Calling it an “iconic American still life,” auctioneer Gene Shannon expressed high hopes for the painting that had been included in a plethora of major exhibitions, including ones at The National Gallery of Art, The Met and The Whitney.

The work, a trompe-l’oeil by William Harnett titled “The Golden Horseshoe,” exceeded Shannon’s expectations during his sale Thursday evening auction, October 28, bringing more than a half-a-million dollars.

One of a large collection of works consigned from a corporate collection, the painting attracted attention from all over the country with a full bank of phone bidders involved in the competition.

Depicting a horseshoe nailed to a weathered wooden wall and with a news clipping posted below it, the painting was signed and dated 1886. Illustrated in numerous publications and reference books, the painting hammered down after active bidding for $552,000. It was more than one of more than ten paintings sold in the auction to exceed $50,000.

A complete report of the auction will appear in a future issue.