Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: MELISS

Quick Words:

Russ

Full Text:

Elephant At Russ

with 4 cuts

OLD LYME, CONN. -- Russ Antiques and Auctions conducted a sale on March 6

featuring consigned items from local homes as well as property removed from

Hartford.

This sale generated international interest, with bids coming in from across

the country as well as Canada and Europe.

From a Lyme estate, Faberge carved jade elephant sold for $69,000. The item

was discovered among a box of assorted miniatures and jewelry. The owners were

unaware of the elephants origin until it was researched by the auction house.

Other highlights included a large group of Oriental carpets. One room-size

carpet, a late Nineteenth Century Mahal in poor condition, with holes, sold

for $36,000.

A Nineteenth Century oil on canvas four-panel screen depicting the Mourne

Mountains in Ireland realized $5,200. Neo-classical drawings offered included

a sepia landscape drawing with a figure among Gothic ruins which sold for

$600. A Nineteenth Century oil on canvas portrait of James Madison, in its

original gilt frame, sold for $3,200.

A pair of Nineteenth Century gilt bronze classical urns with cherub figural

handles on plinth bases sold for $3,600. A Sevres jeweled cup and saucer sold

for $1,050.

Furniture included a Regency four-tier caned etagere with hairy paw feet,

needing restoration, which brought $1,800. A Nineteenth Century French ormolu

mounted marble top console sold for $2,500, and Louis XVI style writing desk,

with Cabriole legs, sold for $1,600.

An early Nineteenth Century Georgian silver three piece tea set sold for

$1,700; an Eighteenth Century Irish silver punch ladle, made by John Kelly,

sold for $550; late Nineteenth Century English silver flatware in the "Queen

Pattern," sold for #2,300.

A private Eighteenth Century to Nineteenth Century snuff box collection was

also featured. This collection brought prices ranging form $200 to $8,000. A

Nineteenth Century Swiss oblong box, enameled and with pearls, sold for

$5,000; a mid Sixteenth Century engraved steel box, on ball feet, sold for

$2,700; and an Eighteenth Century Dresden box in specimen stone with gold

mounts, sold for $8,200.

Prices quoted do not reflect the buyer's premium. For information,

860/444-7966.