Freeman’s ended its two-day American furniture, decorative and folk arts, American design and American Indian art sales April 20. The sales coincided with the Philadelphia Antiques Show and the 23rd Street Armory Antiques Show. The complementary scheduling ensured strong attendance as the auction gallery filled with bidders and interested persons throughout exhibition and during the sales.
On Sunday, a rare pewter sweetmeat dish attributed to Francis Bassett I of New York City, brought in $85,000, nearly double its presale estimates. Likewise, a grained and painted Pennsylvania cherry corner cupboard, valued at $8/12,000, sold for $23,750.
Like many of the pieces sold, the auction appreciated as it went on; department head Lynda Cain said the second-day sale “led the way” for success.
Furniture sold well across both days, with a variety of Chippendale-style pieces raising bids above $7,500. George Nakashima was in demand. His Odakyu cabinet with Asa-no-ha sliding doors sold for $28,600. Several other pieces by Nakashima earned figures of $8,000 and greater.
Tall case clocks also had a strong showing, meeting and exceeding estimates. A cherrywood clock by Bernard Hendel, circa 1800, was offered for $2/3,000 but sold for $8,125.
Decorative arts also displayed many pleasing results. An iridescent art glass vase with pulled feathering delighted bidders; it sold for $7,500 with an estimate of only $250/350. Surprising everyone in the gallery, a painted and carved cottonwood Katchina doll, originally valued at $800․1,200, soared to $28,600. The excitement generated propelled the auction quickly through its final lots.
All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
Samuel T. Freeman & Company is at 1808 Chestnut Street. For information, www.freemansauction.com or 215-563-9275.
