MEMORIAL DAY AUCTION FEATURES
SEVERAL ITEMS OF BOSTON INTEREST
May 27, 2007 – A
standing room only crowd graced the salesroom for
our Memorial Day Weekend auction. The auction began at noon on Sunday
and grossed over one million in sales including more than 550 lots
comprised of Fine Art, Furniture, Decorative Works of Art, Silver and
Oriental Rugs and Carpets.
One of the
Fine Art highlights, a China Trade
painting by 19th century
Chinese painter Chow Kwa, prompted International
attention
once it was
identified as the Shang Hai Residence of prominent 19th
century Boston merchant, Franklin Delano Williams. Descended within the
family from the original owner, the painting, estimated at
$15,000-20,000, sold to a London collector for $28,750. A folk art
painting depicting A View of Massachusetts State Prison at Noon,
and dated 1886, generated significant interest amongst local historians,
driving the price to $28,750 against a $4,000-6,000 pre-sale estimate.
Another item of Boston interest, Two Stoneware Crocks, one inscribed
Boston with a codfish design, sold to an internet bidder for $8,050
against an $800-1,200.
European items
included the top lot of the sale, a fine Italian Micro Mosaic Panel
depicting a family of travelers. The mosaic exceeded its $5,000-7,000
pre-sale estimate to sell for $54,625 to an Italian Collector bidding
via E-bay live auctions. “Several lots exceeded our expectations,”
commented company president, Michael Grogan, “The result of the
Mosaic highlights the importance of using Internet bidding to reach the
global market.” In contrast, an Impressive 19th century
Austrian Enamel and Gilt Metal Nef, sparked competitive bidding from the
floor, pushing the Nef to $37,375, against a $20,000-30,000 estimate.
Other fine art
highlights featured the works of
several New England artists.
Larkspur with Glass Orb, a pastel by venerated Boston artist Laura
Coombs Hills, sold for $23,000 ($15,000-20,000 estimate) and a New
England Landscape,
by Concord artist Elizabeth Wentworth Roberts,
sold for $10,925 ($3,000-5,000 estimate). Boats Rendezvous, by
Rhode Island and Gloucester
artist, Antonio Cirino, exceeded its
$6,000-10,000 estimate to sell for $17,825 and Spring Landscape
by influential Boston painter, John J. Enneking, sold for $12,650
against a $5,000-7,000 estimate.
The highlight of the
furniture offerings was a Federal Inlaid Mahogany D-Shaped Sideboard,
New England, circa 1790. Part of a large local estate, the sideboard
achieved $9,775 against a $6,000-8,000 estimate. Silver offerings
included a Martelé Silver and Cut Glass Inkwell on Stand, which
surpassed it’s $800-1,200 estimate to sell to a phone bidder for $12,650
and a Tiffany and Company Silver Serving Dish and Mazarine, estimated at
$800-1,200, realized $4,025. A large collection of stereographic
equipment and views, sold in four lots for a combined total of
$12,035. The sale concluded with Oriental Rugs, and featured an 11
foot 4 inch x 10 foot 5 inch Oushak Carpet, which realized $8,050
against a $6,000-8,000 estimate.
All auction results
include a buyer’s premium.
Gallery Located:
22 Harris Street, Dedham, Massachusetts 02026
Telephone: 781-461-9500 Toll Free: 1-800-823-1020
Fax: 781-461-9625
contact us at:
Grogans@Groganco.com
