SILVER REMAINS STRONG AT WESCHLER’S; A GEORGE III IRISH DROP-LEAF TABLE REALIZES $54,050 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Weschler’s May 14th auction of European & American Furniture and Decorations including Asian Works of Art ended the season on a high note with a full house of bidders in their Was
News-Antique.com - Jun 07,2011 - The auction began with a selection of 19th to 20th century rugs that were highlighted by a second quarter 20th century Indian rug, consigned by a corporate collection. The Indian rug more than doubled its pre-sale estimate and sold to a phone bidder for $15,275.
Silver, once again, showcased the market’s strength and performed well-above expectations. Highlights from the offerings included a Tiffany & Co. sterling ‘Audubon Pattern’ flat table service, which soared to realize $10,575 against a sea of phone bidders; a Schofield Co., Inc. Baltimore repoussé sterling ‘Castle’ pattern five-piece coffee and tea service, first quarter 20th century, realized $7,050; an American repoussé silver water pitcher by Grosjean & Woodward, New York, circa 1860, sold for $2,585; and a Tiffany & Co. sterling presentation trophy bowl, New York, 1873-1891, was hammered down for $5,875. European standouts included a Continental enamel and stone-mounted parcel silver-gilt chess set which fetched $19,975; a George III silver oval cake basket by Samuel Herbert & Co., London, 1762, ($4,230); a first quarter 20th century German Rococo style silver six-piece coffee and tea service with tray sold for $5,170; and a selection of Christofle silver-plate flatware realized prices from $763.75 to $5,405.
Highlighting the European and American furniture offerings was a sought-after last quarter 18th century George III Irish mahogany drop-leaf table. The exquisitely carved table, despite condition issues, sailed past its pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000 and sold to an overseas phone bidder for $54,050.
Other furniture standouts included a pair of Regency parcel gilt and ebonized wood torchères ($2,585); a William IV mahogany and olive green tufted leather upholstered curule bench ($4,935); a George III style mahogany two-pedestal partner’s desk ($7,050); a George III two-color giltwood mirror ($5,640); a New York Federal satinwood inlaid mahogany serpentine sideboard, 1790-1805 ($9,400); a Portsmouth, New Hampshire Federal inlaid and crossbanded figured birch and maple bow-front chest of drawers, circa 1810 ($6,462.50); a New England Queen Anne cherry highboy, 1760-1780 ($5,640); and an unusual Victorian steer and stag horn mounted settee, arm chair and mirror which realized $3,055.
The decorative arts section featured a selection of bronzes, with Piqueur au Relais, after French artist Hippolyte Moreau (1832-1927) highlighting the selection and realizing an above estimate $3,760. Other decorative standouts included a pair of Royal Worcester gilt decorated moon flasks, dated 1877 ($3,760); a third quarter 19th century French porcelain plaque of a Turkish gentleman ($5,875); a pair of 19th century Paris porcelain gilt decorated fruit coolers, which more than doubled its pre-sale estimate, selling for $8,812.50; two late 19th century Continental ivory triptychs, probably Dieppe, sold to an Internet bidder for $2,410 and $2,651 respectively; a Southwest polychrome decorated pottery jar realized $2,585 and two late 18th-early 19th century American needlework samplers sold for $3,760.
Among the selection of Asian works of art were two 18th-19th century jade ritual cups and a group of eleven 18th-19th century Japanese Tsubas of various types from the Edo Period both realized $2,115; and a Chinese Export parcel gilt 'Blue Fitzhugh'
