Dargate Auction Galleries

Lot 1006: GEORG JENSEN STERLING TRAY
Simply a handsome stirling silver tray marked by Georg Jensen of Denmark. It would look well within any setting.

Lot 1019: JONES MCDUFFEE STRATTON CALEND
I own some of these Jones McDuffee and Stratton Co. ceramic calendars. While they are not useful for recording dates, they are attractive transfer printed tablets that depict Boston area scenes.

Lot 1025: 3 CHILDREN'S PLATES
Transfer printed children ceramics made in Great Britain are abundant in this sale. Here I select just three plates which offer lessons to children. No doubt these lessons were first meant to attract sales to adults.

Lot 1092: 14K SCARAB BRACELET
I like this bracelet because it includes scarabs made of some of my favorite semi-precious stones.

Lot 1101: LENOX TUCKER PITCHER
This is a reproduction of a Tucker pitcher (Phila. c. 1830) made by Lenox China Inc. in the twentieth century. It is nicely done. Since it becomes increasingly unlikely that I will obtain a genuine Tucker pitcher, perhaps I should obtain this replica example. If you plan to acquire it, do not worry. My spouse has warned me that "no more stuff" is to come home from auctions! Well, we will see how long that rule lasts!

Lot 1108: 5PC CZECH GLASS BEAD JEWELRY
Lots of beautiful glass bead jewelry is available in this and other lots in this auction. Perhaps jewelry is what my spouse will allow! At least that is a consideration.

Lot 1110: CZECH CHINOISOIRE FLAPPER SAUT
The flapper era was before my time. But it was an era that exhibited admirable sense of style. In recent years this has been much imitated. But what is offered here is a genuine Flapper Sautoir necklace of c. 1925, when Paris France hosted the great Decorative Arts exposition.

Lot 1152: STEVENGRAPH THE CRYSTAL PALACE
I am not quite sure how a stevengraph image was produced. But I believe that it must be some sort of a photomechanical lithograph. London's crystal palace image is one of many attractive stevengraphs offered in this auction.

Lot 1175: 26PC CENTENNIAL MEMORABILIA
I love exposition ephemera. The Philadelphia Centennial of 1876 produced a large quantity. This is an appealing collection offering unusual objects.

Lot 1258: ANTIQUE 18K TOPAZ DIAMOND RING
A blue topaz set in 18 K white gold is flanked by two small bezel set side diamonds. A ring with nice style.

Lot 1415: NR DAVIDSON LITHOGRAPH
This is the 9th print of 50 produced by the American graphic artist NR Davidson to represent the Arles of South Central France. It is a strong print, beautifully executed.

Lot 1449: CARL SORENSEN BRONZE BOWL
Here is a bronze bowl with handsome patina made by Carl Sorensen in the arts and crafts tradition. It is 13 1/4" in diameter.

Lot 1477: LARGE PALLET OF BOOKS
Guess what -- for the hearty book collector, this auction offers several large pallets of books from an Antiquarian bookstore in Cleveland. If you have space and a sense of adventure, "come on down to Pittsburgh and load it in your truck. It is sold as-is." Look through the rest of this auction to locate the other books for sale, boxed on pallets.

Lot 1484: 14K PINK TOURMALINE DIAMOND
This pink tourmaline and diamond bracelet seems to me to be a beauty.

Lot 1505A: BUST EMPEROR OF HAITI
While I do not have a place for this French bronze portrait bust in my parlor, it is a beautifully made work of 1910 representing the Emperor of Haiti. It would look well placed in a big entry hall together with a series of other portrait busts representing persons from around the globe.

Lot 1551: ARTIST DONE SKETCHES
Nicely executed is the charcoal silhouette drawing of a male that is shown on the Artfact website. If the others are works of comparable quality, then this group of sketches might be an auction sleeper.

Lot 1561: MARIETTE LANDSCAPE ETCHING
This is not a large print, but it does appear to be an early etching of genuine quality.

Lot 1568: PAIR ARTS & CRAFTS ANDIRONS
Those who collect arts and crafts decorative arts would do well to consider this pair of andirons.

Lot 1582: WELLER SOUEVO PITCHER
I had no idea that Weller was inspired to made vessels inspired by Native American Pueblo pottery. This is an attractive work.

Lot 1595: 7 BLUE AND WHITE ASIAN CERAMIC
Several lots of South East Asian ceramics are offered in this auction. I like this lot especially. The lot that follows in the next entry is another admirable group.

Lot 1596: 4 S E ASIAN CERAMIC VESSELS
From this image and the lot above it is hard to determine the age of the works being offered. But they all seem to show some age and are beautifully made.

Lot 1695: LIONEL STANDARD GAUGE PRE-WAR
Collectors of standard gauge pre-war Lionel toy trains should not miss considering this lot and other lots that offer toy trains. For me the Lionel train represents pure nostalgia as Lionel toy trains were the favored gifts received in my family before WWII.

Potomack Company

Lot 1: OLD & VINTAGE SPORTING BOOKS - LOT OF BOOKS ON FISHING
These vintage sporting books offer reading about fishing, fly making and other adventures that captivate the imagination of those who enjoy the out of doors in streams and woods. There are several lots dealing with vintage books of this sort. Be sure to look through this auction to find your bliss.

Lot 9: RARE BOOKS: DOGS: THE SPORTSMANS CABINET, OR A CORRECT DELINEATION OF ...
The canine race is here delineated with two rare volumes that date 1803-04. If you are a dog lover, this may be just what you desire.

Lot 11: RARE COACHING BOOK: A MANUAL OF COACHING
Fairman Rogers was famous for his Manual of Coaching, Phila., Lippincott, 1901. The painter Thomas Eakins made a painting of Rogers and his company out coaching.

