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Lot Commentary for July 16, 2009



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Freeman's

 Lot 44 Image

Lot 44: Garnet bead necklace and bracelet, , Four strand garnet necklace each ...
The rich color combination of garnet, pearls and twenty-four petite gold beads distinguish this necklace that comes with a matching garnet bracelet. In my opinion, this is a handsome set that would please any owner.

Catalog: Jewelry
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Lot 104: Amethyst gold fill brooch, , Floral hammered yellow gold brooch set wi...
I like the sculptural quality of this amethyst gold fill brooch. A single round cut amethyst is centered in the composition.

Catalog: Jewelry
 Lot 170 Image

Lot 170: 18 karat yellow and white gold aquamarine and leather necklace, contem...
Unusual and spare, this 18 Karat yellow and white gold, aquamarine and leather necklace of contemporary design places emphasis on the uncut aquamarine pendant.

Catalog: Jewelry


Potomack Company

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Lot 128: SRI LANKAN COLONIAL SATINWOOD AND EBONY CABINET
What an intriguing work this is -- a Sri Lankan colonial satinwood and ebony cabinet made in the late 19th or early 20th century. This is an impressive work and unusual in many respects as are several other Sri Lankan furniture offerings in this auction. See, for example the caned teak settee of Lot 120 and the armoire of Lot 119.

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Lot 245: LARGE STORM PATTERN NAVAJO RUG BY DAH-BAH NELSON
Spectacular! Here is a large storm pattern Navajo rug by Dah-Bah Nelson that comes with a certificate of authenticity.

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Lot 247: NAVAJO RUG WOVEN BY ATSUMA BLACKHORSE
If you miss acquiring the Storm Pattern rug of Lot 245, here is another opportunity to purchase a highly original pictorial Navajo rug woven by Atsuma Blackhorse -- it is a gem!

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Lot 400: MICHAEL CURTIS (AMERICAN) GEORGE WASHINGTON MEDAL Patinated plaster: 1...
Looks to me like a splendid portrait of George Washington-- a patinated plaster model made for the Presidential medal commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery from American Michael Curtis. This plaster is 12" in diameter. The medal would have been reduced from this full scale model.


Wickliff & Associates Auctioneers, Inc.

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Lot 8: Stunning Natural Yellow Diamond Platinum Ring
A natural yellow diamond of 2.56 ct is set into this platinum & gold ring flanked on each side with half-moon cut white diamonds. Very impressive!

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Lot 39: Five Strand Pearl Choker with Large Black Opal
I like the elegant simplicity of this five strand pearl choker with a large black opal in its center. Diamonds and rubies flank the opal. This is a rich and beautiful design.

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Lot 287: French 19th Century Credenza
This French credenza from the 19th century has curved glass doors on both sides that allow for the display of collections. The whole piece is heavily inlaid with walnut and walnut burl. Some tender loving care is required for the ormolu and conservation to the bubbling of the veneer on the top.


Braswell Galleries

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Lot 21: LADIES 18K WHITE GOLD , DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE RING
In this ring the central round European cut diamond of about 2.10 ct. is surrounded by 28 round full cut diamonds and 22 tapered baguette cut sapphires -- a eye-catching ring to behold!

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Lot 350: AN ARTS AND CRAFTS HANGING SLAG GLASS FIXTURE
Perfect for the interior of an Arts and Crafts bungalow home -- this 16" square hanging fixture is made up of marbled slag glass.


Vectis Auctions Ltd

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Lot 2103: Britains - Set 1512 - Army Ambulance
There are several attractive British army ambulances in this auction. This one is a 1956 version -- read the entry for particulars. Compare with ambulances of Lots 2102, 2005 and 2269.

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Lot 2113: Britains - Set 2093 - Royal Berkshire Band
The Royal Berkshire Band or Royal Berkshire Regiment in No 1 Dress (1956-59 version -- 1956/7 issue) is excellent overall and one of the Rarest of Britain's Bands of toy soldiers. The set contains twenty-five pieces in all.

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Lot 2125: Britains - for C.F Eckhardt - ASC Supply Wagons
Read the entry for this wonderful lot of British soldiers for C. F. Eckhardt -- Army Service Corps Supply Wagons and Escort Set. This is a rare set in such complete condition. Twenty-two pieces come with this set.


