Tuesday, November 26, 2013

AUCTION NIGHT NOVEMBER 19th

My favorite two aspects of my job are getting the stuff and selling the stuff, I guess that is my job when distilled and boiled down.  Auction night was a true success.  A large audience greeted me as I ascended the podium at six o'clock, with many familiar faces and some new as well.  I felt like the first couple of lots started us off a bit slow, as we had a flurry of left bids which won, but then the crowd kicked in and competition heated up the cold November air.

  The Plymouth specific antiques ignited interest with strong bids for the Indian Arrowheads and Antique Souvenir Porcelain.  The early Plymouth colony deed captured bids from the phone, floor and internet, before selling to a Cape Cod dealer.  Silver was another strong category.  Most of these glittering lots sold to the floor.  The large Dominick & Haff flatware set broke the $3500 mark, which I think will please our consignor!

I had a wonderful time bid calling and can't wait to do it again in January.  I would like to thank everyone who joined us for a great evening out, at America's Hometown Auction.  Thank you Chef Steve Coe of Bokx 109 for some truly amazing food and Bartending Service of New England for libations.  I am always grateful for my crew, which in my opinion is the best in the business.  I will see you all again January 21st, 6:00 P.M. at 83 Court Street.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

FIVE DAYS AWAY

Anticipation is the watch word of the week.  The catalog is completed, everything is tagged and carefully packed up.  The crew is confirmed, as is the chef and bartending service.  We are ready to go!  I love this week as it gives us time to reflect on over two months of accumulation.  I recall house calls from Boston to Truro,  the interesting people I have met and the precious objects which have joined our November 19th Lineup.  The hard work is complete, now the real fun begins.



We have over 260 lots of everything from 19th Century Kitchen Primitives, to Antique Georgian Silver and everything in between.  Paintings are strong in this sale, my personal favorite is Lot #1, a small 19th C. Oil on Canvas of a shipwreck dated '73 (1873).  We also have dozens of "organic" lots.  These are items from Plymouth, Massachusetts and New England, from wonderful 19th Century Primitives with Southern New Hampshire provenance, to a 17th Century Deed from a Cape Cod Indian Sachem.  The details of this important lot can be found in a fantastic story in the November 13th Edition of "The Old Colony Memorial", by Emily Clark.

READ ARTICLE HERE

  For the silver magnates, over 500 Ozt of Sterling silver spanning 200 years and many famous makers awaits their bid.  In this category a beautiful 19th Century flatware set by "Dominick & Haff" is a true standout, 90 pieces of over 150 Ozt Sterling Silver.  The true show stopper has to be the pair of British Silver Tea Caddies.  Hand chased, with ram finials, WOW!

Please join us for a wonderful night out, Tuesday, November 19th at 83 Court Street, Plymouth MA.  We have a great sale with Beer, Wine and food prepared by Chef Stephen Coe of BOKX109.  Competitive bidding and opportunity await.  See you at the auction!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

THINGS THAT SPARKLE



One of my favorite forms of Art is jewelry.  It is a combination of metallurgy, nature and human artistic expression.  Something deep within our DNA attracts us to these objects of beauty.  Our eyes are drawn to gold, our pupils become fixated on a diamond's brilliance.  Is it the beauty both man made and natural which connect us to these objects, or do we just respond to things which sparkle?  For me antique and vintage jewelry hold a special allure.  Whether the ornate detail of a 19th C. Victorian Brooch, covered in mine cut diamonds, or the aerodynamic lines of a 1930's Art Deco Bracelet, I see the beauty.  

This week a call delivered an incredibly diverse collection of fine jewelry.  This group spans a century, from the 1890's to the 1990's, every piece has two common attributes: quality and beauty.  The first work of art presented, was a massive opal and diamond pendant dating from the early 20th C.  The center stone is a round cut Opal with sunrise colored fire, surrounded by over 4c of mine cut diamonds and another pear shaped stone suspended beneath.  Next came a three diamond ring, with stones that appeared to be internally flawless under the 10X of my loupe.  Both these pieces have been sent out for a full appraisal. 

My absolute favorite piece in this collection is an English, Victorian Cameo Necklace in it's original fitted box.  This piece consists of six hand carved Italian Shell Cameos set in 15K gold.  The quality and beauty of this piece is simply remarkable.  In total this call netted over thirty pieces of fine jewelry, which will be available to the highest bidder in our January 21st sale.