By Carole Deutsch BLOOMFIELD, N.J. — The Nye September auction, appropriately titled “Collector’s Passion,” was highlighted by an excellent representation of rare and unusual items that made for a diverse sale that presented unique decorative objects, modern furniture from iconic makers, fine period furniture, rare silver, and fine art. “It was a broad based sale that was fresh to the market,” siad John Nye. “These were uncirculated items that came from upscale private estates from all over the eastern United States. There was definitely a heightened competition for pieces that rarely, if ever, are seen on the market. I was especially pleased to see an increase in interest in traditional antiques, with several selling beyond estimate, which is atypical in today’s current market.” Fine art was represented by an oil on canvas on panel by Jean-Baptiste Corot (French, 1796-1875), titled Prairies sur le bord de la Scarpe, Pres Arras (Grasslands on the edge of the Scarpe, Pres Arras). The work was painted on May 27, 1858 and carried a long well-documented provenance that began with M. Bollet (probably Jean-Baptiste Augustin Joseph Bollet, 1768-1863) and continued through nine owners to the time of its last sale at Sotheby Parke-Bernet, New York, on Nov. 12, 1970. It measured 8 ¾ inches by 14 ¾ inches, was mounted in a heavy gilt wood frame, and realized $43,750. Topping a selection of George Nakashima (1905-1990) Studio furniture was a free-form walnut coffee table that was 6 ½ feet long. It was classic to the master craftsman’s iconic work and achieved $22,500. A hanging bookshelf by George Nakashima was made of walnut, with sliding doors, and measured over 6 feet long. It sold with a copy of the original receipt for $17,500. A pair of Federal mahogany and cherry armchairs, possibly Kneeland and Adams, Rhode Island or Connecticut, circa 1790-1810, flew past the mark of $600 to $900, commanding a strong $4,688. Each was identical and had crested rails and two vase-shaped pierced splats that were centered by a carved urn representation. Rare silver was a highlight of the sale that presented museum quality pieces from India, Pakistan, Japan, Germany, England, and major makers from the U.S., including Tiffany, Gorham, Georg Jensen, and others. As Nye indicated, the ornate eye-catching pieces that were done in elaborate detail ruled the bidding. A Tiffany sterling Mooresque pattern coffeepot with extensive gilt decoration was designed by Edward Moore, the jewelry design director and head of the silver workshops at Tiffany & Co. from 1851 to 1891. It was 10 inches tall and weighed approximately 37 troy ounces and sold for $13,750, far surpassing the high estimate of $5,000. The price of $8,750 was paid for a Japanese three-piece silver tea set, circa 1900, Yokohama. It was heavily embellished with an all-over dragon motif with dramatic dragon-form handles on the 7 ½ inch high teapot, as well as on the creamer and covered sugar bowl. The total weight was 51 troy ounces. A museum quality mid-19th century silver enameled and jeweled spice box from Rajasthan, India brought a hefty $8,128. The unusual piece had a gilt interior and was made in a lobed circular form that was raised on six scrolled feet that stood on circular disks. It was crowned with what were possibly gemstones arranged in a floral pattern and stood 4 ½ inches high by 5 ½ inches wide, and weighed 32 troy ounces. The catalog noted that a comparable example is in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Among the decorative items was a pair of famille-rose Chinese porcelain vases from the Qing dynasty. They were 16 ½ inches high and depicted the “Eight Mortals” set against a white fluted background. The set sold well past the estimate of $500 to $700, realizing an impressive $6,250. For more information call (973) 984-6900 or visit www.nyeandcompany.com |