Date: Fri 02-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Pook

Full Text:

Pook & Pook Auction

with 15 cuts

By J.M.W. Fletcher

LUDWIGS CORNER, PENN. -- The Chester County auction house of Pook & Pook

featured one of the ultimate examples of Chester County furniture in one of

its recent sales: a walnut, line and berry inlaid chest of drawers, circa

1725.

The chest's extensive tulip line and berry inlay inspired a gentleman on the

floor to bid a final price of $80,000, just at the firm's high estimate. In

addition, the more than 450 lots featured in this February 20 auction included

a plethora of collectibles, as well as items from the Philadelphia Museum of

Art, being sold to benefit its acquisition fund.

Several of some 50 fine Oriental carpets offered came from a Chester County

institution, including a rare, early Twentieth Century Serapi. Also featured

were rare carved decoys, fine fraktur drawings, several weathered

weathervanes, and an array of fine formal and primitive furniture and

accessories. Even at the commencement of Saturday's sale, when the first 50

lots of displayed rugs were brought to the block and replaced by chairs, it

was still standing room only.

"The L. and J.G. Stickley corner cupboard is going to smoke today," auction

staffer Erin Duffy said, quite prophetically, at the preview. "There is an

Arts and Crafts show -- I believe somewhere in Maryland -- and, because

everyone is attending, there was a great controversy over whether we were

going to make more phone lines available, as all four of them have been closed

since the first day our [auction catalogue] went out."

As a result, absentee bids were numerous and several potential buyers were

inspired to fly in to attend the auction for this rare item.

The diminutive case of the oak cabinet exhibited a flat top over a 12-light

door, flanked by 12-light side panels, circa 1912-14. The cabinet, with pinned

and mortise construction, had a very conservative estimate of $4/7,000.

Bidding was opened by auctioneer James Gibson at $12,000. Gibson moved the lot

quickly, taking bids from the four phone lines and the floor in $1,000

increments until the final $35,000 purchase price (including ten percent

buyers premium).

The buyers, Stickley collectors Dot and Rick Kimmelman, flew in from

Asheville, N.C., in pursuit of their prize. "We left the Arts and Crafts

conference in Asheville to be here," Rick added. "We're pretty excited. It's

in awesome condition -- a beautiful piece."

Just after mid-noon, the most sought-after item from the Philadelphia Museum

of Art group, an outstanding and rare Philadelphia walnut tall case clock by

Joseph Wills, circa 1750, was brought to the block. The stately, 94-inch-high

timepiece featured a sarcophagus bonnet enclosing an eight-day brass works and

calendar, strike/silent and moon phase dial. With three of the phones active,

the high estimate of $40,000 was very quickly passed. At $55,000, auctioneer

Gibson banged the gavel and this fine clock went to the phone.

Branded "A. Houck," a Philadelphia brace back Windsor side chair, circa 1785,

retaining an old red finish, with an estimate of $3/4,000, sold at $5,100. A

small Pennsylvania paint decorated blanket chest, circa 1820, was actively bid

by a persistent phone bidder to $3,000 (est $800/1,200).

Made by J.P. Smith, an early Nineteenth Century Pennsylvania long rifle shot

past its high estimate of $800 and sold at $2,200. A fine pair of matched

cased English dueling pistols, circa 1825, marked "James London" made $1,100.

A large contingent of hand-woven rug buyers were on hand at the start of the

auction to watch and bid on the over 50 fine lots. One outstanding offering

was a 10 by 7'9" Bakshaish, circa 1870 (est $4,5/8,500) that soared to

$22,000. Other rug prices varied between a low of $110 up to a high of $4,900.

A fine pair of English, circa 1757, Georgian silver, 7¬ inch high

candlesticks, attributed to Simon Jouet, sold at $3,500. It was sweet news to

the consignor, when an elaborate, American, hand-painted wood wall pocket,

featuring a cartouche with a fanciful snow scene and a scroll inscribed "Home

Sweet Home," sold against the phones to the floor for $3,100 (est $700/800).

Depicting the Four Seasons, a beautiful set of four English etched 5« by 5«

inch glass plaques, circa mid-Eighteenth Century, retaining original gilt

frames, brought five times the low estimate of $800. A pair of carved pine

recumbent lions retaining their original gilded surface were impressive at

$3,500.

A selection of fine fraktur drawings by artists such as the "Blowsy Angel" and

Frederich Krebs sold at $1,500 and $2,100 respectively. A brilliantly colored

fraktur drawing of tulips and dove, attributed to Christian Bamberger

(American, Nineteenth Century) doubled its presale estimate, selling for

$7,000. An American calligraphy drawing depicting a leaping stag jumped to

$1,500, and a highly detailed folk art family tree sold for $1,700.

A chip carved walnut pipe box with a scalloped back and a secret compartment

made $2,400. Among the artwork featured was an oil on canvas still life of

flowers in a vase by B.J.O. Nordfeldt (American, 1878-1955), which reached

$6,000. Three harbor scenes by Walter Farndon made $2,700, $2,500 and $2,500.

All prices quoted, unless otherwise noted, are hammer prices and do not

reflect the ten percent buyers premium charged.