Nadeau’s annual spring auction of antiques and fine art took place before a large crowd on Saturday, April 12. Numerous items of interest had been consigned from local estates and from homes throughout the area. Auctioneer Ed Nadeau reported a good crowd in attendance, along with strong absentee and telephone bidding. Internet bidders were also active throughout the sale.
An unusual twist to the auction was that Nadeau decided to forgo his usual offering of jewelry as the opening lot, instead selling a group of shotguns and rifles consigned from two local estates. The first lot offered, a Belgium Browning 12-gauge shotgun, sold reasonably at $460, while a few lots later a Browning Citori four-barrel skeet set sold at $2,127.
Jewelry buyers did not have to wait long, however, with the first lot crossing the block less than ten minutes into the sale as a Cartier lady’s wristwatch sold for $2,127. A silver punch ladle with a figural owl handle brought $1,610, and a gold Waltham pocket watch brought $920.
The top lot of the auction came as a Wilhelm Hunt Diederich wrought iron section of a fence, gate or railing was offered. Decorated with two stylized prancing and playing greyhounds, the 6-foot-long section attracted a great deal of attention. Bidding on the lot was brisk, with it easily surpassing the $10/20,000 presale offer as it was pushed to a selling price of $34,500.
Another Diederich lot was a sheet metal wrought iron weathervane depicting a leaping cougar within a S-scroll and mounted on an arrow. Bidding on this lot was also active, with it selling above estimates at $18,400. A colorful pottery charger by Diederich with stylized decoration of a bull fighter on a horse failed to find a buyer.
A broad selection of art was offered, with pieces including watercolors, drawings, paintings and bronzes. Leading the group was a M.F.H De Haas oil on canvas titled “Skiffs Moored For the Night” that soared past its $1,5/2,500 presale estimates to sell at $21,127.
Two paintings by Camillo Adriani were offered, with an oil titled “Sunny Fall Harbor With White House” selling at $9,775, while a mountainous winter landscape with a village in the foreground did well at $7,475.
A Richard Lord painting depicting two racing yachts sold for $5,750, as did a Samuel Griggs New England river valley scene. An interesting painting by Charles William Wyllie titled “Home With Glory,” in a technique that resembled illustration art executed in a Impressionist style, fell well short of expectations, selling at $5,175.
A pair of Ernest Rancoulet bronze busts in an Edwardian style, from the West Hartford estate of Ruth Schweitzer, did well, bringing $8,625.
Offered late in the auction was a small folk portrait executed by William Matthew Prior that depicted Watson Tryon, a Glastonbury native, with it selling at $5,175.
Furniture included a transitional Chippendale and Hepplewhite wingchair that was once owned by Connecticut Governor William Pitkin, elected in 1766, that surpassed estimates, bringing $10,062.
A nice Chippendale linen press on ball and claw feet had been inspected numerous times, with it spending almost as much time apart and inverted as it did together. Bidding on the lot came from several telephones, as well as the gallery, with it hammering down at $7,475. A Chippendale four-drawer chest was actively bid as it realized $5,895, and a nice country chair table with good proportions brought $4,025.
Custom furniture included a selection of locally produced furniture by Fienberg and also a good assortment by Margolis. Leading the way was a “masterpiece” Hepplewhite-style sideboard made by Margolis. With extensive inlay and crotch mahogany oval panels, the piece had been executed in the style of Connecticut cabinetmaker Aaron Chapin. The large sideboard, signed on the back, sold below estimates, yet still brought a solid price of $12,650.
Fineberg pieces included a large chest-on-chest that sold for $7,475 and a stylish breakfront that brought $9,200.
Other items of interest included a Handel lamp with reverse painted aquarium shade that surpassed estimates at $12,650, a Tiffany silver tea and coffee service that went out at $8,050 and a Steinway baby grand piano that realized $6,900.
For information, 203-246-2444 or www.nadeausauction.com .
