It’s difficult to find a high quality, diverse auction nowadays, as auctions have become more and more specialized. Cottone Auctions put together a fabulous sale on March 27, 2010 and got the results to go with it. Geneseo, New York, is a rural town in the northwest section of the state. One would think it would be difficult to get high-quality, fresh goods in that area. But guess what? They’re doing it. Apparently upstate New York, which includes Buffalo and Rochester, is fertile territory for great consignments. The sale included great paintings, Tiffany, Handel, Duffner & Kimberley lamps, French cameo glass, Imperial Russia china, silver, furniture and more.
Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington
The top lot of the sale was an 18th century Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, that closely resembles the Stuart portrait of Washington that hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The painting was in undisturbed original condition and came with impeccable provenance. The bidding started at $250,000 and ended at $1.06 million, with a west coast bidder on the phone losing to a Pennsylvania dealer on the floor.
Tiffany Studios Magnolia floor lamp
The top Tiffany lamp at the sale was a Magnolia floor lamp that descended in the family of Merton Armstrong, co-founder of the Sterling Alarm Company. Some of Armstrong’s lamps were purchased directly from Tiffany Studios in the 1920s and ’30s. The lamp sold for $661,250 — not a record for a magnolia lamp, but very respectable.
Tiffany Studios 20 inch diam. Dragonfly table lamp
A very good 20″ Dragonfly, on a great lily pad base, sold for $172,500, in large part due to the rarity and desirability of the base.
Click this link for some of the highlights of the auction. Cottone Auctions.
Remember to come see me this week if you’re in the greater Chicago area. I’m exhibiting at the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2010. You won’t believe all the great things I’m bringing.
I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. In the last few days I’ve added to the Gallé glass and Icart etchings listings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.
Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog.