques
business he has seen a
lot. Floods and prices
up and down. He said
today we are “back to
reality,” meaning the
days of wild, extreme
prices are over, and
we are back to the

1960s when prices were

affordable. Shown here

is a mother-of-pearl

and papier-mâché

stand, 1830-40, $1450.

Queen Anne sugar chest, circa 1750, from Bermuda, $7350, offered by
Stephen White, a longtime dealer from Skaneateles, New York, who told us
he sold a lot of fine jewelry. His partner, Beverly, who was not at the show,
would be very pleased.

138 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FEASTHUORWE

Majolica duck, $295 from Debbie Turi of
Roseland, New Jersey.

Hanes & Ruskin Antiques, Old Lyme, Connecticut, offered this Norman Gronning of Shaftsbury, Vermont,
painting of the 50-gun frigate U.S.S. Cumberland for $3975. offered several still lifes, including this
painting by Luigi Lucioni (1900-1988) for
$5500. Gronning said it was his best show
ever in 40 years.

Nancy Douglass
of Willow Springs

Perennial Antiques,
Rexford, New York,
and a wonderful

hooked rug.

Dozens of fine Dealers Paul and Karen Wendhiser of Ellington, Connecticut,
Oriental rugs are and to their left a resilvered weathervane, $350.
always displayed
by Lori Frandino

of Walpole, New

Hampshire,

across the seat

backs of the
playhouse.

One, two, three, and one not in the picture, tall clocks shown by Harry The butternut flat-top highboy was sold by Witt’s End, Wallkill, New York.
Hepburn of Harrison, Maine. Dealer Chris Doscher poses in his straw hat and colorful dragonfly jacket. A
young local resident bought the piece. Also in the booth were a carved wooden
eagle plaque, $1800, and a Windsor chair.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 139

SFHEOATWURE

Hors d’oeuvres
anyone? Dealer
Henry Callan
of Sandwich,
Massachusetts,
samples a shrimp
from the tray held
by Annie Bessette.

Woodpecker carving,
$950 from Marc
Witus of Gladstone,
New Jersey.

Ponzi’s Antiques offered this brilliantly colored
game board, 28" x 28", circa 1900, for $1195.

Nineteenth-century mammy’s bench, $375 from New Ponzi’s Antiques, Trumansburg, New York, sold this lift-top
England Home Antiques, Wethersfield, Connecticut. It blanket chest with decoration and two drawers.
was a reasonable price because it is missing the front

rod to keep a baby from falling out.

Empire chest
with Sandwich
pulls, $1250 from
William Nickerson
of Orleans,
Massachusetts.

Tester bed, circa 1810, New Hampshire, $1800 from Heller Washam Antiques,
Portland, Maine.

