Fairfield, Maine (PRWEB) September 06, 2016
James D. Julia’s annual August sale truly was unquestionably the “Maine” auction event of the summer. After the hammer fell for the last time, 68 lots realized $10K or above. In addition, 25 lots realized $25K or more, and 3 lots broke the six-figure mark.
Top lots included Edward Willis Redfield’s "River Decorations" which realized $148,125; a pair of porcelain plaques by Wang Dafan which realized $118,500 (more than six times their low estimate); and Fitz Henry Lane’s painting of New Bedford Harbor, which realized $296,250. This unsigned oil on canvas, housed in a fabulous Eli Wilner & Co. frame, will be included in the Fitz Henry Lane catalog raisonne published by the Cape Ann Museum.
Day one of this sales event hit the ground running with over 600 lots of outstanding paintings and fine art selections, many featuring Maine artists and themes. Two works by Andrew Wyeth really caught the attention of buyers in this sale. His "River Greys" realized $66,953, and "By The Lower Dam" realized $79,988, nearly four times its low estimate. And Abbott Fuller Graves’ "A Hot Shoe" was another standout, standing tall at $41,475.
Julia's is well known for its leadership with Rockport School paintings, and this sale was no different. Three Emile Albert Gruppe works were the stars in this category. They included his "Gloucester Sunlit Cove-Rocky Neck" which realized $22,515; "Mending the Nets" which realized $20,145; and "Morning Gloucester" which realized $20,738.
This sale featured a spirited selection of paintings from the Pennsylvania New Hope as well as the Hudson River Valley schools. These included Kenneth Nunamaker’s "Plum Blossoms" which realized $23,700 and William Trost Richards’ "Crashing Waves" which realized $24,885. Other works celebrating the great outdoors included Howard A. Terpning’s "Spring Came Early" which realized $94,800 and Frederic Remington’s "Trail Riders" which realized $23,108.
Bronze selections in this sale were also heavy favorites. Abastenia St. Legar Eberle’s joyful "Girl With Roller Skate" was the wheel-deal and realized $20,145, more than twice its low estimate.
Works with an international twist rounded out sale highlights from the first day of this event. These included Swedish/American John F Carlson’s "Morning In The Barnyard" which realized $24,885; American/Canadian Jack Lorimer Gray’s "Chockle Cap, Lunenburg Co, Nova Scotia" which realized $29,033; and Frenchman Edouard Leon Cortes’ "Paris En Hiver" which realized $26,663.
The second day of this fine auction featured 600 lots of outstanding American and European antiques, furniture, historical items, and nautical paintings. Works featuring seafaring vessels of all types were a splashing success. Aptly named Robert Salmon’s "Outward Bound, Long Island Head, Boston Harbor" was a headliner here, realizing $82,950, over four times its low estimate.
Three of James Buttersworth’s works really made waves with bidders. These included "A Three Decker Off Dover Castle With Shakespeare Cliff In The Distance," "Dover Passage," and "Yachting In New York Harbor." They realized $37,920, $47,400, and $41,475 respectively. Five paintings by Thomas M. Hoyne also hit the high water mark. Each was originally estimated at $15,000-25,000 but significantly surpassed this range. His "Parting The Crest Helen G. Wells At Gloucester," "Taking A Bath On Georges," and "The Loner-The Governor Russell, 1983," each realized $41,475. And his "Five To Port-1983" and "Dropping The Tow-1979" each realized $53,325.
Wooden decorative and functional items hammered their way to the top of this event as well. A fine Federal inlaid mahogany tall case clock by Aaron Willard realized $29,625. An exceptional, fine, and important tobacconist figure of an Indian maiden attributed to Samuel Robb more than double its low estimate to realize $94,800, while sixteen silhouette carved wood and painted shorebird decoys splintered their $1,000-1,500 auction estimate to realize $90,060.
Folk art and weathervanes were other important categories represented on the second day of this sale. It was off to the races with a large and rare cast iron Rochester horse weathervane which realized $20,145. And a folk art portrait of a young boy attributed to the mid-19th C. Prior/Hamblin School went to the head of the class at $21,330, over four times its low estimate.
The final day of Julia's annual summer auction presented a stellar selection of contemporary decorative arts and unusual offerings, including over 250 lots of breathtaking art from Japan and China. Julia’s is known for its expertise in Asian arts, and the furniture, sculptures, paintings, jewelry, cloisonné, jades, and porcelain on offer were once again world-class.
Aesthetically lovely Asian treasures were one of the focal points of day three of this sales event, with bids coming in from across the globe. Particularly eye catching highlights include two bronzes - a sculpture By Li Chen, which realized $38,513 and a statue of a seated figure, which realized $15,998 - and a pair of watercolor landscapes, which realized $15,405 on their $800-1,200 estimate. A Ming Dynasty-era cloisonné basin, estimated at $6,000-$8,000, realized $26,663, while an exquisite Qing Dynasty-era green jade bowl, estimated at $4,000-$6,000, realized $31,995.
Another mouthwatering highlight in this sale was an impressive, 19th c. Chinese export Rose Mandarin dinner service in the “bird in the lantern” pattern. This lot included traditional tableware plus matching platters, serving dishes, nesting bowls, tureens, and other service items. It realized $17,775.
Collectors felt right at home with this sale’s great offering of Asian furniture. A rare Chinese Zitan carved canopy bed realized $33,180, and a Zitan recessed trestle-leg altar table realized $10,665. Finally, a set of nine rosewood mother-of-pearl inset chairs and tables proved itself a real jewel in in this sale, realizing $16,590.
About James D. Julia, Inc.:
James D. Julia, Inc., one of the top ten antique auction antique houses in North America as measured by annual sales, is headquartered in Fairfield, Maine. The company also has an office in Boston, Massachusetts. In business for over 45 years, the company conducts high-end antique, collectible and fine art auctions throughout the year. Julia's has routinely established new world records through its sales events. The company consists of three key divisions, including Rare Firearms; Fine Art, Asian, and Antiques; and Rare Lamps, Glass, and Fine Jewelry. Each division is regarded for its excellence and is staffed with world-class specialists to guarantee fair and professional authentication, identification and valuation services. For more information on James D. Julia, Inc., please visit http://www.jamesdjulia.com.
