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ITALIAN COMMODE DOUBLES ESTIMATE AT ATLANTIC W/4 CUTS

By Rita Easton

SAGAMORE, MASS. -- Frank J. Tammaro, the general manager of Atlantic Auction

Gallery, Ltd., reported an audience holding 208 bidding numbers at their

November 5 sale. In addition, 80 phone bidders were in competition for 352

lots offered.

"It was a buying audience of 99 percent dealers," he noted.

The starring lot was a northern Italian Eighteenth Century inlaid commode,

which carried a pre-auction estimate of $4/8,000. The walnut lot brought a

surprise bid of $16,000, going to an out-of-state buyer. The underbidder was

an Italian buyer on the phone.

"The pulls didn't appear to be original," Tammaro said, "but apparently it

didn't matter."

An Eighteenth Century Dutch bombe desk, with drop down writing surface above

three drawers, in walnut, reached $2,600; and Eighteenth Century three-drawer

marquetry commode made $4,000; a set of eight period Hepplewhite dining chairs

in mahogany, with pierced back splats and slip seats, brought $6,500; and a

mahogany Hepplewhite bookcase, with fancy mullioned glass doors, garnered

$3,200.

A well-proportioned Sheraton wing chair needing upholstery sold at $3,400; a

mahogany dining table with oval shape, which extended to 103 inches long with

leaves, was purchased at $4,400; a group of small American antique furniture

lots comprising side chairs, mirrors, a hanging shelf, a mirror, and

candlestick tables went out in the $1,300 to $1,900 range; and an Italian

credenza achieved $1,600.

Generating a good deal of interest because of the rarity of period, a

Christian VII mirror, circa 1785, measuring 17 by 45 inches, went out at

$1,200. The period is named after the Danish emperor, and the lot was done "in

the manner of" C.F. Harsdoff. Embellishing the top of the mirror was a basket

of gilted foliage and down the sides were carved panels.

A marble top writing desk of bird's-eye maple, having three drawers, reached

$1,800; a Queen Anne mahogany drop leaf table sold at $1,000; a painted, tray

top Louis XV table fetched $1,525; and the bargain of the day, a linen press

with double paneled doors above two short and two long drawers, was an

affordable $800. A set of four Queen Anne drop-leaf tables ranged from $1,000

to $2,000.

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