140 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

The Young Collector

Another Trip around the Sun

by Hollie Davis and Andrew Richmond

People are fond of telling tired parents, “The days Looking back, it’s clear that listening for the dryer. He seems to have adjusted well to
are long, but the years are short.” Time does seem the year held so much more sharing his office with a pack of demanding animals, two
to change after having children, but perhaps not in loud children, and a spouse who walks into his office at
that way. Unlike most of the things around us or at least than was expected. least once a week to start conversations that begin with
in comparison to them, children change rapidly. The the phrase, “Your children…”
sycamores across the creek are not appreciably taller a to trip him up during questioning. It seems television
year later, the paint on the house is not that much more can be educational, unless you want to learn about Apparently, Hollie never gets invited to go to the fun
faded this November compared to last, but a seven-year- period interiors. shows, the ones where everything fits in one Rubbermaid
old is a different animal than a six-year-old, especially tote and setting up takes 15 minutes. Andrew did a
when you consider that only three years ago he was After years in the business, one picks up certain couple of museum conference shows and a state bar
four. They change in relation to things so smoothly and skills. You just learn things—how to pack a truck, how association meeting in the fall, doing crazy things
continually that the only possible explanation seems to to calculate who is going to have to walk backwards like driving to Grand Rapids and back in 18 hours. If
be that time has sped up. In reality, living with kids is with a piece of furniture, how to be cagey when your this whole antiques/appraisal thing doesn’t work out,
like living with time-lapse photography. spouse asks how you’d feel about a weekend away we are already beyond qualified to pursue long-haul
packaged as a throwback to the days before children. trucking. But then, Andrew said, things were supposed
It wasn’t that long ago that we were writing about Andrew’s idea of a weekend away before children to be calmer. Travel was mostly done, the calendar was
changing diapers and the impossibility of traveling seems to involve leaving the kids with the grandparents opening up, and we would absolutely get done some of
to shows with babies that would not sleep or allow and driving eight hours to Illinois in a snowstorm to the household chores we had been putting off.
themselves to be put down. Nine years ago this fall, load a box truck to the ceiling. To be fair, that was how
Hollie was crying in the car on the lacrosse field at we spent a lot of pre-kid weekends. Hollie got him Or we could just decide to start buying up collections
Deerfield because after driving hours and hours to get back, though. She made him listen to a six-hour podcast instead. Andrew needs a hobby. More accurately,
to Massachusetts, Nora would burst into tears anytime about Spiro Agnew during the drive. Andrew needs a hobby that does not involve truck
she was put in a stroller. Funny how when we later tell rentals and deadlifting 200 pounds. (We are really a
the things that made us cry, we so often laugh. She fell for it again in June. Did we mention the weird bunch of people.) A friend needed to downsize
Nativities? The 650 Nativities that all had to be appraised fairly quickly, and it was expedient for Andrew and a
We are in the business of stories, however, and so we and packed up and moved from North Carolina to Ohio partner to buy everything. Turns out, Andrew is as good
make stories not only out of the things we sell, but also where they could be donated to a museum? Sumpter at picking business partners as he is life partners—his
out of all the things that happen to us as well. Some Priddy told us years ago not to let anyone fool us— business partner has a pole building, so their union has
of those stories we share here, but some of them slip about 80% of the antiques business is moving stuff. He been a blissful one. (One of the hallmarks of not being
through the cracks, so we thought as the year draws to was, as usual, exactly right. such young collectors any longer is reaching a point
a close, we’d offer some behind-the-scenes stories. Or in life where your partner’s head is more likely to be
a blooper reel. We also did our first outdoor show and our first multi- turned by well-marked footer drains, a lighted storage
day show, where we learned a great deal, including why building, and a truck with a lift gate.) After several trips
The year 2019 was Andrew’s fourth year in business everyone covers their stuff with plastic sheets at night, back and forth, things have settled down again. For now.
for himself, Hollie’s second year as the owner of the even when there is no forecast for rain. (Dew collects
business she’s worked for since 2005, and our 16th year on the tents, and it is a truth universally acknowledged Looking back, it’s clear that the year held so much
in this strange, wonderful little corner of the world. It is that all tents leak and that every booth is under at least more than was expected. Perhaps that’s part of the way
fitting that we kicked it off with a trip to Williamsburg, one seam.) It didn’t rain, which was good, but it was children make time seem to pass too. The things that
where we hoped to recapture some of the entertainment blisteringly hot standing in the tent and looking out come from the passage of time are no longer just your
that came from the early years of traveling with small at a wall of corn. Andrew’s family kept the kids and own plans and ambitions but are whatever interesting
children. “When they are old enough to really talk,” we dropped them off a few hours before the closing on the little plots and sidelines they develop as well. The year
had said, “this is going to be fun.” That’s what Hollie second day. They pitched right in to pack up, probably 2020 will undoubtedly be more than we expect, too. We
was remembering shortly after arriving at Williamsburg because it took about 45 minutes for the heat to begin to are adding two more antiques shows—Nashville and
with Nat, who had unfortunately been sinking further get to them too. (It was around this point that Nat said, the spring Illinois antiques week—and while appraisal
and further into a bad cold on the drive down. When “Why does Dad have to sell old stuff?”) Nora’s careful, work will always be our bread and butter, it has been
he was sulkily going to bed, he muttered darkly, “You thorough nature made her an excellent packer, and Nat fun and fascinating to wade into the non-auction end of
know, it was your idea to come here, not mine.” (Hollie put his thing-finding skills to use and put himself in the antiques pool a bit. We’re sure there will be a freak
considered telling him we had to drive that far to find charge of collecting any and all pegboard hooks. snowstorm at the worst possible time, one of the children
people who wanted to hear Andrew talk about Ohio- will say something inappropriate at the worst possible
German furniture.) We ended the summer watching fireworks from time, another person who will require another chapter
Andrew’s office, and then we ended its lease. The office in our memoirs will turn up and liberally dispense
Andrew also began a new large institutional project offered ample space and a beautiful view of the Ohio craziness—something much bigger and simultaneously
late in the winter, which has made him conversant River, but it was a view that he had been enjoying less and much better than anything we expected will happen.
regarding the market for human bones. This means less frequently and it was a space that was decidedly not
he is now even less fun to watch television with. The ample in terms of access. (Storing things is bad enough. But for now we end the year with our house and
constant critiquing of interior decorating choices and Storing things on the fourth floor of a building without our hearts (and, ahem, our garage) a little fuller, with
his questioning of the model of firearms was one thing, a freight elevator is something else.) Any sadness about gratitude for this business and all of you. We wish you
as was his constant pointing out of the wasteful and moving out was mitigated by the use of a rental truck with all the best for 2020. May all your shows be good ones,
dangerous practice of everyone on Outlander having a lift gate, which Nat immediately assumed operation may all your buys be smart ones, may all your bids be
18th-century dwellings constantly alit and blazing of, and although Nora was sick in bed, he insisted that properly executed, and may all your cupboards be two
like Christmas trees, but no one wants to watch crime we carry her out so he could lift her up and down a few pieces.
shows with someone making constant remarks about times before the truck was returned, so we rolled her out
occipital lobe accuracy. We have long joked that the in Andrew’s desk chair for a ride. Since then, Andrew We welcome ideas, tips, criticisms, and questions
antiques business has a vulture-like element to it, but has given up his hour commute and settled into a home regarding “TheYoung Collector.”We may be reached
it’s even more so when someone knows how much office, and he has the considerable perk of being able by e-mail at <youngcollectors@maineantiquedigest.
your articulated skeleton might sell for. Andrew was to see the rest of us all day most days, even though it com> or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/
called to testify in court about an appraisal, which was has meant assuming the extra job duties of making TheYoungAntiquesCollectors), or by writing
disappointingly very un-Law & Order-like, although the ubiquitous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and The Young Collector, c/o Maine Antique
he did feel prepared for the opposing counsel’s efforts Digest, PO Box 1429, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

Where Retro Meets

Modern Find

M.A.D. and at www.MaineAntiqueDigest.com

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 141

FFEEAATTUURREE

Newly Expanded, Peabody Essex Museum
Is “A Whole Window on the World”

by Jeanne Schinto

My first reaction to touring the new galleries at The new wing is on the right of the
the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, East India Marine Hall. The Safdie
Massachusetts, just before its public opening on wing is on its left. © Peabody Essex
September 28, 2019, was indignation. PEM has had all Museum. Photography by Aislinn
these treasures for decades, if not centuries, and I’m only Weidele of Ennead Architects.
just getting to see them now? My second reaction was
panic. I’d better get busy looking. Between the old stuff
and the new acquisitions displayed all around me, I would
need an entire gap year to take in everything. My third
reaction was that, seriously, a young person could spend
a year here between high school and college just taking
in the exhibits, and the time would be well spent. As
Brian Kennedy, PEM’s Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo
Director and CEO, put it at the press preview, the museum
in its new iteration offers “a whole window on the world.”