Kodner Galleries

 Lot 95 Image

Lot 95A: Five (5) Piece Alphonse La Paglia for International Sterling Wooden Ha...
Five pieces of silver in this sterling coffee and tea service was designed by Alphonse La Paglia who worked for Georg Jensen and created a modern line of silver for International in 1952. He died in an accident a year later. This set was produced by International Sterling. La Paglia designed and numbered each piece. Total weight is 203 Troy Oz.

 Lot 147 Image

Lot 147: Iridescent Tiffany Spider Art Glass Vase. Signed Under Base LCTiffany,...
Handsome and iridescent is this tall Tiffany Spider Art Glass Vase. It is signed under base "LCTiffany, Favrile and N 5874." It is in very good condition and measures 9 1/4" tall.

 Lot 173 Image

Lot 173: 19th Century Italian Sterling Silver Candlesticks. Signed A. Giovanni ...
This attractive pair of 19th century Italian sterling silver candlesticks are signed: "A. Giovanni Salis, Francesco De Boyl 14 Ottobre 1869, In Memoria Del Marchese." The candlesticks have two hallmarks, a bulls head and a cross with a crown over it in addition to two illegible hallmarks. They stand about 12" tall and are cement weighted.


Eldred's

 Lot 109 Image

Lot 109: CASED MODEL OF THE CLIPPER SHIP FLYING CLOUD Length of model 24". Case...
The Flying Cloud was one of the fastest and most beautiful clipper ships of its day. It was built by Donald McKay. A model of this ship in the Museum of Fine Arts collection is a favorite among visitors. The model offered here looks to me to be a work that will bring much joy to its owner. For another and more important model ship by McKay see Lot 164. It is a beautifully detailed model of the great clipper ship Sovereign of the Seas. Wish that I could afford to purchase both of these models!

 Lot 130 Image

Lot 130: WILLIAM DENNIS STILLE, American, 1947-1998, Nantucket Sleigh Ride., Oi...
Nantucket Sleigh Ride is the title of this oil painting on masonite signed by the artist William Dennis Stille (American 1947-1998). It is an exciting representation of the pull of a harpooned whale that drags a vessel on line through the sea at a rapid rate. Here the sea is beautifully painted and the whale boat that holds the harpoon line is dramatically illuminated.

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Lot 210: VERY IMPORTANT AMERICAN WHALING JOURNAL FOR THE BARK KATHLEEN OF NEW B...
Read the entry for this lot about the Whaling journal for the Bark Kathleen of New Bedford, MA and see what an important record this is -- with hand drawing illustrations, thirteen ship stamps and about 65 whale stamps. The text includes twenty-one pages of poetry about the Kathleen, her captain and crew. She was one of the longest-lived whale ships in the American whaling fleet -- lost in 1902 on her seventeenth whaling voyage after being struck by a large bull whale.

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Lot 217: LOUIS DODD, English, 1943-2006, "Donald McKay's clipper 'Sovereign of ...
Here is a beautiful painting of Donald McKay's great clipper ship "Sovereign of the Seas" arriving at Honolulu. This is an oil painting by the British artist, Louis Dodd (1943-2006). Read the catalogue entry for information about Dodd. Anyone who buys this painting should also acquire the cased model of the "Sovereign of the Seas" in lot 164.

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Lot 229: PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN COVERED TUREENS WITH UNDERTRAYS With ...
These magnificent Chinese export porcelain tureens with undertrays and their covers date c. 1730. The tureens measure 8 1/2" high by 15" long. Any table would look well dressed with this pair of tureens.


Chorley's

 Lot 86 Image

Lot 86: A Victorian half crown, 1844 extremely fine
For sheer beauty of portraiture, this Victorian half crown of 1844 represents the young Queen Victoria in profile -- an extremely fine coin. See Lot 105 for a "Gothic" image of the crowned Queen in 1847-- also a fine coin. I also like the image of George I -- a half crown of 1720 in Lot 96 (about fine) looks a little worn, but what to expect from 1720? Then there is the William the First penny of Lot 111-- what a terrific example.

 Lot 170 Image

Lot 170: A Stonehenge silver medal by T Wyon senior, with
Here is a curious silver medal by T. Wyon Sr., with banner "Tantum Religio Potuit" (quote from Lucretius --"so great was the power of religion). This medal is dated 1796, is signed by T. Wyon and shows a view of Stonehenge in relief with circular calendar, druidical signs representing the orrery of the druids.

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Lot 208: A bronze medallion 'For Services' at the Great
Medallions pertaining to art exhibitions appeal to me. My favorite here is the bronze "For Services" medallion from the Great Exhibition of 1851 that depicts the crystal palace.

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Lot 474: A Hardy 4.5" alloy salmon reel, The Perfect, with
Many fishing reels and fishing flies in this auction should inspire sportsmen to action. This reel is for salmon as is Lot 481.


Garth's Auctions

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Lot 47: ROUND DINING TABLE.
Three 20th century contemporary steel tables are offered by this auction (Lots 43, 46, 47). They are all attractive. This lot is a Round Dining Table by Neirmann-Weeks of Millersville, MD. A 20th century steel and composite table with custom- hand painted top and Turin steel base. The top is 60" diameter.

Catalog: Decorative Arts
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Lot 131: ARTS AND CRAFT CORNER CABINET.
Looking for a display cabinet in which to show collections? This arts and crafts corner cabinet of the late 19th - 20th century is probably American. It takes a 16" corner -- so will not occupy a great amount of space, but will provide for a nice display arrangement on two shelves plus bottom platform all enclosed with a single pane glass door.

Catalog: Decorative Arts
 Lot 177 Image

Lot 177: PAIR OF EXPORT JARDINIERES.
This pair of Chinese export jardinieres look exceptional to me. They appear to have been made in the late 18th to early 19th century. They are porcelain, decorated with armorial shields and bear mask handles. They stand 9 1/2" high and have brass bases.

Catalog: Decorative Arts
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Lot 294: DECORATED TABLE.
Several examples of Mongolian furniture, c. 1900 are offered in this sale. This decorated table looks attractive to me, but look at all the Mongolian furniture offered and make your own choices according to furnishing needs.

Catalog: Decorative Arts
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Lot 313: *****THREE-PIECE REGENCY ARGAND LAMP SET.
This three-piece Argand lamp set c. 1830, is attributed to the manufacturer Messenger and Sons, London, retailed by J & I Cox, New York City. Though there are imperfections and one missing glass shade (replaceable with replicas that are available in the trade) this is a good looking set never-the-less. Stands 21 " high -- suitable for an early Victorian sideboard or mantle ornament.

Catalog: Decorative Arts


Constantine & Pletcher

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Lot 3: ROOKWOOD ART DECO MATTE GLAZE POTTERY VASE. Ca.
This wonderful Rookwood Art Deco Matte Glaze pottery vase c. 1930 will look well in any collection -- it is a restrained classic!

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Lot 20: EARLY PITTSBURGH OPAL BLOWN DECANTER. Together
For collectors of American historic glass this lot offers several nice examples. I especially like the early Pittsburgh opal blown decanter. Of course, the Sandwich canary candlestick is appealing as well. Also, do not overlook the Pittsburgh glass decanters of Lot 270.

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Lot 253: IMPORTANT PITTSBURGH CLASSICAL MAHOGANY CARVED
What an unusual classical mahogany carved work table. It is reported to be signed by Enoch Pierce of Monaglia City, PA "and dated 1814". That date seems a bit early to me -- but worth collecting for its documentary value nonetheless. Work tables are always useful as stands for lamps and with their drawers useful to put small articles that otherwise clutter the parlor.

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Lot 291: TWO FIRST EDITION COPIES OF PITTSBURGH GLASS. By
This is a must-have book for historic glass collectors in America. Lowell Inness was a real authority on this subject and a lively personality.

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Lot 320: FINE AMERICAN APPLIQUE RED & GREEN TULIP QUILT.
For colorful summer bed covering, this fine American applique red and green tulip quilt appeals. It is a traditional pattern that goes back into the 19th century -- here delicately handled c. 1900.

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Lot 371: FINE GORHAM "MARTELE" THREE PIECE STERLING SILVER
Gorham "Martele" was an art nouveau style unique to the Gorham silversmithing firm of Providence, RI. This is a beautiful three piece sterling silver coffee set that nicely represents taste of the turn of the century's "Gilded Age".