Nadeau's Auction Gallery

Lot 18: Antique cherry turned leg drop leaf table.
I can imagine just the right place for this cherry table in the kitchen of a country house setting. Its broad drop leaf surface permits space saving.

Lot 21: Fancy iron hanger with curly q's.
What a nice piece of decorative iron work this is. It shows the blacksmith's skills and whimsy especially represented in what looks like rooster terminals.

Lot 62: Group of skeleton keys and locks in an oak frame.
For the collector of keys and locks, this lot is a bonanza.

Lot 102: Pair of Samson porcelain plates.
Samson is a nineteenth century French firm that imitated Chinese export porcelain with much success. I like this pair of plates. The buyer might examine the underside to see if these plates bear the small square and red painted pseudo Chinese marks that were used by Samson.

Lot 158: Early (probably) German print of New York City, 13" x 18 ½".
The title on this etching is printed backwards. This means that the print was meant to be viewed through a "perspective glass" which because of its lens and use of a mirror would turn the image around. As a novelty print, few works of this sort were architecturally accurate. In other words, New York never looked like this. But aside from topographic inaccuracies, this is a "social entertainment" print for the era c. 1770. I once bought such a print for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for placement in a "perspective" or "prospect" machine in that institution.

Lot 232: Bronze plaque of a bird headed person, marked Apollo, signed Baskin.
The New England artist Leonard Baskin was the person who made this piece of shallow relief sculpture. He is much better known for his wood-block prints than his sculpture. He did make a series of prints about birds of prey. I've not before seen this sculpture of a transformation figure where a human body changes into that of a bird.

Grogan & Company

Lot 105: CAMILLUS S. FLY (American, 1849-1901) GERONIMO, THE APACHE CHIEF mount...
Geronimo, was an amazing military leader and Chief of the Apache in the American Southwest. He operated chiefly in the mountain country of Arizona. This photograph is a remarkable record by C.S. Fly, photographer of Tombstone, AZ.

Lot 146: SET OF TWELVE WEDGWOOD BLUE AND WHITE HARVARD UNIVERSITY PLATES, dated...
Made in 1927 by the famed British pottery firm of Wedgwood, this set of twelve blue and white transfer printed plates depict buildings of Harvard University. The set would be a nice gift for a Harvard graduate.

Lot 161: CHICKERING AND SONS CLAVICHORD, Boston, ca. 1910, #70; height: 5 1/2 i...
Chickering and Sons were famed for their piano manufacturing in Boston. The Chickering factory building still stands -- used today as an artists'/studio live-in complex. I've not seen a Chickering Clavichord before this. No doubt it is well made. One of the most splendid funeral monuments in Mt. Auburn Cemetery is the Chickering marble tombstone.

Lot 162: LATE GEORGIAN MAHOGANY FOUR TIER WHATNOT, with single drawer below; he...
I cannot recall having seen an American made stand of this sort, so assume that this example is British. It could have been used to display collectibles such as sea shells and small sculpture or performed duty in a dining room as a server.

Lot 164: FEDERAL CARVED MAHOGANY BOW FRONT CHEST OF DRAWERS, in the manner of W...
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, owns the key to identify this work with the Salem cabinetmaker William Hook. The Museum's example is similar and as I recall was made by Hook in 1809 as part of a wedding gift to his sister. I may be wrong about some of these facts as they are simply based on recollection. But it is true that Hook did make in the early nineteenth century a wedding gift of a similar chest of drawers for a relative and that chest is in the MFA collections. The carved caps on both this and the MFA chest are remarkably similar.

Lot 167: FEDERAL CARVED MAHOGANY CARD TABLE, Massachusetts, ca. 1800; height 29...
Here is a very nice Federal card table which judging from the feet is likely to have been made in Salem. The elongated cigar shaped feet were once thought to signal the work of N. Appleton in that town, but I suspect that recent research demonstrates that such feet were made by many cabinetmakers.

Lot 172: CLASSICAL CARVED MAHOGANY SOFA, with green velvet upholstery; length: ...
Although this sofa needs someone who knows how to perform historic upholstery conservation, this mahogany sofa has distinguished lines and carvings. It deserves and is worthy of a discriminating collector.