Lot 284: DOUBLE SIDED 30 CT. BLACK OPAL PENDANT IN DIAMOND FRAME
Handsome is the word I'd use for this black opal pendant in a diamond frame. The opal is described as 50 years old.

Lot 289: VICTORIAN/ETRUSCAN STYLE REVIVAL STYLE BRACELET
Braided gold with twisted wire applique is the nature of this late Victorian or rather Edwardian bracelet made to recall Etruscan jewelry. It is sleek.

Lot 321: WERNICKE OAK SEVEN SECTION BARRISTER BOOKCASE
If you own many books that need lots of shelving, then consider this Wernicke bookcase with its patent lift glass doors. There is more than one set of these barrister bookcases offered in this auction. So if this set does not fill the needs, there is opportunity to acquire more.

Lot 327: AMERICAN CHERRY QUEEN ANNE SIDE CHAIR C. 1760
Here is an attractive rush seated side chair with turned lower members and a vasiform splat. It comes from New England and dates c. 1760.

Lot 329: MAJOR GEN. WARREN BUNKER HILL SILK EMBROIDERED MOURNING PICTURE
From the Warren family, this silk embroidered mourning picture commemorates the death of Major General Warren who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. This man was a gifted medical doctor and a person much admired and loved in Boston. He was a good friend of Paul Revere who named one of his sons after him. I believe that it was Dr. Warren who drafted the legend that Paul Revere engraved on the Liberty Bowl.

Lot 341: FEDERAL MAHOGANY CARD TABLE, SALEM MASSACHUSSETTS, EARLY 19TH C.
Here is a very handsome table made in Salem, MA. c. 1810. Such card tables turn up with less frequency every year.

Lot 371: AMERICAN CLASSICAL GILT AND CARVED MAHOGANY SOFA
"In the Grecian taste" is how Americans of the 1830s would describe this attractive couch made in Philadelphia or New York City.

Lot 386: THEODOR DE BRY FLEMISH 1528-1591 NATIVE AMERICAN SECOTA VILLAGE, VIRGI...
This is an essential beginning print for collectors of early prints pertaining to America. Here is an image of a Native village in Virginia from Thomas Harriot's Briefe and True Report of 1590.

Lot 387: OLIVER PELTON (AFTER GILBERT STUART) 1798-1882 GEORGE WASHINGTON Engra...
In a period walnut frame, this engraving by Oliver Pelton represents the image of Gilbert Stuart's George Washington as pictured in the heroic canvas at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila.

Lot 389: AFTER FRANCIS BICKNELL CARPENTER AMERICAN 1830-1900 THE FIRST READING ...
Prints are collected for many different reasons. My daughter acquired one identical to this because she owns a pair of chairs like those represented in the print. -The chairs shown in this print can be documented as having been in the White House during Lincoln's presidency and later disbursed.

Ripley Auctions

Lot 10: Wm. T. Trees American Sterling Coin Flip Beaker
Nineteenth century Kentucky silver of this form was and still is popular for the favorite drinks of that area. This is a beaker that stands merely 3 1/8" tall. It is a form that was first introduced in America in the seventeenth century when the beaker was called a "tunn." Some years ago I returned from Louisville, KY. in possession of a beaker of similar form which was a gift to remember friendships formed when I gave a talk. Silver was not just for drinking; it was also frequently used to commemorate an event.

Lot 16: Dutch Silver Brandy Bowl Embossed Figural Handles
I'm intrigued with this silver brandy bowl made in Holland in the eighteenth century.

Lot 22: S. Kirk and Son Partial Flatware Set Old Maryland
Here is a fairly substantial set of sterling flatware (42 pieces) made by S. Kirk and Son of Baltimore, MD. The pattern is quite spare and is called the Old Maryland Pattern. The set was made c. 1850.

Lot 40: Vintage 10K Pin Alaska Gold Rush
I do not know when this pin was made but it celebrates the Alaska God Rush with a shovel and pick and an Alaska banner at the center in 10K gold. It recalls for me the poems of Robert Service about the Yukon Territory -- "twas on a Christmas Day, we were mushing our way or' the Dawson Trail; Talk of the Cold, through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail."

Lot 101: Aesthetic Victorian Folio Easel Carved Ebonized
For the person who has too many prints or drawings to frame and hang, this late nineteenth century aesthetic movement (Late Victorian, c. 1880) easel provides a solution and an attractive piece of furniture.

Lot 105: Antique Grain Painted Blanket Box/Trunk/Chest
Signs of wear, scratches and replaced hinges are all features that imply authenticity and considerable use for this antique wood blanket box/trunk/chest with geometric grain painted front and side.

Lot 111: Aesthetic Victorian Carved Ebonized Library Table
A library table with heavily carved ebonized wood in the style of Cincinnati art carvers looks to me to worthy of consideration despite its need for some careful restoration.

Lot 119: Portrait of Gentleman Oil on Canvas 19th Century
I'm impressed with the face of a solid citizen recorded in this portrait. There is some question citing the name Joseph Robbins? May 1854? cited from the back in the catalogue entry. If more information is desired, it would be well to attend the auction and see the work yourself.

Lot 128: Penn Twig Rocker/Rocking Chair Formed Seat Back
I've seen a sufficent number similar rocking chairs made of bent wood that I've concluded that this one was made as a specialty item in a chair factory (possibly Indiana). I own one almost identical to this one. This auction also provides the opportunity of acquiring another and newer example that must have been made in the same factory.

Lot 137: Roses Floral Spray Oil Painting 1896 Yard Long type
Signed by the artist and dated 1896, the painter here represents her own name decoratively in oils. Her name is Rosa Rauth or Routh. This is an attractive work.

Lot 146: Large Vintage Mechanical Drafting Board Cast Gears
For the artist who needs heavy-duty support in his or her studio, this drafting board on cast gears looks much more stable than a flimsy easel.

