Josef Israels painting brings $20,700 at Converse sale An original oil on board painting by the Dutch artist Josef Israels (1824-1911) sold for $20,700 at just the third-ever auction by Gordon S. Converse & Co., held April 25th in Malvern, Penn.
A fine porcelain paneled gold gilt Swiss carriage clock, made in the late 19th century for Samuel Chew (1722-1810, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a British sympathizer) of “Cliveden” (Philadelphia), by the Droucourt Co., brought $4,312. Also, a carriage or travel timepiece, French in origin and seven inches tall, sold for $4,140.
A three-weight “Grande Sonnerie” German-made wall clock, attributed to Gustav Becker and featuring engraved weights, pendulum and round dial, and a carved walnut case (about 50 inches tall) chimed on time for $1,840; and a battery/electric clock case in a four-glass mahogany case, made by the Eureka Clock Company (circa 1909-1914, 12 inches tall, Serial # 5718) changed hands for $1,035.
A restored early 19th century American Federal pillar-and-scroll shelf clock with reverse painted glass below a square wood dial and with a mahogany case rose to $690; an Atmos clock, powered in “perpetual motion” by slight changes in temperature (Serial # 74143, 8-3/4 inches tall), garnered $288; and a 19th-century Chinese bracket clock in a rosewood and Nacre inlay case hit the mark for $259.
From the period furniture category, a fine Federal solid cherry high chest (circa 1800, possibly Delaware Valley in origin), with two drawers over five graduated size drawers, went for $2,012; a nice Hepplewhite chest (circa 1815), probably from the workshops of Michael Alison (N.Y., 1800-1845), achieved $1,725; and a cut glass, enamel and gilt jewelry chest (8 inches by 8 inches) attained $633.
A fine Regency or George III sterling silver tea or coffee urn, 22 inches tall and weighing 80 ounces, hallmarked and with an engraved monogram, climbed to $1,955; a Theodore Haviland Limoges dinnerware set, over 100 pieces, commanded $690; a 12-inch enamel charger with dragons, birds, butterflies and dogwoods blooming made $403; and a set of World War II posters hit $144.
Rounding out the top lots: a remarkable late 19th century 9-inch art glass and sterling jug with a handle and spout, marked “Sterling Silver...BB&B” (possibly Bailey, Banks & Biddle of Philadelphia), realized $748; the complete 19-piece set of original installments of Charles Dickens' novel Dealings with the Firm of Dombey & Son (1846-1848) made $633; and Dickens' Pickwick Papers brought $489.
Gordon S. Converse & Co. is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (610) 722-9004, or inquire by e-mail at Gordon@ConverseClocks.com. To learn more about Gordon S. Converse & Co., you may log on to www.AuctionsatConverse.com or www.ConverseClocks.com. Both sites are highly informative.
Anyone interested in finding out what an item might be worth can find out by sending a photo of the item, along with a check for $40, to Gordon S. Converse & Co., Attn: Gordon Converse, 25 West Lancaster Ave., Malvern, PA 19355.
