Vibrant Colors & Whimsey to Lead GARTH’S March 11-12 Americana Auction Vibrant colors and whimsical creations should warm up the saleroom and beat the winter doldrums at Garth’s March 11-12, 2011 Americana auction. With over 800 lots offered in two sessions, the spectru
News-Antique.com - Feb 25,2011 - Vibrant colors and whimsical creations should warm up the saleroom and beat the winter doldrums at Garth’s March 11-12, 2011 Americana auction. With over 800 lots offered in two sessions, the spectrum of colors and amazing designs will shine throughout the display of American formal and painted furniture, folk art, fine art, decorative accessories and more.
One of the top lots of the sale is certain to be a finely, decorated blanket chest attributed to Johannes Rank of Dauphin (now Lebanon) County, Pennsylvania. Dated 1791, the poplar case is adorned with its original blue paint decoration and three tombstones, each with pots of flowers. Though similar to the work of other members of the Rank-Selzer families of makers and decorators, this chest is most closely related to the signed chests of Johannes Rank and carries an estimate of $ 16,000-22,000. Lively blue hues are always popular with the Americana set; two particular pieces in this auction should command the attention of bidders. An American one-piece corner cupboard, 19th century, has four paneled doors and the original dry, robin's egg blue paint. The 72 1/2" high cupboard it expected to reach $3,500-5,500. A slightly earlier, late 18th century corner cupboard is also one piece with shaped shelves in the upper section flanked by decorated columns with angel spandrels. The 90" high cupboard should sell for $1,500-2,500. An American decorated bed estimated at $1,000-1,500 is not only to be appreciated for the colorful surface, but also the pronounced scrollwork on the headboard.
Of the decorative accessories, a late 19th century Massachusetts painted pine painter’s box has its original surface and folk art appeal. Consisting of a harbor scene on the lid with an eagle holding a banner reading "William L. Talbot Painter & Glazier" and a landscape vignette on the front, the details are set against a faux oak-grained ground. The small 16 1/2" wide box estimated to bring $500-1,000 appears to have belonged to William L. Talbot, who was born in New Hampshire in 1821 and was listed in the 1880 Federal Census as a painter in Dracut, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. An American chip carved, dome-top box is distinguished by the compass stars, wrought iron hardware, and blue paint with faint traces of salmon paint. The delicate 7” wide box was previously part of the Estate of Ann Hargrove Fertile of Iowa and should sell for $800-1,200.
The rainbow of color in the sale is epitomized in the collections of Whieldon and spatter to be offered. Thomas Whieldon of Stoke-on-Trent, England developed the tortoiseshell glaze on his creamware in the 18th century. During this time both Josiah Spode and Josiah Wedgwood I worked for Whieldon. Of the twenty-eight lots of Whieldon creamware to be sold the best pieces have molded edges & tortoiseshell glaze which includes multiple shades of green, blue, amber sometimes on a speckled brown ground. There are several plates with good colors in this sale including both scalloped edge and octagonal examples each estimated in the $400-800 range.
