Property from Boston physicians’ residence, estate of world traveler headline TAC Auction Fine and decorative art and elegant furniture from the residence of two Boston physicians plus the estate of a colorful world traveler and noted photographer headline TAC Auctions’ Sept. 20 auction.
very scarce Asian primitive in the sale is a hand-cut rosewood and bronze carrying pole or shoulder pole used for transporting water, grain or other commodities.
Fine art to be auctioned includes a signed, original Francisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746-1828) etching, 20¼ by 18 inches (framed), titled “The Shame-faced One; an oil-on-board landscape attributed to David Burliuk (Ukranian, 1882-1967), and a pencil-signed 16 by 12-inch (framed) Max Ernst (German, 1891-1976) lithograph titled “Creatures of the Sea.” A Pierre-Joseph Redouté (French, 1817-1824) oil-on-canvas still-life composition of fruit measures 14½ by 19 inches (sight).
A mid-century Murano glass artwork standing 2ft tall on a metal base is signed by Venetian glass master Pino Signoretto (Italian, b. 1944-). Other European highlights include 4-5 period Art Deco figurines by Hutschenreuther.
A number of black-and-white photographs by Ken Miller are part of the estate of William Earl “Wild Bill” Melton (1953-2006). Louisiana born, Melton was, himself, a highly successful commercial photographer and maintained studios in New York and Manchester, N.H., until his death at age 53 in a traffic accident. Among the memorable ad campaigns he helped create was the long-running Schweppes series featuring monkeys and leopards.
“Mr. Melton was an international traveler who was beloved in his adopted New Hampshire community. He gave very generously of his talents as a photographer and gourmet chef to benefit numerous charities. He was also a colorful figure known for his dashing Western attire.” The auction is a testament to Melton’s style and includes eight pairs of cowboy boots, including examples made from snake and lizard skin; a superbly hand-tooled saddle and lariat, chaps, spurs and tooled-leather saddlebags. Coming from Melton’s residence are numerous Western decorative articles: steer skulls, a Native-American fringed suede dress, early skis and poles; a Native headdress and polychrome-painted masks. The Melton estate offering also includes vintage cameras.
The Sept. 20 auction boasts a variety of other sought-after items, including carved walking sticks, a Yamaha acoustic guitar and approximately one dozen early African carved-wood masks. A collection of tinplate wind-up toys includes a Honeymoon Express, Lincoln Tunnel, 1950s fire truck with aerial ladder, Fred Flintstone and Dino; a Skeleton in Coffin coin bank and many other collector favorites.
Tonya A. Cameron’s auction featuring the living estate of two Boston-area physicians and the estate of William “Wild Bill” Melton will take place on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at the company’s gallery at 37 Water St. (ground floor), Wakefield, MA 01880, commencing at 6 p.m. Eastern time. Preview on auction day from 12-5:45 p.m.
All forms of bidding will be available, including telephone, absentee and online through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information, call 781-233-0006 or e-mail info@tacauctioneers.com. Visit TAC Auctions online at www.tacauctioneers.com.
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CAPTION FOR IMAGE AT TOP:
Large Chinese flare-neck vase profusely decorated in cobalt blue and orange motif on white ground. TAC Auctions image.
