Date: Fri 25-Jun-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: LIZAM

Quick Words:

Cyr-baronial-Easton-Jackman

Full Text:

Baronial Furnishings Auctioned At Cyr

(with 3 cuts)

By Rita Easton

With Bob Jackman

GRAY, ME. -- Six hundred lots from the Cheateau of Baron de Kirtsmont-Socec of

Romania were the subject of an important estate sale conducted by Cyr auction

Company on May 5.

It was estimated by Pam Labonte of the gallery that the Baron had lived in

Maine for 30 years. The consignment was placed by his heirs, Edna and Edmond

Socek, of Augusta. An enthusiastic audience drove the gross to $350,000.

Bringing not only the highest bid of the sale, but one of the highest single

bids ever realized at the auction house, a six by three foot Bokhara rug

reached a staggering $87,500.

The primarily red lot featured 40 familiar Bokhara oval motifs in a geometric

pattern, within a narrow ivory border with a repetition of a Yomud gull woven

into the additional skirt beyond the borders. The rug, which was without

fringe, was thought to be a circa turn of the century copy of a much older

pattern.

The consignors were unaware of its value. Cyr believed a European buyer

purchased the rug through a representative. The underbidder was a benefactor

for a "young San Francisco museum."

Two oils on canvas by William S. Haseltine, well matched in size,

approximately 46 by 30 inches, each depicting a European landscape, sold to

the same buyer at $24,000 and $31,000; an early Bentley and Wedgwood wall

plaque, oval in shape, measuring five by eight inches, depicting a dancing

woman with tambourine, realized $5,000; and a mahogany dining table seating

eight sold at $1,750.

A pair of micro-mosaic earrings, very small, with an insect motif within a

circular decoration, brought $2,500; a diamond and pearl bar pin with platinum

setting, having seven pearls, fetched $2,250; a gold mesh necklace with scarab

pendant was purchased at $1,400; a Greek gold coin pin with a scarab pendant

garnered $2,000; and a Socec pin bearing the Socec family crest, in the form

of a bird with hanging pearls, realized $1,350.

A selection of French Empire furniture ranged from $2,400 to $2,750. The top

figure went to a three drawer mahogany French Empire chest.

Textile lots of several pieces each averaged $1,100 and $1,200; a Federal

sewing table reached $1,000; a pair of open arm chairs with striped seat and

back upholstery sold at $1,100; and a pair of saber leg chairs with wide back

splats were purchased at $3,200.

A set of eight sterling silver stems reached $300; and an open shaped sterling

silver basket with a fixed handle, having dimensions of 14 by seven inches,

sold at $700.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required ten percent buyers premium.