PEM’s precursor, the East India
Marine Society, was founded
in 1799 as a repository for
“curiosities” collected and
brought home by its membership.

PEM’s precursor, the East India Marine Society, Street view. © Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Aislinn Weidele Not to be forgotten, PEM’s Art and
was founded in 1799 as a repository for “curiosities” of Ennead Architects. Nature Center, for children of all
collected and brought home by its membership, whose ages, is partially seen here through
requirement was experience as masters or supercargoes a window in the new atrium.
of Salem vessels that had navigated the Cape of Good Schinto photo.
Hope or Cape Horn. Given that beginning, PEM
qualifies as the oldest continuously operating museum contemporary artworks that globalism has been a centered themes.” Brian Kennedy expressed to the
in the country. It also, arguably, has developed into one “trend” for centuries. As for the gallery that combines press at the preview the hope that the “museum’s
of the most significant museums north of New York fashion and design, that’s the unexpected one, and interpretive practice, which is based around innovation
City. Its East India Marine Hall, where, some readers delightfully so, at least from my perspective. and experimentation, is very apparent.”
will recall, the old Peabody Essex Museum Antiques
Show used to be held, was the museum’s first building, “Juxtaposition” is a word many of us overused in Those who visit the museum before January 5 will
completed in 1825. The last PEM expansion, completed college term-paper days, but there is no other way to also be able to see the first major PEM show to open
in 2003, was the work of architect Moshe Safdie express the pairings of, say, a circa 1812 Salem Light during Kennedy’s tenure, which began in July, just
and Associates. Safdie added an 11,000-square-foot Infantry uniform worn by Private John Woodbridge after his predecessor Dan Monroe’s retirement. It is
addition to one side of that original building. This time, Fenno with a camouflage-print dress by Japanese the exclusive East Coast venue for Hans Hofmann:
PEM built out from the other side, adding 40,000 square designer Junya Watanabe (b. 1961); an 1824-27 Unangax The Nature of Abstraction, organized by the University
feet more. Designed by Ennead Architects, this latest (Aleut) artist’s waterproof “gut” cape, made of sea lion of California, Berkeley, Art Museum and Pacific Film
expansion, including three floors of gallery space and intestines, with a 1970s bikini made of Tyvek; and a Archive. Years ago, I remember PEM’s similarly
a soaring glass atrium, has increased PEM’s total size circa 1876 Chinese moon-gate bed with textiles from large exhibition of a Salem native son, the realist,
to 367,000 square feet, making it one of the country’s other periods and places. And then there is this quintet: portraitist, and American Impressionist Frank Weston
largest museums outside of a major metropolitan area. an 1815-25 Samuel Field McIntire sofa, an 1845-50 Benson (1862-1951). Certainly that was a show that
headrest by a South African Zulu artist, an 1850-70 “belonged” at PEM. My first thought was that Hofmann
Richard Olcott was Ennead’s design partner in charge. planter’s chair from India or Zanzibar, a 19th-century (1880-1966), a German-born Abstract Expressionist
He has been responsible for two other significant West Indian bench in the form of a crocodile or alligator, associated with New York City and Provincetown on
museum expansions—at the Yale University Art Gallery and a swirling, stainless steel chair by contemporary Cape Cod, seemed out of place here. But on second
(2011) and the Museum of the City of New York (2012). Chinese sculptor Shi Jianmin (b. 1962). It’s a display of thought, his presence makes perfect sense to me.
Known for, in his own words, “making things new seating that forces viewers not only to compare design
out of things that are old,” he achieved this at PEM elements but also to explore the idea of comfort and who Nature, particularly the sea, inspired Hofmann,
by, for example, making visible from the new atrium among us wants, needs, or gets more or less of it. who lived, worked, and taught in Provincetown for 23
the exposed brick of the 19th-century building and by years. There is a wall photo in the exhibition and the
echoing the glass of the Safdie atrium in the new one. Not to be upstaged by the new addition’s opening, same photo in the accompanying catalog showing him
the two older parts of the existing museum have painting in the dunes. Indeed, some of his paintings are
Dramatic dashes of the old—imperial lion guardians been reinstalled as well in comparable mix-and- titled and considered to be landscapes, if not seascapes.
(foo dogs) and a monumental Kuka’ilimoku, a Hawaiian match fashion. In a gallery called Powerful Figures, But there’s no need to equivocate.
temple image of the deity Ku—are seen at once upon for example, are a Japanese lacquered-wood figure
entering the Ennead atrium. (Most visitors still pass of Buddhist monk Jizo Bosatsu from 1279, perhaps An experimental artist like Hofmann, who innovated,
through the former Safdie entrance to get there, but there the oldest piece in the collection; a late 17th-century took risks, and inspired others to do the same, seems
is now a new entrance for schoolchildren and other large Chinese porcelain figure in a hat and blue-striped the right choice for an institution that, in Kennedy’s
groups.) The rest unfolds in the floors above, where the britches who has great presence despite his name, words “has always had to think like its founders, to
galleries feature three broad categories: maritime history Mr. Nobody; and Weight, a 2012 sculpture by Alison think like mariners who traveled the world, who went
and art, Asian export art, and fashion and design. Saar (b. 1956), consisting of a figure of an adolescent to the farthest reaches of what in many cases was
black girl on a swing suspended from a cotton scale uncharted territory.”
The gallery devoted to maritime, a category that balanced by a coal shuttle containing tools, chains,
previously has been PEM’s stock in trade, celebrates rope, boxing gloves, and other items symbolic of the There is even more reinvention in store for PEM
the sea’s majesty as well as its peril in paintings (by girl’s enslavement and subsequent fight for freedom. in 2020. Its American art galleries in the Safdie wing
Francis Silva, Robert Salmon, Fitz Henry Lane, are being reinstalled to include Native American art.
James Buttersworth, and William Bradford), ship Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, PEM’s James B. and The project is headed by Dean Lahikainen, PEM’s
models, navigational instruments, scrimshaw, and Mary Lou Hawkes Deputy Director, said that as the longtime Carolyn and Peter Lynch Curator of American
figureheads—i.e., the old favorites. But it also does so galleries were being planned and the staff “shopped Decorative Art, and for that reason alone, it promises
in contemporary pieces, such as Shipwrecked Armoire across our entire collection” to make their choices, to be yet another brilliant chapter in this museum’s
with Barnacles, a 2012 construction made of foam core, they were “encouraged to take some chances, think ongoing history.
paper, glue, acrylic paint, sand, and fabric by Valerie differently about our collections, and find human-
Hegarty (b. 1967). The gallery dedicated to Asian For more information, see the PEM website
export art, another longtime staple of PEM, reminds (www.pem.org).
us in displays of porcelain, China trade paintings, ship
captain portraits, textiles, screens, wallpaper, and some

142 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

Brian Kennedy, PEM’s Rose-Marie and Eijk van Among PEM’s latest acquisitions is this circa 1750 Island Bride, Brian White (b. 1960), steel,
Otterloo Director and CEO, is pictured addressing two-headed equestrian figurehead. It is one of the oldest seashell, composition marine epoxy, and
reporters at the press preview on September 25, surviving figureheads in the world, and the only existing paint, 68" x 34" x 29½", 2002. The design was
2019, three days before the new addition’s official two-headed example known. Made by an unknown inspired by sailor’s valentines. Schinto photo.
opening. Born in Dublin and with the accent to prove
it, Kennedy has held senior leadership positions at British artist, it once adorned a British ship. Originally
art museums around the world, including posts in a female rider was attached to each side. It is flanked
Ireland, Australia, and the United States. Kennedy’s on the left by an early 19th-century Maori war canoe’s
last position was at the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo,
Ohio, where he was president, director, and CEO. bow ornament and on the right by an early 20th-century
Noting that his tie bore a pattern of kangaroos, he
harked back to his years down under, using the canoe prow from Papua New Guinea. Another element
continent’s indigenous marsupial as a symbol of
moving forward. “Australians like to say that the of the grouping is aural: the sound of the sea comes from
kangaroo is the only animal incapable of going
backwards. We mean to go forward with renewed hidden speakers. Schinto photo.
energy and a renewed focus. It’s a new chapter
for a new PEM. We are embracing our past, we’re
bringing it into our present, to make this new
future, and I think that’s what will set us apart as
an extraordinary museum.” Schinto photo.

Portrait of the Silk Merchant Eshing, Guan Zuolin,
a.k.a. Spoilum, (active 1765-1810), oil on canvas,
1805. East India Marine Society Collection, gift of
Thomas W. Ward. Schinto photo.

Captain James Cook, Michele Felice Corné In the background, that nearly life-size photographic
(1752-1845), oil on canvas, 1803. East India image presents a viewer with a trompe l’oeil effect. It
Marine Society Collection. Schinto photo. is showing some of the old East India Marine
Society’s collections on display. In the foreground,
an 1805 ship’s model of Salem vessel Ulysses, whose
history includes East India Marine Society member
Captain William Mugford’s successful creation of
a makeshift rudder from a spare topmast, spars,
and cannon after the original rudder was lost in a
gale. For the achievement he won a prize from the
American Philosophical Society. Schinto photo.

This octant, owned by Revolutionary War A view of the Maritime Art and History Gallery, prominently
privateer Joseph Peabody, was made in the
United Kingdom, circa 1778. The Maritime showing a model of the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, 1947-48. Gift
Art and History Gallery displays many
other navigational instruments, including of the Cunard Line Ltd. in 1970. © Peabody Essex Museum.
compasses, astrolabes, sextants, quadrants,
and an 1803 mechanical log watch, made Photography by Kathy Tarantola.
by British-born William Lovelace, of brass,
wood, and glass. The log watch was the
first navigational instrument to enter the
collection; it happened the same year it was
made. Schinto photo.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 143

FFEEAATTUURREE

View of the Fashion and Design Gallery. © Peabody Essex Mask, Heiltsuk (Bella Bella) artist, wood,
Museum. Photography by Bob Packert. pigment, circa 1845. Gift of Mr. Edward
A. Moseley. © Peabody Essex Museum.
Photography by Kathy Tarantola.

Ku (Kuka’ilimoku) in the new wing. He is
6½' tall and stands on a 5' tall contemporary
plinth, making him all the more formidable.
© Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by
Kathy Tarantola.

View of the Fashion and Design Gallery. Schinto photo.

Immanence by Yoan Capote (b. 1977) is a 2015
sculpture depicting the head of Fidel Castro.
It is welded together from thousands of rusted
door hinges that the artist acquired through
a laborious process of exchange with Cuban
residents. He traded new ones for old ones. The
piece is installed in the East India Marine Hall,
where the annual Peabody Essex Antiques Show
used to take place. With its hinges and with the
doors at its base, it is meant to have connotations
of entering and exiting, closing and opening of
borders and of minds. © Peabody Essex Museum.
Photography by Ken Sawyer.

Closeup of Ku. Schinto photo.

An artist’s depiction of a planter’s chair is displayed nearby the
actual example. Schinto photo.

