R. J. Horner 12-piece dining room set soars to $100,300 at Fontaine's A circa-1890 R.J. Horner figural carved mahogany 12-piece dining room set soared to $100,300 at an Exceptional Cataloged Antique Auction held by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Mass.
News-Antique.com - Jun 10,2011 - (PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – A monumental circa-1890 R.J. Horner figural carved mahogany 12-piece dining room set – consisting of a dining table, sideboard, china cabinet, server and set of eight dining room chairs – soared to $100,300 at an Exceptional Cataloged Antique Auction held on Saturday, May 21, by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, at the firm’s showroom in Pittsfield.
The set was the top lot in a sale that grossed just over $1.4 million. Over 500 lots crossed the block, in categories that included antique furniture, vintage lighting, fine art, decorative accessories, period clocks, estate jewelry, watches and more. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and phone and absentee bidding was brisk. Overall, the sale was a success.
The dining room set featured a selection of some of the best American carved pieces of their time. It was presented in a deep untouched original finish and was in mint condition. The solid carvings and variations highlighted the peak of R.J. Horner, one of the greatest furniture makers in American history. It was the best Horner set Fontaine’s has sold in its 40-year history.
Another top lot of the auction was also a furniture grouping. It was a seven-piece John H. Belter laminated rosewood Henry Clay parlor set that climbed to $25,960. The set was in great condition, with detailed graining and a nice French polished finish. The sofa had a serpentine crest rail with three high crests. Also included was a pair of matching armchairs and side chairs.
Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include the 18 percent buyer’s premium.
Examples by Tiffany were everywhere, and they all fetched nice high prices. A Tiffany Studios Greek key table tamp with 18-inch serpentine leaded shade brought $26,550; a Tiffany Studios swirling oak leaf and acorn table lamp with 18-inch shade in a geometric brick border made $24,780; and a Tiffany Studios turtleback desk lamp with fine bronze base rose to $14,160.
A Tiffany Studios hanging turtleback lantern having a square bronze frame with rounded edges and a pyramidal top with three coils on each side realized $23,600; a set of four signed Tiffany Favrile fiery orange iridescent art glass tulip shades with a bulbous floral form garnered $5,015; and a Tiffany Favrile wall sconce with a fiery red iridescent art glass shade hit $3,068.
A Tiffany Studios bronze crab inkwell with an exceptional brown and deep red patina with green highlights went for $23,600; and an 18kt Tiffany & Company fancy gold pin with 18 prong-set diamonds, signed and marked, topped out at $3,068. Another pin, not made by Tiffany, a floriform platinum pin with five crescent arms, each with 13 prong-set diamonds, hit $11,800.
Returning to furniture, a Wooton extra-grade three-hinge cabinet secretary with a highly carved gallery commanded $22,420; an R.H. Horner figural carved mahogany lamp table with a center pedestal showing a woman kneeling on a pillow breezed to $11,210; a standard grade two-hinge Wooton two-door cabinet secretary with a Renaissance Revival carved gallery sold for
