Date: Fri 26-Jun-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Moisan

Full Text:

Vase Brings $10,000 At Moisan

w/3 cuts

By Rita Easton

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Devin Moisan Auctioneers, of Newmarket, N.H., conducted a

May 26 antiques sale at the Frank Jones Center in Portsmouth. A crowd of more

than 240 was in attendance, with 170 registered bidders. Four hundred three

lots crossed the block, consigned from homes in Newburyport, Mass.; Elliot,

Me.; and Hampton, Newmarket and Somersworth, N.H.

The coveted prize of the day was a pleasant surprise to the consignors. A rare

Teco Arts and Crafts vase that had served as a doorstop for years brought an

undreamed of $10,000.

"They had absolutely no concept of what it was worth," Moisan remarked of the

consignors. The green lot stood 17.5 inches high, and was thought to have been

made in 1902 or 03. Two small chips on the rim and a three inch hairline crack

didn't deter a North Carolina absentee participant, an Illinois bidder on the

phone, or a Boston collector from spirited competition. The Boston contender

won the lot.

A child's Triumph sewing machine, boxed, as advertised and pictured in a 1902

Montgomery Ward catalogue, fetched $2,400. The ten inch high mint condition

item was in working order, complete with instruction manual; the stitching was

performed by cranking a wheel while the fabric was fed through a hardwood

hoop.

"It looked as if it had been recently purchased, it was in such perfect

condition," said Moisan.

A sea captain's brass bound campaign chest of camphor wood, early Nineteenth

Century, in original condition, with fitted interior, went to a dealer at

$1,800; an eight inch high Sheier vase, incised with "Fish People," reached

$750; a 24 inch diameter tole tray with floral border, having a plain field

red center, garnered $500; a 21.5 inch high Heisey candelabrum with

multi-faceted hanging crystals brought $200; and an 11.5 inch Rose Medallion

vase fitted as a lamp reached the depressed price of only $200 due to having

been drilled.

A horn chair and ottoman, sold as one lot, achieved $750; a bearskin rug with

head, complete with bared teeth and a menacing expression brought $400; an oak

revolving bookcase sold at $400; a refinished oak china cabinet, having a

china top with double glass doors over a drawer over double cupboard doors,

was purchased at $850; and a hall seat in oak, with high mirrored back,

garnered $600.

A Chippendale wingback chair, sold as centennial, recently reupholstered in a

flame pattern, reached $650; butter churns ranged from $90 to $175, depending

on condition; a Nineteenth Century rocking horse in good condition, with

original paint, the saddle being somewhat worn, fetched $550; a tin whirligig

in the form of two men sawing wood brought $400; and a marble top turtletop

table went out at $750.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required ten percent buyer's premium.