Date: Fri 11-Dec-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Sarcophagus

Full Text:

The Sarcophagus As Hot Tub

(with cut)

By Rita Easton

MILFORD, CONN. -- Three-hundred-fifty lots crossed the block at an auction

held by Joseph Kabe on November 5. A standing-room crowd filled Pyramid Temple

Hall, competing for items from the Washington estate of a resident who wrote

books on Audubon prints.

Sold "as is," a Roman sarcophagus reached the highest bid of the day, at

$12,650, purchased by a New York dealer. The lot bore many cracks, and was

sold together with four "paw" feet, detached, on which the piece rested.

Commenting on the uses for an ancient sarcophagus, Kabe suggested it might

serve as a garden planter, while many calls came in on the item from

prospective buyers who would have installed it as a hot tub.

A Louis XVI original finish armoire in walnut, fitted with interior shelves,

fetched $3,300 from a retail buyer; a Seventeenth Century Italian four-drawer

fruitwood chest went to a New York dealer at $1,870; a Seventeenth Century

walnut Spanish chest, heavily carved with geometric patterns, sold at $880; a

cathedral clock with bronze ormolu detailing, in "as is" but working

condition, garnered $3,000; a French brass cherub clock brought $770; the

bargain of the day was a clock garniture set at $330; and a London Victorian

bracket clock was purchased at $1,320.

An oil on canvas painting by Morris Gall Pancoast, depicting a flatland scene

with brush and water, made $3,880; a Seventeenth Century watercolor study of a

vase reached $660; and a Seventeenth Century watercolor portrait brought $385.

An 84-piece sterling silver Tiffany flatware set, service for 12, in the

"Trylid" pattern, reached $1,870; and a carved mahogany Empire nightstand, a

two drawer example by Duncan Phyfe, with four paw feet supporting a center

column, made $1,870.

A New York library table attributed to Duncan Phyfe, in mahogany, reached

$1,650; a 1790 bow front Hepplewhite four drawer chest, with some repairs to

the feet went out at $1,650; a Federal mahogany bow front chest reached $990;

and a 12 by 18 foot Hamadan rug, Twentieth Century, fetched $550.

"The rug trade was there, exclaiming over how cheaply the Hamadan went," said

Kabe, "but none of them bid because they don't have any market for newer

rugs."

An upholstered chaise lounge with one long arm, which also served as a

backrest when used as sofa seating, went at $725; a Davenport desk in

rosewood, in "as is" condition, sold at $550; a period Empire one-drawer table

in mahogany was purchased at $440; and a eight foot long Art Deco wall unit

was a steal at $50.

"Sounds like a freebie," said Kabe. "We gave it away. Nobody wanted it. It was

an unusual piece, but just no interest in it at all."

An oak china closet realized $725; a 1940s corner cabinet in two parts, having

a fancy mullioned door above a cupboard door, achieved $550; a large walnut

custom bar reached $1,540; and a Wurlitzer Simplex P-34 went to a collector at

$440.

A lot of old postcards mounted in albums went for $550; Harrison Fisher prints

reached $550; and a K & R bisque doll, 22 inches high, sold at $825.

Prices quoted reflect a required ten percent buyers premium.