Date: Fri 11-Dec-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DAVIDS

Quick Words:

Nadeau

Full Text:

Nadeau Post Sale

(with cuts)

WINDSOR, CONN. -- Several items from what could arguably called one of the

most important families in American history were among the lots sold recently

at Nadeau's Auction Gallery. And although the top lot didn't quite become the

bid heard around the world, it was a bid that was heard throughout much of the

antiques world. A group of lots consigned from descendants of Concord's

Revolutionary War period Buttrick/Barrett family, who fired the shot heard

around the world, led the two day auction on November 7 and 8.

The auction was the first sale conducted at Nadeau's new gallery, located in a

renovated building adjacent to their old site, and it came off in grand style.

Auctioneer Ed Nadeau and family welcomed customers to their new and spacious

gallery with a wine and cheese preview the night prior to the sale, an event

which was well attended. While the hors d'oeuvres proved to be a tasty

attractant, the real reason large crowds made their way to the gallery was for

the appealing assortment of antiques which ranged from early American to

Victorian.

While items from the historically important Revolutionary War period Buttrick

family certainly attracted their fair share of attention, a large number of

highly desirable lots had been consigned from a Windsor mansion which had

belonged to a "man of distinction," Clark Huntington. The Huntington family

had built the house on the town green in 1901, and Clark Huntington, who had

lived out his 93 years in the home, had furnished it lovingly by filling it

with select Victoriana and porcelains. Seemingly the Huntington estate

provided the bulk of the good materials to the auction, although the Buttrick

family items proved to be the cream.

Leading the auction was a rare silk needlework and watercolor picture executed

by Miriam Buttrick in 1812 depicting the classical figure Charity with

children in a landscape. The piece retained the original frame and glass,

which was reverse painted with gilt lettering and a faux black matte. The

bottom of the glass was inscribed "Wrought by Mariam Buttrick, Concord, 1812."

Of interest, although probably a detractant to poor Miriam when the needlework

was framed, was the erroneous spelling of Miriam's name in the reverse paint

glass by the framer.

Although typical of silk needlework in style, the piece was exceptionally well

executed with a line of tufted poplar trees and a homestead in the background.

As the lot was about to cross the auction block, Nadeau offered some brief

history regarding the family's importance in American history relating that on

April 19, 1775, Col. James Buttrick fired the "shot heard around the world" at

the British infantry from Concord's North Bridge, thus commencing the

Revolutionary War. The auctioneer then asked for an opening bid of $5,000,

which he promptly received from the rear of the gallery. Several in attendance

got in on the action as the piece advanced rapidly in $500 increments to the

$10,000 mark. From that point, competition narrowed as advances moved in

$1,000 jumps between David Wood, a representative for the Concord Museum, and

Connecticut dealers Steven and Carol Huber. After a competitive battle, the

piece was finally hammered down to the Hubers for $30,800, including premium.

After the sale the Hubers were approached by Wood and were subsequently

informed that the museum had been bidding against them.

"The museum was disappointed that they were not able to get it," said Steven

Huber after the auction, "and we were disappointed too." He further commented

that while the "historical importance was certainly a factor" in their

decision to purchase the lot, "it was not the main thrust. It was the quality

of the piece and the execution of the work," said Huber. Although the Huber's

had purchased the piece for stock, they responded by selling it to the museum

at a "short mark up."

According to Wood, the provenance on the piece was interesting, although he

said it was "not a determining factor in their decision to purchase the

needlework. The museum's reasoning behind the purchase was the quality of the

work, he said, calling the piece a "first-rate academic needlework picture. It

will be added to a select grouping of early closely related needlework

pictures by Concord girls." Their collection, which includes eight pieces from

Concord with the addition of this important needlework, "illustrates life in

Concord in 1812," according to Wood. "Although," he said, "the historical

value is no small point, and in all probability it also has a lot to do with

why this needlework survived in such superb condition. It was treasured by the

family because of its connections with the first battle of the Revolutionary

War."

Another of the top lots from the auction had also been consigned from the same

family, a Federal inlaid mahogany lolling chair which carried a pre-sale

estimate of $2,500/4,000. The chair was also actively bid with it selling for

$8,800. Two other items from the same family included a Colt Civil War pistol

and a sword which had belonged to descendant Major Dunton. The two Civil War

items sold well beyond estimates with the pistol bringing $4,400, and the

sword $2,145.

Early furniture in the sale included a Chippendale inlaid cherry slant-front

desk with ogee bracket base which sold at $7,975, an inlaid walnut sideboard

with taper legs $6,325, and a Chippendale birch and cherry tall chest at

$6,160.

A George III mahogany secretary bookcase with upper glazed doors did well

selling at $6,050, a set of eight George III mahogany chairs, circa 1775,

$5,060, and a carved mahogany breakfront with Chinese fretwork crest went out

reasonably at $4,950.

Numerous pieces of faux bamboo furniture attracted a great deal of interest

with a maple and bird's-eye maple desk selling at $7,810, a vanity with mirror

brought $4,400, and a small writing table went out at $2,975. An unusual lot

of four faux bamboo arm chairs and a settee in cherry, attributed to

Hunzinger, also did well selling at $3,850, and $2,310 respectively.

Several clocks were offered with a Tiffany carved mahogany tall case clock

with pierced hood, twisted columns and prism glass selling for $15,400, an

early cherry tall case clock with broken arch top $4,400, and an Eli Terry

pillar and scroll clock went out at $1,210.

Accessories included a Tiffany three-light lily table lamp selling at $4,675,

a Tiffany gilt bronze table lamp with iridescent gold shade $3,410, and a pair

of cranberry glass vases with polychrome maidens on overlay glass bringing

$2,420. Two reverse painted lamps were offered with a Handel model #6957

scenic reverse painted lamp being hammered down at $4,070, while a Pairpoint

lamp with wooded landscape shade realized $2,970.

Art included a framed oil on canvas depicting an interior scene of a woman

spinning wool signed Henry Moser. The piece, estimated at $5/8,000, was the

subject of active bidding with it selling at $17,600. Also offered was a small

William Trost Richards watercolor that was bid to $6,875, and an Italian

interior scene which sold for $6,050. Several lithographs were sold with the

top lot being a Currier and Ives large folio hand-colored image entitled "The

National Game of Baseball." Condition on the piece was only fair with a great

deal of staining, yet it still commanded $6,050.

A group of 20 colonial copper coins sold at more than ten times the pre-sale

estimates as they realized $4,950, a roll of 1879 Morgan silver dollars

brought $2,200, and a roll of 1877 silver dollars sold at $1,870.

Numerous pieces of estate jewelry were also offered in the sale with the top

lot being a platinum and diamond ladies ring selling at $17,050. Also offered

was an iridium platinum link bracelet with diamonds selling at $7,700; a

sapphire and diamond ring realized $8,250.

Prices include the ten percent buyer's premium. Nadeau's will be hosting

weekly Saturday evening sales, except around the holidays, and their next

major auction is scheduled for New Years Day. Consignments for that sale are

still being accepted. For further information contact Ed Nadeau, 25 Meadow

Rd., Windsor, Conn. 06095, (860) 246-2444.

--DAVID S. SMITH