Fashion and Design Jonathan Peele Saunders and Samuel Field McIntire sofa,
Gallery, showing mahogany, 1815-20. Gift of Mrs. Robert Johnston. It’s in the
from center Fashion and Design Gallery in a surprising tableau. © Peabody
clockwise, a Samuel Essex Museum. Photography by Dennis Helmar.
Field McIntire and
Jonathan Peele
Saunders sofa,
a planter’s chair, a
Zulu headrest,
a West Indian seat
in the form of an
alligator or crocodile,
and a contemporary
Chinese sculpture
chair in stainless
steel. Schinto photo.

144 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

FFEEAATTUURREE

Bird’s-eye view of
another part of the
new expansion, a
5000-square-foot
garden designed
by Nelson Byrd
Woltz Landscape
Architects.
© Peabody
Essex Museum.
Photography by
Bob Packert.

Imperial lion guardians
(foo dogs), Chinese artist,
1850. ©Peabody Essex
Museum.

This circa 1876 moon-gate bed, made of 53 individually crafted
parts, by an unknown artist in Ningbo, China, in satinwood,
other Asian woods, and ivory, was exhibited at the Philadelphia
Centennial Exhibition. Beyond the virtuosity of its design and
elaborate inlay, there is the fact that no nail or screw went into
its making, only wooden pegs and four butterfly-shaped wedges.
Schinto photo.

A wall of ceramics in
the Asian Export Art
Gallery with chairs
set up in front of it
for contemplating.
Schinto photo.

Catalog cover of Shipwrecked Armoire with Barnacles was made by sculptor Valerie
Hans Hofmann: The Hegarty (b. 1967) of foam core, paper, glue, acrylic paint, sand, and
Nature of Abstraction fabric in 2012. Schinto photo.
by Lucinda Barnes,
with contributions by
Ellen G. Landau and
Michael Schreyach. The
book accompanies the
exhibition of the same
name, on view at PEM
through January 5.
Schinto photo.

