Date: Fri 17-Sep-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Lucioni-Fausett-records

Full Text:

Records Set At Vermont Art Auction

(with 2 cuts)

MANCHESTER, VT. -- When the final gavel fell at $105,000 for Luigi Lucioni's

"Mt Equinox" and at $19,500 for Dean Fausett's untitled country landscape, new

sales records were set for artists with ties to Vermont at the Southern

Vermont Art Center's Fine Art and Antiques Auction on August 14.

The Vermont representative of New York's William Doyle Gallery, Leslie van

Breen, confirming the record-breaking aspect of these sales, said both artists

are "certainly becoming recognized beyond their regional appeal."

An additional significant sale of $105,000 was Rockwell Kent's "Summer." This

is one of a series of four paintings the artist did to celebrate the seasons

in Vermont. ("Winter" is in the Chicago Art Institute's collection while the

rest are still in private hands.)

Other noteworthy sales were George Luks "Boy with a Blue Cap" at $20,000, an

untitled Eric Sloane winter scene for $13,000, a Luigi Lucioni still life,

"Scherzo in Green" for $15,000, and Ogden Pleissner's oil "The Cottage" for

$7,000.

Local Vermont artists sold well, led by several of Churchill Ettinger's

watercolors (est $1,1/3,750) and a Jay Hall Connaway for $2,000. Barbara

Trask, a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers, sees an increase

in demand for artists from the area. Furthermore, she noted, "Both the

Rockwell Kent and the Luigi Lucioni were bought by local collectors who felt

strongly about keeping these Vermont-themed works in Vermont."

In addition to paintings there were a number of pieces of fine furniture

including a Vermont-made server from Middlebury's Hastings Warren (1779-1845)

which sold for $6,500. Other furniture sales included a Newburyport Federal

tambour top secretary ($3,750) and a two-drawer pine and maple blanket chest

($1,600).

Unique items other than furniture included a Jose de Creeft lead bas-relief

for $4,100, a pair of Hawkes glass candy dishes for $600, a needlepoint

fireplace bench for $800, and a pair of mahogany inlaid sewing boxes for

$1,050.

The sale of 169 items grossed approximately $400,000 with fewer than ten items

failing to meet their reserves. Net proceeds from consignment commissions and

donations will be used by the Southern Vermont Art Center to further its

educational outreach program and maintain its permanent collection.

The auction was held under a tent on the grounds of the art center. Jim

Dickerson of Charlotte, Vt., served as auctioneer. With a standing room only

crowd of more than 225 active participants, the biennial event has become

established as the venue for purchasing Vermont-based art and antiques.