John Moran Auctioneers Final Antiques Auction of 2012 Goes Off Without a Hitch Chock full of gorgeous Continental furniture and decorative arts, including silver, clocks, art glass, and fine art, John Moran’s November 13, 2012 Antiques Auction yielded strong results. Solid pric
News-Antique.com - Dec 21,2012 - Pasadena, CA--Chock full of gorgeous Continental furniture and decorative arts, including silver, clocks, art glass, and fine art, John Moran’s November 13, 2012 Antiques Auction yielded strong results. Solid prices were achieved all around, with a few standout pieces far surpassing estimates.
Early in the sale, a charming pair of late 19th century marble garden statues depicting Cupid and Psyche stole bidders’ hearts. Estimated at $2000 to $3000 and masterfully carved in detail with roses and foliage twined around their legs, they realized $13,475. Later, a monumental Jerome Massier (of the famed house Massier in Vallauris) turquoise-glazed ceramic jardinière and stand, modeled by Pierre Perret, far outstripped its estimate of $5000 to $7000. Measuring nearly six feet high, the piece was a showstopper, and went to a delighted telephone bidder for $19,200.
Prices on silver prices were quite good. One highlight, a pair of George IV/William IV sterling silver wine coolers dating from the 1830s, brought the high estimate of $30,000. The pieces featured gorgeously rendered detachable collars modeled as grape clusters on a vine, and drew quite a bit of attention on the floor from perusing buyers. A pair of silver candelabra by Belgian firm Wolfers Freres (a John Moran favorite maker since they sold an Art Nouveau centerpiece for $96,000 in their September 2011 Auction) brought $3600 (estimate: $4000 to $6000). One surprising highlight was a Regency era sterling silver tea caddy, featuring an engraved border and a heraldic crest. The diminutive piece brought $2700, handily outperforming the estimated $600 to $800. A gorgeous Reed and Barton ‘Francis I’ full sterling tea service, elaborately decorated with clusters of fruit and foliate details, hammered at $18,000 (estimate: $15,000 to $20,000).
Tiffany & Co. silver also brought solid prices. In the first hour of the sale, an impressive Tiffany & Co. Paris 950 silver centerpiece (measuring 30 inches wide), sold at the high estimate of $60,000 (estimate: $50,000 to $60,000), and a turn of the century sterling flatware service in the St. James pattern found a buyer at $9800 (estimate: $5000 to $7000). A Tiffany ‘Hampton’ sterling silver tipping kettle caused quite a stir prior to the sale, attracting multiple absentee bids, but a telephone bidder was the ultimate victor, snagging it for $2160 (estimate: $1200 to 1800).
A number of notable lamps were offered, including a pair of circa 1900 Art Nouveau gilt bronze figural lamps by Raoul Larche. The gilt bronze pieces, depicting Loie Fuller as Salome in costume with billowing veils serving as a shade, were offered separately, realizing $13,200 and $12,000, respectively. Two American lamps from the first quarter of the 20th century were offered up mid-sale, and were quickly snapped up by collectors. The first, a Duffner & Kimberly table lamp with a patinated bronze base and a green stained glass leaded shade featuring an oak leaf border, brought $7350 at the block (estimate: $3000 to $5000). The second, a Pairpoint/Durand reverse-painted scenic lamp, depicting a Spanish galleon and other sailing ships on heavy seas