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 145

Americana Week in New York City: A Preview

by Lita Solis-Cohen

It is calledAmericana Week in New York Gould family Queen Molded sheet-copper auction in Fairfield, Maine, in February
City in January, although it is usually Anne carved walnut and zinc fire pumper and 1999 for $222,500. It will also be offered
a fortnight full of auction previews, high chest, Newport, double-horse weathervane, on January 25.
lectures, sales, and shows. This year, it’s 1750-70, estimated at Cushing & White, Waltham,
nearly a month. Auction previews begin $300,000/400,000. Massachusetts, circa 1870, estimated at A récamier sofa attributed to Samuel
on January 11 when Outsider art goes on Christie’s photo. $100,000/150,000. Sotheby’s photo. Field McIntire of Salem, Massachusetts,
view at Christie’s, and the “week” ends is one of the highlights in Sotheby’s
on February 2, when the Winter Show Newport furniture from the estate of Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks various-owners’ Americana sale on
closes. Ralph Carpenter (1909-2009) and his with an arched growling leopard next to Sunday, January 26. Silver highlights
wife, Bobbie, who died in May 2019, a recumbent passive one, painted circa include a silver porringer by Paul
The extended calendar is because will be sold at Christie’s on Friday, 1845, is estimated at $1.5/3.5 million. Revere Jr., Boston, circa 1780, with a
the Outsider Art Fair opens on January January 24. Nye & Co., Bloomfield, New It last sold at Sotheby’s in June 1980 for $20,000/30,000 estimate, and a silver-
16 and runs through January 19 at the Jersey, will sell more Americana property $297,000. Other folk art offered in the gilt and enamel bowl and cover designed
Metropolitan Pavilion, and Christie’s from the Carpenters the week before on afternoon includes cigar-store figures by Paulding Farnham at Tiffany & Co.,
Outsider art sale will be on January Wednesday, January 15, at 10 a.m. from the Duboff collection. The collection circa 1900. It has marks for the 1900
17. The Christie’s sale will include of Ralph and Bobbie Carpenter features a Paris Exposition Universelle and the
Adolf Wölfli’s Maggingen/Lembinger, Greenberg’s lecture will be followed tall-case clock with a brass dial signed by 1901 Buffalo Pan-American Exposition.
a double-sided colored pencil and by a cocktail reception for Americana on Samuel Claggett (est. $30,000/50,000). It is also estimated at $20,000/30,000.
graphite on paper completed in 1927 (est. view, with time out for the presentation A bonnet-top Newport high chest with an American books and manuscripts will
$20,000/30,000), along with works by of the Eric M. Wunsch Award for acorn finial, from another collection, has be sold at Sotheby’s on Monday, January
Henry Darger, William Edmondson, Bill Excellence in the American Arts, which a $300,000/400,000 estimate. 27.
Traylor, and other stars in the Outsider this year will be given to three women:
art firmament. furniture designer Mira Nakashima and On Saturday, January 25, at 10 a.m., Arader Galleries will hold a sale
antiques writers Laura Beach and Lita Sotheby’s will offer the collection of Dr. on January 25 at 1 p.m. with 250 lots
John Molloy Gallery and American Solis-Cohen. Arun K. and Barbara Singh, and after of Audubon prints, natural history
Primitive will be holding a special a short break an anonymous collection engravings, travel books, and rare maps
exhibition, Heads & Masks, at 49 E. 78 The Americana Week auctions resume of folk art will be sold to benefit the and atlases.
Street, Suite 2B, from January 7 through on Thursday, January 23, with the Mario Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Sotheby’s
February 7. Buatta two-day estate sale at Sotheby’s various-owners’ sale will be on Sunday, The first show to open during the second
at 10 a.m. At the same time, Christie’s January 26, at 10 a.m. week is the New York Antique Ceramics
To give those viewing Outsider art a will sell arts from the China trade, and Fair at the Bohemian National Hall,
chance to see Americana and China trade Doyle New York will offer the estate of The portraits of Junia Loretta 321 East 73rd Street, with just a dozen
porcelain that will cross the block the a “prominent folk art collector” in 400 Bartlett and Levi Stevens Bartlett of dealers. An invitation-only preview will
following week, Christie’s is opening its lots of American paintings, folk art, toys Kingston, New Hampshire, painted by be held on Wednesday, January 22, at
Americana exhibitions on Wednesday, of all types, samplers, rugs, and furniture John Brewster in 1821, are from the 4 p.m. The show is open to the public
January 15. assembled over many decades, which Singh collection and are estimated at Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to
will be available for inspection from $50,000/80,000 for the pair. The pair 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to
Sotheby’s is putting Americana and the Saturday, January 18, through Tuesday, was last offered at auction separately at 4 p.m. Admission is complimentary.
estate of designer and longtime Winter January 21. the sale of the collection of Bertram K. Three of the dozen dealers who will set
Antiques Show chair Mario Buatta, and Nina Fletcher Little at Sotheby’s up on the third floor at the Bohemian
“Prince of Chintz,” on view on January Sales continue at Sotheby’s on Friday, in January 1994, when each sold National Hall are new to the show,
16, with a panel discussion, “Mario January 24, with another day of Buatta’s for $85,000. A panoramic view of which debuted in its present format in
Buatta and the English Country House paintings, furniture, and decorations and Macao, attributed to Sunqua, circa January 2019. They are Samuel Herrup
Style in America,” to be held at 2 p.m., with Americana at Christie’s—silver at 10 1850, from the Singh collection has of Sheffield, Massachusetts, who deals
to introduce the 900-plus-lot, two-day a.m. and furniture and folk art at 2 p.m. a $30,000/50,000 estimate. A carved in American redware, stoneware, and
sale that will take place January 23 and cherrywood bonnet-top high chest English pottery; Mark Allen of Laconia,
24. The exhibition is expected to be on At Christie’s, a pair of silver made in Colchester, Connecticut, circa New Hampshire, a specialist in English
the scale of the legendary Bunny Mellon salt dishes by Paul Revere Jr. is 1775, also from the Singh collection, is and Dutch Delft; and collector Harwood
estate sale held in November 2014. The estimated at $40,000/60,000. A pair estimated at $150,000/300,000. It last “Woody” Johnson, whose new business
Buatta sale includes the contents of the of Gorham vases, first shown at the sold at Christie’s in June 1998 when specializing in Wedgwood is called
designer’s Upper East Side apartment Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, dealer Marguerite Riordan bought it for circa1775 (www.circa1775.com). They
and his historic Gothic-style house in carries a $15,000/20,000 estimate. A $387,500. will join dealers Garry Atkins, Martyn
Thompson, Connecticut. There is plenty silver, gold, and enamel vase by Louis Edgell, and Antoinette’s Heirlooms
of Chinese export porcelain, English Comfort Tiffany, shown at the Panama- A molded copper weathervane of from the U.K.; Antiques Leon-Paul Van
pottery, Dutch Delft, English enamels, Pacific International Exposition in San the Goddess of Liberty carrying a gilt Geenen, specialist in Dutch Delftware,
and French and English furniture, plus his Francisco in 1915, has an estimate of flag, attributed to William Henis in from the Netherlands; Etruria Gallery
well-known collection of dog paintings: $100,000/150,000. Philadelphia or Vincent W. Baldwin in from Australia, a specialist in English
something for every pocketbook. New York, from the anonymous private pottery; and American dealers Maria
On Friday afternoon, January 24, collection will come up at Sotheby’s in and Peter Warren Antiques, Alan Kaplan
Sotheby’s will host another daylong at Christie’s, Portrait of a Girl with the afternoon on January 25. It was last of Leo Kaplan Ltd., and Robert Walker
series of lectures on Americana on a Dog, 30" x 24", by Joshua Johnson sold at auction at Christie’s in January of Polka Dot, all specialists in English
Tuesday, January 21, followed by a (1765-1830) carries a $60,000/90,000 2006 when Boston dealer Stephen Score pottery, and Paul Vandekar of Earle
cocktail reception from 6 to 8 p.m. estimate. It was last sold at Christie’s outbid Stonington, Connecticut, dealer
to introduce two private collections in January 1994 along with a portrait Marguerite Riordan and paid $1,080,000
of Americana and a various-owners’ of the girl’s brother for $55,200 the for it. Score also bought a molded sheet-
Americana sale to be sold on Saturday pair. Her brother is the next lot and has copper and zinc fire pumper and double-
and Sunday. the same $60,000/90,000 estimate. A horse weathervane made by Cushing &
White, Waltham, Massachusetts, circa
On Wednesday, January 22, Christie’s 1870, for clients at James D. Julia’s
will host two lectures. Beginning at 3
p.m., David Wood, curator of the Concord
Historical Society, will talk about Paul
Revere. An exhibition organized by
the American Antiquarian Society,
on view at the New-York Historical
Society through January 12, will open
at the Concord Historical Society and
Worcester Art Museum on February 14.
The 200 objects reexamine Revere’s life
by exploring his accomplishments as a
silversmith, printmaker, and pioneering
copper manufacturer.

Erik Greenberg, director of museums at
the Newport Restoration Foundation, will
give a talk at 4 p.m., “Furniture Forward:
A New Approach to Interpreting Doris
Duke’s Newport Furniture Collection at
the Samuel Whitehorne House Museum.”

