Date: Fri 20-Aug-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Craftsman-Fontaine-auction

Full Text:

Craftsman Will Hold Its Arts And Crafts Sale September 18-19

(with 4 cuts)

PITTSFIELD, MASS. -- The Craftsman's upcoming Arts & Crafts "weekend" will be

held September 18 and 19 at the freshly-renovated John Fontaine Gallery.

The last two such sales realized nearly three million dollars between them.

The event will serve up more than 800 lots appealing to all collecting

interests.

Saturday's focus will be on generally more affordable wares, aimed at

encouraging entry and middle-level collectors, though a handful of mega lots

will be sprinkled throughout to add spice. The main event, so to speak, will

be Sunday, given the importance of many of the lots on hand.

While people expected a rare Gustav Stickley trapezoidal china cabinet to do

well at the Gallery's January sale (presale estimate $30/50,000), they were

stunned to see it realize $187,000.

A rare Harvey Ellis designed Gustav Stickley bookcase with cupboard base

estimated at $10/15,000 may well go higher. Another piece to watch will be an

L & JG Stickley double door cellarette. A very popular form, this example's

presale estimate is $8/10,000.

Several important examples of Limbert will also be up for bids, including a

beautifully tapered bookcase with outside shelves (est $15/20,000) and a

particularly handsome octagon cutout table (est $10/12,000).

American and European art pottery will be represented by most major makers,

through prominent examples of Rookwood, Newcomb College, Grueby, SEG, Dedham,

Weller, Fulper, Van Briggle and Roseville among others.

Worth watching here will be the performance of a monumental 19 inch two color

Grueby vase with leaves and buds. Despite a few problems, the vase may well

exceed its $10/15,000 estimate.

Most outstanding in this array is an important 26 inch Dirk Van Erp hammered

copper and mica table lamp. Showing a highly desirable "milk can" base, this

example is expected to exceed $75,000. Similarly scarce, a large Frank Lloyd

Wright "Weed Vase" may well reach as much as $25,000.

Notably, the sale will also offer a major selection of period linens, most

lavishly decorated in the Arts & Crafts manner and embracing of virtually all

end uses. In addition to these groups, the two day event will be enlivened by

an intriguing array of ephemera and "oddball" forms.

Previews for the event will be held at the John Fontaine Gallery, 1485 W.

Housatonic Street. Previews will be Thursday and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm,

Saturday 8 am until sale commences at noon and Sunday 8 to 11 am. Telephone

800/448-7828.