Lot 202: PAIR OF GOTHIC REVIVAL GILT BRONZE ARGAND LAMPS; height: 18 inches
Gothic revival panels inset into the base of this pair of gilt bronze argand lamps help to place the date of these works in the mid Victorian period. The glass chimneys seem not to be period. But they will do until replacement glasses can be found. I wonder if these lamps once had prisms hanging below each arm.

Lot 219: HAMMOND TYPEWRITER, ca. 1900
Having learned typing at an early age, I own many still functioning and ornamental but unused early typewriters. But none of my typewriters are as early as this example. This really is a specimen worthy of a serious typewriter collector.

Lot 220: PAIR OF FEDERAL STEEPLE FINIAL BRASS ANDIRONS; together with THREE FIR...
It amazes me to see how often fine brass andirons turn up in New England auctions. This set, together with fireplace tools, looks excellent, in fine condition, and representing early nineteenth century American industry.

Lot 251: L. & J. G. STICKLEY OAK DESK; height: 36 inches; width: 40 inche...
What a nice set of oak furniture -- an American arts and crafts oak desk and chair signed by the maker L. & J.G. Stickley working in the early 20th century.

Lot 288: SILK HERIZ RUG, Persia, circa 1900; 6 feet 2 inches x 4 feet 4 inches
Grogan auctions almost always feature fine rugs that merit attention. This c. 1900 silk Heriz from Persia caught my eye among the several rugs offered in this sale.

Lot 323: JOSEPH PENNELL (American, 1857-1926) THE BANK OF IRELAND, DUBLIN signe...
Rare it is to see an original watercolor and gouache by Joseph Pennell and dated 1883. Prints -- usually etchings are what one normally encounters for Pennell at auctions.

Lot 327: JOHN STEUART CURRY (American, 1897-1946) JOHN BROWN signed in pencil J...
Here is a famous lithograph by J.S. Curry who was known as an artist of America's heartland. The subject, John Brown most certainly became the center of a perfect storm as he stirred Americans through murders and civil strife before he was executed.

Lot 363: LARGE MOCHAWARE MUG, with earthworm design; height: 5 3/4 inches
Those who collect mochaware will love this auction. There are many lively mochaware examples offered. This one I feel is among the best.

Lot 436: ENGLISH PEARLWARE PITCHER, bears the name Thos Mayott 1799 under spout
The name "Thos Mayott 1799" is decorated under the spout of this British pearlware pitcher. Pearlware was a version of creamware that had a bluish tint added to the otherwise colorless finish glaze. This pitcher is further decorated with the Farmer's Arms on one side and a landscape with a man climbing trees with birds nests on the other. Here is a highly decorative work which would look wonderful in almost any collector's cupboard.

Lot 480: GEORGE III SILVER SALVER, London, 1812, Peter & William Bateman,...
The Bateman silversmiths of London were among the finest in the goldsmith's trade. This is a large salver with an engraved coat of arm. It weighs 46 oz. and measures 14" in diameter.

Lot 483: GEORGIAN III SILVER PLATTER, London, 1810, Paul Storr, maker
Paul Storr is a goldsmith of first rank in London when this silver platter was made in 1810. It measures 20 3/4" in length. It is engraved with a coat of arms and weighs 95 oz.

Michaan's Auctions

Lot 2053: FINE OLD LUBA HEMBA KABEJA CONGO KONGO AFRICAN ART
Male and female conjoined and facing in opposite directions is this nicely carved hard wood blackened work from the Congo. It is 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" and has five holes on the top for attachments.

Lot 2061: LARGE MALAGAN NEW IRELAND PNG POLYNESIAN ART
Here is an expressive display mask from New Ireland for the Malagan.

Lot 2074: SEPIK BEAK MASK WOKIO WOGIO PNG ART
From the Lower Sepik River district, Papua New Guinea, comes this mysterious face mask, once owned by Charles Craig, Jr., Santa Barbara, CA.

Lot 2075: GREEN RIVER SHIELD SEPIK PNG WARRIOR ART
Much aboriginal art employs bilateral symmetry in its design. This Green River Shield from the West Sepik district offers dramatic symmetry of this sort.

Lot 2079: NIAS FIGURE INDONESIA BALI PNG INDONESIAN ART
A carved wooden figure is shown standing and crowned. It is a male ancestral figure from Indonesia. The figure is smiling with bent arms holding rods. Between his legs is an erect phallus. He wears a pendant necklace and a long right earring.

