Rafael Osona Two-Day Online Auction
August 6 & 7 at 9:30 am
21 Washington Street, Nantucket Island, MA
www.RafaelOsonaAuctions.com
info@RafaelOsonaAuctions.com
508-228-3942
NANTUCKET, MASS. — Rafael Osona’s annual August two-day auction will be online on August 6 and 7. Session One centers on Nantucket history, fine arts, furnishings and décor sourced from Nantucket and New England collectors, materials that survey Seventeenth to Twenty-First Century Continental and American tastes.
Of note is the personal collection of Gail and Rich Mellin, long distinguished in the field of Chinese export porcelains of “Canton” decoration. Assembled over more than four decades, the 156 lots embrace Canton’s finest artistry in forms crafted for bathing and personal care, dining room service, lighting, kitchen storage, trays and tiles, even spittoons.
“A first for the gallery! It’s been 43 years,” announced Rafael Osona. “Finally, we are bringing to auction Paul Pinkham’s Nantucket shoals chart.” The rare navigational chart was published circa 1812 as surveyed by Capt. Paul Pinkham while he was first keeper of the New Lighthouse at Nantucket’s Sandy Point. (Great Point) Pinkham’s precision in noting soundings, currents and rips indicates deep local knowledge of the treacherous waters. Another first: a rare Nantucket Railroad bronze bell, Nineteenth Century; the 13-inch bell was unearthed during a home renovation in Siasconset years ago
Among fine art offerings is a pastoral view of Nantucket town from Monomoy, one of three paintings by Anne Ramsdell Congdon and among the artist’s most impressive works. The circa 1941 composition is a panoramic yet intimate view of an idyllic locale.
Standouts from painter Wendall Macy — a descendent among Nantucket founding families — include a historic view of Brant Point Lighthouse, alongside a study of a young woman gazing out to sea; the two among five W. Macy paintings offered. Equally compelling is a 1929 Hayley Lever early morning view of Nantucket’s Old South Wharf.
There’s historic opportunity in Benjamin Bunker’s circa 1797 Nantucket coin silver porringer, crafted in tribute to the marriage of Nantucket founding family descendants George Swain and Hannah Coffin.
August on Nantucket is indeed summertime, and Osona’s August sale brings to auction a hot and sweet book: Gershwin and Heyward’s steamy Porgy and Bess Libretto; the Opera in Three Acts. The limited edition is signed by George Gershwin, Dubose Heyward, Ira Gershwin and Rouben Mamoulian.
Early among the maritime interests of the sale, Session One showcases six works by Emile Albert Gruppe, as well Ralph Cahoon’s whimsically spun portrayals of cavorting mermaids and lovesick sailors. Montague Dawson’s watercolor “Old Campaigner” holds center stage alongside a second Dawson oil that sets a pair of yachts sailing off the wind.
Not to be overlooked are three paintings of red sail fame by Robert Stark Jr and Emily Hoffmeier’s circa 1920s “Killen Wharf Nantucket.”
Look for works by Maud Millicent Clapp, who was a Frank Swift Chase student, and by WPA artist Georgiana Klitgaard, as well as a scarce Nantucket cranberry harvest painting by Lowell Herro, who exhibited his work on Nantucket for decades.
Collectors with old world interests will note a gypsy genre scene by esteemed Scottish watercolorist Sir William Russell Flint, and a forthright portrait of German religious reformer, Martin Luther; the latter inspired by the work of Lucas Cranach the Younger.
Modernist designs by George Nakashima and Nantucket craftsman Stephen Swift lead the furniture lineup. There’s a strong showing of Nineteenth Century British Regency campaign pieces, a British Chippendale breakfront with incorporated desk, English bull’s-eye mirrors, a late Gustavian painted credenza and Art Nouveau bureau plat alongside Queen Anne and George III chairs, dining, and other tables.
American furniture includes a Connecticut Chippendale oxbow cherry secretary, two Nantucket Windsors and a porringer table, plus various chests and a classic suite of Weatherend estate garden furniture.
Antique Lightship baskets rival later Nantucket baskets by José Formoso Reyes, among other skilled island artisans who have since carried the tradition to new heights.
In session two, maritime artifacts range from a Nineteenth Century ship’s catwalk to an American homeward bound ship’s pennant,
Among classics in ship portraiture, Barry Mason’s captures both vessel and damp salt air. Despite their miniature size, two works by American artist George Nemethy are nothing less than riveting. A pair of William Anderson watercolors offered in two lots depict Dutch coastal traders and man-o-war in real-time.
The two-day event presents 580 lots on Saturday, August 6, including the Mellin collection. The maritime auction follows Sunday, August 7, with 270 lots. Both sessions begin promptly at 9:30 am. Live, in-person preview: August 2-5 from 10 am to 5 pm at American Legion Hall, 21 Washington Street. For information, 508-228-3942 or www.rafaelosonaauctions.com.
4-Day Live Preview: August 2,3,4,5 from 10 am to 5 pm
6 Ralph Cahoon Oils
Montague Dawson Oil
3 Robert Stark Oils
5 Emile Gruppe Oils
Nantucket Miniatures
2 Anne Congdon Oils
Rare 18th c. Nantucket Benjamin Bunker Porringer
Montague Dawson Watercolor
Peace and Plenty
William Russell Flint
Jan L. Munro OOC
6 Clark Voorhees Whales
Rare Chart of Nantucket Shoals Surveyed by Capt. Paul Pinkham 1812
Ronnie Wood Litho, Eric Clapton
Martelé
4 Delin Nantucket Sea Captain Portraits
Charles Delin Oil Portrait of Captain Obed Bunker
George Nakashima
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