A Spirited Spring Sale of European Furniture & Decorative Arts

The April European Décor & Design auction drew attention this spring with over 300 pieces of Royal Copenhagen “Flora Danica” dinnerware (Lots 1183-1215). The entire collection came from a single pantry at the Ker Arvor Estate in Newport, Rhode Island. A set of twenty-five seafood plates stole the show, selling at $25,000, with a set of teacups and saucers and an ice dome following close behind, selling for $18,750 and $17,500, respectively. In all, the thirty-three lots realized nearly $200,000.

Three plates depicting seafood
Twenty-five Royal Copenhagen Seafood Plates,
Denmark, 20th century. Sold for: $25,000

Spirited bidding took place online in the last hours of the auction, pushing many pieces to greatly exceed their estimated value. As if in celebration of spring, three of the four Russian silver and enameled Easter eggs up for auction exceeded their estimated value, with the highest going for $5,938.

Silver and enameled egg box
Russian Silver and Enameled Easter Egg Box.
Sold for: $5,938

Other spectacular silver sales included an important Boston tankard by Samuel Minott, circa 1760, selling for $11,875; a grape leaf Gorham platter for $15,000; and a Gorham Versailles pattern flatware service (Lot 1021) in its original oak case for $9,375.

Silver plate with the Gorham grape leaf decoration
Gorham Sterling Silver and Metals Platter.
Sold for: $15,000

The star of the eighty-three lots of Wedgwood was a rare, complete 19th century jasper chess set, selling for $32,500. With white figures and blue and lilac bases, the pieces are based on characters from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Also of note was a white jasper medallion depicting an enslaved man—inscribed “AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER?”—which exceeded its $800-1,200 estimate, selling at $4,063.

32 Wedgwood chess pieces
Thirty-two-piece Wedgwood Jasper Chess Set.
Sold for: $32,500
White ceramic Wedgwood medallion depicting a black slace in shackles.
Wedgwood White Jasper Slave Medallion,
late 18th century.
Sold for: $4,063

Overall, the sale was 94% sold. Both national and international competition for a variety of items proves the continued strength in the market for good, fresh property.

About Skinner

Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in the international auction marketplace. With renowned expertise and extraordinary service, Skinner is the place for buyers, sellers and the passionately curious. Skinner appraisers are familiar faces on PBS’s 18-time Emmy Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Visit us in Boston, Marlborough, New York, Maine, or Florida, or online at https://www.skinnerinc.com

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