FLOOR ART

I have always enjoyed fine hand loomed rugs, they are truly works of art and can be appreciated as such. In the antiques business they are ubiquitous, It seems like I see at least one on every house call.  I can see the beauty in an average late 20th Century Hamadan, or a coarsely woven Afghan, but all rugs are not created equal.  Occasionally I look down at my feet and see something spectacular.  Today my lowered gaze rested on an exceptional Antique silk prayer rug.  This masterpiece dates from the 19th Century and embodies hundreds of years of tradition, design and craftsmanship.  I instantly knew it to be a prayer rug, although it was not pointing to Mecca, it did have a point.

This beautiful rug was embellished with an intricate design and color choice which pointed to the Northern Caucasus, upon closer inspection, a rug from the Dagestan tribal region.  This fine example demonstrated quality in a very tight weave;  the knot count, north of 120 per inch.  I marveled at the complexity of the pattern and wondered at the hours which went into its creation.  As I beheld this masterpiece of weaving, I  noticed the edge of another rug peeking out just around the corner, my lucky day. 

My curiosity was rewarded by a bold blue field and geometric pattern surrounded by an intricate floral border it was another Caucasian prayer rug. This example, a Kuba carrying a design which can be traced to an individual village of Perpedil.

This beautiful work of art certainly showed its age, but was in remarkable condition.  My mind wondered to another time and place, when this rug would be delicately laid out, pointing in the direction of the Holy city of Mecca, its owner kneeling in rhythmic prayer and devotion.  The lives these works of art have lived, the history they carry make one think.

As I worked my way through this local home, I picked out six fine antique rugs altogether.  A massive Persian with an Islamic Calligraphy border was another favorite of mine as was a faded Afghan tribal. This fine collection was assemble over a century ago and therefore represents an extremely rare opportunity for the collector to own one of these fine Antiques.  These rugs will be offered for sale to the highest bidder on November 8th.  Until then, I look forward to seeing you at the auction!

ILLUSTRATING FINE ART

What a wonderful time to enjoy living in New England!  We wait all year for these fleeting months of Summer...pure Nirvana.  

Having wrapped up an excellent July 1st auction, we have set our eyes on our next event, our Fall Art and Antiques Auction, (date to be announced).  Some remarkable things have already darkened our sun drenched threshold.  While down on the cape chasing clambakes, cookouts and cold IPA's, I happened upon something simply amazing!  Let me begin by stating that illustrator Art is a true passion of mine.  My short list of great American Artists includes N.C. Wyeth, Howard Chandler Christie and Norman Rockwell, all famous art illustrators.  I have recently added a new name to that list.

I  walked into the dining room of a favorite consignor and beheld a portfolio of original early 20th Century pen and ink and watercolor illustrations by Harrison Cady.  These beautiful works of Art appeared in books written by Thornton Burgess, the two had a collaboration spanning five decades.  I fell in love with the simple innocence these images evoke, woodland creatures with human characteristics, a bear in overalls a mouse with spectacles and of course "Blackie the Crow" with his iconic top hat and scarf.  


These works of art have all of the hallmarks of an original creation, graphite dust smudges at the margins, mingle with the artist's casual pencil notations, the reverse with studio tags affixed identifying story boards and character plot lines.  This illustration collection represents a lost art, free hand creation, inky fingers and the smell of pencil lead. Not a computer involved, no design software, nothing digital at all, how did he manage?

 

These wonderful creations will be offered for sale to the highest bidder at our Fall auction.  Here lies a wonderful opportunity to add original art from an iconic American Artist to your collection. Make sure you are there to win them.  As always I look forward to seeing you at the auction!

MILITARIA SALE READY TO GO

I have been neglectful of this blog for the past two months and I sincerely apologize to my audience (of three). We have been absolutely dedicated with maniacal focus to cataloging this sale.  The work load of researching, vetting, photographing, measuring and describing in detail 400 very specialized lots was woefully underestimated by yours truly.  It was an absolute joy however and as we move to the next stage of the sale, the catalog (now available on our homepage) is one I am proud of.

