"Elementary" clues to solving the mysteries of furniture by Fred Taylor, Columnist, of the Nationally Syndicated "Common Sense Antiques"

Pre-Auction Release, A-1 Auction, Orlando, FL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--November 9, 2006

Sale December 17

Some “Very Early" Americana at A-1 Auction

A-1 Auction of Orlando will offer a prized collection of Native American and Pre-Columbian art and artifacts.

Doug and Paula White, owners of A-1 Auction in Orlando, FL will offer their fifth sale of the year comprised entirely of items from the deceased estate of a major Florida agricultural family from the East Coast. The sale, to be conducted December 17 at the Maitland Civic Center in Maitland, FL just north of Orlando, will feature a wide selection of Native American and pre-Columbian art and artifacts collected over many years by Bette and Mike Steflik of Bunnell and Flagler Beach.

The Stefliks became interested in antiques and cultural collecting in the 1960s and traveled the world over seeking new additions to their treasure, acquiring articles from many cultures over forty plus years. Mrs. Steflik was so engrossed in the cultural aspects of their collecting that she often dressed in Native American costumes and jewelry for her daily routine. She was especially fond of Seminole dress. This sale will focus on North and Central American cultures with artifacts dating as far back as possibly 9,000 years to as recently as 1945.

Doug White, while not an expert on the subject of Native America, does have a background in the subject having grown up in the Memphis area and participating in many amateur archeological digs of Woodlands culture sites from 900 to 1,200 years old in Tennessee. He said, “This can only be classified as a specialty sale and we will present it all - the good, the bad and the ugly without reserve.”

The oldest items in the sale will be selected Clovis points made all over North America by Paleoindian hunters. The Clovis point, considered to be the oldest projectile point in North America, was a breakthrough in weapon technology. Its use spread across the entire continent. The points in this sale could be anywhere from 3,000 to 9,000 years old. Among the newest items to be offered is a group of 26 of the original 30 painted images of Native Americans contained in a portfolio created by five Kiowa artists known as the Kiowa Five, trained at the University of Oklahoma in the late 1920s. The listed artists include Mopope, Hokaeh, Tsatoke, Auchiah and Smokey.

Artifacts that fall the between the oldest and youngest will include a 20in monolithic granite ceremonial axe from the Upper Mississippi Valley from perhaps 1,500 to 2,000 years old, a pottery effigy water bottle from the Woodlands culture, a Zuni cottonwood crow doll, a carved Cherokee ceremonial mask, Zuni black on white pottery, lots of Zuni and Navajo jewelry and perhaps the newest article of the sale, a scene of Plains Indians by western artist Frank Miller with a dedication letter dated 1945.

White said he expects this sale to present an excellent opportunity for entry level collectors to have a look at and acquire some of what a pair of dedicated, experienced collectors spent much of lifetime seeking.

The 300 lot sale starts at noon on December 17 and is expected to last approximately four hours. The Civic Center has seating for 275 and reserved seats can be secured by phone or email. Absentee and phone bids are welcome. The preview will December 11-15 at the A-1 offices located at 2042 N. Rio Grande Ave. Suite E, Orlando, FL and on December 17 until 10:00AM at the Civic Center. For more information call Doug or Paula White at (407) 839-0004, visit the website at http://www.a-1auction.net or e-mail.

A-1 will follow this sale with a sale in January consisting of African art from the Steflik estate.

Axe – This ceremonial monolithic axe could be 1,500 to 2,000 years old.

Doll – Zuni cottonwood crow doll.

Jewelry – Part of the large selection of Zuni and Navajo jewelry.

Bottle – This clay effigy water bottle is from the Woodlands culture.

Painting - Artist Frank Miller left a letter of dedication dated 1945 attached to the rear of this painting of Plains Indians.

Points – Part of the collection of arrowheads and spear points, including Clovis points, in the sale.

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Pre-Auction Release for Arthur James Galleries, Delray Beach, Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--October 19, 2006

Sale November 14 – 15

ARTHUR JAMES “PUTTING ON THE RITZ” OF A SALE

Arthur James Galleries of Delray Beach, FL chosen over Sotheby’s and Christie’s to handle the sale of art from the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach

Arthur James Galleries of Delray Beach, FL has announced an important two day sale to be conducted in its gallery room on November 14 and 15. Auction owner George Martin said, “This is going to be an exciting sale.” With almost 500 lots crossing the block in the mid week event, the focus will be on the 72 lots from the fabulous Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach. The elegant waterfront resort has been acquired by new owners who are renovating the property in a contemporary motif to the tune of $45 million. A large selection of the original 19th century artwork and decorative art that previously graced the magnificent buildings will be offered for sale. The inventory from the Ritz-Carlton is composed of 42 paintings and 30 decorative arts items including three of the massive marble fireplaces formerly seen in the Ritz.

Featured art will include works by Charles Thomas Bale, English, most active from 1868 to 1875, Ferdinand Victor Leon Roybet, French 1840-1920, Charles Stuart, English, who flourished 1854 – 1868, Sir Godfrey Kneller, English 1646-1723, Edith Scannell, English, active 1870-1921, all estimated in the $5,000 - $10,000 range and a number of other French, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian artists of equal quality.

In addition there will be 110 lots offered that comprise a portion of the second half of the living estate sale of Mrs. Ursula Otto of Palm Beach. The widow of the German Swiss industrialist sold her 22,000 square foot Palm Beach mansion in 1996 and acquired smaller quarters. This portion of the sale will feature items such as an important 18th century Georgian mahogany dining table, conservatively estimated at $10,000 - $20,000, a collection of 18th century Georgian silver, a Georgian mahogany sideboard estimated at $4,000 - $6,000 and a set of ten William IV mahogany dining chairs estimated at $4,000 - $6,000.

The balance of the sale will consist of high quality art, decorative art items and antique furniture from a number of private consignors.

Arthur James Galleries has been at the same location, 615 East Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, since opening in 1958. It conducts only ten sales each year with a major sale every other month. This sale certainly qualifies as such. While long time Arthur James Galleries customers have come to rely and trust the condition reports on sale items issued by the Gallery in placing their absentee order and phone bids, seating for around 150 bidders is provided on sale day. Seating can be reserved in advance with preference given to out of town visitors wishing to bid in person.

Preview of this extraordinary event will be Friday through Sunday, November 10-12, 10:00AM – 6:00PM. The Gallery will be closed Monday 13 to finish preparations for the sale. For more information call (561) 278-2373 or visit the website at http://www.arthurjames.com

Scannell - “Looking at a Ladybug”. Signed Edith Scannell l/l. Oil on Canvas Laid Down on Board. Measuring 48” by 28 ¾”. Provenance: Royal Art Gallery, New Orleans -- Estimate: $7,000/10,000.

Kneller - Portrait of Lady Anne Montague Seated”. Signed G. Kneller-Fecit and dated 1689 l/r. Also signed, dated and inscribed “The Reight Honarbl Lady Mountague” on the reverse. Oil on Canvas. Measuring 50” by 40”. Provenance: Sotheby’s, London, Feb. 28, 1990, sold as Lot 224. -- Dixon & Dixon, New Orleans --Estimate: $5,000/8,000

Stuart - “Grapes, Pineapple, Plums, Apple, Jug and a Gourd on a Straw Covered Ledge”. Signed Charles Stuart and dated 1866 l/l. Oil on Canvas. Measuring 25 ¼” by 30 ¼”.--Estimate: $5,000/8,000

Roybet - “Portrait of Mme. Clemenceauvin (Nee Plumber) in a Sixteenth Century Costume”. Signed F. Roybet l/r. Oil on Panel. Measuring 44” by 44”. -- Provenance: Sotheby’s, Feb. 28, 1990, sold as Lot 201 -- Kurt E. Schon, New Orleans-- Estimate: $7,000/10,000

