Garth’s Auctions of Delaware, Ohio held two strong sales within two weeks during late July and early August. The Saturday, July 25th auction of Fine & Contemporary Art and Decorative Arts featured Garth’s usual offerings of antique furniture, artwork, pottery, glass and sculpture, but it was clear that furniture stole the show.
Leading off the day as well as the illustrated catalog, an oak Rococo Revival Hall Clock labeled for the A.B. Closson Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, set the tone for the sale from the start. The early 20th century clock was adorned with a scrollwork pediment, fluted columns, and bold paw feet. The clock retained its original finish with only minor imperfections, so while it carried a conservative pre-auction estimate of $2,5/$3,500, it brought $8,225.00. Closson’s has been a staple of the Cincinnati retail scene since the late 19th century. The clock sold was likely retailed by Closson just after the turn of the 20th century and was actually made by the firm of Francis Bawo and Charles Dotter of New York. Bawo and Dotter were initially importers of glass and china, but hired Charles A. Jacques in 1895 to oversee the sale of hall clocks. Initially Jacques used Elliot movements, but began, in 1898, using German Elite movements as the tubes on the clock sold were marked.
A Regency-Style cherry Table and Chairs from Baker Furniture Company of Kohler, Wisconsin dating to the late 20th century attracted the interest of many bidders as well. The Palladian style pedestal table with two 22″ leaf extensions and Palladian side chairs and two armchairs reached an outstanding $5,640 against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000-$1,600. A Regency style sideboard by Baker was a matching piece to the lot of table and chairs. With its crossbanded top, three drawers over three flat panel doors, and bold half turned columns with brass capitals and bases, the sideboard sold for $2,468. A pair Of Fauteuil Armchairs that held a pre-auction estimate of $300-$600 sold for $1,528. The open armchairs, probably European and early 20th century, were walnut with exposed framework, carved leaf motif, and needlework upholstery. An Italian Renaissance-Style Cassone from the 19th century was a standout due to the dentil molded lift top with carved mermaid caryatids flanking a heraldic cartouche, the iron handles on sides, and the recumbent lions supports which all contributed to a sale price of $1,880.
Among the decorative arts sold during the July 25th Saturday session, a three-piece Regency Argand brass and gilt bronze lamp set, attributed to Messenger and Sons, London and retailed by J & I Cox, New York, brought $3,408. Of the two sculptures offered by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth( New York, 1880-1980), a bronze titled Desha, which was signed, dated “1927 C“, and marked by the Gorham Foundry, went to a new home for a wining bid of $5,405. The other, equally appealing Frishmuth bronze sold for $4,994. Two bronze, standing floor lamp bases, each marked for “Tiffany Studios, New York” and each with three lily pad feet and a gold dore finish fell within estimate at $1,293 and $1,469.
The assortment of Asian material was eye-catching and a cloisonné Buddha constructed of hollow cast bronze figure wearing a cloisonné robe with white chrysanthemums on blue was a highlight. Estimated at $2,250-2,750, the figure sold just above the high value at $2,938.
A pair of Chinese carved ivory figures were equally impressive and depicted an emperor with sword and an empress with a basket of flowers and phoenix. Dating to the late 19th century, they measured 32” and 30” high respectively and more than doubled the estimate selling for $4,230. A pair of Chinese export porcelain jardinières from the late 18th to early 19th century were decorated with armorial shields, floral motifs, and applied mask handles, all with gilt accents adding to a final price of $2,468. A single Chinese export dish from the 18th century was decorated with a landscape scene of a European woman looking into a mirror. With a faint orange peel glaze, the 10 ¼” long serving piece sold for $1,293.
Other notable lots included a seven-piece Mexican silver tea and coffee service, mid 20th century, which weighed approximately 249 ozt. selling for $3,173. Of the fine art, an oil on canvas depicting a room of 18th century Italian nobles reading was by 20th century Italian artist L. Cavalieri. Enhanced by the elaborate carved, gilt frame, the work sold for $4,935.
Two weeks later on Friday, August 7th, prices proved to be just as strong. It was a hot day in Ohio as Garth’s offered a nice selection of Victorian and country furniture, a collection of early lighting, numerous lots of sterling and silver plate, art pottery/glass and a wide range of porcelain during its Eclectic sale in the Gallery. The crowd was appreciative of Garth’s display as the Gallery was full of merchandise and there was barely room to move. However, the fine choices among over 1300 lots kept folks jumping up and waving their paddles as they tried to stay cool.
As in the July cataloged sale, a clock proved to be one of the day’s highlights with a wall clock estimated at $300-500 reaching a solid price of $1,050. The eight day time and strike clock with a wooden mouse running vertically up and down to indicate the time is referred to as a “Hickory Dickory Dock“ clock and the classic verse was printed near the bottom of the 41″ tall time piece.
There was something for everyone at the Eclectic sale and two large oil on canvas landscapes by Emerson Burkhart( Ohio, 1905-1969) proved that buyers were on alert. The first depicted a fisherman on the rocks by a seashore and measured 23″ h. by 46″ w. It sold within estimate for $1,351, while the second landscape made $1,058. A brass astral oil lamp with a dark bronze patina and a frosted, cut shade surprised some selling for $1,000 versus an estimate of $100-200, while a lot of three Wedgwood creamware warming devices made $1,100. Grouping of silver shone brightly selling for an array of values including miscellaneous grouping s of flatware for $1,058 and $1,939.
The next Garth’s auctions will take place with a cataloged Americana sale on September 4-5, 2009 and an Eclectic sale October 2nd. In Garth’s effort to promote an eco-friendly alternative, all catalogs are available for review at www.garths.com. Garth’s is still accepting consignments for our late fall and winter auctions including the Thanksgiving Weekend sale featuring the The Kennedy Family Album Photo Collection by the late Robert Davidoff and other historic Presidential material. Parties interested in consigning to upcoming sales should contact Jeff Jeffers or Andrew Richmond at 740.362.4771.