146 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, specialist in English pottery, Decorative Arts Trust Awards
Concord Museum Curatorial
porcelain, Chinese export ceramics, and tin-glazed earthenware. Internship Grant

Brad Reh and his wife, Vandy, sell estate jewelry and The Decorative Arts Trust This rendering shows the Concord Museum’s
has announced that the expansion, which the Decorative Arts Trust’s
manage antiques shows. They will host their fifth annual Art, Concord Museum, Concord, Curatorial Internship Grant will help support
Design and Antiques Show at Wallace Hall at the Church of Massachusetts, will be through intern resources.
St. Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Avenue, January 24-26. Hours its partner for its 2020-22
are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Curatorial Internship Grant. revolution of 1775. Phase two will focus on the
and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Three dealers are new to the transcendentalist period leading up to the Civil
show—Jeffrey Tillou of Litchfield, Connecticut; Greg Pepin of The Decorative Arts Trust War as well as four decorative arts galleries.
Denmark, the former manager of Georg Jensen; and Alberto is a nonprofit organization
Santos of London, a dealer in China trade porcelain. A free that underwrites curatorial The curatorial intern will serve as the assistant
shuttle bus will run between Wallace Hall and the Winter Show project manager for this undertaking and will be
at the Park Avenue Armory all three days. This is a diverse internships for recent master’s involved with all levels of the project, including
degree or Ph.D. graduates in selection of artifacts, facilitating conservation,
show with dealers in estate jewelry, furniture, paintings, books, collaboration with museums meeting with design partners, installation, writing,
editing, developing operational manuals for media
American Indian arts, silver, Oriental rugs, and a broad range and historical societies. Through elements, and analyzing the visitor experience.
of decorations. Tickets are $20. The intern selected will work under the direction
a matching grant program, and mentorship of the Concord Museum’s curator,
The Winter Show, the magnet around which all these David Wood.
ancillary events have grown, runs from its festive preview on these internships allow host
Thursday, January 23, 5 to 9 p.m., through Sunday, February organizations to hire a deserving professional who Interested scholars are encouraged to
2. “The Winter Show is the great American show,” said Helen will learn the responsibilities and duties common visit the Concord Museum’s website (www.
Allen, its executive director. “It is where Americans go to buy to the curatorial field while working alongside a concordmuseum.org) for updates or to sign up for
talented mentor. The trust’s internship program the e-mail list.
a mix of works from ancient times through the present day, seeks to provide mutually beneficial opportunities
that will nurture the next generation of museum
and it maintains the highest standards of quality.” Moreover, curators while providing essential staffing for the
for 66 years it has benefited East Side House Settlement, host.
serving the Bronx and northern Manhattan and focused on
education, technology, and keys to economic opportunity. All The Concord Museum brings Concord’s past to
life through a collection of historical, literary, and
general admission tickets and net proceeds from the opening decorative arts treasures. Highlights of the over
50,000 artifacts include Ralph Waldo Emerson’s
night party and other special events go to the East Side House study, Henry David Thoreau’s desk, Louisa May
Settlement. The show is open daily at noon; check the website Alcott’s teakettle, a Paul Revere lantern, a Paleo-
for hours. Tickets are $30 and include a 240-page catalog. Indian spearhead, the most complete collection of
Thursday, January 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. is Young Collectors Concord clocks anywhere, and more.

Night, an after-hours cocktail party aimed at new collectors and The museum is embarking on a two-and-a-half-
year effort to redesign its 14 permanent galleries.
art and design enthusiasts. Tickets are $300 and $1000. Friday, A newly renovated 6000-square-foot permanent
January 31, at 5:30 p.m. is Connoisseurs Night, an evening of exhibition, Concord: At the Center of Revolution,
booth talks, wine tastings, and conversations about collecting
and design. The loan exhibition is from the Hispanic Society is set to reimagine the museum experience.
Museum & Library. (For more information on the loan show,
see M.A.D., November 2019, p. 146.) The project will begin by focusing on three

One new dealer has been added to the list that was released galleries related to Concord’s role in the political
in the fall. He is James Graham-Stewart, a London dealer in
GUN COLLECTIONS WANTED
English and Continental furniture and works of art from the For over 20 years we have been bringing gun collections to auction.
We know guns. We know the market. It’s all we do.
17th century through the Arts and Crafts movement. The other
dealers new in 2020 are Pavel Zoubok Fine Art, New York City, • Generous Referral Fees Paid!
• Competitive All-inclusive Commission Rates!
specializing in contemporary and modern art with a focus on
Call Today & See What Before answering one of those “Highest Prices Paid”
collage, assemblage, and mixed media; Patrick and Ondine We Can Do for You! ads, give us a call and we will let you know what you
Mestdagh of Belgium, specialists in ethnographic objects from have and give you an estimate of its auction value. We
non-European countries; Koopman Rare Art, London, a leading 603.627.7383 have a staff of professionals that would be happy to
dealer in antique silver and gold boxes and objects of vertu; assist in the evaluation and estimation of your guns.
Carswell Rush Berlin, New York City, specialist in American Whether you have one gun or an entire
furniture 1800-40; Martyn Gregory of London, dealer in British collection we want to talk to you!
paintings, particularly watercolors and art of the China trade;
Taylor Thistlethwaite of Alexandria, Virginia, and Glasgow, When you consign with us, you gain a partner whose best interest
Kentucky, specialist in American furniture, paintings, and
decorative arts; and Wick Antiques, U.K., exhibiting antique is in looking out for your best interest!
English furniture and maritime objects. Schwarz Gallery will
return after a year’s absence, having recently moved back into Experienced, Knowledgeable, Trustworthy 2m5a0n6cc0oh3me.s6mt2ee7rr.c,7in3a8elw3sthfraaexme6tp0s, h3su.i6ri2te7e0.337103018114
its Chestnut Street premises in Philadelphia after a flood.
www.amoskeagauction.com
Missing this time after many years will be Galerie St. Etienne,
Olde Hope, Philip Colleck, and Michael Altman, who can be Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 147
found in their Manhattan galleries, and Stephen Score from
Boston. Olde Hope is hosting an exhibit, 20/20: Collecting with
Vision, that opens on January 10.