Lot 2086: HIMALAYAN MASK TIBETAN NEPALESE INDIA MASKS ART
Fearsome is this Himalayan mask that is carved of wood and painted with layers of bright blue, red, white and gold. This is a Tibetan Nepalese mask of the late 19th or early 20th century. It is an animal/god face crowned with gilded skulls.

Lot 2109: HUARI HEADDRESS ANDES PERU ANCIENT ART
Here is an ancient Peruvian headdress or crown that dates c. 800-1000 A.D. It consists of brightly colored bird feathers and abstracted human faces. This remarkable survivor from the ancient Andes comes from the estate of Charles Craig, Jr., Santa Barbara, CA.

Lot 2124: KLAMATH BASKET NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ART
The Klamath Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest made magnificently wrought baskets. This one has some rim losses and brown stains, but it remains a nice example.

Lot 2145: NAVAJO SILVER BEAD NECKLACE
I like the elegant simplicity of this graduated biconal beads necklace that was made by a Navajo silversmith.

Lot 2148: MATA ORTIZ POTTERY OLLA SIGNED JOSE LOYA
Pottery made over the border in Mexico in Mata Ortiz has become highly prized by people who admire the perfection and complexity of pottery masters in that region.

Lot 2154A: SUPER LIGBE MASK IVORY COAST AFRICAN ART
I find this Ligbe carved wooden mask evokes an inexplicable magic. The grouping of three noses and mouths, two pair of eyes and a forehead surmounted by male and female figures is complex and compelling. The mask comes from the Ivory Coast of Africa.

Lot 2170: NICE NYAMWEZI CHAIR AFRICAN FURNITURE AFRICA ART
Use of the human form to shape a chair in this work from Tanzania intrigues me. I particularly like how the human legs are used and conjoined with a post at the back to create a three part support.

Lot 2229: RARE EKET MASK NIGERIA AFRICA AFRICAN ART
This Eket mask is carved of wood and covered with thick black pigment superimposed with white details. It is possibly a nineteenth century mask from Nigeria.

Lot 2236: LARGE LEGA MASK DR CONGO AFRICAN ART AFRICA
Here is a large Lega mask from the Congo. It may date to the late 19th or early 20th century. I like its expressive features as if the mask represented a spiritual trance-like state.

Lot 2453: EKOI JANUS HELMET MASK NIGERIA AFRICAN ART
A Nigerian helmet mask made of stretched hide over wood. This is a two faced or Janus mask. One has a face with eyeholes, the other with black and white pigment on the eyes.

Lot 2471: FOUR AFRICAN BASKETS BASKET AFRICA TEXTILE ART
I'm fascinated how similar certain crafts like basketmaking yield universal patterns. These four African baskets would be nice to own if only to compare with Native American baskets.

Lot 2492: ASMAT SHIELD PNG ART
Here is an Indonesian Asmat shield that displays the almost universal use of design symmetry. The front of this shield mirrors motifs of six shell nose-pieces worn by Asmet warriors.

Lot 2511: TWO MAORI WAHAIKA PRESTIGE ITEMS
Although modern, these hand clubs, wahaika, continue Maori, New Zealand traditions of carving. Such clubs are best understood in context with dances and ceremonies used to train young Maori warriors. One of my brothers lived years in New Zealand and became a highly respected carver among the Maoris. From him I learned many of their dances & songs.

Lot 2617: BAMILEKE BAMUM MASK CAMEROON AFRICAN ART
From the Cameroon, this Bamileke Bamum mask is an impressive carving that measures 17 1/2"x 16 1/2"x 9".

Lot 2659: TWO SENUFO MASKS IVORY COAST MALI AFRICAN ART
These two Senufo masks from the Ivory coast would make a striking display with other masks available in this auction.

Lot 2898: LARGE ZARAMO HIGHBACK CHAIR AFRICAN FURNITURE
If one succeeds acquiring the figural chair of Lot 2170 in the previous auction, then why not acquire this female highbacked chair from Tanzania? They would make a fine pair to contrast.

Lot 2962: FIVE STRANDS OF WEST AFRICAN GLASS TRADE BEADS
African glass trade beads are beautiful. Most glass beads were and are made in Venice, Italy. These deep blue beads probably involved the use of some cobalt salts in the glass mixture to achieve the look of lapis lazuli. There are five strands offered here. Four strands have faces on each bead. One strand simply has white and red dots.

