At Sotheby’s on September 26, the Reginald M. Lewis Queen Anne carved walnut compass-seat stool, Philadelphia, circa 1750, sold for an unprecedented $5,234,500, establishing a record for any seating furniture at auction. The price, which was more than ten times the high estimate of $500,000, eclipsed the previous record that had been held for more than 20 years.
The rare and possibly unique masterwork of American craftsmanship was the subject of an intense bidding battle that lasted nearly eight minutes. The winning bid was placed by the venerable dean of American furniture, Albert Sack, who was seated in the front row of the salesroom.
Auctioneer William W. Stahl Jr, vice chairman of Sotheby’s North and South America, opened the bidding at $100,000, beginning the battle between Sack and a client bidding by telephone with a Sotheby’s representative. Sack is the son of Israel Sack, with whose guidance Rear Admiral Edward P. Moore and Barbara Bingham Moore, who sold the piece, built their collection throughout several decades. Bidding continued quickly between the two, with Sack confidently responding to each of the telephone bidder’s advances and occasional jumps in the increments.
After nearly eight minutes of competition, Stahl’s gavel fell to applause throughout the salesroom.
According to Sotheby’s, the serpentine-shaped stool is the only Queen Anne example of its type in the world, and was sold at the firm’s former Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc in the 1961 sale of the Reginald M. Lewis collection.
“American collectors continue to pursue the greatest objects with passion,” said Leslie Keno, senior vice president and director of Sotheby’s American furniture and decorative arts department. “This sale witnessed outstanding and, in some cases, record prices achieved for both furniture and folk art of the highest quality.”
The property of Admiral and Mrs Moore brought $9.99 million. Sotheby’s afternoon sale of important Americana brought $2.9 million, bringing the day’s grand total to $12.9 million.
Highlighting the sale of important Americana was the Van Pelt-Robb family important Chippendale carved and figured dressing table, attributed to Henry Clifton and Thomas Carteret, carving by Nicholas Bernard, Philadelphia, circa 1760, which brought $1,142,500, also from Sack.
A complete report of the sale will appear in a future issue.
