THOMASTON, ME: Works of art comprised eight out of the top 10 lots in Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ Grandeur sale on August 25, 26 & 27 and contributed to the auction’s overall outstanding result of $2.17 million.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries Owner and Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said: “It was an exciting weekend that’s reminiscent of the good old days — with a large and active live audience each day, plus very strong activity on phones and the three internet bidding platforms.”
The sale’s top lot was a fine painting by George Inness titled “Banks of Tin Brook,” depicting a stream near Walden, Orange County, NY, that earned $72,000. Another painting by Inness depicting a New Jersey landscape at sunset was also one of the top ten lots, fetching $36,000 after strong competitive bidding.
An oil on linen work depicting a reclining nude woman by Pierre Auguste Renoir brought $69,000, making it the second highest grossing lot in the sale. Childe Frederick Hassam’s beautiful oil on panel impressionist view of “New York City” came in third, raising $68,750. And, a modernist abstract painting by Dutch artist Christiaan Hendrik Beekman secured fourth place after bringing $66,000. Pieces by Winslow Homer ($50,000), Fairfield Porter ($42,000) and Thomas Paine ($33,000) rounded out artwork in the top ten.
The August sale at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries always includes a large contingent of Maine art, and this year’s auction was no exception. A few noteworthy results from this category include: Robert Indiana’s 1968 “Numbers” portfolio, a set of ten limited edition signed and numbered serigraphs, that reached $18,000; Indiana’s “Heliotherapy” limited edition serigraph, signed and dated ’95 that brought $17,500; “Beach at Bay Point, Maine” a watercolor painting by William Zorach that fetched $7,500; an oil painting by Imero Gobbato titled “Light on the Coast” that sold for $6,000; “Rick the Clamdigger, Searsport, ME”, a pen and ink with watercolor by Waldo Peirce that earned $6,000; and a charming watercolor Christmas card by Andrew Wyeth depicting Santa raising a toast to a reindeer that brought $6,000.
Two vintage automobiles attracted strong bidder interest – a 1997 Land Rover Defender 110 TDI that fetched $53,125 and the 1941 Plymouth Super Deluxe Business Coupe that was once owned by Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith that brought $18,000.
Multiple Asian artifacts inspired enthusiastic response from domestic and international bidders and greatly surpassed presale auction estimates. These included: a large 17th Century Ming Dynasty period gilt bronze Guanyin figure that sold for $34,375 (est. $10,000-15,000); an early carved and painted wood bodhisattva temple sculpture that brought $31,250 (est. $1,000-2,000); a carved celadon jade figure of a horse and two young boys that reached $13,200 (est. $800-1,200); and a large famille verte porcelain jardiniere that earned $9,375 (est. $1,000-2,000).
Bidders aggressively pursued many of the estate jewelry and watch lots, such as: an Edwardian platinum ring set with a 5-carat diamond that brought $24,000; a man’s stainless steel 1972 Red Submariner model 1680 wristwatch that sold for $19,200; and a vintage stainless steel Patek Philippe watch that reached $17,500.
Other noteworthy lots that greatly exceeded presale estimates included: an 18th Century American coin silver coffee pot by Boston silversmith Barnabas Webb that brought $25,000 (est. $3,000-5,000); a 1920s era Louis Vuitton monogram steamer trunk with fitted interior that sold for $16,800 (est. $7,000-9,000); a Pilgrim century black painted chair table that fetched $10,200 (est. $2,500-3,500); and a Leica M6 camera that reached $5,625 (est. $700-900).
A complete list of auction results can be found at www.thomastonauction.com. Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ next major fine art and antique sale will take place on November 3, 4 & 5. Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will also present an upcoming Tribal Arts & Antiquities sale on September 22 & 23.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is Northern New England’s premier auction and appraisal company located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston. Thomaston Place is a leader in discovering antique and fine art treasures: offering Free Appraisals each Tuesday at the Gallery, creating fundraiser events for civic and charitable organizations, providing house call appraisal services, and creating new selling strategies to serve the changing needs of consignors and buyers. Their expertise in researching and marketing antiques and fine art has earned Thomaston Place the respect of buyers, collectors, and experts worldwide.
NOTE: All prices include buyer’s premium.