Fontaine's Auction Gallery to hold an exceptional cataloged auction on Saturday, May 22

May 4, 2010 - PRLog -- (PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – An exceptional cataloged multi-estate auction featuring hundreds of fresh-to-the-market lots in a broad range of categories – period furniture, antique clocks, vintage lighting, and more – will be held Saturday, May 22, at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, in the firm’s spacious gallery facility, at 1485 West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield.

   Previews will be held on Friday, May 21, from 10-4 and Saturday, May 22, the day of sale, from 8-11 a.m. The sale will begin promptly at 11 a.m. (EDT). An Internet catalog has been posted on the Fontaine’s Auction Gallery website, at www.fontainesauction.net. The catalog shows thousands of detailed photos, with each lot having a full and detailed description.

   Floor, absentee, phone and pre-registered Internet bidding will all be available. Online bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and the Fontaine’s website. Featured will be a pair of George Jones astronomical regulator clocks that could well end up being the top two lots of the sale. One, featuring a fully jeweled movement and carved walnut case, is expected to realize $150,000-$200,000. The other is housed in a phenomenal oak Herter Brothers case and boasts a quality polished gilt brass movement (est. $75,000-$125,000).

   Other clocks expected to do well include an R.J. Horner father time grandfather clock with movement, signed Mapin & Webb (est. $75,000-$100,000); a Howard & Davis (Boston) drum head astronomical regulator in excellent condition (est. $75,000-$125,000); and a time globe (circa 1880), patented by Lewis Paul Juvet (est. $15,000-$20,000).

   Rounding out the category, other clocks of note include a rare Tiffany Studios pine needle carriage clock, with bronze case and excellent patina (est. $4,000-$6,000); a large Chelsea 8-day ship’s clock with open moon hands and silvered 7-inch dial with black Roman numerals (est. $2,500-$3,500); and a French silk thread bronze Apollo mantel clock (est. $1,500-$2,000).

   Stars of the period furniture category include an R.J. Horner 10-piece oak figural lion carved dining room set (est. $75,000-$100,000); a 5-piece J.H. Belter Fountain Elms laminated parlor set with a sofa, two armchairs and a side chair (est. $75,000-$100,000); and a 4-piece marble-top bedroom set with burled panels attributed to John Jeliff (est. $15,000-$25,000).

   The Tiffany name and legend will lead the way when it comes time for vintage lamps and lighting to illuminate the room. Two standout examples are a Tiffany Studios (N.Y.) conical daffodil table lamp shade with confetti and fragment glass (est. $40,000-$60,000) and a 20-inch Tiffany Studios signed dragonfly table lamp on a two-tone faux turtleback base (est. $40,000-$60,000).

   Also offered will be a Tiffany Studios 14-inch tulip table lamp (an early electrified oil lamp), with 14-inch domical shade with red striated tulips (est. $30,000-$50,000); a Tiffany Studios desk lamp with turtleback shade (est. $10,000-$15,000); and a 20” Duffner & Kimberly Henry II table lamp (est. $20,000-$30,000).

   Decorative accessories will feature a 19th century signed “Fiske” cast iron fountain with stork top (est. $15,000-$25,000); a 7-inch Faberge silver enamel and ivory jar by Anders Nevalainen (est. $8,000-$12,000); a pair of French Empire figural bronze tazas with ebony putti figures (est. $3,000-$5,000); and a rare Tiffany Studios pine needle double inkwell (est. $1,500-$2,000).

   Bronze statuary is worth noting. One is a festive bronze and ivory figure of a dancing woman by Dimitri Chiparus (1886-1947), titled Carnival, in excellent condition (est. $35,000-$45,000). The other is a James Gruzalski large bronze bust of an Indian chief wearing a puma headdress, signed, in excellent condition and with a good dark patina (est. $2,000-$3,000).

   Also set to cross the block on May 22 is a Regina bow front upright changer music box in a mahogany case with shell carved crest, playing 12 discs 20.5 inches in diameter and signed on the soundboard “Regina 50871” (est. $12,000-$15,000); and a lady’s 14kt gold and diamond ring featuring one old European cut diamond of about 1.5 carats, with VS clarity (est. $4,000-$6,000).

   Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is actively seeking quality consignments for its summer and autumn auctions. The firm also buys antiques and entire estates outright. For more information, or to consign an item, estate or collection, call (413) 448-8922 and ask to speak to John Fontaine. Or, e-mail him at info@fontaineauction.com. For more info, log on to www.fontainesauction.net.

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Ken Hall writes pre-sale and post-sale press releases for auction houses, for a fee. He writes, submits and tracks stories for clients. Submissions are published in trade magazines, posted on industry websites and appear in local newspapers.