Cowan’s Spring Americana: Fine and Decorative Arts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashley O’Brien, Public Relations, 513-231-5115, ashley@jzmcbride.com
Diane Wachs, Cowan’s Auctions, 513-871-1670, diane@cowans.com
Cowan’s Spring Americana: Fine and Decorative Arts
Sale Hits $866,590
Faberge Sunburst Desk Clock is Highest Selling Item of 608-Lot Sale
CINCINNATI (July 19, 2007) – A Faberge triangle sunburst desk clock sold for $126,500 and highlighted Cowan’s Auctions June 2007 Spring Americana: Fine and Decorative Arts sale. The auction, which drew over 1,300 bidders and was held live on eBay, generated total sales of $866,590 from 608 lots.
Peter Carl Faberge was a Russian jeweler made famous by his creation of the Faberge egg, an Easter egg fashioned of precious metals and gemstones. Faberge was also the jeweler of the crown. The Faberge triangle sunburst desk clock was created by Faberge’s leading work master, Henrik Wigstrom, as signified by the H.W. marked on the edge of the frame.
The sale was also good news for Kentucky and Ohio furniture, as well as Kentucky painters. A Kentucky inlaid slant-front desk from the Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, KY, brought $14,950. A Kentucky Sheraton sugar chest sold for $9,200 and a Jacob Werrey paint-decorated blanket chest, from Ohio, sold for $11,500. Another Werrey piece, a signed secretary fetched $28,750.
Kentucky painters that sold well included a Patty Thrum of Louisville painting, "Impressionist Still Life of Roses," that sold for $5,462.50. A Paul Sawyier watercolor of "High Bridge over Kentucky River" brought $18,400 and a James Thomas Poindexter portrait of two children from Caldwell County, Kentucky brought $9,200. Poindexter was also a Kentucky native, hailing from Christian County, Kentucky.
A cigar store Indian attributed to Thomas V. Brooks and made of laminated wood sold for $34,500. A monumental presentation vase of General Lafayette fetched $14,950. Lafayette was a participant in the American and French revolution, serving on the American side without pay.
A vibrant, trip around the world Kentucky quilt sold for $9,775 and eight English Hepplewhite side chairs sold well above their $2,000-$3,000 estimate, having sold for $9,775.
"This sale was really highlighted by Kentucky and Ohio furniture, paintings and of course the Faberge clock. We were thrilled with the outcome of this sale," said Diane Wachs, Cowan’s Decorative Arts co-department head.
Cowan’s next Fine & Decorative Arts Auction is slated for October 12, 2007. For more information please contact Diane Wachs, 513-871-1670, diane@cowans.com.
Highlights of the Spring Americana: Fine & Decorative Arts Auction, held June 23, 2007 at the Starlite Ballroom in California, OH include (all prices include 15% buyer’s premium):
$126,500 PAID FOR FABERGÉ TRIANGLE SUNBURST ENAMEL DESK CLOCK
St. Petersburg ca 1903-1908, in translucent rose Pompadour over a engine turned sunburst ground, contained within a cased silver acanthus leaf border, with white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and pierced gold hands surrounded by a matching silver bezel, backed with ivory and supported by a silver strut. Inscribed on back of case with winding instructions. Marked on edge of frame, strut and movement cover with Russian silversmith’s hallmark for Karl Fabergé 91 standard (.947 silver) and crowned woman’s head facing left used 1896-1908 and initials H.W. for Henrik Wigstrom, Fabergé’s leading work master from 1903 to 1918. 5.5" x .75" deep.
CIGAR STORE INDIAN ATTRIBUTED TO BROOKS SELLS FOR $34,500
American, last quarter 19th century, constructed of laminated wood. A life-sized carving of an Indian Scout, right hand raised above forehead; left arm cradling a bundle of cigars. Mounted to a replica base with iron wheels and retaining an old dry polychrome painted finish (appears to be second or third paint); 85" overall height; base is 15" high.
Thomas V. Brooks (American, 1828-1895) originally worked in New York, but later relocated to Chicago, where the majority of his works were produced. This figure is likely from the Chicago shop.
RARE AND IMPORTANT SECRETARY, SIGNED JACOB WERREY GARNERS $28,750
In walnut and curly maple with poplar secondary, dated 1889, of two-piece construction. Upper section with a detachable scrolled pediment above two glazed doors over two equal-width drawers; lower section with a fall-front writing surface concealing a fully fitted interior over three graduated, full-width drawers; all resting on scrolled feet. Both sections as well as the interior are embellished with applied carved details to include rosettes, friezes depicting grapevines, beaded moldings and carved, beaded escutcheons. The interior is fitted with a central secret drawer over an arched compartment; flanked on both sides by two smaller drawers, a document drawer with faux book facing and two smaller arched compartments.