This collection certainly offers some unique items of historical importance.  The uniform group once worn by Commodore Perry and his sword should be considered national treasures.  This man was a hero of the fledgling United States Navy, which faced the British during The War of 1812 and thrashed them soundly!  Omar Bradley's dress uniform is another headline grabber.  He was a five star general in command of over one million troops in Europe during World War Two. It is simply incredible to me, that these items are being offered for sale to the public.

The uniforms, hats, belts, boots and gear in this sale all represent something much larger than the materials and craftsmanship which went into their creation.  Although the collection covers over three centuries and many different countries, every piece shares an important quality, they are a testament to the brave men who used them.  A simple khaki service uniform worn by an infantry officer in 1918 during the horrors of trench warfare in Flanders, the Sword presented to a Confederate cavalry officer by his men during the battle Gettysburg,  or the uniform worn by a U-Boat petty officer while the battle for the Atlantic raged above, all represent the legacy of those who were willing to give their lives in service.

I am getting very excited as the date approaches,  this sale represents a rare opportunity and is simply thrilling to a militaria collector and enthusiast like me.  The crew is ready, the advertising in place, the catalog finished, all that is left is for you to join us on Saturday, April 26th at 11:00. I look forward to seeing you at the auction!

BENEFIT TO CELEBRATE

It has been an exceptional couple of weeks at J.James Auctioneers and Appraisers.  There were three Winter Storms the last 14 days and I had a benefit Auction scheduled right between them!  I was fortunate enough to be invited to speak at the Plymouth Rotary Club luncheon.  After a brief presentation, we conducted a quick live auction to benefit my favorite local charity "Helping Hands of the Plymouth Animal Shelter".

After running around Town with my hat in my hand, we amassed a great selection of gift cards from some of my favorite local haunts,  our lots even included a tour and tasting at Mayflower Brewery and two spots at Plymouth's original Art Bar.  The generosity of our local business owners is unmatched in America's Hometown. I just love doing benefit events, everyone wins and I can mercilessly guilt people into opening their wallets.

We also added an important team member to our staff.  He is eight pounds and black as coal...our new Labrador Retriever George.  George will be working security at the auction and may lend a paw to help catalog.  George has all the wonder of a Puppy learning and exploring his world.  I am confident that he will grow to be an important member of our team.

The catalog for our April 26th Militaria Auction is growing daily.  We have over 130 lots photographed and described so far, with about 400 more on the way over the next few weeks.  The work load is tremendous, but we are truly having fun researching this stuff,  this sale will be epic!  I will be posting some pictures in my next Blog, until then, enjoy Winter in New England.

GO BUY A LOTTO TICKET!

I have an amazing, unprecedented and unsurpassed ability to schedule any event months in advance to coincide with a storm or major weather event.  Last March our sale was held in the face of a raging Nor'easter which became a Blizzard the night of our sale.  Tuesday evening, our auction was accompanied by another fierce Winter storm right on time.  During our preview, I glanced out the window and saw a small and lonely snowflake floating on a light and gentle breeze, two hours later it became sheets of white pushed by gale force winds.  I just love Winter!

When I took the stage at 6:00 I was greeted by the faces of some hearty New Englanders and I felt proud to be one.  My staff informed me that we had over seventy phone bids and even more left bids in the system.  Our attendance was less than half, but our empty seats had been converted into absentee bidders!  Although I still prefer the energy of a crowded auction, I knew with the help of technology, our bidders were still engaged.

As the snow laden winds howled outside Memorial Hall, the bidding heated up.  Jewelry was a particularly strong category, with my favorite piece, a Victorian Cameo Necklace fetching nearly three thousand dollars.  Our selection of Thai Silver Repousse was a true winner, with phone, internet and live bidding propelling these works of art to the stratosphere. I just love selling jewelry and silver, easy to move, store, ship and sell!