Lectures, book signings, and other events are listed on the
Winter Show website. The café on the show floor is catered by

Canard.

Since 2006 Master Drawings New York has coincided with
the Winter Show and with major old masters auctions held the
last week of January. About 25 dealers in old masters will be
exhibiting in galleries on the Upper East Side. The preview day
is Friday, January 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. Hours through February
1 are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, January 26, hours are
2 to 6 p.m.

For details and more information, see the websites.

American Primitive (www.americanprimitive.com)
Arader Galleries (www.aradergalleries.com)
Christie’s (www.christies.com)
Doyle New York (www.doyle.com)
John Molloy Gallery (www.johnmolloygallery.com)
Master Drawings New York (www.masterdrawingsnewyork.
com)
New York Antique Ceramics Fair (www.nyceramicsfair.com)
Nye & Co. (www.nyeandcompany.com)
Olde Hope (www.oldehope.com)
Outsider Art Fair (www.outsiderartfair.com)
Sotheby’s (www.sothebys.com)
Art, Design and Antiques Show at Wallace Hall
(www.rehshows.com)
The Winter Show (www.thewintershow.org)

2020

New Year’s Weekend

AUCTION

TWO DAY AMERICANA EVENT
January 3th and 4th at 11am
at the Gallery of
John McInnis Auctioneers
Located at
76 Main Street
in downtown historic
Amesbury, Mass

Formal and Country Furnishings, Pewter Collection, Silver, Textiles, Folk Art,
American Clocks, Civil War Letters, Baskets, Primitives, Over 100 pcs.
of Famille Rose Mandarin Porcelain, Armorial Export, Woodenware,
Paint Decorated Folk Art, Stoneware

Previews: New Year’s Day, January 1 and January 2, 12-5 pm

Preview open during all live auction events
Absentee & phone bidding accepted

For an on-line color catalog and terms visit:
mcinnisauctions.com
800-822-1417

MA Lic # 770

2020 Celebrating
40 years in Business

In the event of a severe winter storm,
we will update our website

with any date cancellations and reschedules.

148 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020

Maine Antique Digest, January 2020 149

SFHEOATWURE

Elverson Antique Show & Sale, Elverson, Pennsylvania

The Elverson Show Celebrates 50 Years

by Lita Solis-Cohen

Forty-one dealers set up in the Twin
Valley High School in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, on October 26
and 27, 2019, to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the Elverson Antique
Show & Sale. From its beginnings in
a firehouse in 1969, the Elverson show
became known for its home-cooked
turkey dinners that brought a loyal
group of buyers to the show. The turkey
dinner is no longer part of the show, but
the Twin Valley High School’s girls’
lacrosse team, the beneficiary of the
show, got good reviews for the lunches
they provided at very reasonable prices.

“This show is lot of fun.”

This show was given new life when John and Peggy Bartley of Old Farm Antiques, Fleetwood, Pennsylva-
Gene Bertolet from Oley and Wayne nia, asked $495 for this yellow and red quilt on a green calico ground.
Wilhide from Shippensburg took over The child’s Boston rocker was $295; the pig cookie cutter, $85; the
the management in 2016. Each show vintage Donkey Party game, $140; and the wire egg basket, $145.
has gotten better. Dealers came this time
from New England, New York state, Here is good design from the 19th century. This cast-
Maryland, Alabama, Ohio, and all parts iron broiler with a fylfot design in the center was
of Pennsylvania. A booth costs $275, $295 from Wayne Wilhide.
and there is a waiting list.
Gene Bertolet of Oley, Pennsylvania, always offers a variety of Daniel and Karen Olson of Newburgh, New York, asked
The 2019 show was dedicated to the baskets. The small basket on the stepstool in good condition was $1250 for this large 19th-century wooden tub, well designed
memory of the late William “Bill” Kurau, and with a rich patina. The large turned covered sugar bowl
a much-loved dealer in English ceramics $475, the half basket was $115, and the painted footstool was with a swing handle was $1750.
made for the American market who
shared his knowledge freely. Bill’s wife, $145.
Teresa, and his son David are carrying on
the business. They ran the Kurau stand at This four-gallon crock painted with a cobalt chicken
the show and brought along with them
Bill’s youngest grandson, David Kurau was $675 from Steve Sherhag of Early American
Jr., five months old. Antiques, Canfield, Ohio.

The dealers set up quickly on Friday
after school was out and early on Saturday
morning for the 11 a.m. opening. They
offered a large variety of baskets, small
painted chests and boxes, woodenware,
lanterns, painted tin and punched-tin
coffeepots, quilts, coverlets, holiday
decorations, yellowware, stoneware,
redware, spatterware, spongeware,
hooked rugs, lighting, kitchen gear,
and stone fruit, some of it oversized
and some miniature. Greg Kramer of
Robesonia, Pennsylvania, filled the
entire foyer with redware, stoneware,
metalware, carvings, and one of the
largest wallpapered wooden hatboxes.
It was lined with an 1841 Philadelphia
newspaper!

Many shoppers left with bags of
all sizes on Saturday. Sunday was
a bit slower, with a rainstorm in the
morning and sunshine in the afternoon,
but those who had been to auctions
on Saturday came and bought. A few
pieces of furniture sold, but most sales
were decorations at this tabletop show.
Collectors on a treasure hunt found
things they could not leave behind. “This
show is lot of fun,” said one shopper after
another. “It’s quality country antiques.”

Most of the dealers will be back in
March for the spring edition of the
Elverson show, to be held on March 28
and 29. For more information, visit the
website (www.elversonantiqueshow.
com).

Ralph Ridolfino of Hammondsport, New York, asked $2650 for this
Amish quilt with grape quilting and in good condition.

150 Maine Antique Digest, January 2020