Garths January Auction and the Economy of a New Market: Variety. Variety, Variety! Most folks agree that in today's economy, auction is a good measure of the overall health of the trade; and illustrates market trends in the antiques and arts community. It seems more and more bidders
News-Antique.com - Jan 12,2010 - Most folks agree that in today's economy, auction is a good measure of the overall health of the trade; and illustrates market trends in the antiques and arts community. It seems more and more bidders at national auction houses are responding most exuberantly to auctions with a wide assortment of offerings. The days of highly specialized auctions have given way to the good old days of a diverse auction with quality offerings from several complimentary categories. As a result, the folks charged with displaying Garth’s January 29 / 30 auction, in Delaware, Ohio have their work cut out for them. The auction, originally slated as simply a Continental / Asian event, has come together as a veritable smorgasboard of fine and decorative arts for antiques and art enthusiasts, covering everything from jewelry to Old Master drawings to Mid-Century modern, with a session of over 200 Oriental rugs to boot. So whether you are part of the budget conscious consumer sector or you wield a larger wallet (and are ready for good value), likely a piece or two will tempt your bidding paddle high.
Kicking things off is the Friday night session of quality new and old Oriental rugs. With more than 200 examples crossing the block, highlights from this dazzling array of textiles will include 75+ room-size carpets and a selection of styles such as Heriz, Sarouk, Bahktiari, Oushak, Tabriz, Kilim, Hamadan, Karastan, Aubusson and Wilton. A highlight of the session includes a complete set of HALI Magazine, spanning 1978 - autumn 2009, including 161 regular issues and seven supplements and special issues. The set is estimated to fetch $1,000-2,000.
Saturday morning, bidders will be back at it for the decorative arts, art and jewelry segment of the weekend. A highlight of the weekend is sure to be a rare carved and inlaid Art Nouveau library table by Julius Starke (Santa Barbara, CA, circa 1880). Representing the pinnacle of Starke’s botany studies and furniture craftsmanship, the elaborately carved table is inlaid with no fewer than 24 specimens of Yosemite area woods, each labeled with their scientific and common names. The one-of-a-kind rarity was exhibited in the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, and will sell against a modest estimate of $10,000 - $20,000. Additional furniture selections are as diverse as one can imagine, with fine 20th Century designer furnishings by Henkel Harris, Henredon and Baker; alongside Louis XV and George III, and Cincinnati art-carved pieces. Arts and Crafts enthusiasts will appreciate pieces from all the big names, including Roycroft, Stickley and Limbert. For those looking to add a more rustic flair to their decor, a Black Forest chair, in the form of a bear with intricate carving and the original finish, should pique some interest when it sells against an estimate of $4,000 - $6,000.
Fine art offerings have poured in from around the continent, including an impressive selection of works from the 15th through the 20th centuries. A watercolor by H. W. Mesdag (estimate, $5,000-$7,000); Old Master drawings by Jacopo