Bale - “Still life, Grapes, Apples, Pear in a Basket with a Jug and Fowl on a Table”. Signed C.T. Bale and dated 1888 l/l. Oil on Canvas. Measuring 28 ¼” by 36 ¼”. -- Provenance: Dixon & Dixon, New Orleans -- Estimate: $5,000/8,000

 

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Pre-Auction Press Release for Matheson's AA Auctions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--August 8, 2006

MATHESON’S AA AUCTION, Melbourne, FL

Sale September 30 – October 1

YOUR CHANCE AT COLLECTORS’ COLLECTIONS

If you have ever wanted the opportunity to acquire what discerning collector’s collect, your opportunity is coming on September 30 – October 1 at Matheson’s AA Auctions in Melbourne. Matheson will present 900 lots from the estates of philanthropist Phoebe Morse of Miami, artist Hanna Hale of Woodstock, NY and Ft. Lauderdale and designer Bob Bugnand of Miami Beach and Long Island.

Phoebe Morse, the grand dame of charity balls who raised millions for causes ranging from cast-off pets to children with AIDS, died in April 2006 of natural causes. She was 102. Morse was born Aug. 26, 1903, in Philadelphia into a family with a real estate fortune. As a young woman she traveled all over the world acquiring things of interest to her. Over 200 lots from her estate will cross the block including a number of 18th century European antiques such as a marble top bombe commode and a large Belgian tapestry. Morse also collected European and American works of art from the 18th, 19th and 20th century which will be presented.

Hanna Hale was a sculptor and artist who had eclectic tastes. Over 400 of her treasures will be on the block including a large Native American collection of pottery, baskets, rugs and artifacts, examples of Hale’s jewelry and sculpture work, over 100 pieces of oriental pottery and a collection of rare stamps and coins.

Bob Bugnand was a fashion designer for major New York and Paris clients including Elizabeth Parke Firestone and Jacqueline Kennedy. From his estate comes a 19th century Venetian mirror, 6ft high by 4½ft wide, that was featured on the cover of Home & Garden Magazine, an antique water gilded corner settee and a gilded corner chair.

Works of art will include a large maritime O/C scene by Anthony Thieme (1888-1954), two works by Henry Faulkner (1928-1981), two works by David Burliuk (1882-1967) and works by Belgian artist Cornelius Van Leeputten (1841-1902), Americans Abraham Rattner (1893-1978) and Abraham Walkowitz (1880-1965) and many more.

Matheson’s AA Auctions has been in Melbourne since 1997 and holds four or five important events each year. There will be no online bidding for this sale but phone and absentee bids are welcomed. The Matheson facility has seating for 175 and reserved seating is available by phone or email. For more information call Lloyd or Jan Matheson at (321) 768-6264, email them at aaauctions@earthlink.net or visit the website at http://www.mathesonsaaauctions.com. Previews are Friday September 29, 10:00AM-5:00PM, Saturday September 30, 9:AM-11:00Am and Sunday October 1, 10:00Am-12:00PM. The sale starts at 11:00AM Saturday September 30 and 12:00PM Sunday October 1.

(Left) Oil on canvas by American artist Anthony Thieme (1888-1954) 30in x 36in. Click on images to enlarge.

(Below Left)) 18th C Continental marble top commode, 33in H X 50in W X 27in D.

(Below Right) Beautiful 18th C Belgian tapestry. 7ft6in X 9ft

 

 

See Post-Auction Release

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Pre-Auction Press Release for Professional Appraisers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINTER SALE IN JULY

After surveying the lots cataloged for his July 29 sale, Charlie Fudge, owner of Professional Appraisers and Liquidators in Crystal River decided the inventory was too broad and too deep to have a typical Florida Summer Sale. He decided instead to have a Winter Sale in July featuring more than 700 lots accumulated from eight estates in New York and Florida.