Lot 177: Style of FLW Prairie 4 Stained Glass Window Panels
Nice early modern glass that recollects designs by Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style -- this window illustrated is one of a lot of 4. They are contemporary glass.

Lot 178: Thonet Style Tandem Child's Perambulator/Pram/Cart
I admire the whimsy of this contraption made of bent wood to perform the function of a child's perambulator.

Lot 203: Hand Colored Lithograph 1859 From R Peale Painting
Rembrandt Peale's "Court of Death," is here recorded in an 1859 hand colored lithograph. It measures 15" x 26 1/2"

Lot 281: Currier Print Washington Family
The first version of this image was made by the American painter Edward Savage in oil paint on a panel which hangs in the Chestertown Room in the Winterthur Museum. Savage translated that image onto a copper plate for producing engraved prints that became the first commercially successful print made in America in the Federal Period. Its popularity was so lasting that by the mid Victorian period the lithographic firm of Currier produced a plagiarized image but without including the black slave Billy Lee who previously stood in the background. This tells us something about how prints were adapted to changing circumstances and viewpoints that might have otherwise affected the sale of prints. The artist for Currier drew the Savage image on the litho stone as he painted it. So naturally, the image became reversed with the printing.

Lot 303: Capture of Major Andre Print After Durand Painting
I own a copy of this print. It was produced to offer in a Union print lottery in 1846. The subject of the Capture of Major Andre actually took place during the American Revolution. This, then, is an image of the artist's imagination. See the next Lot to view another and what was then a cheaper print that pictured Andre's capture.

Lot 304: RARE N. Currier Print Capture of Andre 1780
This is a rare N. Currier lithograph of the capture of Andre in 1780. The print was made in the middle of the nineteenth century for a broad popular sale.

Lot 305: Print British Naval Victory Over French 1794
Prints in the eighteenth century were means to glorify battles and record events made during an era that was, unlike today, not saturated with images. This print records a celebrated victory of the British Fleet under command of Earl Howe over the French in 1794. The print must have been produced within only a few months of the event.

Lot 316: Currier Print Death of General Andrew Jackson
Always in search of popular images, the lithographic firm of Currier selected the Death of General Andrew Jackson a worthy subject. This print and the one that follows was aimed at satisfying the taste of the middle class.

Lot 317: Currier Ives Print Tom Thumb's Marriage Barnum
Marketing is the main message of this Currier and Ives print. Who could resist owning a picture of the wedding of Commander Nutt and Minnie Warren in company with Barnum's show? With the passing of time, and the increased rarity of such prints, what lower middle class was collecting becomes highly collectible for those who wish to feature real Americana in their homes.

Lot 2303: PONTORMO RED CHALK DRAWING
I admire the gestural action of the Shepherds in this red chalk drawing by Jacopo Pontormo.

Lot 2328: FRANK VITTOR 1888-1968
Although a little pitted, this plaster study of the head of Abraham Lincoln is a superb sculptural rendering. Had I the means, I would buy it. To me a plaster cast is the closest one can expect to come to the actual touch of the sculptor. This example is signed by the sculptor and dated 1918.

Lot 2330: WILLIAM ZORACH (1887-1966)
Here is a fine example of William Zorach's sculpture. The final version of this for Radio City Music Hall was twice life size and cast in aluminum. The edition from which this bronze descends is explained in the the Artfact catalogue.

Lot 2352: 17TH C DELFT VESSEL
Dutch delft or tin-oxide glazed earthenware of the 17th century is nicely represented in this lidded container. It bears lively polychrome painted ornament.

Lot 2449: 1858 LINCOLN AMBROTYPE COLE
What an opportunity this is to own a period photograph made of Lincoln by Roderick Cole in ambrotype taken in 1858.

Lot 2462: IMPRESSIVE CARVED SOFA
This couch is very much like one I own that has a history of having been made and owned in New Jersey. The entry for this Lot is fascinating as it documents the move of and ownership of the couch in the Tallman family to Janesville, WI from New York. It looks to me like the couch was made about 1830-40 in the classical style that was popular at that time.

Lot 2475: D. DICKINSON PORTRAIT ON IVORY
This is a lovely miniature portrait made in Philadelphia in the first quarter of the nineteenth century.

Lot 2509: 19TH C PAPIER MACHE TEA CADDY
The British made papier mache furniture of this sort with inlaid mother of pearl -- japanned and decorated with gilt ornament in the 1840s and 50s. Here is a fine example of high victorian taste.

Lot 2536: JAPANESE FIREPLACE SCREEN
For a room of the aesthetic movement era c. 1870-90-- this Japanese fireplace screen would be a perfect addition.

Rose Hill Auction Gallery

Lot 3: Lucite zig-zag side chair, unmarked, 32 1/2"h, 15"w, 15 1/2"d, some m...
Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964), a Dutch designer/architect and innovator in the field of modern furniture, made the wooden model in the early years of the 20th century that inspired this later Lucite version.

Lot 43: Bertoia/Knoll slat bench, oak wood slats on painted iron base, unmark...
Harry Bertoia was an American sculptor most famous in the furniture field for his welded wire and chromed chairs. I like the simplicity of this bench made of oak slats on a painted iron base.

Lot 52: 1960 large art pottery bowl, stoneware with brown glaze, hand decorat...
Popular in the studio pottery movement was the use of resist for painting sweeping designs prior to dipping the turned vessel in glaze. I believe that this stownware bowl was treated this way with the brown glaze perhaps being an "Albany" slip.

Lot 84: Le Corbusier Basculant arm chairs, pony skin on polished chrome bases...
Classics in the history of modern furniture design, these chairs designed by Le Corbusier make a statement.

