THE MARCH AUCTION TO FEATURE ESTATE OF REVEREND PETER GOMES Grogan and Company is pleased to announce Property from the Estate of the Reverend Peter J. Gomes will be auctioned on Saturday, March 24th at their historic Dedham gallery.
century English School Portrait of a Gentleman reading New Monthly Magazine, 50 x 40 inches, estimated to sell for $3,000-5,000; and an extensive collection of Chinese Export Porcelain and Canton Blue and White Porcelain, reflective of Gome’s wish to create a traditional Sea Captain’s home where he could entertain his many guests. Between both residences, Reverend Gomes’ collection boasts a large selection of English and American School Ancestral portraits and Landscapes, a large collection of 18th and 19th century English engravings of historical, theological and royal subject matter and books, as well as, numerous decorations, mirrors, chandeliers and lighting, garden furniture and statuary. One of the most unusual items discovered amongst his collection is a 17th century edition of Thomas A. Kempis’s Canonici Regularis Ordinis d Augustini (The Works of Augustine), edited by Henricus Sommalius and published in Antwerp in 1615. The text bears a vellum binding that is purported to be anthropodermic (of human skin), a macabre 18th and 19th century practice. “Anthropodermic bindings are rare,” commented Grogan and Company specialist Allyson Lee, “thus, finding an expert to confirm the claim has been difficult.” The book is currently estimated at $700-1,000.
Session two comprised of property from various estates and collections, will be held on Sunday and will include an assortment of American and European Fine Art, Furniture and Decorations, Silver, Jewelry and Rugs. Fine art highlights include 19th century French artist, Emile Munier’s Girl with Kitten, a 24 x 20 inch oil on canvas circa 1878, estimated at $20,000-40,000; while Furniture and Decorative Arts offerings include two pairs of Russian Porcelain Plates from the period of Nicholas I, by the Imperial Manufactory, each pair estimated at $5,000-7,000. Revolutionary War history collectors will find three Rhode Island documents, one dated 1776 bearing the signature of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, presale estimate $3,000-5,000; while
a selection of American and European silver features a 19th century French Silver Coffee Service by Alexandre-Auguste Turquet, estimated at $10,000-15,000 and a selection of fine jewelry features a platinum and yellow gold diamond ring, comprised of a two carat diamond surmounted by two one carat diamonds, presale estimate $20,000-25,000.
The exhibition hours begin Wednesday, March 21st, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m .- 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m .- 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Both sessions auctions begin at 12 noon. For more information regarding the auction, please call the gallery at 781-461-9500 or visit www.groganco.com for a fully illustrated catalogue.