Swann Auction Galleries

Lot 1: CIRCUS eisenmann, charles Collection of 130 photographs
Here is the opportunity to acquire an instant collection of 130 period photos depicting circus and sideshow performers.

Lot 3: WATKINS, CARLETON E. (1829-1916) "Mt. Broderick, Nevada Fall, 700 ft. ...
What an impressive mammoth albumen print this is by the famed Carleton E. Watkins. The print measures 15 3/4" x 20 1/2". The print was made c. 1867.

Lot 11: CURTIS, EDWARD S. (1868-1952) "Three Chiefs."
Of all the photographers who made images of Indians in the American West, none are more famous than Edward S. Curtis. Here is a handsome photo made c. 1900 of "Three Chiefs." They are pictured in prairie or high plains grassland on horseback beside a stream and under a storm filled sky.

Lot 21: BOURKE-WHITE, MARGARET (1904-1971) Otis Steel Mill.
This atmospheric photograph celebrates the heavy industry of the Otis Steel Mill of Ohio. In her autobiography of 1963 the photographer, Margaret Bourke-White stated that "a foundry represented the beginning and end of all beauty . . . "

Lot 36: NORMAN, DOROTHY (1905-1997) Group of 4 photographs of New York, compri...
Majestic is the word I'd use to describe this image of New York City as photographed in the 1930s by Dorothy Norman. The photo comes from her estate.

Lot 38: ABBOTT, BERENICE (1898-1991) "''El'' 2nd and 3rd Avenue Lines."
Here is a warm toned silver print made by Berenice Abbott in 1936 showing the complex light and shadows underneath the "El" of the 2nd and 3rd Avenue Lines. It reminds me of the same patterns cast by the now demolished Washington St. " El" of Boston.

Lot 43: FASSBENDER, ADOLF (1884-1980) "Deep Water."
The photographer Adolf Fassbender, explains in his caption the methods by which he produced this blue-toned print. It is signed with his lengthy typewritten caption affixed on the reverse and dated, 1937.

Lot 46: CARTIER-BRESSON, HENRI (1908-2004) "Andalusia."
Henry Cartier-Bresson is famed for his photographs that capture the essence of an instant -- this one being images of young men confronting the camera lens. This work is signed and stamped 1933 but printed in the 1970s.

Lot 54: MARTIN VOS Albert Einstein and Rabindranath Tagore.
I admire the combination of famed mathematician and mystic meeting in Manhattan -- this image of Albert Einstein and Rabindranath Tagore is a silver print and hand stamped with numerous notations on verso. 1930.

Lot 57: SAMUEL GOTTSCHO "New York City by night."
The city of New York aglow at night is the subject of this brilliant photograph -- a silver print made in 1936 by Samuel Gottscho.

Lot 85A: EISENSTAEDT, ALFRED (1898-1995) Gordon Parks.
The viewer can almost feel the sculptural contours of the portrait of Gordon Roger Alexander Buchannan Parks (1912-2006) a groundbreaking African-American novelist, journalist, poet, musician, film director and photographer. This image was photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1963. This silver print comes directly from the estate of Gordon Parks. Parks is perhaps best remembered as the director of his film Shaft made in 1971. He was an activist who supplied photo essays for Life magazine.

Lot 95: PORTER, ELIOT (1901-1990) Portfolio entitled "Trees," containing 10 ph...
Ten photographs of trees photographed by Eliot Porter call to mind that this photographer's works awakened in the minds of many a reverence for nature essential to promoting the conservation movement in the United States. These are beautiful photographs -- number 34 from an edition of 50 sets. They are elephant folio size and come in a clamshell box.

Lot 105: LEIBOVITZ, ANNIE (1949- ) "Billy Wilder, Los Angeles, Sunset Boulevard...
Annie Leibovitz captures the chaos and commercialism of modern, industrialized urban life in this image entitled "Billy Wilder, Los Angeles, Sunset Boulevard." This is a chromogenic print number 30 of an edition of 40 with signature, title, date and other notes in ink in recto. It dates to 1995.

Ken Farmer Auctions & Appraisals

Lot 56: Lionel Train Set
For those who love toy trains, a Lionel Train Set is the perfect gift. This set includes much useful material such as an 80watt multi-control transformer -- and all items come in original boxes with cardboard liners. The set seems unused!

