Artfact Live! September Auction Results Roundup

(Boston, MA) – Artfact’s staff highlights key auction results from September 2009. Online sales continued to grow in September thanks to quality sales and aggressive bidding activity. Infinite Bidding™, Artfact’s privately branded live bidding platform developed exclusively for auction house partners, helped successfully drive up demand for many of Artfact’s partners throughout the month. Charlton Hall and Freemean’s both generated exceptional online sales results through the combined use of the Artfact Live! and Infinite Bidding™ platforms.

Alderfer Auction & Appraisal, “Ephemera, Decorative Arts, Fine Furniture & Rugs” –September 10, 2009
Painted KPM Porcelain Plaque
Price Realized: $18,000
With its delicate rendering of a seated nymph, this KPM Porcelain Plaque, which was featured in Artfact’s September 3rd newsletter, garnered considerable interest from both floor and online bidders. Tripling its pre-auction price estimate of $5,000 - $7,000, the plaque sold to an online bidder for $18,000 (including buyers premium).
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/painted-kpm-porcelain-plaque-148-c-84abb6a7cb

Charlton Hall, “Great Estates at Auction” –September 12, 2009
Louis XV Style Bronze-Mounted Bureau Attributed to Theodore Millet
Price Realized: $30,000
Selling online for $30,000, this late 19th century Louis XV style bureau has been attributed to acclaimed French furniture-maker Theodore Millet. Established in 1853 by Theodore Millet, Maison Millet operated until 1918. The firm was known for its Louis XV and Louis XVI style furniture and in 1902 the Palais de Versailles allowed the firm to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux. Made in the late 19th century, the kidney-shaped bureau was fitted with a central clock, flanked by a pair of gilded candleholders. A truly remarkable example of Rococo Revival furniture.
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/louis-xv-style-kingwood,-satine-and-bronze-mounte-200-c-284c276431

I.M. Chait, “Asian & International Fine Arts” –September 13, 2009
Fine Scroll Painting by Qi Bashi (1864-1957)
Price Realized: $32,500
With its freely painted crabs and calligraphy, this monochrome ink and wash scroll painting is characteristic of Chinese artist Qi Bashi (1864-1957)— who was know for his traditional paintings of birds, flowers, small animals and insects. Beloved by China’s upper and lower classes, Bashi embodied the image of the scholar-artist through his lifestyle and choice of subjects. Estimated at $20,000 - $25,000, the scroll, which comes complete with a signed and seal mark, sold to an online bidder for $32,500 (including buyers premium).
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/fine-scroll-painting-by-qi-baishi-371-c-008b7b0a35

Rock Island Auction Company, “Premiere Firearms Auction, Day 3” –September 13, 2009
Gold-Plated Colt Single Action Army Revolver from the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum
Price Realized: $12,650
The catalog entry notes that this Colt SAA revolver originally had a blue finish when it was shipped to Marcos Russek in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 24, 1908. The revolver, which was gold plated at later date, was subsequently owned by cowboy television star Roy Rogers and was on display at the Rogers-Dale Evans Museum prior to the Rock Island sale. Given its extensive history and elaborate decoration, it’s no wonder that this rare revolver sold to an online bidder for $12,650 (including buyers premium).
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/elaborate-custom-relief-engraved-and-gold-plated-442-c-d715b4ada7

Freeman’s “Fine Asian Arts” –September 14, 2009
18th Century Chinese White Jade Carving of a Horse
Price Realized: $16,250
Bidding was fierce as online and floor bidders competed for this 18th century Chinese Jade. The figure, a recumbent horse on a wooden base, was carved from a white-green jade with russet inclusions around the chest and face. Expected to sell for $3,000 - $5,000, this diminutive figure, the horse measures just 5” x 6”, brought a big price at auction—selling online for $16,250 (including buyers premium). http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/chinese-white-jade-carving-of-a-horse,-18th-centu-258-c-980257fd77

Kodner Galleries, “Antiques, Fine Art, Jewelry & Decorative Art” –September 23, 2009
Ch’ing Dynasty 18th Century Jade Vase with Ring Handles
Price Realized: $12,000
This 18th century Ch’ing Dynasty vase defied expectations, selling online for $12,000—ten times it’s pre-auction price estimate of $800 - $1,200. Carved from a pale celadon nephrite jade, the vase was accompanied by two Certificates of Antiquity: one from the Hong Kong Art Craft Merchants Association and another from the Trio Pearl Company, Hong Kong.
http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/ch-ing-dynasty-18th-century-carved-pale-celadon-n-44-c-3563f0edf0

Note: Auction lot details and enlarged lot images available at www.artfact.com with free registration.

About Artfact:
Founded in 1989, Artfact is the largest global marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate auctions. On January 1, 2009, Artfact launched Artfact Live!, its proprietary live auction bidding platform, enabling users to bid real time on auctions being held around the world by its prestigious auction house partners. Currently, over 1,000 fine auctioneers actively list their catalogues with Artfact.com and its U.K. sister site Invaluable.com, reaching the Artfact community of more than 10 million knowledgeable collectors and dealers worldwide. Artfact's industry leading database includes more than 54 million complete auction results totaling more than $197 billion in value, including information on more than 500,000 international artists. In 2006, Artfact acquired RFC Systems, the leading provider of enterprise software developed specifically for the fine art and antique auction house industry. RFC helps prestigious auction houses around the world manage their businesses by automating their day-to-day operations.

Editor’s Notes:
- Additional background information available.
- Interviews with Doug Ellinger, VP Marketing, dellinger@artfact.com, (617) 746-9882
- Complimentary media subscriptions to the Artfact database available.