Militaria is a perennial  winner at our sales and it proved its popularity again.  Our Civil War Muskets went for all of the money and a rare WW2 German Helmet hammered at $1500.  The competition for militaria is red hot and I am excited to begin to catalog our April 25th and 26th Military sale! It is an amazing collection from a Museum which has been stored away for over twenty years.  The group spans three centuries and the globe.  I will be posting pictures and highlites of this sale every few weeks. 

SOME LATE EDITIONS

I am getting excited for our January sale!  The new year has been born and I cant wait to see what treasures 2014 will yield.  Every day in this business is a little adventure, a treasure hunt, a glimpse into the past.  I have resolved for '14 to work harder, dig deeper and cast an even wider net to bring our customers the rare, the desirable and the beautiful.

We are putting the finishing touches on our exceptional Winter Art and Antiques Auction.  We have carefully selected lots to appear in our main line advertising and marketing pieces.  Our glossies are ordered, our lotting is finished and our catalog is proofed.  I leaned back in my chair in satisfaction and poured a Hennessy to toast when our phone rang.  A voice asked if there was time to add any consignments to our sale.  My instinct was to suggest our Spring sale and explain that January was now closed, but I couldn't help asking "What do you have?" The answer: "Some things from the Revolutionary War".  This sale is reopened!

As I entered the formal dining room of this ancient South Shore home, laid out on the table was a leather cartridge box, a cheesebox canteen and an absolutely amazing silk embroidered vest.  Now if I had a dime for every "Revolutionary War" item I have gone to see, I would be sitting on a Hawaiian Beach writing this, but upon closer inspection these three items are absolutely the genuine article, the real deal.  


The cartridge box although a bit rough is definatly period.  The canteen even has it's original red paint and its owners initials carved into the side.  Could these pieces have witnessed General Howe fleeing Boston under Washington's Guns?  Were they carried across the Delaware on that famous snowy night?  Sometimes I wish these things could speak and tell their stories.  The vest was truly something to behold.  Original 18th Century clothing is just as rare as it gets!  The silk was in an exceptional state of preservation and the embroidery was just stunning.  Covered in Delicate hand stitched flowers and foliate design, this vest would have put the "D" in dandy. It seems the New Year is getting off to a great start!

These three wonderful late editions are going to be offered for sale in our January 21st Sale, 6:00 PM at Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, Plymouth MA.  See you at the Auction!

OLD GHOSTS

So many objects come through our doors, such a diverse variety it blows my mind.  The different uses and reasons for creation range from fine art, created for adornment and pure expression to weapons meant for warfare.  All of these objects have their own unique story to tell, since they cannot relate it directly, close observation and careful research can tease it out of the past.  Some things we can hold and truly feel an energy and history associated with them.   Antique Militaria is a category which truly exemplifies this phenomena.

An interesting collection of weapons and accoutrements will be featured in our January 21st Auction, ranging from a civil war Remington Zoave Rifle to an Early 19th C. British Bandsman's sword.  What truly draws my eye is a salty model 1841 Cutlass made by Ames Mfg Co for the United States Navy.  This piece has the look!  The hilt is brass with a grip made in a fish scale pattern, with numerical rack marks.  The blade is marked with a faint 1842 date.  Holding this piece can carry one back to the early days of the United States Navy.  Was this cutlass aboard a ship in the African squadron, running down slavers off of Sierra Leon?  Did it ride upon a blockade ship during the Civil War?  Was it in hands of a boarding party during the war with Mexico?  This piece truly speaks to you.

Another military piece which carries a compelling  history is the Model 1866 Allin Conversion Springfield Trapdoor.  These muskets armed our boys during the Indian Wars of the 1870's. They were lethal, but already obsolete when issued due to a single shot capacity.  I imagine this weapon griped  by a Pony Soldier fighting the Sioux.  Out on the barren plains, he would have been cursing it's limited capability in the face of an enemy armed with repeating rifles.

I have been working on a large lifetime collection of Militaria over the past few months, which we will feature in a specialty auction this Spring.  This amazing group spans both time and the continents, it includes everything from revolutionary war uniforms to one worn by an SS General during the second world war.  I will share some highlights in the coming weeks. Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!