Date: Fri 27-Feb-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Skinner

Full Text:

LaBurnum Lamp At Skinner

BOSTON, MASS. -- A 22-inch Tiffany Studios "Laburnum" lamp headed an auction

of art glass and lamps, Art Deco, and modern design at Skinner on January 24.

Privately consigned, the lamp sold to a collector in the Midwest for $129,000,

setting an auction record for a 22-inch Laburnum.

Department director Louise Luther said, "It's a prime example of the studios'

ability to paint a scene in glass in the mosaic tradition."

A Tiffany Studios "Dogwood Blossom" lamp also showed the same painterly

quality and sold for $10,000 above expectations at $44,850.

Other lamps included a Duffner and Kimberly "Louis XV" mosaic glass and bronze

lamp, which sold for $26,450, and a Mount Washington Burmese fluid lamp,

handpainted with Frank Guba ducks, which sold for $11,500. European glass

included a Rene Lalique opalescent statuette, "Grande Ovale Joueuse de Flute,"

as a lamp. It garnered $17,250.

A group of glass from Italy, made both before and after World War II, included

an Italian mosaic glass vase from the collection of Dr Arthur G.B. Metcalf.

With a mosaic design composed of fused glass murrhine, the vase was attributed

to Ercole Barovier for Artisti Barovier, and was in perfect condition.

Competition for the piece was intense and persistent, and ultimately the vase

sold above estimate at $28,750.

Works by American artist Dale Chihuly met with success, including a brilliant

glass sculpture from his "Persian Series" of the 1980s and deaccessioned from

Clark University to benefit its scholarship fund. Bidding for the sculpture,

which consisted of six glass forms that could be arranged in various

configurations, pushed past the estimate to a final $16,100. The auction also

featured one of Chihuly's early works from his "Navajo Series." It sold for

$8,050.

A group of Warren McArthur furniture made for the Capitol Theatre in Rome,

N.Y., topped the Art Deco furniture offerings. Realizing nearly $45,000 in

total, the group included a sofa, which took $13,800; a corner sofa, $10,925;

two side chairs, $1,955; and two club chairs, $9,775 and $8,050, respectively.

Additional highlights in Art Deco furniture included a pair of upholstered

chairs, which sold for $3,680, and a rosewood sideboard with a black marble

top, which realized $3,220.

A set of six Charles Eames DCW chairs with original maple finish led the

auction's selection of 1950s furniture, selling well above estimate at $3,738.

Three Charles Eames lounge chairs and ottomans with original black leather

also sold high, reaching $1,495, $1,725, and $1,840, respectively. A pair of

Knoll International Barcelona chairs went for $1,610; a Dunbar Furniture Co

bedroom set brought $2,760; a George Nelson bureau and cabinet sold for

$1,495; and a rare George Nelson vanity took $1,495 as well.

Jewelry included a William Spratling hummingbird necklace, which fetched

$3,738. A Henry Varnum Poor bowl sold for $2,530, and an Art Deco Noritake

luster ware box garnered $2,070.

Prices quoted include the 15 percent premium.

Skinner will hold its next auction of art glass and lamps, Arts and Crafts,

Art Deco and modern design in May. Arts and Crafts will be offered on Friday,

May 15, and art glass and lamps, Art Deco and modern selections on Saturday,

May 16. Highlights of the modern section will include works by Wendel Castle.

For information, 978/779-6241.