Freeman’s English and Continental furniture, silver and decorative arts sale on January 26′7 concluded with exceptional prices achieved for some exceptional items.
Most notable was a Charles II Joseph Knibb bracket clock that soared to a final price of $103,000, exceeding its $60/80,000 estimate.
The other highlight of the first day was a fine George II Chinese Chippendale silver table from a private estate, which sold to a bidder on the phone for $46,000, more than five times its $5/7,000 estimate. “Very few examples of this form survive from this period, and its strong provenance played an important role in its eventual hammer price,” said Robert Waterhouse, vice president and head of the English and Continental furniture department.
The second day saw strong results for early Italian furniture and decorative arts and items of Russian interest, including a Faberge gold-mounted spinach jade page turner by workmaster Michael Perchin that fetched $20,000 and a Faberge silver frame containing a photograph of Queen Alexandra, which went for $16,250.
Other highlights included a Regence japanned commode selling for $22,500, a large KPM porcelain plaque painted with a scene after Rubens for $18,750 and a South Italian walnut bombe commode for $13,750.
“This sale shows a vast improvement on the last 12 months, and its results show a clear resurgence in buyer confidence in the market,” says Waterhouse.
Freeman’s success with English period furniture has allowed the department to secure a consignment of some fine English furniture, which will be offered in the May English and Continental furniture and decorative arts sale.
All prices reported include the 25 percent buyer’s premium.
Samuel T. Freeman & Company is at 1808 Chestnut Street. For more information, www.freemansauction.com or 267-414-1173.
