According to AP, a New Hampshire antiques dealer purchased the vane.
A drop-front secretary reached $2,900.
Unusual Owl Weathervane Flies to $25,000 in Connecticut
NORWICH, CONN. – An unusual bullet-ridden, six owl, copper weathervane, circa 1880, refused by well-known New York and Massachusetts galleries as not meeting the minimum requirements for consignment, soared in active bidding at Robert Glass’s Auction on April 12 to $25,000.
The weathervane, attributed to a Massachusetts coppersmith, was a custom-made piece for a barn belonging to a family in Pomfret, Conn., circa 1880. The vane measures 4 and one half inches tall and 7 and one half feet long, with scrollwork of rolled copper and a huge directional arrow. The six, full-bodied owls range from six to 17 inches.
The weathervane sold at 7 pm (EST), to accommodate live Internet bidders. Five phone bidders from across the country were standing by to enter competitive bids. The opening bid of $10,000 came from the Internet. Bidding then concentrated between two active floor bidders, reaching a thunderous applause when the vane sold for $25,000 to – according to the Associated Press – a New Hampshire antiques dealer.
Robert Glass of Sterling, an auctioneer for 30 years, told AP he had expected the vane to go for $10,000 or $15,000.
Other highlights included an early ivory pie crimper that sold for $550; a large Rose Medallion teapot with thorn handle, which also sold for $550; green Weller vase with frogs, which went for $775; a slant front mahogany desk with carved shell on lid, which brought $1,600; tiger maple drop front desk, which realized $2,200; and an oil on canvass by G. Aldrich, which rang up $5,100.
A sampler by Mary Davis of Stonington sold for $2,200; an 1822 sampler brought $1,350; a large banjo clock reached $800; a secretary with drop front garnered $2,900; an ornate oak table with alligator and gargoyle carving realized $1,250; a four drawer slant front desk sold for $2,000; two drawer tiger maple stand reached $600; a USS Croaker sub bell garnered $550; a marble-top Empire table brought $425; a ship model under glass sold for $425; a cut-out footstool hit $270; and a Hubley motorcycle reached $200.
Robert Glass specializes in estate, antiques and on-site auctions and has expanded its business to online and live Internet bidding.
Prices noted do not include a ten percent buyer’s premium.