Lot 102: Paul Mc Cobb lounge chair with ottoman, leather
More informal than the foregoing pair of chairs, this chair with ottoman is upholstered with loose cushions on a painted iron base. Modern furniture design reflects a desire to eliminate the congestion of heavy legs and ornament desired by those of an earlier generation of taste.

Lot 126: Italian Murano table lamps.Aqua with silver foil & iridescent f...
Table lamps for me present a problem. There are too many that are utterly ugly. These could prove to be elegant, with the righly dimensioned and nicely shaped shades made of silk.

Lot 139: Julius Olaf Randahl 1920's sterling silver hand wrought bowl, marked ...
I know nothing of the maker Julius Olaf Randahl, but I do respond positively to this silver sterling hand wrought bowl of the 1920s.

Lot 145: Edward Wormley/ Dunbar round marble top cocktail table, travertine an...
Edward Wormley I met in Connecticut. He was a friend of Charles Eames. Wormley's furniture designs were produced by Dunbar while he lived in the Chicago area. After retiring to Connecticut he gave some important pieces of furniture designed by Eames to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This circular and low table reflects the taste of the 1950s.

Lot 165: George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS wall unit, oiled walnut and metal...
This wall unit is inspired by the spare abstract painting trends that took place in the 1940s. It makes a wonderful space for display of books and collections.

Lot 201: R.H. Pearson American metalsmith creamer, covered sugar bowl and wast...
Ron Pearson was a studio craftsman/silversmith who made elegant and spare works in his studio in Maine. I knew him in the 1960s when I went to Haystack -- a summer school for crafts at Deer Isle. I collected some of his works for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. These look like fine examples of his craftsmanship.

Lot 226: 1930's French table lamp, signed L'Autum on base, silvered metal base...
I like the patina and period look of this French table lamp that dates to the 1930s. It evokes the era when the Chicago Worlds Fair displayed works that stressed basic geometric forms.

Lot 230: Desk in a box, Danish, teak with oil finish, lighted interior, 45"h, ...
Here is a box/desk that represents pure geometry in furniture. It does not reveal its use until open when the interior becomes illuminated.

Lot 274: Danish modern floor lamp;Three light,mah.,lac. brass, & fiber sh...
Lighting for a room is sometimes a problem. This Danish screen/floor lamp appeals to me because it provides light without calling undue attention to itself.

Lot 328: American studio walnut floor lamp in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright,...
Frank Lloyd Wright was always developing new designs to solve old problems. This lighting device may not have been designed by Wright, but it surely reflects his influence.

Lot 361: Art Deco floor lamp, brushed brass with ebonized wood accents, 62"h
A handsome Art Deco floor lamp represents the classic means to cast a glow throughout a dark corner of a room. This one is 62" high, and made of brushed brass with ebonized wood accents.

Swann Auction Galleries

Lot 17: LUCA CAMBIASO (CIRCLE OF) (Moteglia 1527-1585 Madrid) The Virgin and C...
Almost abstract in the vigor of handling of sepia washes --this work and other quick sketches in this auction represent the facility with which Renaissance masters developed compositional ideas.

Lot 22: AGOSTINO CARRACCI (CIRCLE OF) (Bologna 1557-1602 Bologna) Study of Dra...
What beautiful sense of form is represented in this study of drapery made in red chalk on cream laid paper.

Lot 36: GIOVANNI FRANCESCO BARBIERI, CALLED IL GUERCINO (Cento 1591-1666 Bolog...
Here is a powerful pen and sepia ink drawing of a man reading. The work is by Il Guercino of Bologna.

Lot 37: ITALIAN SCHOOL, 17TH-CENTURY Study of a Seated Artist Sketching.
I admire greatly the ability of early Italian artists to render costumes, drapery and figures in the small space provided by their hand made paper.

Lot 42: ITALIAN SCHOOL, 17TH-CENTURY Study of Armor.
Detailed observation of armor is here represented with a seventeenth century pencil drawing on gray laid paper. Despite the detail, there is an essential unity to the design that appeals.

Lot 44: SALVATOR ROSA (CIRCLE OF ) (Arenella 1615-1673 Rome) Soldiers Resting ...
Here is a wonderful pan and brown ink and wash drawing by someone in the circle of Salvator Rosa in seventeenth century Rome. The viewer is left to wonder why these soldiers are out in this landscape gesturing or resting.

Lot 60: ITALIAN SCHOOL, 18TH-CENTURY Study of a Spindle.
I enjoy seeing drawings that depict mechanical devices. This red chalk and brush with ink drawing depicts a spindle used to wind yarn -- not very different from those used in eighteenth century America.

Lot 75: CARLO LABRUZZI (Rome 1747-1817 Rome) Slaughterhouse Interior.
What a dramatic image of a barn or slaughterhouse interior this is. It was made by Carlo Labruzzi in Rome.

Lot 99: NICOLAES BERCHEM (Haarlem 1620-1683 Amsterdam) A Traveler with a Mule ...
The Dutch loved depicting their animals even if ungainly. The mule in this pen and ink wash drawing is hardly lovely. Its master with his broad brimmed hat follows the loaded beast.

Lot 129: HUBERT ROBERT (ATTRIBUTED TO) (Paris 1733-1808 Paris) A Wooded Landsca...
This drawing shows an animated forest -- almost as if the trees and pathway converse as humans do.

Lot 149: ROSA BONHEUR (Bordeaux 1822-1899 Fontainebleau) A Herd of Resting Shee...
I admire the works of Rosa Bonheur greatly. This gentle landscape pencil drawing with white highlights on tan paper is beautifully composed with arresting patterns of lights and darks.

Lot 179: REMBRANDT VAN RIJN The Artist''s Mother, Head and Bust: Three-Quarters...
Two prints need be acquired together -- this image of Rembrandt's mother and the following image which it is believed represents the artist's father. The mother's face is a marvel of tonalities created by tiny lines.

