Date: Fri 20-Nov-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Thomaston-Place-Easton

Full Text:

Thomaston Place Auction

(with 4 cuts

By Rita Easton

THOMASTON, ME. -- In addition to approximately 400 attendees, an October 21

auction held by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries drew heavy phone and

absentee bids. The 350 lots offered, which included the contents of the

Ruggles House Inn of Thomaston, the estate of Jane and Bassett McLean of

Georgetown, a rare marine collection from a Brunswick family, and several

consignments from the estate of Elliot Kimball Grant of Orrs Island, grossed

over $400,000.

Garnering the starring bid of the day, a J. Durrie signed still life painted

in 1884, nine by 12 inches, reached $30,000. The oil on canvas was one of a

set of three Durries which had been together, but was the only signed work.

The remaining two still life examples, an oil on canvas and an oil on board,

went out at $6,500 each to one buyer, who was also the underbidder on the

signed painting.

An early Nineteenth Century eagle carved sternboard, 14 feet long, made

$27,500, going to a collector; and of four Aaron Willard clocks offered, a 94

inch tall case signed example reaches $23,000, a 98« inch tall case, with

altered base, went out at $12,500.

A 10'8" by 14'5" center medallion Kashan, with ivory field, sold at $19,000;

and a tiger maple two part chest on chest, refinished, with original brasses,

in good condition, also brought $19,000.

A massive collection of Rose Medallion, sold in 150 lots, ranged from 4200 to

$800 for a punch bowl; cast cherub gilded bronze andirons reached $2,750; a

ship model of a Chinese junk in the original box, 36 inches long, from the

house of a sea captain, brought $1,850; a carved and gilded Eighteenth Century

eagle, seven feet long, reached $5,500; a five piece Flow Blue "Scinde"

pattern was pitcher set made $3,500; a Civil War drum with original regimental

eagle markings achieved $6,000; and a Seventeenth Century Chinese match lock

wall gun sold at $2,500.

A bronze Art Nouveau inkwell, standing on three delicately curved legs, with

underplate, went out at $400; and an unsigned Antonio Jacobsen painting of a

ship, executed on a seven inch sea shell, fetched $2,000.

Sterling silver was best represented with the sale of a Tiffany oval mirror,

which reached $1,200. A Swiss-made, inlaid, six-tune music box, with bell and

a drum, went out at $4,250.

The well attended event was punctuated with high spirits and a party

atmosphere, said auctioneer Manager John Holmes, with complimentary Maine

apples and cider available at the door.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required ten percent buyers premium.