Date: Fri 16-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

CompassRose

Full Text:

Rare Patek Phillipe A Timely Purchase At Compass Rose

By Rita Easton

NEW BEDFORD, MASS. -- An unreserved auction of antiques and decorative arts

was held on February 26 by Compass Rose Auctions, following two preview

sessions. Three hundred twenty lots crossed the block, with several estates

represented, competed for by 215 holding bidding numbers.

Causing the greatest bidding rivalry, a Patek Phillipe 18-karat gold watch,

having a 14 karat fob, reached the highest price of the day, $6,000, purchased

by a private local buyer who won over outside competition from New York. The

pocket watch had the rare feature of a minute repeater, a lever on the side

which, when pulled, chimed the time.

"It's rare that a pocket watch has a mechanism that allows you to hear as well

as see the time," noted Duncan Grey of the gallery. "In the middle of the

night, if you wanted to know what time it is, you can pull a little lever, and

with a series of chimes, knowing how to interpret the series, you'd know

exactly to the minute what time it is. Other mechanisms are five minute

repeaters, which is a little bit easier mechanism to make. Others are to the

hour."

An ornately inlaid, William and Mary drop front desk, having ten drawers and a

center door cubby, realized $3,500, going to the trade. The lot was married to

the base, an excellent match. An unsigned Pairpoint lamp, in good condition,

reached $2,500; and a Victorian vanity with three oval mirrors, two being

movable arms for side views, crafted in walnut, went out at $450.

Painter Alfred Parsons (British, 1857-1920) was represented by a pair of

watercolors: "Plum Blossoms," an atypical Oriental scene, which reached

$2,500, and an untitled, typical Parsons rendering of a cottage in the

countryside, which brought $1,100. An oil on canvas by Harry Neyland

(American, 1877-1958), a New Bedford, Mass. artist, a scene of the landing in

Padanaram, Mass., painted in 1922, realized $4,100, selling locally to a

Dartmouth buyer.

"I'm told that no one has seen a similar price for [a Neyland]," said Grey,

"so I don't want to claim that it's a record by any means, because I haven't

confirmed that."

An oil by Francis D. Millet (American, 1846-1912), an artist who died in the

Titanic disaster, was represented by a small oil on board, initialed by the

artist, depicting in black and white a scene of soldiers at the turn of the

century. It made $3,700.

"You hear these days about the Titanic memorabilia, and I wondered if that

would increase his sale price," Grey said, "and it probably did. I think his

pieces are now bringing more because of that."

Fifty lots of doll and doll-related items included a six-inch high German type

doll, unmarked, but possibly Simon & Halbig, with swivel head and jointed

legs, which achieved $3,600; and a seven inch high French type bisque doll,

with a five piece body which reached $2,000.

Glass was highlighted by a pair of mantel lusters, cobalt cut to clear,

garnering $800 for the 11 inch high lot; and an apple green compote with

Dewdrop etched design, approximately 12 inches in diameter, which sold at

$350.

Prices quoted do not reflect a ten percent buyers premium.