Three lots in Sloans & Kenyon’s three-day estate catalog auction tied for top lot, somewhat to the surprise of Stephanie Kenyon, co-owner. “We got an inkling that the chain-mail vest was creating some interest when international armor dealers and collectors began calling,” she said.
Deaccessioned from the Wayside Inn, the longest continually operating inn in the country, a Seventeenth Century Ottoman Empire chain-mail steel vest (iushman), on a wooden mannequin, sold to a London dealer against two determined floor bidders, going to $26,290 at the June 19, 20 and 21 sale in this upscale Washington, D.C., suburb.
The vest had been on its wooden mannequin in the bar at the Wayside Inn for as long as anyone could remember. They had no idea of its origins. When arms and armor collectors and dealers saw the vest in advertising pieces, Sloans & Kenyon had many calls on it. Two bidders from the filled gallery floor competed to more than $20,000 before bowing to the London dealer on the phone.
The other two lots that garnered $26,290 each were also somewhat surprising, because the market for Asian porcelain has not been too enthusiastic of late, Kenyon said. However, when the rare, 5-inch Korean blue and white bowl from the Choson period was offered, phone bidders pushed it to $26,290, as they did the Korean celadon meiping, Koryo dynasty, 13-inch-high piece.
Other Asian lots went for more conservative figures, many to the high-end decorators, collectors, dealers and homeowners who filled the gallery space. “We have many diplomats and other sophisticated professionals who come to many of our sales,” said Ellen Garrity of Sloans & Kenyon.
Kenyon also commented on the level of participation and enthusiasm. “Washington is less vulnerable to economic downturn, and people seem to want to buy items with especially good quality and good value. We offer both ‘enjoyment equity’ and a hedge against predicted inflation,” she said.
Other Asian highlights included a white jade figure of two ducks from the Qing dynasty that realized $13,245, and a gilt bronze figure of the Buddha, also Korean and about 15 inches high, which sold for $4,421.
The decorators at the sale were a strong factor when design-related items came up. George Nakashima is a Twentieth Century iconic furniture designer, and two of his Modern pieces were on offer: a walnut low table, 24 by 57 by 37 inches, made in 1966 realized $12,547, and a mixed wood bench with a dark crest rail over 24 turned light wood spindles sold for $7,767. Another Modern work, a diptych by Argentinean artist Clorindo Testa (b 1923), also sold above estimate at $3,286. An early and rare Tiffany Studios slag glass table lamp by John Dikeman went for $8,365.
Fine art is bringing mixed results these days, but Audubon prints are always highly sought after and valued. One offered, after John James Audubon (American, 1785‱851), “Cayenne Tern,” Plate CCLXXIII, hand colored etching and aquatint by R. Havell, London, sold for $3,943.
A Russian School oil on canvas, “The Glass Blower” was signed illegibly on the lower right, but a bidder wanted the Twentieth Century painting and went to $3,704 to get it. Bringing the same amount, Joe Duncan Gleason’s (American, 1881‱959) “The Constitution ” was signed clearly, lower right.
A local collector brought in a painting that had once belonged to the president of Brazil, she said. After Ludovico Cardi (Il Cigoli), titled “Ecce Homo,” it was an undated oil on canvas that sold to the Internet at $5,078 †to the delight of the consignor.
A mountain landscape with a river by Charles Wilson Knapp (American, 1823‱900) went to $5,975, and a Twentieth Century Continental School Japanese coastal village scene, oil on canvas laid on a panel, sold for $4,481.
There was a small group of dolls that was led by an absolutely lovely French fashion doll who retained her original clothes and accessories. With a beautiful face and in pristine condition, the 16-inch-tall Nineteenth Century doll realized $2,868.
An impressive 15-inch-high Edward VII silver handled trophy cup and cover, Charles Stuart Harris, London, 1904, 106 troy ounces, 4 dwt, went for $6,572. Oriental rugs brought varied prices, but a 5-foot-4-inch-by-8-foot Kazak went to $8,245, and a 8-foot-5-inch-by-11-foot-5-inch antique Heriz brought $4,780.
Other highlights across the categories included a white marble bust of a woman, Roman, $2,345; a platinum and diamond ring, just one piece from a collection of estate-fresh jewelry, $3,884; and the first part of a collection of pre-Colombian pottery sold as a group of three pots for $896.
All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium of 19½ percent.
Sloans & Kenyon is at 7034 Wisconsin Avenue. For more information, 301-634-2330 or www.sloansandkenyon.com .
