Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999
Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999
Publication: Ant
Author: MELISS
Quick Words:
Bierstadt
Full Text:
Bierstadt Oil Crosses Collins Block At $160,000
with 4 cuts
By Rita Easton
KENNEBUNK LOWER VILLAGE, ME. -- The estate of Alice M. Gade, with several
additions, was offered at a January 23 auction held at Collins Auction
Galleries. Auctioneer Bruce Collins reported a standing room only crowd of
over 300 in competition for the 280 lots offered.
"Since the turn of the century, an Albert Bierstadt oil on canvas hung in the
Metuchen, N.J. home of Alice Gade," auctioneer Bruce D. Collins said, "and it
was that painting that stole the show."
The 36 inch by 26 inch work, "American Falls at Niagara," painted circa 1870-
1880, fetched the starring bid of $160,000, going to New York dealer.
After the room quieted down, the remaining lots all sold for modest four
figure sums and under. "Why was that the only star among all the rest?"
Collins was asked, to which he replied, "To get the pearl, one must acquire
the whole oyster."
A quartered oak secretary with slant lid drop down writing surface brought
$500; a four foot by six foot Bactiari Rug reached $700; an oil on canvas by
Charles Macowin Tuttle garnered $2,700, going to a dealer; an 1850 oil on
canvas by New Hampshire artist A.C. Graves made $2,000; and "Landscape with
Figure" by Arthur V. Diehl sold at $1,600.
A Rose Medallion vase, standing 22 inches high, was purchased at $550; an
early copper bed warmer with a faux grained handle achieved $250; a Kashan rug
measuring 13 feet six inches by nine feet brought $1,200; a figural desk lamp
with a marble base fetched $475; an Arts and Crafts twist turned mahogany and
leather settee, armchair, and rocker sold as one lot, going to a New York
dealer at $1,500; and an oak case tall clock reached $400.
A Mexican sterling silver tray went out at $300; a nest of four Chinese
teakwood tables realized $325; a walnut Victorian settee sold at $250; a
Chinese rosewood marble top plant stand made $300; an oak two drawer center
table reached $350; a Continental bedroom suite went for $525; a four stack
oak bookcase made $450; and a rolled arm wicker settee was purchased at $200.
Amethyst ring, the stone surrounded with tiny diamonds, sold at $225; a
Japanese lacquered inro was purchased at $275; a set of Mexican Taxco sterling
silver earrings and bracelet sold as one lot at $180; twelve Bakelite Japanese
hair combs selling as one lot were coveted by a buyer who paid $650; a three
foot by five foot Hamadan rug fetched $375; ninety pieces of blue and white
Royal Copenhagen set of dinner porcelain achieved $750; and six wooden shaft
golf clubs ranged in price from $50 to $120 each.
Prices quoted do not reflect required ten percent buyer's premium.