CHINESE FURNITURE LEADS DECEMBER AUCTION

 Dedham, MA -   Grogan and Company finished the 2011 auction year with solid results at their December 11th Auction.  The 400 lot auction, comprised of Chinese Furniture and Decorations, American and European Paintings and Oriental Rugs and Carpets,  attracted clients from more than fifteen countries and netted over 850,000 dollars.             

            The auction began with Chinese Furniture, Works of Art and Textiles from various estates and collections.  Highlights came from the important collection of  Classic Chinese furniture from J. Malcolm Swenson of Hanover New Hampshire.  A Pair of 17th century Huanghuali High Yoke-backed Armchairs with a presale estimate of $60,000-90,000, sold for $70,800 to a California phone bidder, while a single “Official's Hat” Huanghuali Armchair, sold to a woman in the room for $53,100, against a $20,000-30,000 estimate. “We are very pleased with the overall results,” commented Asian and Decorative arts expert Nancy Grogan, “It was an honor and pleasure assisting Malcolm  Swenson with the de-accessioning of his Classic Chinese furniture collection.” 

            Chinese porcelain and pottery highlights included a Qing Dynasty Butterfly Decorated Bottle Form Vase, bearing a Guangxu reign mark, which sold for $7,670 (estimated $800-1,200), and a Qing Dynasty Sang de Boeuf Bowl, which sold for $6,490 against a $1,000-1,500 estimate.   A Chinese Nine Dragon Silk Embroidered Robe, estimated at $3,000-5,000, brought $8,850, while a Chinese Kesi Scroll soared beyond it’s $500-1,000 estimate to sell for $7,080 to an English phone bidder.

            Highlights of the Fine Art session included Winter on Wall Street, an oil on board by Guy Wiggins, which sold for $45,375 to an internet bidder against a $30,000-50,000 estimate;  and a Self Portrait by English expressionist painter Augustus John sold over the phone for $44,250 (estimate $2,000-3,000).   A fifteen inch Old Master oil on panel of the Annunciate Virgin surprised attendees when it sold over the phone to an Italian bidder for $18,150 (estimate: $1,000-1,500), while an Italian School painting of Two Merchants in Naples with Vesuvius in the Background bearing a $3,000-5,000  presale estimate, drew significant presale attention and sparked a bidding war between the internet and the phones before hammering down at $19,360.  

            The auction concluded with over 100 rugs and carpets, highlighted by a room sized Tabriz Carpet, c. 1925, which sold for $18,150 against a $2,000-4,000 estimate.  A fully illustrated catalogue with results can be viewed here.  For more information about future auctions or consigning, please contact the gallery at 781.461.9500. 

 

268: Merchants in Naples
$19,360

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RARE SALOR ENSI RUG SOARS
AT MAY AUCTION

May 21st & 22nd, 2011 -    Grogan and Company's recent two day auction was a great success, totaling 1.9 million dollars.  The auction, conducted in two sessions over two days, included a large collection of 20^th century art glass and Modern Art from the Estate of Beatrice Noble, a wide array of Furniture and Decorative Arts from various estates and collections and a fine selection of collector’s Oriental rugs.  

     The highlight of the auction was an extremely rare Ensi, woven by the Salor Tribe of East Turkestan in the mid 18^th century. The scarcity of rugs by the Salor tribe and the uniqueness of the design resulted in an overwhelming response by rug collectors and scholars worldwide. The Ensi, measuring 5 foot 10 inches by 4 feet 4 inches, sold for $241,500 to the San Francisco and New Hampshire Rug Dealer, Peter Pap, acting as agent for a private collector.  “I discovered the Ensi in West Hampton, New York, during a routine house call,” commented rug expert and President, Michael B. Grogan, "I was quite surprised when I came upon it, and it took me a few minutes to realize exactly how important it was.”  The Ensi, one of several fine collector’s rugs offered, attracted an unprecedented number of inquiries and phone bidders, as well as scholars attending the exhibition to see the rare treasure in person. 

           

            For more information regarding the sale of an item or upcoming auctions, please contact the gallery at 781-461-9500.  

All prices include a buyer’s premium.