Lot 181: REMBRANDT VAN RIJN Bust of a Man Wearing a High Cap, Three-Quarters Ri...
The face of Rembrandt's father is haunting in its vacant expression-- beautifully drawn and expressive of the inner self.

Lot 186: REMBRANDT VAN RIJN Joseph''s Coat Brought to Jacob.
I marvel how Rembrandt captures the look of pain in the face of Jacob when he sees Joseph's coat. This is a complex and powerful composition with two diagonals from corner to corner of the print to intersect and focus upon Jacob and his other sons. Note how the shadows and treee on the one side is opposed to the directional movement implied between Isaac and his sons. There is also a secondary set of horizontals and verticals that create a crossing right in the center of the plate.

Lot 205: REMBRANDT VAN RIJN An Old Man Shading his Eyes with his Hand.
Here is a marvelous etching and drypoint by Rembrandt. It dates c. 1638 and is the first state of 5. It is important to acquire an early impression of a drypoint as the burr wears quickly in the printing process.

Weschler's

Lot 41: Pair of Japanese Wood Temple Guardian Lions (Koma Inu) Meiji-Taisho Pe...
Charming are these pair of Japanese Wood Temple Guardian Lions -- 'though they were meant to be fierce creatures at the gate to ward off intruders.

Lot 46: Japanese Ivory Mounted Patinated Copper Alloy Figure of a Walking Elep...
The elephant in this Japanese sculpture stands ten inches high. It is a nicely shaped creature with an impressed seal of the Meiji-Taisho Period (1868-1926).

Lot 50: Large Japanese Earthenware Vase Signed Kinkozan zo, Meiji Period (1868...
At 21 3/4" high, this is an impressively large Japanese earthenware vase. It is signed by Kinkozan zo of the Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Lot 52: Japanese Black Painted Wrought-Iron Mounted Keyaki Wood Storage Chest ...
The many wrought iron mounts on this Japanese Keyaki wood storage chest gives the work an impressive decorative presence.

Lot 54: Japanese Black Painted Iron Mounted Kiri and Keyaki Wood Storage Chest...
This Japanese storage chest of the Meiji Period recalls for me the severity of form in furniture made in the Arts and Crafts era in Great Britain and America.

Lot 70: Thai ''Shang Hill'' Bronze Drum 19th Century
I like the color and form of this bronze drum of the 19th century.

Lot 83: Anglo-Indian Brass Mounted and Carved Hardwood Chest-on-Stand 19th Cen...
For sheer decorative effect of repeated ornament, it would be hard to beat this Anglo-Indian chest on stand of the nineteenth century.

Lot 84: Indian Carved Hardwood Side Cabinet 19th Century
By the mid nineteenth century, Bombay was exporting to America elaborately carved hardwood furniture of this sort. This was also happening, of course, to customers in Great Britain. I am intrigued with the intricacy and precision of the workmanship of this furnture which reflects Victorian taste intrepreted by Indian artisans.

Lot 86: Algerian Polychrome Decorated Rouge Ground Wood Domed Coffer 19th Cent...
I do not know that I've seen outside of Algiers furniture of this sort. This work appeals to me for its exotic character.

Lot 88: Mughal Pale Celadon Jade-Hilted Dagger and Scabbard (Khanjar) Northwes...
Daggers from Northwest India are special features of this auction. This one is carved with a celadon colored jade hilt.

Lot 89: Mughal Gem-Set Gilt-Silver and Spinach-Green Jade-Hilted Dagger and Sc...
Here is a Jade-hilted dagger of the 18th to 19th centuries with its scabbard -- gem set with rubies. Some rubies are missing.

Lot 108: Chinese Brass Mounted Stained Jumu Horseshoe-Back Folding Armchair (Ji...
Chinese furniture is currently on display at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem -- with a special exhibition showing the influence of early Chinese furniture design on contemporary artists both from the West and from China. This is an exhibition well worth attending. I love the brilliance of workmanship shown in this exibition and in the folding armchair illustrated and offered in this lot.

Lot 126: Chinese Burlwood Inset Hongmu Low-Back Bed (Cuanbian Zhouangban Weizi ...
Here is a low-back bed made in China c. 1900. I'm not an authority on the subject of Chinese furniture yet I cannot help but admire the incredible skill and mastery of design that is manifest here.

Lot 134: Chinese Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Parcel Gilt and Red Lacquered Wood Cano...
Although this is a twentieth century Chinese bed frame, its workmanship in gold leaf and red lacquered wood is exceptional. It is an amazing work -- appropriate for someone who has the necessary space and wants to make an impression upon household visitors. Make a trip to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA., and see the exhibition that shows how Chinese furniture inspires contemproary furniture makers.

Lot 183: S. Kirk & Son Co. Repoussé Sterling Footed Bowl Baltimore, 1903-1924
Repousse silver from the Kirk workshop of Baltimore is desirable. Here is a fine stirling footed bowl that would look well on any table.

Lot 195: S. Kirk & Son Co. Repoussé Sterling Bowl Baltimore, Circa 1903-1924
The same firm of Kirk represented in Lot 183 is shown with a sterling footed bowl of the same vintage in this lot. Look at both, and make your choice. This one is just a half an inch taller than the former.

Lot 197: Gorham Repoussé Sterling Roll Tray Providence, Dated 1903
Gorham silver manufacturers of Providence, Rhode Island was among the most productive silver companies at the turn of the century. The hammered silver rim of this tray displays four nymphs playing musical instruments.

Lot 199: Gorham Sterling Compote Providence, Late 19th Century
Here is a handsome Gorham Compote with figural image of Diana.

Lot 202: Gorham Sterling Two-Handled Tray Providence, Last Quarter 19th Century
Gorham produced heavily wrought sterling silver trays. This is an excellent example of work that they made for the retailer whose mark THEODORE B. STARR/NEW YORK is on the bottom.

