Date: Fri 25-Sep-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: AMYD

Quick Words:

Stolfe

Full Text:

Steal Of A Deal On An Alexander Roux Table At Stolfe's

By Rita Easton

GARDINER, N.Y. -- Marc Stolfe's September 12 auction boasted a packed house of

350 attendees, with 200 holding bidding paddles, with additional competition

from buyers on the phones.

The biggest draw was a marble hall table signed "Alexander Roux, 478 Broadway,

New York, N.Y.," with measurements of 36 by 55 inches, having elegantly carved

knees, and with marble top and drawer on each of two sides. Pre-auction

publicity on the piece reached New York's Metropolitan Museum resulting in a

phone inquiry from the institution, and from several noted collectors and

dealers, but the final turnout on auction day did not live up to that promise.

While the house was packed, Stolfe felt that lively pre-auction interest and

publicity had discouraged attendance of many major players who felt that the

competition would be too stiff. Consequently, the Roux piece went out at a

bargain -- $2,500 -- to a dealer. The 1860-1870 lot was in need of some

restoration.

Of the 600 lots offered, many other Victorian high-style furniture lots

highlighted the event, most of them from the estate of a prominent Monticello

dentist. Among them, a marble-top dresser with mirrored back flanked by two

glove boxes brought $1,200; a marble-top sideboard reached $1,100; a Victorian

French provincial sofa with new upholstery went out at $550; and a Victorian

kerosene lamp in cranberry glass with opalescent coin spots, standing 18

inches high, with a ruffled shade, realized $700.

A pair of Paris porcelain vases, 14 inches high, depicting pastoral landscapes

with people and farm animals, reached $800; a Venini vase in orange, black,

and red stripes, eight inches high, achieved $800; a sterling silver Gorham

flatware service for 12, plus five serving pieces, for a total of 68 pieces,

in the elegantly plain "Classic" pattern, made $1,250; and a carved mahogany

dropfront desk, profusely carved with classical figures of women, achieved

$500.

Smalls and decorative items went quickly, with a Mexican sterling silver tea

set consisting of two pots, sugar, creamer, and wash bowl, without tray,

crossing the block at $800; a collection of Royal Doulton dogs of various

breeds ranging from $100 to $300; an oil on canvas portrait of a woman by

Dutch artist A. Loos, painted in 1858, going out at $750; and a sterling

silver Mexican water pitcher realizing $350.

A small consignment of jewelry was notable for an emerald and diamond band

ring, the stones set in 18 karat gold, which reached $550; and an Art Deco

gold wristwatch, which fetched $1,600.

Prices quoted above do not reflect a required ten percent premium.