As children return to school and the leaves begin to change colors, fall is also the season when many people redecorate their homes or add special decorating touches. From offering statement designer pieces to architectural elements that will be the centerpiece of a living room or dining room, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery will present an antiques and fine art auction on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11 AM, that offers much to anyone looking to redo a room or just add a few standout pieces. Auction previews the week of the sale are Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 8 AM to 11 AM.      

This auction will feature 350 lots of fine goods, including American figural carved and Victorian furniture, 19th and 20th Century lighting by Tiffany Studios, Duffner & Kimberly, Handel, Pairpoint, Moe Bridges, Wilkinson and Unique; choice clocks and watches, music boxes and jukeboxes and Royal Vienna and KPM porcelains as well as gold and diamond jewelry, fine silver, art glass and cameo glass, bronze and marble statuary, Black Forest items, and Asian and Russian items.

“While the curated look is among the biggest design trends this fall, we find our buyers care less about curating a look than buying pieces that speak to them and ones that sing with history, charm and quality,” said John Fontaine, owner of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. “They are looking for striking antiques that can be whimsical or formal but above all are well-made and will enhance the look of their home.”

The auction action kicks off on a high note with lot 1, a carved Carrera marble sculpture “Sogno D’Amore (Cupid Dreaming),” estimated at $20,000-30,000. This elegant work of art portrays a sleeping figure of Cupid and partially nude figure of a winged Psyche floating above. The work, signed C. Dazzi, stands a majestic 56-1/2 inches tall.

Also guaranteed to make a statement in any home is a monumental figural carved walnut fireplace mantle ($15,000-25,000), circa 1880 that measures 108-1/2 by 81-1/2 inches. The mantle includes two large standing figures of Atlas, each with one upraised hand supporting a large frieze panel with carved swirling filigree, birds, winged griffins and a maiden’s head. The three-piece cast iron back panel has a dark red-brown original finish. The mantle retains its original marble insert.

Celebrities may have mastered the art of “making an entrance” but one striking lot in the auction makes a statement all by itself. An unusual pierced and decorated bronze entryway ($20,000-30,000) has a transom having spiral turned borders with four geometric quatrefoil decorated panels and filigree decorated panels with urns at the ends. The doorway, measuring 125-1/2 by 111-1/2 inches, has intricate decoration on the sides with pierced decorated filigree comprising individual cast and mounted pieces containing large standing winged angel figures over relief panels of figures rowing a ship and turned torchieres with garland, birds and baskets with flowers. The piece is made of very heavy bronze and weighs several hundred pounds.

When it comes to decorating, fine table lamps and overhead lighting are among the most important pieces as lighting sets the mood of a room and when done right, blends functionality and style. Leading a highly curated selection in this auction is a pair of ornate gilt bronze 15-light chandeliers ($25,000-35,000) with tapered and fluted center post with arrow feathers pointing from the top. Each has three figural maidens facing back to back and supporting large cornucopias hanging from ribbons mounted at the top cluster; the maiden’s tails are entwined and ending in a floral teardrop finial at the bottom, 51 by 32 by 27 inches

“Tiffany table lamps have a storied history,” Fontaine said. “We have a reputation for selling great examples at robust prices so we always have several good lamps in our auctions and this sale is no exception featuring several truly fine pieces.”

Tiffany Studios is synonymous with decorative lighting and this sale features several of its most popular designs, including a 12-light Lily table lamp ($15,000-20,000) standing 20-1/4 inches tall, having a bronze pond lily pad base with floral buds and 12 long tubular stems topped with gold iridescent art glass lily shades; an Apple Blossom table lamp ($18,000-22,000) having a 16-inch domical leaded shade decorated with 20 scattered pink apple blossom flowers, and a bronze double scroll lamp base.  

Pairpoint puffy lamps are also quite popular such as the Pairpoint Puffy Begonia table lamp ($15,000-20,000) in this auction. The 14-inch puffy shade is reverse painted with large begonia flowers and leaves in bold reds, pinks, greens and yellows. Also highlighting fine lamps in the auction is a rare Fred Robertson Flambe pottery table lamp ($8,000-12,000) with a 12-inch pottery shade having four inset leaded glass butterflies with golden yellow bodies and green and cranberry striated wings.

Besides the Cupid sculpture cited above, fine art figures prominently in this auction with offerings suitable for transforming a family room, home office or bedroom. Leading the paintings category is an Antonio Jacobsen (American, 1850-1921) oil on Masonite board “Kenilworth,” a fine portrait of the four-masted ship ($8,000-$12,000), dating to 1891.

Jewelry is perennially popular at Fontaine’s and crossing the block will be a three-carat diamond and 18K gold ring that features the large center stone surrounded by 19 pave set diamonds on a horseshoe shaped bezel ($12,000-15,000) and a pair of Tiffany & Co. platinum and diamond earrings having floral pendants ($10,000-15,000) with six platinum links, each earring containing 15 diamonds. A Tiffany & Co. 18K gold and ruby bracelet ($6,000-8,000) contains eight ring links and seven cross shaped links, the latter encrusted with 61 emerald cut rubies.

Rounding out the auction highlights is a pair of huanghuali signed yoke back armchairs ($10,000-15,000) featuring a turned bent wood yoke crest rail with serpentine arms, an inset paneled seat, a T-back with carved center panel, carved corbels and double stretchers on the sides. Both chairs have an inscribed signature under the seat panel and their enhanced original finish retains natural wear and patina; 41 by 23 by 18 inches.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. The firm is actively seeking quality items, to include furniture, lighting, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming and carousel items for future sales. Consignments are currently being accepted for all the upcoming auctions.

The fall auction schedule includes a fine antiques and estate auction scheduled for Saturday, October 20, followed by an antique clock and watch auction on Saturday, November 17. Consignments are now being accepted for both auctions

The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment fine antiques, collections or entire estates. Those interested in consigning can call John Fontaine at (413) 448-8922 or by emailing info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently.