Massive 3-session auction at Fontaine's Sat., Nov. 21st A massive three-session cataloged auction boasting nearly 525 lots in a wide array of categories will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, by Fontaine's Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Mass., at 10 a.m.
News-Antique.com - Nov 05,2009 - (PITTSFIELD, Mass.) - A massive three-session cataloged auction boasting nearly 525 lots of vintage clocks and watches, lighting (by Tiffany, Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, Pairpoint and others), Arts & Crafts furniture and accessories, bronzes, coins, paintings, porcelains and more will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, by Fontaine's Auction Gallery, at 1485 West Housatonic Street, starting at 10 a.m.
A few of the expected top lots include an E. Howard & Co. #60 astronomical hanging regulator (est. $75,000-$125,000); a Howard & Davis astronomical regulator (est. $75,000-$125,000); a Duffner & Kimberly modern floral table lamp (est. $50,000-$75,000); a Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp (est. $75,000-$100,000); and an early Gustav Stickley #6 chalet plant stand (est. $15,000-$25,000).
“Originally, this auction was envisioned as three separate sales, but in the end we decided to just combine them into one huge event, held on one day,” said John Fontaine of Fontaine's Auction Gallery. “For that reason alone we expect a healthy turnout.” Online bidding will be facilitated via Artfact.com and the Fontaine's website (www.fontainesauction.net). Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.
Session I will kick things off with vintage clocks and watches, a category for which Fontaine's has become renowned in the industry, thanks to semi-annual sales that have featured blockbusting top lots, including several fine examples of the E. Howard #61 astronomical floor standing regulator. Three of the coveted clocks were sold by Fontaine's within a year, hitting $195,500, $189,750, and $161,000.
The name Howard will be very much in evidence at the Nov. 21 sale, with the aforementioned clocks figuring to dominate the session. The E. Howard & Co. #60 astronomical hanging regulator has a fantastic walnut case with burled trim and quality carvings and is in great condition. The Howard & Davis astronomical regulator has a signed 16-inch silvered dial and a massive quality brass movement.
Other clocks expected to do well include a large bronze French industrial automated locomotive clock with gilt bronze trimmings (est. $20,000-$30,000); a French conical marble and bronze clock, in excellent condition (est. $15,000-$20,000); an Aaron Willard Massachusetts shelf clock (est. $12,000-$15,000); and a signed Herter Brothers mantle clock in a heavily carved case (est. $5,000-$7,000).
Yet another E. Howard & Co. clock will come under the gavel: a Figure 8 #8 wall clock with black pierce diamond hands and original signed 11-inch dial (est. $12,000-$15,000). Vintage watches will feature a Tiffany & Co. minute repeater pocket watch with split-second chronograph (est. $8,000-$10,000) and a Verge Fusee ¼ hour dumb repeater watch with encrusted pearls (est. $6,000-$8,000).
Session II will comprise over 375 lots of furniture, lamps, accessories and coins, with anticipated top achievers including a set of six mahogany R.J. Horner figural carved dining room chairs with oversize frames and maidens on the sides (est. $18,000-$25,000); a monumental 9-piece figural oak dining room set attributed to R.J. Horner (est. $15,000-$25,000); and a carved floral inlaid Herter Brothers ebonized parlor cabinet (est. $15,000-$25,000).
Other stars of the furniture category include a 7-piece laminated rosewood parlor set
