Featuring a selection of 700 items, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s two-session auction on May 22 and May 29, 2021, grossed $3 million. While the jam-packed sale was notable for its quantity, more important was the roster of quality items. The auction boasted offerings from hot collecting categories ranging from paintings and silver to Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamps and windows.
“We were very excited to put together this auction that really resonated with bidders,” Fontaine’s Auction Gallery owner John Fontaine said. “We saw one standout item after another perform well, usually above estimate, and we were very pleased with the results.”
Hardly surprising, the top lot of the auction was a leaded and stained glass window by Tiffany Studios, “Sunset and Evening Star,” circa 1910, measuring 49-3/4 by 30-1/2 inches, which doubled its high estimate to achieve $139,150. A pair of leaded “chunk jewel” glass windows ($20,000/30,000) by John La Farge, also did well, going out at $30,250. The circa 1880 windows had flowers, scrollwork and geometric panels. Besides the Tiffany window, Tiffany Studios lamps – a staple at Fontaine’s auctions – caught buyers’ eyes. Standout lamps included a “Moorish” chandelier ($40,000/60,000), circa 1905, with 16 shades, measuring 34-1/2 by 24 inches, that realized $48,400 and a 12-light “Lily” table lamp ($30,000/50,000), 21 inches tall, for $40,950.
Highlighting a fine selection of clocks was a monumental English carved oak tall case clock ($80,000/120,000) having a pair of 3-foot-tall putti at the base flanking a central medallion of Sir William Whittington and a date of 1793, standing 11 feet, 10 inches tall; it made $127,050. Another leader among clocks at $63,525 was a R.J. Horner & Co. grandfather clock ($50,000/75,000), circa 1890, in carved mahogany, having a dial signed “Joseph Jennens, Skinner Street, Clerkenwell London.” The case is decorated with winged griffins, female caryatids, scrollwork, filigree and the crest with two maidens flanking a cartouche shield, 120 inches tall.
The Tiffany name carries prestige and even small items by the renowned firm routinely bring big prices, such as the “Aquamarine” paperweight ($20,000/30,000), circa 1918, measuring 6 by 6 inches, that took $50,820.
Black Forest items are a crowd favorite at auctions and a Black Forest carved dog umbrella stand earned $51,425, making it the top lot of the second session. The piece is signed “Willi Staehli, Brienz” and stands 33 inches tall.
Several conservatively-estimated lots proved to be nice surprises, including a Louis Majorelle Art Nouveau walnut and fruitwood marquetry writing desk ($2,000/3,000), circa 1900, that more than tripled its high estimate to bring $12,705. Also handily outperforming its estimate were an early 20th Century Louis Vuitton monogram steamer trunk ($6,000/8,000), fetching $28,435; a German porcelain plaque of three semi-nude women ($800-1,200), signed Wagner, that attained $21,175 and a Carlo Mario Camusso sterling silver centerpiece, featuring a figure of a nude woman seated on a shell-form bowl, going for $10,500. Also selling well was a pair of Mintons pate-sur-pate vases ($1,500/2,500) decorated by Albion Birks, $12,705.
Rounding out the auction were a pair of porcelain urns attributed to Tucker Factory ($15,000/25,000), circa 1830, standing 22 inches tall, that made $23,310 and a German carved boxwood shadow box, circa 1865, depicting a battle scene with rolling hills and a castle town in the background, that performed well at $20,160.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 24,000 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public.
Consignments are currently being accepted for the summer and fall auctions. Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, to include furniture, lighting, art glass, 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.
The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment. Call (413) 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or can send Fontaine an email to info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently.
All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is located at 1485 West Housatonic Street, Route 20, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.