Lot 211: Victorian Silver Hot Water Kettle on Lamp Stand Thomas Bradbury and So...
Here is a handsome Kettle on Stand made by Thomas Bradbury and Sons, London, 1880 in a manner that fairly faithfully revives a style fashionable in the 1740s and 1750s. I like the stance of this work very much.

Lot 219: Early George III Silver Tankard Maker''s Mark Double Struck, London, 1...
A wonderful London-made silver tankard bears the maker's double struck initials " S/R*S" datable to 1765.

Lot 252: George II Walnut Side Chair Circa 1750
It is useful to compare this British chair c. 1750 with Boston-made chairs of the same vintage. They are very similar.

Lot 261: George III Style Mahogany Metamorphic Library Steps Circa 1900
Although dating fairly late (c. 1900) and in the "style" of Georgian period -- that is to say, out of phase or a replica of the past -- I'm always in search of library steps because I have many books on shelves well above reach.

Lot 276: George III Mahogany Pembroke Table Probably Irish, Circa 1770-1790
A "probably Irish" table is instructive to see. It dates between 1770 and 1790 and compares favorably with Boston made furniture of the same period -- evidence of Irish influence in New England.

Lot 283: William IV Brass Mounted and Satinwood Inlaid Rosewood Drop-Leaf Games...
Gaming tables of this sort were made in Boston. I bought one that I believe was made by Vose of Boston c. 1815. The one offered here I presume was made in Great Britain.

Lot 285: Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid and Decorated Black Lacquered Papier-...
Mother of pearl inlay papier-mache lacquered furniture was a British specialty in the Victorian era. It was imported to the U.S., but I do not know that it was made in this country .

Lot 290: Victorian Renaissance Revival Satinwood Inlaid Burl Walnut Games Table...
Here is a Victorian version of the earlier games table. I presume that this was made in Great Britain. I like its sturdy appearance.

Lot 293: Victorian Bone Marquetry Rosewood Side Cabinet Last Quarter 19th Centu...
Here is an impressive gathering of elegant craftsmanship with bone marquetry in Rosewood. I presume that this represents British workmanship.

Lot 340: Continental Polychrome Decorated Iron Strong Box Probably German, Late...
I like early chests, boxes and strong boxes. This seventeenth century iron (probably German) strong box bears painted decoration of a later date.

Lot 373: Italian Rococo Inlaid Walnut Commode Last Quarter 18th Century
In recent years I've come to appreciate the marvelous workmanship of Italian woodworkers. To this day across the Arno from Florence, there are many small shops that produce finely crafted furniture. The late eighteenth century walnut commode offered in this lot shows evidence that the feet were all spliced and there is some repair to the inlays. Its overall form and color looks good in the Artfact image.

Lot 383: Italian Neoclassical Crossbanded and Inlaid Bow-Front Walnut Commode C...
Probably made within the next generation of the foregoing Italian commode, this example of Neoclassical taste is also appealing.

Lot 389: Continental Bronze Figure of a Classical Woman Circa 1900
Standing 25 1/2" high, this bronze figure of a classical woman would be an impressive addition to an interior of classical taste. The bronze was made c. 1900.

Lot 390: Eugene Quinton (French 19th Century) Classical Huntsman
Signed by the Frenchman Eugene Guinton and dated 1888, this bronze represents a classical huntsman. It is marked by the famous foundry of F. Barbedienne, of Paris and is impressed with a retailer's mark: Tiffany & Co. It stands 23" high.

Lot 420: Spanish Colonial School, 18th-19th Century Coronación de la Virgen, o...
The coronation of the Virgin is the subject of this unsigned oil on canvas --from 18-19th century Spanish Colonial America.

Lot 440: Mark Catesby (British 1679-1749) The Yellow Rump and The Snow Bird: T...
Mark Catesby (c. 1679-1749) is cited here as British -- which is true. But his presence in America and his early illustrations of Natural History mark him as an important figure in American art. He made two visits to America. From 1712-1719 he spent time with relatives in Virginia. For his second trip he traveled through the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida between 1722 and 1725. He also spent some time in The Bahama Islands before he returned to England. These trips resulted in his book: Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands (London, 1731-1743) which included some 100 plates engraved and etched by Catesby. In recognition of this work, he was elected to the Royal Society in 1733. The prints offered here are from his book. Anyone who cares about early prints pertaining to America should be attracted to this Lot.

Lot 444: After David Roberts, Group of three hand-colored lithographs of the Ho...
David Roberts was an artist of enormous talent who traveled to and through the near east making detailed sketches which were translated to lithographic stones for replication. These are beautiful lithographs -- all above are impressive.

Lot 445: After David Roberts, Group of four hand-colored lithographs of the Hol...
Here are lithographs after the drawings made by David Robert at Petra, Well of Moses, Bethany and Jerusalem. This group of four works will please the buyer with their beauty.

Lot 455: Group of Six Maps of North and South America
Six early maps pertaining to the geography of America are offered here. Some of these maps are in the collections of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the U.S. Department of State. They are early and highly ornate.

Lot 458: William James Bennett (American 1784-1844) West Point, From Phillipsto...
This is a handsome acquatint by Bennett of a magnificent subject- a view of of the Hudson and West Point from Phillipstown. The print was made and hand colored in 1831.

Lot 460: American School, 19th Century Portrait of a Lady in a White Bonnet, oi...
Here is an attractive portrait of a nineteenth century American lady -- probably dating to c. 1840. It is an oil on canvas mounted on a panel 29 1/4"x 24 3/4".

Lot 482: Chippendale Cherry Gothic Side Chair Attributed to the Workshop of Eli...
Connecticut had its school of chairmakers and among them was Eliphalet Chapin of East Windsor. It is thought that this gothic backed side chair was made by Chapin between 1780 and 1790. Eliphalet trained in Philadelphia where the pattern of the back of this chair is obviously derived.

Lot 491: Federal Mahogany Chest Mirror Probably New York, Circa 1810
This seems like a very nice Federal Period New York chest or dressing mirror c. 1810.

Lot 508: Federal Mahogany Drop-Leaf Pedestal Breakfast Table Boston Area, Circa...
From the Boston area, this drop-leaf breakfast table c.1815 could be a happy find for a collector of Classical America.

Lot 513: Shaker No. 3 Turned Maple Ladder-Back Arm Rocker Mt. Lebanon, NY, Late...
Here is a number 3 chair from the Shaker Village of Mt. Lebanon, New York. The woven seat is replaced.

Lot 520: Classical Alabaster Mounted and Parcel Gilt Rosewood Crossbanded Mahog...
What an unusual settee or couch this is-- with its alabaster mounted columns. It is thought to be either from New York or Boston, c. 1820, and possibly altered.

Lot 522: Federal Cherry and Bird''s Eye Maple Chest of Drawers New England, Pro...
Brilliant bird's eye maple is featured on this New England chest of drawers c. 1805. "Probably coastal Massachusetts" is a good estimate of its origins.

Lot 526: Classical Cherry and Mahogany Inlaid Figured Maple Sideboard Coastal N...
I am intrigued with the strange hybrid that this figured maple sideboard exhibits. I would guess it was not made in a metropolitan area but rather in a country town where the craftsman was trying to impress his client with his knowledge and mastery of various ornaments and styles. It must date to the era cited as c. 1815-20 -- 'though perhaps towards the later date. The largeness of the herringbone design simulating inlay suggests that this is the work of a country craftsman who made his own inlay.

James D. Julia

Lot 1205: INTERESTING FOLK ART SNAKE CANE
Here is a complex folk art snake cane, punch dated "1937" and signed "F". It probably functioned originally as a "conjuring stick" to affect magic, to summon the devil or spirit by oath or spell, or to make an incantation. A small red bead or "eye" imbedded on this stick, a cue to the cane's original use.

Lot 1207: RARE AND SUPERB CARVED WOOLY MAMMOTH CANE DEPICTING MISHA THE DANCING ...
I love the happy face of this cane that depicts the dancing bear Misha. This bear was famous in Russian folk lore.

Lot 1211: FINE WALNUT MARBLE TOP CENTER TABLE
Made in the high Victorian period and well wrought with outstanding turnings and carved burl paneled legs, this is a handsome work -- probably originally used to grace the center of a grand parlor in Maine. It comes from a Millbridge, Maine estate.

Lot 1226: MONUMENTAL WELLER COPPERTONE ART POTTERY FLOOR VASE
Exceptional for Weller pottery, this floor vase of monumental size (vase is 23"high - total height is 26") and set into a cast iron four-footed frame that offers stability to perhaps the largest vase made by Weller in this coppertone glaze.

Lot 1239: GOOD FANCY MUSIC CABINET
Those who collect period music would do well to consider this attractive music cabinet of the era c. 1880-1910.

Lot 1257: TIFFANY & CO STERLING SILVER ORNATE PITCHER
Probably of the same vintage as the cabinet above, this sterling silver made by Tiffany & Company would serve well to provide both liquid refreshment and visual beauty sitting on the top of the music cabinet. It is 9 1/2" tall and bears a double monogram with dates 1882-June 26, 1907. It holds five pints.

Lot 1262: BRONZE TIFFANY HARP-SHAPED DESK LAMP WITH ASTROLOGICAL SYMBOLS
Just the right size 13 1/2" high-- this is a good desk lamp by Tiffany Studios. I like its compact form and unified coloring.

Lot 1277: FINE TWO-PIECE WALNUT VICTORIAN SECRETARY BOOKCASE
For the serious collector of books there is never enough space. This walnut Victorian cabinet includes a secretary space with cabinet drawers and an interior that opens. It is 100" tall by 50" wide-- nicely proportioned, and free of unnecessary ornament.

Lot 1313: OUTSTANDING CARVED CANED AND PAINTED FRENCH BED ORIGINALLY FROM THE MA...
The ownership of this bedstead is special and unique. It was orginally owned by the Maxfield Parrish home in Cornish, New Hampshire. Parrish was an artist famous for his visually arresting and decorative murals and for the illustrations that were reproduced by the thousands to grace the homes of my parents generation.

Lot 1333: A PAIR OF 19TH CENTURY ARGAND TABLE LAMPS BY BENJAMIN GARDINER
What a fine pair of Argand table lamps is here offered! The pair are marked by the maker Benjamin Gardiner of New York. They were made c. 1845. The non-matching glass shades can be fairly easily replaced with more correct period shades. Not all prisms are present, but proper prism replacements can be found.

Lot 1521: TWO CUSHION PAINTED WICKER LOVESEAT BY HAYWARD WAKEFIELD
Hayward Wakefield of Gardner, Massachustts produced some very handsome wicker work. This example bears the label of that company. I suspect that the loveseat was made c. 1900 -- nicely constructed!

Lot 1532: CHICAGO FIRE PITCHER BY COPELAND SPODE
Designed by Frank E. Burley for Spode to recall the early history of Chicago including the Chicago fire this interesting artifact was from a limited edition.

Lot 1539: FINE BURL BRANCH CANE
Here is a curious burl branch cane with a carved "wind blower mask" at its top-- (a bearded face) -- this is a cane worth carrying for sake of protection while walking on a lonesome trail or at night in an unfamiliar urban setting.

