BELTER, HORNER, MEEKS, ROUX, TIFFANY, HANDEL, PAIRPOINT AND MORE TO BE FEATURED AT ESTATE AUCTION Exceptional antique estate auction featuring some of the biggest names in period American furniture, vintage lighting and more will be sold Saturday, April 4 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery Pittsfield M
partner’s desk; a 10’carved oak grandfather clock; an oak winged griffin bonnet-top china cabinet; a monumental griffin carved oak curio sideboard; a four-griffin mahogany pedestal; a carved oak mirrored hall bench; 2 figural maiden carved oak double door china cabinets; 4 matching double door bookcases with maidens and an elaborate mahogany partner’s desk with full standing griffins.
John and Joseph W. Meeks (sons of Joseph Meeks, who made furniture in New York City as far back as 1797) went into business in 1820, making cabinets and other furniture pieces for the middle class on up to the aristocracy in the Empire, Gothic and Rococo Revival styles. Earlier Meeks Rococo pieces were often mistakenly attributed to J.H. Belter. But like Belter, Meeks is highly prized today.
Two of the several J. & J.W. Meeks lots set to cross the block in April are a Hawkins laminated rosewood sofa and an 8-piece Stanton Hall parlor set. Other furniture pieces sure to pique the interest of the crowd include a Pottier & Stymus inlaid rosewood marble-top table; a four-piece carved rosewood marble-top bedroom set; a pair of Rococo gilt-carved curio cabinets; and other high-end examples too many to list.
Over 50 vintage clocks and other timepieces will chime on time for eager bidders. A few examples include an Ansonia antique standing clock; a 12-bird automaton with Jappy Freres timepiece; and a carved Black Forest 2-weight cuckoo clock with a St. Bernard. Music boxes will include 2 Regina 12-disc coin-operated mahogany upright changers plus several other floor and table models.
Rounding out the top lots: a Wilkinson 20-inch Water Lily leaded table lamp; a pair of monumental figural landing windows; a 19th-century bronze of a winged maiden on a carved marble pedestal; and a Powers Mfg. stenciled cameragraph movie projector. Previews will be held on Friday, April 3, from 10-5; and Saturday, the day of sale, from 8-11 a.m. A free full-color catalog is available.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s next big sale will be an Antique Estate Auction planned for Saturday, May 2. Then, on the weekend of May 30-31, a truly important sale: Fontaine’s Spring Clock & Watch Auction. The 2 day sale will include over 900 timepieces. May 30 will feature over 450 clocks including uncataloged discovery items before the main catalogued sale. The centerpiece lot promises to be a Howard #61 astronomical regulator. Two of these coveted clocks were sold in previous Fontaine’s auctions. One went for $195,500 in June of last year; another example brought $189,750 in November. Also to be sold May 30 will be a Howard #70 clock with 20-inch dial, French industrials, chronometers and other rarities. Sunday, May 31 will feature over 450 wrist watches and pocket watches including repeaters & chronometers.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. The firm is actively seeking quality lots for its spring and summer auction series. Wanted are firearms, clocks, watches, barometers, antique lamps and lighting. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you
