Browsing auctions for fun is really the antique lover’s equivalent of fantasy baseball.
One of my early jobs after grad school landed me in the Old Master Painting department of an auction house. I had just left a marquee contemporary New York art gallery with live artists and a vibrant scene and suddenly was thrust into the world of paintings by long-dead Europeans based on historical, allegorical, classical or religious themes – areas in which I was highly undereducated.
Fortunately, I was assisting a British expert who ran the department with a special brand of public school arrogance so my duties were mainly taking in art for him to evaluate and learning the business of auctions. Over the course of my year there, this ambitious but unsophisticated girl from L.A. had a series of discoveries. First: I was not captivated by lost paintings of the Italian Renaissance or fake French landscapes with sheep. Old Masters were a snooze fest.
Second, the inner workings of the auction house were fascinating, particularly the way objects were contractually taken in for sale, documented, priced, and either sold or not. And third, I was seized by love-at-first-sight for antique furniture, china and porcelain that was left lurking around the various departments waiting to be catalogued.
It has been a lasting love. Today, I enjoy browsing auction sales catalogs online and picking out interesting pieces that look well priced. I like to check back and see how my picks paid off once the items are sold – a bit like playing fantasy baseball, I suppose. Fortunately, I’m satisfied with photos and because everything is on the web, I was able to click through some 2000 lots being sold this week from California to Scotland. Here are a few more of the best things I spotted.
The Japanese cache pot [top], Lot 205 in today’s auction at William Bunch in Chadd’s Ford, Pa. With the vivid colors and motif based on nature it looks contemporary enough to be offered as new by the likes of Wisteria or Williams-Sonoma Home and within the $250-350 estimate range. And yet, it dates from ca. 1880! (12 x 9-3/4”). [Update: this sold for a hammer price of $200, plus commission and tax].
Having just finished buying new light fixtures for our apartment I can attest to how much even the simplest luminaries cost. Chandeliers are another universe. This 20th century painted-wood and brass tone colonial-style multi-arm chandy (32? d. , 25” h.), made by Lt. Moses Willard Chandelier Manufacturing Co in Ohio, jumped right out at me and screamed “reasonable!” Lot 33B, also selling today at William Bunch, the $200-300 estimate is a nice surprise. If I had a traditional house I’d be on the phone this minute getting a condition report. [Update: the chandy sold for a hammer price of $275].
Gustave Edward Trinkkeller, an early 20th century artist, has a documented piece of ironwork in the Hearst Castle. Having set out those credentials, the handmade quality of this small (24 h. x 26.5 w x 18.5 d.”) wrought iron and parcel gilt side table — perfect sofa height alert — is undisputed. Lot 1086 in the John Moran auction today (9/29) in Pasadena, Ca.
One day I’ll travel to Scotland if only to visit Lyon & Turnbull. I love what they sell although, practically speaking, we Americans are at a great disadvantage with the current exchange rate. There’s a rustic elegance to this late 18th c. (yes, you read that right) Tibetan three-tier painted table (132cm/52-inches high) a piece that can go with nearly any décor and perfect in a corner. Lot 78, in their Edinburgh sale, on Wed. Sept 30, is estimated at 300-500£/$475-$793 with an Indian wooden fragment (not shown) to boot.
Imagine this pair of dramatically carved mahogany chairs as accent pieces in a modern house with white linen upholstered furniture. Or as oddball chairs in a Hollywood Regency entry hall. Add cushions or not. Lot 428 at Lyon, they were made around 1815 and the two should cost £400-600/$635-950. Now price something similar at Ethan Allen.
If this were the right moment (and it’s not) I would try for this incredibly charming, early 19th c. Italian bean-bag game. The hand-painted male jester’s mask would be a terrific conversation piece for a living room or a great room and it’s the right size (59 c h. x 32 c w./ 23.25 x 12.5-inches) to be placed on a table or displayed on the wall. It’s folk art, after all. Lot 513, Lyon estimates at £400-600/$635-950.