Doyle New York

Lot 2002: American School 19th Century Their Garland of Roses
Although this is obviously a "decorative" painting of the nineteenth century, it is well done and pleasant. It reminds me of workmanship of the school of Thomas Sully of Philadelphia who wrote a fascinating book called Hints to a Young Painter which explained how to paint in oils. His illustrated book even contained a color image of an artist's palette with colors laid out as he would have his reader arrange their colors.

Lot 2016: Antonio Rossetti Italian, b. 1819 Amor Secreto
To carve in marble a figure or face that appeared to be veiled in cloth was a popular thing for sculptors to do to show off their exceptional talents. Antonio Rossetti in this marble, veiled Cupid and entitled the work Amor Secreto or secret love -- offering thereby a poetic conceit in stone. The work was made and signed by the sculptor in Rome.

Lot 2019: Edward Wilhelm Pose German, 1812-1878 Deer Beside an Alpine Lake
A deer drinking water provided by nature represents something that both happens and at the same time refers to early Christian symbolism. Nineteenth century artists and their public were more aware of such symbolism than we are today. Nature's water represents the word of God from which the creature draws nourishment. Beyond such meaning, this is also a handsome and atmospheric landscape painting -- an oil on canvas measuring 21"x 25".

Lot 2043: William Sidney Cooper British 1854-1927 The Thames at Pangbourne
The artist of this oil on canvas (22"x 33"), William Sidney Cooper, must have learned his coloring and compositional approach to painting in the French Barbizon. The image of walkers on a path beside The Thames at Pangbourne is mellow in coloring. Some of that may come from the dirty varnish of the painting. A professional conservator of paintings will probably be able to bring this painting back to life and explain why the rose coloration in the faces of the figures and some of the flowers seem added. All of that can be removed.

Lot 2077: Manner of Aleksandr Karlovich Beggrov View of St. Petersburg
This oil on canvas of a view of St. Petersburg is a winter scene that handles the cool colors contrasted with warm tonalities of buildings at twilight with great ability. The canvas measures 16 1/2"x 27".

Lot 2082: Carved White Marble Figure of Cupid
Sleeping children were favorite subjects for sculptors of the nineteenth century. Childhood deaths were so abundant at the time that a sculpture of a child asleep became, in a sense, a reflection upon childhood death. Here the sculptor (most likely an Italian working in Rome or Florence) transcended death imagery by making the child into a cupid figure. An asleep cupid must have meant that although romantic love is not currently active, it is merely asleep. Cupid is an unpredictable child, prone to surprises. This sculpure is nicely composed and beautifully carved. It looks like it has an unblemished surface.

Lot 2136: Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
What a handsome gilt bronze this is of Zeus enthroned. It looks like a work made towards the end of the third quarter of the nineteenth century -- and probably in France. Abundance is represented by a cornucopia and urn at one side. Balanced on the other side is the figure of an eagle which is the emblem of Zeus. More careful study of this 29"high sculpture will probably reveal other facts and meanings. To help with such discovery, look closely at the shallow relief figures on the base. They no doubt hold many clues to identity.

Lot 2287: Gilt-Bronze Figure of Sapho
The tragic figure of the Greek poet Sappho appealed to the romantic imagination of artists and sculptors throughout the nineteenth century. Here the poet holds a harp representing her poetic voice. A failed love affair led to her death when she hurled herself off a cliff. This gilt-bronze sculpture (c. 1900) comes from a model by Emmanuel Villanis and cast in Paris. It is hardly an "archaeologically correct" image as the model reflects the hair style.

Lot 2327: Tiffany Furnaces Enameled Metal and Favrile Glass Vase
Favrile glass made by the craftsmen who worked for Louis Comfort Tiffany is iridescent or displaying lustrous changing colors of the rainbow. This is achieved by spraying on metallic salts while the glass is hot and being cooled. Offered here is an astonishingly tall vase with splendid color. Tiffany himself did not do any of the work with hot glass -- he was the artist-businessman, entrepreneur whose initials indicate his approval. The craftsmen/women who actually made the works did not sign what they made. A fascinating article by Martin Eidelberg "Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls" in the current issue of American Craft,(Feb.-Mar. 2007) ppl 86-89, explains the fact that Tiffany's artists did not sign their works and reveals how some of these artists can now be identified.

Lot 2330: Tiffany Furnaces Gilt-Bronze and Gold Favrile Glass Center Bowl
Gold Favrile glass was a popular favorite iridescent glass of Tiffany Furnaces, Inc. located in New York City.

Lot 2356: Tiffany Studios Gilt-Bronze and Favrile Glass Ten-Light Lily Lamp
Here is a handsome and popular Tiffany lily lamp with ten lights, six shades of which are signed. Four are unsigned. The gilt bronze base is signed Tiffany Studios New York 381.

Lot 2358: Tiffany Green Striated Favrile Glass Jack in the Pulpit Vase
Green striated Favrile glass opens to an iridescent flower for this Jack in the Pulpit Vase. It is signed L.C.T. and stands 12 7/8" high.

Lot 2360: Unsigned Tiffany Studios Mosaic Favrile Glass Architectural Panel
In order to understand how these Tiffany Studios Mosaic Favrile glass panels were used, it is important to visit the outstanding exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art curated by Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen. Failing that, at least obtain a copy of her book: Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall, An Artist's Country Estate (The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yale University Press, 2006). Both exhibition and book are outstanding. There is an entire room in the exhibition that shows how geometric panels like these were used at Laurelton Hall by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Lot 2373: Tiffany Studios Bronze and Favrile Leaded Glass Daffodil Harp Lamp and...
What an amazing combination of favrile leaded glass and bronze stand is represented in this work by the Tiffany Studios, New York. Read the full entry from the catalogue presented on Artfact.

Lot 2396: Daum Nancy Acid Etched and Enameled Glass Vase
There are several impressive examples of French art glass in this auction. I select this work by Daum of Nancy because its color appeals to me.