English & Continental Furniture & Decorations Auction Brings Solid Prices at Skinner/Boston

BOSTON, Mass. - November 2, 2001 – Skinner, Inc., a leading full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art, held an auction of English and Continental furniture and decorations on October 6, 2001. Well attended, and with significant interest from absentee and telephone bidders, the sale was extremely successful.

Leading the selection of furniture was an American Renaissance Revival gilt and patinated bronze mounted and marquetry inlaid ebony side cabinet labeled "Alexander Roux, 827 and 829 Broadway, New York," made c. 1855-65, that sold for $12,650. Demonstrating the variety of offerings that met with similar success, a Swiss Baroque painted serpentine-front chest of drawers from the second quarter of the 18th century easily outdistanced its $7/900 estimate selling for $10,350, a pair of late 19th century Edwardian inlaid mahogany bookcases sold for $5,750, an Adam-style painted satinwood dressing table sold for $5,750, and a pair of Regency green-painted parcel-gilt and gilt bronze mounted marble-top pedestals sold for $4,887.50. A pair of George III style giltwood mirrors doubled expectations selling for $8,050, a late 19th/early 20th century Continental pietra dura and ormolu mounted dressing table mirror sold for $4,600, and a Regency giltwood convex mirror sold for $4,025.

Decorative arts featured a broad selection that attracted widespread interest. Examples included an impressive late 19th century "Sevres" porcelain hand painted tea service that sold high for $10,925, a 20th century set of Baccarat crystal stemware that doubled the high end of its estimate selling for $8,050, a pair of 18th/19th century Continental carved giltwood and gesso figures of angels that went for $6,037.50, and a pair of late 19th century framed Meissen porcelain blue and white Classical Revival chargers that brought $5,175. An early 20th century Sarouk carpet sold for $4,945.

Rounding out the auction was a diverse group of American, English, and Continental silver. Outstanding in the selection was a Gorham sterling silver Aesthetic Movement tea and coffee service made in Providence in 1881 and 1906, that sold well above estimate for $16,100. A pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver convertible candelabra sold for $6,325, a set of four George IV Baroque-style candlesticks sold for $5,462.50, and a Gorham sterling silver Classical Revival kettle on stand sold for $5,175. Additional highlights included a Georg Jensen assembled "Acorn" pattern partial flatware service that realized $4,600, seventy-four pieces of "Strawberry" pattern coin silver flatware that reached $4,600, and an extensive Gorham "Chantilly" flatware service that fetched $4,312.

Prices realized at the auction are available at www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner’s next auction of English and Continental furniture and decorations will be held in Bolton, Massachusetts on January 19, 2002. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or fax 978-779-5144.

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