THOMASTON, ME: Many pieces of art at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ July Splendor Sale on July 7,8 & 9 attracted aggressive bidding and contributed to an overall sales result of $1.9 million.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries Owner and Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said: “I was excited to see so much interest in this auction. The great selection of art and decorative rarities certainly brought out the buyers from near and far.”
The top lot was “Le Chariot d’Arras”, a painting by French impressionist artist Jean-Baptiste Corot, raising $120,000 after spirited bidding. A delicate summer landscape work by another 19th Century French artist, Alfred Sisley brought $53,125; and a work by New York painter Irving Ramsey Wiles, “Reverie”, depicting a contemplative young woman, sold for $33,000, surpassing its $10,000-20,000 pre-sale estimate. A delightful mixed media work by American outsider artist Bill Traylor depicting a dancing man and dog also exceeded its $30,000-40,000 pre-sale estimate and fetched $51,000.
Modernist art also fared very well. An untitled work by Etel Adnan brought $68,750, and an abstract oil on linen painting by Auguste Herbin reached $24,000.
The power of the Wyeth name continues to work its magic in Maine. An inscribed original watercolor remarque by Andrew Wyeth on the front endpaper title sheet from the book “Christina’s World” brought $34,375, against a $2,000-3,000 pre-sale estimate; and N.C. Wyeth’s graphite on paper study of pirates sold for $22,800, versus a $12,000-16,000 estimate. Two Andrew Wyeth signed prints were aggressively pursued by bidders, bringing results far above estimates.
Works by other Maine artists also performed well, such as: “The Ames Brothers,” an oil on canvas painting by Emily Landsingh Muir that achieved $24,000 against a $2,000-3,000 estimate; and Eric Hopkins’ “Water and Sky Currents”, a watercolor and graphite work, that rocketed past its $5,000-7,000 estimate and ended at $11,250.
Other artwork that greatly exceeded ingoing expectations included: William Preston Phelps’ painting depicting a Mount Monadnock, NH autumn landscape that fetched $18,000; a 19th Century English painting of cows by John of Colchester Vine that sold for $12,500; and “Einsammes Ufer” (Lonely Shore) by German artist Carl Zoph that surpassed its $1,000-1,500 estimate and brought $9,375.
Bidders appreciated the Danish midcentury and modern design furniture in the sale. A Hans Wegner “Papa Bear” chair fetched $19,200, surpassing its $6,000-8,000 estimate; and a rosewood desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen obliterated its $2,000-2,500 pre-sale estimate and raised $8,400. Two important art pottery vessels by Brother Thomas Bezanson greatly exceeded pre-sale expectations and brought $5,100 each.
High flying Chinese lots included: a huanghuali wood box with semi-precious stone inlay that reached $33,000, greatly exceeding its $1,000-1,500 pre-sale estimate; a pair of round huanghuali wood tables that brought $13,750; and a blue and white porcelain “Bleu de Hue” bowl that sold for $10,000.
Two surprises from the jewelry collection included an Egyptian gold necklace with ancient scarab pendants that brought $13,750, over a $1,500-2,500 pre-sale estimate; and a vintage ladies platinum ring set with large aquamarine and diamonds that sold for $11,250. Silver lots were also in demand, with a 192-piece set of Tiffany & Co. “Shell & Thread” pattern flatware bringing $8,750 and a 207-piece set of Georg Jensen “Continental” flatware that sold for $8,125.
There was enthusiastic bidding for auction vehicles, including: a 2006 Jaguar XJ Super 8 brought $16,800, and a 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 convertible finished at $11,250. Interestingly, a circa 1900 German toy clockwork battleship sailed past its $1,000-1,500 estimate and sold for $16,800.
Other noteworthy lots included: a 1940s era silver mounted show saddle and tack by Edward Bohlin that brought $15,000; a large circa 1890 Navajo rug that sold for $13,750; a Soumak palace size carpet that fetched $10,800; a Lalique art glass “Deux Figurines” mantel clock that reached $7,200; and a Black Forest carved sculpture depicting a mother and baby bear that achieved $6,250.
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 August 25, 26 & 27, 2023. Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will also present an upcoming one-day absentee auction called “Sustainable Joy” on Wednesday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m.
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.