This week’s auction brought a menagerie of antiques. An elk bronze trumpeted in triumph at The Auction Barn, automaton birds tweeted sweetly at Penny Lane and a Horse & Sulky weathervane raced to the finish line at Hudson Valley. Another furry friend charmed bidders with a Bull Dogs Cut Plug tin sign, accompanied by more fine and decorative arts that topped listings across the country. Read on for more leading sales.
Pretty In Pink, Two-Piece MCM Sofa Tops Public Sale Auction
HUDSON, N.Y. – In its Thrift Modern sale on February 11, Public Sale Auction House offered a wide variety of Midcentury Modern furniture, including chairs, tables, sofas, lamps, dishes, vases, rugs, artwork and other decorative items. The highest grossing item at $4,025 was a midcentury Milo Baughman-style, pink, semicircular, two-piece sectional sofa. The 12½-foot-long sofa had an interesting diamond-shaped pattern in pinks and tans, and its two-piece design allowed it to be arranged together or separately for a variety of room configurations. It was upholstered in what looked to be a soft velvet or velour-like fabric. For information, 518-966-7253 or www.publicsale.com.
Caged Automaton Birds Sing Penny Lane
ANDOVER, N.J. – Penny Lane Antiques & Appraisals’ antiques, jewelry, fine and decorative arts auction occurred on February 13 with 436 lots from all categories offered. The golden prize among these was an automaton birdcage with three “singing” birds from Swiss manufacturer Reuge S.A., which has been producing automata and music boxes since 1865. This example was in outstanding working condition, and a video of it in operation was offered in the catalog listing. The birdcage sold for $2,500 to an internet bidder. For information, 973-464-0569 or www.pennylanesales.com.
Estate Of Mind Mines 3-Carat Diamond
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Estate of Mind Auctions conducted its February 11 sale through LiveAuctioneers, with 375 lots listed. An exceptional Art Deco platinum ring with a 3.07-carat center stone with two trillion-cut side stones blinded bidders, all except one who paid $27,500. The lot included an original copy of the 1929 marriage certificate associated with the ring, and a full appraisal report from the New York Accredited Gemological Institute. For information, 845-386-4403 or www.estateofmind.biz.
Work By Argentinian Postwar & Contemporary Painter Leads At Michaan’s
ALAMEDA, CALIF. – February at Michaan’s Auctions began with a gallery auction on February 10. Fine goods and antiques from an array of genres and styles were on offer, including a painting by postwar and contemporary painter Mario Pucciarelli (Argentinian, 1938-2004). “Situations,” an abstract oil on canvas, outperformed its $500/700 estimate to bring $14,760. Approximate dimensions were 45 by 34½ inches on the unsigned canvas. For information, 510-740-0220 or www.michaans.com.
Bull Dog Cut Plug Sign Proves Tenacious At Milestone Auctions
WILLOUGHBY, OHIO – A great collection of advertising signs, Coca-Cola, petroliana, automobilia, radios, coin-ops, coins and more awaited bidders at Milestone Auctions’ February 11 sale. Foremost among the 837 lots on offer was a Bull Dog Cut Plug double-sided tin flange sign. It bore a great image of a bulldog with strong colors and was marked National Sign Co, Dayton O. Measuring 14 by 9 inches, it took $5,781. For information, www.milestoneauctions.com or 440-527-8060.
English Tall Case Clock Towers Over Wiederseim Sale
CHESTER SPRINGS, PENN. – An English mahogany tall case clock by John Whitehurst, Derby [UK], was the top lot at Wiederseim Associates’ February 15 auction, selling for $37,844. Featuring a flat top bonnet above a brass dial, with Roman numerals, navigational dials and eight-day works, the clock’s case had a tombstone door and a metal label inscribed “B. Franklin.” On its side was another label inscribed “Property of Dr and Mrs Edward Parker Davis.” The clock was 89½ inches high. For information, 610-827-1910 or www.wiederseim.com.
Horse & Sulky Weathervane Leads Bidding At Hudson Valley
BEACON, N.Y. – Hudson Valley Auctioneers sold all 554 lots in its February 13 Unreserved Multi-Estate Auction, led at $6,875 by a 29 1/2-inch-long antique copper and zinc trotter and sulky weathervane in original gilt. From the estate of a South American art collector, it sold to a private Midwest collector. For more information, 845-831-6800 or www.hudsonvalleyauctioneers.com.
Miniature Gets Large Price For New England Auctions
BRANFORD, CONN. – A Nineteenth Century miniature portrait of a lady, in a 5¾ by 5-inch black cove-molded frame with an ornately carved and gilt liner, was a top seller at New England Auctions’ 241-lot Winter Americana Online Only Auction on February 15, which was 100 percent sold. Estimated at $250/500, the back of the frame bore an old paper label for Boston’s Doll & Richards gallery; it sold to a private collector for $7,500. For information, www.neauction.com or 413-665-3253.
Elk Sculpture Makes Bold Statement At The Auction Barn
NEW MILFORD, CONN. – Nearly 300 lots crossed the block in The Auction Barn’s February 13 Estate Auction. Leading the way and selling for $1,875 was a bronze elk sculpture by contemporary Western sculptor Burl Jones. Standing 35¾ inches tall on a wooden plinth base 25 inches long and 11 inches deep, the sculpture was titled “Big Nine” and numbered 8 from an edition of 20. For information, www.theauctionbarnct.com or 860-799-0608.
