GARTH’S KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH IMPRESSIVE AMERICANA AUCTION The January 12th auction at Garth's is an "outstanding assemblage of country Americana and folk art that is hard to find," recounts Garth's CEO Jeff Jeffers.
Ranch” and such figural examples as a boot and a 10’ well-appointed bellman directing guests to the “Lobby.” Not quite a trade sign (but speaking to the whimsical side of collecting) is the bucking “Pony” carnival game: two ponies composed of oil cloth on a wood frame in original paint with broom head manes (Ex American Garage, Est. $2,500 - $3,500).
“Our Texas collector sourced things from all over the country,” comments Jeffers. “He used some very good (and, in fact, often some of the strongest) names in the business. His intention was to enjoy a world-class collection of color and utilitarian form.” A selection of 26 (mostly) painted cupboards should be put to good use by collectors looking for strong color and good form. Among the group, a rare vernacular one-piece pine wardrobe from Texas, with two doors over two drawers, each with large diamond shaped panels and is surmounted by a crest with peaked pediment, estimated at $2,000 - 4,000. A mid-19th century decorated stepback poplar cupboard (probably Pennsylvania) is an exceptional example of country American painted furniture. Ex-Olde Hope Antiques, the two-piece cupboard has two six pane glass doors with a vibrant blue interior over a base of three drawers and two doors, all resting on turned feet and retaining a charming old grain-painted decorated surface. At 83.25” high, it is estimated respectfully at $4,000 - 8,000. At an impressive 120” length, a Columbia County, New York dry sink, constructed of pine and poplar, has a shaped gallery over the central open compartments flanked by drawers and doors and retaining an old grey paint (Est. $4,000 - 6,000).
Blue, yellow, green, grey and red painted furniture add a pop of color to nearly every spread of the 88 page catalog. Among the blanket chest options is a wonderful decorated Chippendale example from Pennsylvania. Inscribed “Barbara Erthmenem” and dated 1802, the poplar chest retains it’s original paint, consisting of a fanciful tripartite facade with tulips; the sides painted with fanciful stars (Est. $4,000 - $8,000). A fine decorated miniature blanket chest (likely from western Virginia), and believed to date from the second quarter of the 19th century, retains its original stylized floral decoration in red and gold on a green ground in a wonderful state of preservation. At a sweet 11.25” high, the dovetailed case is raised on bracket feet is estimated at $12,000 - 16,000. Five other blanket chest will be sold throughout the auction.
A selection of smalls and furniture from the Kolars helps to round out the auction. “John and Rose Anna Kolar have an amazing sense of the Americana aesthetic,” comments Jeffers. “They have collected for nearly 40 years and culled the collection once in the early 2000’s - but, have continued to live with some of their favorite things before sending a portion to this auction.” Among the selection of Pennsylvania items is a fraktur, dated 1834 with angels and a heart in a decorated frame and having belonged to Fred Koch (Est.
