Antiques PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Antiques PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

HORNER CLOCK AUCTIONS FOR $97,750 AT FONTAINE’S AUCTION GALLERY

A monumental, 10-foot-tall carved oak grandfather clock by R. J. Horner soared to $97,750 at a multi-estate sale held April 4 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. The clock was the top earner of the more than 400 lots that changed hands in a sale that grossed over $1.4 million. The auction was held at Fontaine’s spacious gallery, located at 1485 Housatonic Street in Pittsfield.

“It’s fitting that a clock should take top honors, since vintage clocks and watches are a niche we have aggressively and successfully pursued in recent years,” said John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. In fact, the firm has scheduled a Cataloged Important Antique Clock & Watch Auction for the weekend of May 30-31. May 30th will be dedicated to clocks, while May 31st will focus on watches.

Approximately 900 registered bidders participated in the April 4 sale. The 2 day preview saw a crowd of about 400 people strolling through Fontaine’s 12,000 sq. ft. showroom. In addition, there were around 150 registered phone bidders. About 200 absentee bids were also recorded. About another 150 internet bidders were facilitated by Artfact.com. The bulk of the sale (about 75 percent of all lots) comprised the living estate of Dale Miller, who collected high-end Victorian-era furniture, lighting and accessories.

Prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.

Other clocks that did well included a large carved Black Forest double mechanical cuckoo clock ($9,200); an Elliot 8-tube mahogany grandfather clock ($9,200); a Tiffany & Company 9-tube mahogany grandfather clock ($8,050); and an Ansonia antique standing clock ($8,050). Also, a gorgeous Botems Paris 12-bird automaton with built-in timepiece changed hands for $16,100.

Next up for Fontaine’s Auction Gallery will be back-to-back Unreserved Antique Discovery Estate Auctions, slated for May 2 and May 9. Then, on May 30-31, the main event of the season: a Cataloged Important Antique Clock & Watch Auction. May 30 will feature clocks and be split into two sessions – one uncataloged (10 a.m.) and one cataloged (1 p.m.). Watches will be offered on May 31.

Hundreds of rare and vintage clocks and watches will cross the block that weekend, but the star lot promises to be a Howard #61 Astronomical Regulator, highly coveted and consigned by the original family. It will be the third such Howard #61 offered by Fontaine’s within a year. The first set a world record selling for $195,500 in June of last year, while another example gaveled for $189,750 at an auction conducted in November.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. The firm is actively seeking quality lots for its spring and summer auction series. Wanted are firearms, clocks, watches, barometers, antique lamps and lighting. To consign a single item, an entire estate or a whole collection, you may call them at (413) 448-8922. Or you can e-mail them at [email protected].

To learn more about Fontaine’s Auction Gallery and its calendar of upcoming events, you may log on to www.fontainesauction.net.