Date: Fri 22-May-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Encouragement

Full Text:

A Little Encouragement

EWM

By Rita Easton

EDISON, N.J. -- Following previews held on April 1 and 2, an estates auction

was conducted by American Antiques of New Brunswick, N.J., at the Elks Club in

Edison.

Auctioneer Jim Calabrese presided over the event. When a ship model of the

Fannie Whitmore sold at $2,875, and a 20-inch-long whale boat model by the

same maker brought $1,100, both lots going to the same buyer, related items

documenting these models were offered.

Initially, the buyer of the models did not participate in the bidding.

Calabrese paused to tap his head with the microphone as if to say, "Think! Are

you still caught up in the excitement of the purchases?" When the importance

of the provenance finally registered, the model buyer was fortunate that the

provenance buyer was kind enough to sell it to him for the hammer price: $55.

In other categories, a 9 by 12 foot Sarouk rug fetched $3,850; a four by seven

foot Sarouk sold at $675; and a second Sarouk with the same measurements

fetched $1,100. The family who had consigned these rugs was previously offered

$1,000 total for the three by another dealer.

A small bronze figure achieved $1,500; a pair of cast-iron garden urns reached

$725; and a marble garden statue brought $1,000. Silver held its own, with a

gilt Tiffany sterling silver trumpet vase bringing $750 and an Austrian two

handled silver centerpiece hammering down at $1,450.

Chantilly flatware for eight was purchased at $750; a Gorham three-piece

sterling coffee set reached $650; and a handful of Gorham fruit bowls sold at

approximately $500 each.

In the furniture category, a refractory dining room set reached $1,275; a

marquetry vanity and bench were purchased at $1,650; a Victorian marbletop

credenza went out at $1,450; a campaign mahogany style display case made $975;

a Georgian style breakfront sold at $1,775; a silverplate tea cart achieved

$825; a Louis XVI style marbletop commode rang up $1,450; and a round

upholstered Victorian three-seater sold privately at $1,800, outbidding the

dealers.

Rescued from the trash, a large oil on canvas of a harbor scene sold at $550;

a painting of a Swiss scene, thought by the auction to lack buying interest,

went for $750; and an oil on canvas signed Arthur Parton was bid to $3,025.

Glass and pottery generated interest, with a Czech Art Deco box going at $225;

a large cut glass vase bringing $500; Roseville and Weller vases and bowls

ranging from $200 to $500 each; a Fulper vase garnering $400; a Royal

Worcester figure reaching $825; a Royal Worcester vase fetching $1,000; and a

Royal Worcester bowl making $500. A Lladro group sold for $375, a Royal Dux

group went at $275, and an Amphora group achieved $330.

Prices quoted reflect a required 10 percent premium.