Kaminski Auctions’ Spring Fine Art and Estates Auction, which took place April 4-5, 2009, attracted bidders both locally in Massachusetts and internationally via phone and live online bidding. The auction offered a wide selection of fine art, antiques and collectibles from estates spanning Massachusetts to Kaminski’s second location in California. (All prices reflect a 15% buyers premium)
Originally estimated $7,500-$12,500, a mixed media drawing by American illustrator Jesse Wilcox Smith was the surprise headliner of the sale. Smith originally conceived the piece, titled Curly Locks, for the January 1914 issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine as an illustration for their Mother Goose series. The gouache, oil and pastel drawing on artist board was consigned from an estate in Vermont. After a feverish bidding war, the piece realized nearly ten-times its estimate at $96,600.
A rare 19th Century Bohemian chandelier also wowed auction goers. The ornate ruby glass light fixture boasts a hand painted gold trim and over 90 cut glass prisms. The chandelier, which measures 28 x 28 inches, brought $18,100 – well above its original estimate of $7,000-$12,000.
Furniture was also in demand at this two-day auction. A 19th Century Italian marble pedestal table, estimated $1,800-$2,500, drew the attention of both floor and Internet bidders. The Grand Tour table features a carved marble pedestal with a geometric mosaic inlay on the tabletop. A medallion in the table’s center depicts a nautical scene. Paddles flew as the piece rocketed to an impressive $8,300.
Additional fine art highlights included a 1930 Art Deco portrait by American artist Christopher Lee Clark. Study in White, an oil on canvas measuring 40 x 36 inches, was estimated $600-$800. The subject of the painting, a woman dressed in a flowing white robe, holds an arrangement of colorful fruits against a white background. Decophiles jumped at a chance to own the portrait, driving the final price to $4,370.
“Our first spring auction was a huge success,” commented Frank Kaminski, owner of Kaminski Auctions. “We’ve encountered a wealth of rare and valuable consignments and are thrilled to offer them at auction, both locally in Massachusetts and across the globe through live online bidding.”