Date: Fri 27-Feb-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: AMYD

Quick Words:

Crafts

Full Text:

Craftsman Arts & Crafts Sale

W/3 Cuts

PITTSFIELD, MASS. -- An Arts and Crafts auction was held by John Fontaine and

Jerry Cohen, co-founders of Craftsman, to a standing room only crowd on

January 24. More than 500 lots grossed some $575,000, including buyers premium

with more than 97 percent of the lots sold.

"The weather was threatening, and we very nearly postponed," said John

Fontaine. "It was easily our biggest crowd ever. We finally ran out of

catalogues, which has never happened before."

In addition to bidding from all corners of the room, left bids and more than

600 phone bids were handled by up to seven Craftsman personnel.

Among the numerous Stickley offerings, the top lot was a Gustav Stickley

spindle drop-arm Morris chair No. 369, which realized $13,200, including ten

percent premium. A Gustav No. 331 cube chair more than doubled its presale

estimate, going out at $11,275. A rare L&JG Stickley hexagonal game table, No.

563, also soared beyond estimate, fetching $7,700. An early Gustav tea table

also nearly doubled its presale estimate, finally reaching $3,520.

A Stickley vanity with mirror sold for $4,950; a rare and early dropleaf table

brought $4,290; and an early bow arm Morris chair realized $7,975.

A dining room set by the Stickley Bros, decorated with copper insets, had been

in the same home until surfacing at this sale. The sideboard, server and china

cabinet, sold individually, were all bought by the same collector for $23,925.

Among more than 75 pottery lots, a three inch piece of Newcomb College

realized $2,310 while a matte green Wheatley soared to $3,905. Rookwood

included a ten inch vase by Wm. Hentschel going out at $3,575, and a smaller

wax matte example by Sarah Sax reaching $990.

Hampshire included a matte green bowl vase, which went out at $687.50, while

an organic 15 inch lamp base reached $1,320.

Among the metal and lighting offered, a box by the Arts and Crafts Shop went

out at $1,155. A Roycroft 15 inch helmet lamp shattered its $1,5/2,500

estimate, reaching $3,630, and a Handel table lamp, with obverse enamel

decorated shade, made $5,500.

Craftsman's next Arts and Crafts event is slated for Saturday, May 16. For

information, 413/448-8922.