Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

York

Full Text:

York Oil At Carlsen

w/3cuts

By Rita Easton

FREEHOLD, N.Y. -- Russ Carlsen's Autumn Harvest auction on September 26 hosted

an audience of approximately 160 buyers in the gallery, in addition to 60 on

the phone and absentees.

"It was a crowd on the light side here in the gallery," Carlsen said, "and I

attribute that to the heavy phone action, and also because we had a lot of

competition. It was a busy day. I couldn't have picked a busier day to go on."

Between 500 and 600 lots were sold, realizing gross revenues of over $300,000.

A large number of pieces of Marjorelle and Deco furniture were consigned by a

New York figure in the film industry who preferred to remain anonymous.

Leading with the highest bid of the day, an oil on canvas by W.G. York, "Sandy

Hook," a 24 by 34 inch rendering of sailboats at sea on a windy day, fetched

$34,000.

The painting had been estimated at $10/15,000, "...and when it popped out at

34 [$34,000] we thought it might be a record for that artist. We don't think

he's sold for that at auction," Carlsen said. The lot was purchased by a

private buyer.

A signed group of Marjorelle, a desk, chair, and bibliotheque, realized

$8,750; and a Marjorelle wall cabinet sold at $8,000. An ebonized Continental

commode with bone inlay, having four drawers, was purchased at $8,750.

"Continental goods continue to sell very well at my gallery. I can't explain

it, but they do," Carlsen mused. "It seems we have a following for it."

An inlaid New York card table made $3,400; a Pennsylvania tall chest achieved

$4,200; and a Mid-Atlantic linen press, circa 1790, in mahogany with satinwood

and fruitwood inlay, surmounted by an unusual broken arch pediment but missing

the center finial, was hammered down at $5,750.

A 9 by 12 foot Peking Chinese rug with blue field brought a surprising $6,400,

"...and at other times I've really had to struggle to get a couple of thousand

for a rug like that," Carlsen said.

"Russet Fields," an oil on canvas by Bruce Crane, garnered $6,500; and a

Paillard music box with bells brought $2,300.

An 1830s watercolor of a flute player with music stand, small and charming at

12 by 9 inches, was the day's bargain at $550.

"I think the crowd couldn't get past the idea that it looked English although

it came out of a New York State home," Carlsen remarked, saying that he was

convinced that it was American.

A massive Moorcroft pottery jar standing 15 inches high, an early example

signed "Wm. Moorcroft," with pomegranite design, sold at $3,450; a tiger maple

recamier was purchased at $2,500; a three-part banquet table in mahogany

fetched $6,000; a six-piece Kirk tea and coffee service realized $4,000; and a

bronze mounted centerpiece bowl went out at $3,600.

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