$18,400 PAID FOR HIGH BRIDGE OVER KENTUCKY RIVER BY PAUL SAWYIER
American, watercolor on paper, signed Paul Sawyier in the lower left. A wonderful scene depicting the high bridge over the Kentucky River (one of Sawyier’s favorite subjects), framed and matted; 11.25" x 17" (sight), 18.25" x 24.5" (w/frame). Paul Sawyier (1865-1917) was born the son of a physician in Madison County, Ohio, but his family relocated to Frankfort, Kentucky when he was young. In 1884, Sawyier enrolled in the Cincinnati Art School. Within 2 years, he had opened a studio in Cincinnati. After a stint in New York (studying under William Merritt Chase at Art Students League), Sawyier returned to Cincinnati and studied under Frank Duveneck. Sawyier then returned to Frankfort and local subjects became his focus, and it was then that he developed his particular aptitude for watercolors.
MONUMENTAL PRESENTATION VASE OF LAFAYETTE FETCHES $14,950
French, ca 1815-20. Enameled and gilded Old Paris vase in two parts, of bolted construction. The top section has a pomme vert ground with gilded enamel decoration, a gilded and pierced crown opening, and handles of bowing swans with wings pinned back below wheel-rolled foliates. Concave chamfered corners detailed with painted vines of morning glories frame a portrait of General Lafayette. On the lower section is the word JUSTICE over balance scales, with a pelican, piercing its breast, all of gilded enamel. On the four corners of the base are gilded addorsed dolphins, their tails bracing the vase, their heads and fins serving as feet. Inside the base, a portion of a paper label, 45% intact, reads, "Genuine French Vase/Lafayette, donated during the war. . . ./funds to equip a comp.../...ghtly damaged but...". 18" high x 6.5" at base.
KENTUCKY INLAID SLANT-FRONT DESK SELLS FOR $14,950
Circa 1820 to 1830, of dovetailed and pinned construction, with cherry and cherry veneers and poplar secondary wood. The batten board fall front opens to reveal a fitted interior with center prospect door flanked on either side by two stacked drawers, over four pigeonhole openings on each side. The prospect door opens to three small stacked drawers, the lowest of which has a false bottom. Below the fall front is one drawer across the front of the desk, over two paneled, veneered and inlaid cupboard doors that open to reveal one shelf. The chamfered sides, drawer faces and cupboard doors all have line, cut-corner inlay and figured veneers. The side and front aprons are shaped and the case rises on French flared feet. 43.5" high x 38.5" wide x 22.25" deep.
JACOB WERREY PAINT-DECORATED BLANKET CHEST SELLING FOR $11,500
Poplar, constructed with wedged dovetails, molded lid and base, lidded till, and turned feet. Unsigned, but clearly the work of Werrey; a nearly identical chest is being sold in this auction as lot 399. Retains its original hardware and original painted surface consisting of reddish-brown over yellow on the box, green on the moldings and feet, and gold-stenciled decoration consisting of an urn of flowers flanked by the initials MB with the year 1882 below. The initials MB are reputed to be for Magdelana Baer, daughter of noted Ohio gunsmith John Baer. Exhibits a grungy, oxidized surface; 28" high x 48" wide x 23" deep.
$11,500 PAID FOR PAINTING OF 1812 NAVAL BATTLE BY EDWARD BEYER
American, oil on canvas, signed and dated Ed Beyer, 1852 in the lower left, having plaque with artist’s name on wood frame. Frame with gilt interior lining; 22" x 29" (sight), 28.5" x 35.5" (w/frame).
The historic battle depicted here, between the USS Constitution, otherwise nicknamed Old Ironsides, and the British frigate HMS Java, occurred during the War of 1812. This battle proved to be the Java’s last skirmish; it was deemed unfit for repair after the encounter. William Bainbridge (1774-1833), a decorated Commodore who hailed from Princeton, New Jersey, commanded the USS Constitution.
VIBRANT TRIP AROUND THE WORLD KENTUCKY QUILT SELLS FOR $9,775
ca 1885-86. Entirely hand sewn; approximately 33,000 three-eighths inch square pieces of early calicos arranged in concentric rows that are color coordinated. Surrounded by a triple border having tiny nine patch corners, brought around back to form binding; the back has seamed pieces of whole cloth calico in a plaid with wheat overlay pattern. Quilted overall in small squares; 82" x 84".
EIGHT ENGLISH HEPPLEWHITE SIDE CHAIRS FETCHES $9,775
ca 1785-1790, in walnut. An assembled set of six period Hepplewhite side chairs and two matching reproduction chairs, all of pinned construction with arched crests, carved and pierced splats, trapezoidal slip seats over tapered square legs with recessed box stretchers. 37" high x 17" seat height.
About Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.
As one of the nation’s leading auction houses with sales of over $15 million, Cowan’s has been helping individuals and institutions build important collections for more than a decade. The company’s four divisions of Historical Americana, American Indian and Western Art, American/European Furniture, Paintings and Decorative Arts, and Historic Firearms & Early Militaria hold semi-annual cataloged sales that routinely set records for rare offerings. Recent specialty auctions have featured dolls, toys, advertising, clocks, watches, shaving mugs and barbershop collectibles.
Through its extensive mailing list of more than 10,000 collectors, dealers and institutional clients, each Cowan’s auction typically attracts more than 1,000 bidders from across the globe. To learn more about Cowan’s visit our website at www.cowans.com.
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