Lot 81: Diamond Solitaire Ring
This very impressive diamond solitaire of 3.5 ct. would impress a receiver for a late Valentine's day.

Lot 147: Ladies Star Sapphire Ring
What a handsome star sapphire ring this seems to be with a 10ct. star sapphire in the center and two .12 ct. diamond baguettes on the sides.

Lot 181: American Sterling S. Kirk & Son Co Pitcher
Kirk & Son of Baltimore was famous for its production of elaborate repousse work. This is a technique in which the silversmith hammers from within the vessel and then chases down the ornament from the outside while the vessel is filled with hardened pitch. The work is time intensive. This 7 1/2" tall pitcher is covered with rose repousse design work.

Lot 186: American Sterling S. Kirk & Son Co Monteith Bowl
The firm of Kirk & Son of Baltimore made this standing monteith wrought with elaborate repousse in the same manner described above. A monteith is a form traditionally used for hanging wine glasses around the rim by leaning the glasses inward into ice water for chilling and/or rinsing the glasses.

Lot 269: American Sterling S. Kirk & Son Open Oval Tureen
Here is another impressive standing vessel-- an oval tureen by S. Kirk & Son. This auction offers other Kirk silver, so look at all offerings.

Lot 289: Virginia Friendship Quilt
Signed by makers on the several squares, such a work is called a Virginia Friendship Quilt. This is very colorful and dates to the 1840s.

Lot 291: Aesthetic Revival Victorian Sofa
Made in the late nineteenth century in the Aesthetic taste, this American Victorian sofa looks like it was cleaned or refinished and recently upholstered in a rose velvet fabric.

Lot 295: Historic Blue Transferware Plate
"The Landing of Lafayette" plates are desirable. The Winterthur Museum devotes an entire room to a collection of such transfer blue plates. This example is stamped "Warranted Staffordshire Clews." It is a rich dark blue.

Lot 296: Three Redware Dirt Dishes
I've not heard the term "Dirt Dishes" before, but by looking at the examples pictured, it looks like they are redware earthenware slip decorated pie plates made in Pennsylvania in the nineteenth century.

Lot 297: Three Piece Rosewood Victorian Parlor Suite
Here is a very handsome three piece set of Victorian Parlor furniture made c. 1860-70 with nice carving. The new upholstery I would replace if I acquired this set, but that is just a personal choice.

Lot 346: Stoneware Jug
Here is a chance for a stoneware collector to acquire a work from South Carolina. The jug is 20 1/2" high and is stamped "J.A. Burdermeyer, Charleston, S.C."

Lot 364: Grain Decorated Two-Drawer Mule Chest
Boldly painted graining distinguishes this two drawer chest with lift lids. The chest dates to the nineteenth century.

Lot 373: Wilder Family Register Needlework
This Wilder family register, made of needlework c. 1837, appeals to me. The family names seem mostly of New England as Jonathan Osgood, the patriarch, is buried in Sterling, MA.

Lot 488: American Aesthetic Revival Music Cabinet
Drenched with ornament related to music, this American Music Cabinet dates to the era 1870-80. It appears to retain an old finish.

Lot 491: Gustav Stickley Four-Shelf Open Bookcase
Both useful and handsome is this Gustav Stickley -- Arts and Crafts open bookcase that bears a partial label for America's most famous designer of the "Mission" style.

Lot 515: Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine
I acquired a Singer Featherweight sewing machine of this type for my daughter. She is thrilled with it as these featherweight machines are miracle instruments unsurpassed by later models.

Lot 557: American Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard
If a sideboard is needed for your dining room, then here is a good candidate. It is a spare straightforward example of the late Federal period.

Lot 561: Petite Mantle
This small mantle of elegant lines appeals to me. I cannot tell if it is made of marble or of wood.

Lot 571: American Splint Basket
This is not the only splint basket offered in this auction. But it is nicely shaped and was probably made in the Southern states.

Lot 608: Floyd County Coverlet
Here is an appealing coverlet made in a checkerboard pattern of light and dark blue.

Lot 648: Bentwood High Chair
This high chair made of bent wood looks very much like that made by the bent wood furniture companies in Austria. But this one bears a label stating "Manufactured by Highpoint Bending City, NC" Highpoint is, of course, the center of furniture production and sales from the early years of the 20th century and is still very active today. I suspect that this highchair was made c. 1900-1920.