The sale will showcase a number of period Federal pieces of furniture including several chests and work tables. Mid century and late Victorian items include a 12 foot solid cherry banquet extension table with stick and ball ends and barley twist legs, a set of six Empire period grained chairs, a golden oak cheval glass and a late century hired man’s bed. From the 20th century will be a mahogany Colonial Revival dining set, a Limbert “Bicycle” chair circa 1903 with original label, a striking mahogany linen press, a carved vanity with pierce carved mirror and a large selection of  formal living room pieces. Quality 20th century estate furniture will include an eight piece solid wood Ethan Allen bedroom set and a Drexel dining room set. Also crossing the block will be 125 pieces of Franciscan Desert Rose china dinner service, a 12 place set of dinner service of Royal Doulton in gold lace pattern and a wide selection of items of RS Prussia, KPM, Flow Blue, Roseville, Van Briggle, Wedgewood, Majolica, Lladro, Hummel and American Brilliant Period cut glass.

The sale will be held in the Professional Appraisers and Liquidators auction room at 811 SE Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL on July 29 beginning at 10:00AM. Comfortable seating for 300 is on site in the air conditioned facility and reserved seating is available. For more information call 352-795-2061 or 800-542-3877 or visit the website at http://www.charliefudge.com.

(Left) The 12 foot cherry banquet table set with 12 place settings of Royal Doulton dinner service. Click on images to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

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Pre-Auction Press Release for Aberdeen Auctions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABERDEEN-AUCTIONS TO HOLD FIRST “CASTLE” SALE

Clearwater, FL - Aberdeen-Auctions of Clearwater, FL has announced the first in a series of “Castle” sales beginning on August 27. Auction owner Alex Turchek has arranged to present 150 to 200 selected artifacts from the first of the castles, the Trooz castle in Spa, a town in the French section of Belgium in the province of Leiges.

The inventory will include items from the family estate of the castle and run the gamut from works of art to sculpture to Art Deco clocks. There are even two pre Columbian pieces of pottery from South America.

Turchek said while most of the items will be European there will be the occasional American antique thrown in for good measure.

Important works of art in the sale include a portrait of a 17th century director of the East India Company, Pieter de Fremery born 1613, from the studio of Dutch artist Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613-1670). The painting has a provenance in the de Fremery family. Presale estimate is $15,000/20,000. An oil on canvas entitled “Hannan Restored to Health” by Scottish artist Robert Gavin (1827-1883) will also be on the block. This painting was formerly sold at Sotheby’s and is estimated at $9,000/12,000.

Sculpture will include a bust of a noble woman signed by Jean-Antoine Houdon,

a French neoclassical sculptor (1741-1828), estimated at $6,000/8,000 and an unsigned marble bust of a young peasant girl, 21½in high, estimated at $4,500/6,500.

Other items from around Europe will include a selection of mostly French oak and walnut cabinets and court cupboards, a 17th century French or Italian soldier’s lobster tail helmet with adjustable nose piece, $3,000/4,000, a 19th century French marble and gilt bronze clock, $3,000/4,500, a French Art Nouveau Nautilus table lamp, circa 1920, with bronze mermaid and original nautilus shell, 18 1/4in high, $2,000/3,000 and a bronze and marble clock garniture with a porcelain dial, stamped H. Luppens & Co, Bruxelles. The clock is 29in high and the candlesticks 32½in. The set is estimated at $5,000/7,500.

The 6,000 square foot auction facility in Clearwater has seating for around 200 bidders and reserved seating is available by phone. The sale will begin at 12:05PM, Sunday August 27. For more information or reservations call Alex Turchek at (727) 656-2974 or visit the website at http://www.aberdeen-auctions.com

 

(Left) This French Art Nouveau table lamp, circa 1920, has the original nautilus shell. Click on image to enlarge.

 

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