Date: Fri 14-May-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: LIZAM

Quick Words:

Brunk-Easton

Full Text:

Diamond At Brunk Auction

(with 3 cuts)

By Rita Easton

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Robert S. Brunk Auction Services, Inc. held an April 10

auction featuring personal property from the estate of the late Thomas McLean

of Fayetteville, the McLean family known locally as realtors; property of Mary

B. Tuttle of Morganton; paintings deaccessioned by the Mint Museum of Art in

Charlotte; and other consignments. Seven hundred thirty eight lots crossed the

block, resulting in a gross of $571,000.

Two jewelry lots tied at $21,000 for the starring high bid of the day, a 3.38

carat emerald cut diamond ring, F color, flanked by a baguette on each side,

set in platinum, and a second ring having eight diamonds, also F color, set in

platinum. Prices quoted do not reflect the ten percent buyer's premium

charged.

Speaking of the emerald cut diamond, Zack Allen of the gallery noted, "You

very rarely see stones of that size in that quality."

A George III silver pedestal center bowl by Paul Storr, dated 1812, 15« inches

high by 19 inches wide, reached $3,800; and a set of three George III

graduated trays, ranging from 17¬ by 20¬ inches down to 11‹ by 5¬ inches,

marked "London, 1812," fetched $10,000.

An oil on board by Joseph Coomans (Belgian, 1816-1889), painted in 1874, an

interior scene with classical figures, signed on the lower left, achieved

$14,000; an abstract by Georges Noel (French, b 1924) dated 1962, garnered

$4,200; and an oil on canvas by William Aiken Walker (American, 1838-1921),

depicting a beach scene with palmettos by the Charleston, South Carolina,

artist, reached $7,200.

An oval Herend lidded tureen sold at $1,300; a red flashing neon surrounded

clock by the Electric Neon Clock Company in Cleveland, Ohio, in good working

order, 27 inches round, the wall piece advertising Whitman's Chocolate, was

purchased at $1,100; and a group of 12 Navajo rugs ranged from $1,500 to $225.

An elaborate Cornelius girandole set, bronze dore with a center figural

Indian, with long crystal prisms, the center piece with three candle holders,

the flanking side pieces having single candles, fetched $900; a six-inch

Lalique elephant with paper label brought $475; a fine French giltwood and

upholstered bench with spiral turned legs made $1,900; an 1833 print after

Audubon, a blue headed pigeon, brought $1,000; a tea service comprising five

pieces, a Reed and Barton sterling silver set in the "Hampton Court" pattern,

was purchased at $4,100; and an English epergne, silverplate and cut crystal,

with an 11¬-inch diameter center bowl, supported by ring and acanthus leaves

mounts over a pedestal with paw feet, garnered $3,300.