Date: Fri 25-Jun-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Stickley-Craftsman

Full Text:

Stickley Lanterns At Craftsman

(with 5 cuts)

PITTSFIELD, MASS. -- Nearly 1,000 lots were offered at Craftsman's renovated

Fontaine Gallery on May 15 and 16. Opening the event was a five inch bit of

bronze and silver overlay, an example of Heintz metal art.

Expected to fetch about $400, it rang in at $990. A few minutes later --

possibly setting a world record for this same maker -- a rare Mushroom table

lamp orbited at $14,300.

An example of Gustav Stickley hammered copper, a large copper fireplace hood,

original save for a replaced band of rivets at the top, estimated to sell for

$6/8,000, reached $24,550.

Overall, the event generated nearly $1.6 million with more than 96 percent of

the offerings sold.

Adding considerable competition to the event were more than 500 phone bids

called in from some 15 states. Several lots found all five phone lines

competing simultaneously with each other and the attending audience.

Among the furniture sold both days, the vast majority of the more than 250

Stickley offerings performed well. A Gustav Stickley #700 single door

bookcase, designed by Harvey Ellis, went out at $29,150, nearly $10,000 over

its high estimate, while a dressing table #632, by the same maker, nearly

tripled its presale estimate to $22,000.

Other Gustav Stickley notables were a spindle Morris chair that realized

$15,950 and a drop-arm Morris chair which did $13,750. Exceeding estimate was

an early drop front desk at $11,000, and a hexagonal table #624, which reached

$13,750. A two-drawer, two-door server went out at $18,250.

A Stickley/Harvey Ellis designed server #808 sold for $9,900, and a

single-door mitered mullion bookcase reached $11,000. An L&JG Stickley drink

stand, angular and rare form, realized $4,345, nearly doubling its presale

estimate.

One of the more decorative Stickley pieces on hand was a three-panel screen,

with burlap panels stenciled with a classic Arts and Crafts motif, which

exceeded its high estimate, going out at $3,575.

Limbert continued to show strength. A rare triple-door china cabinet,

classically Mission in effect, went out at $12,100; a console table made

$8,800, despite a questionable finish; and a small octagonal "Cut Out" stand

#251 reached $2,750.

Roycroft examples included a china buffet, with full carved Roycroft signature

and leaded glass door inserts, which made $16,500. A round dining room table

with two original leaves climbed to $5,775, despite some color loss and a

truly nasty scrape on its top.

A four lot assemblage of Gustav Stickley hanging lanterns and a four-light

chandelier was purchased by the same collector for $38,775. A Handel table

lamp, with metal overlay on brown Mozerine glass shade, made $12,100.

Of the Dirk Van Erp copper/mica lamps on hand, two performed within estimate

while a third rose above, going out at $16,500. An Old Mission Copper Craft

model along the same lines did well at $6,050.

Among the metalware sold, examples from all major makers soared over

estimates.

A Jarvie Omicron (three-branch candelabra) went out at $12,100; a Roycroft

American Beauty vase made $3,245 despite some wear, and a ten inch hammered

copper vase from the same maker excelled at $3,685.

Among the Dirk Van Erp vase/jardiniere forms on hand, a six by six inch

example made $3,190, while a 12 by 15 inch jardiniere performed as expected at

$6,325.

A handled Heintz candlestick sold for $715; a singleton five inch candlestick

from the same maker reached $770; and a 13 inch Silvercrest vase ascended to

$1,375.

Art pottery performed unevenly, with many examples meeting or exceeding

estimates while a few others fell short.

Of the two dozen artist-signed Rookwood pieces, a monumental two-handled

standard glaze vase, showing fish and relief netting went out at $17,600,

while an eight-tile frieze depicting a classical scene of a woman with oil

lamp made $11,000.

Among Teco pottery, a 17 inch matte green handled form made $7,975 despite a

repaired drill hole. Newcomb College, too, performed largely as expected. A

three and a half inch matte floral vase by Henrietta Bailey made $1,705, while

a ten by seven inch matte scenic sold for $2,475, with an inside-rim chip and

spider in its base.

Hampshire pottery included an eight inch matte green example which soared to

$1,430, while a small bowl expected to realize $250 went out at $440.

Saturday's sale served entry and middle level collectors well with some 500

lots. Prices realized here were also often stronger than expected, but

numerous good buys were to be found.

The next major Craftsman sale is slated for September, and consignments are

being accepted. The gallery also buys objects outright for these sales.

For information, 413/448-8922.