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Jul. 1st, 2004 - Arts & Antiques Auction Wrap Up

Switching gears from the usual first Saturday of the month Arts and Antiques auction, Dan Ripley's Antique Helper hosted an evening auction on Thursday, July 1. Consisting entirely of catalogued items, this auction represents a change of pace for the Indianapolis-based auction house, where in, in the past, uncataloged items were sold to floor bidders alongside typically more impressive catalogued pieces available to a live and international audience via EBay.

The new character of the auction attracted a large crowd, drawing enthusiasts in from the summer's heat to enjoy a few air conditioned hours, bidding on an array of desirable items. Included in this sale was an important consignment from the Eiteljorg estate in Indianapolis. Consisting of several paintings and works on paper, among the most impressive in this group was a selection of three-dimensional modern art by Brazilian artist, Frans Krajcberg (1921- ). A holocaust survivor whose parents both died at Auschwitz, Krajcberg moved to Brazil in 1948, where he grew to be considered the greatest living South American artist. In all, seven works by this artist were sold, totaling nearly $12,000, plus a 15% buyer's premium to a single New York collector, via telephone.

An EBay bidder was the happy winner of a lovely mauve and blue vase carved around the entire circumference with stylize American Indian figures by the Overbeck sisters. Incised with monogram and artists initials "F" & "E", this piece, estimated between $3,000 and $5,000, closed within estimated range at $4,750.

Maybe people were looking forward to a holiday weekend at the lake, but when eight separate pieces of Old Hickory and Old Hickory-style furniture came up for bid, the fireworks really began. A rustic daybed lounge (est. $500-$800) fell within range at $625, plus 15% buyer's premium to an EBay bidder, while an Old Hickory style loveseat settee with caned hoop arms (est. $800-$1200) closed above high estimate at $1,300, also going to an EBay bidder. An arm chair estimated between $100-$200 doubled high estimate, closing at $400, and a rocker in the same style fared similarly, closing at $625. Closing this set was an Old Hickory of Martinsville double hoop back settee (est. $900-$1200), closing at $1,350, plus a 10% buyer's premium, to a floor bidder.

In the same rustic vein, a wood root folk art 5-way rustic picture frame, possibly Gnarled Wood Rhododendron, expertly handcrafted and offered in good condition, also closed above high estimate of $600, at $825.

Asian art enthusiasts were not left in the dark for this sale, either. Among an array of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and scrolls were two fine Chinese textiles, sold as separate lots. The first, a Chinese silk weaving tapestry, possibly antique with gold metallic thread and mounted on a scroll, estimated between $300 and $500, more than doubled estimate, closing at $1,050. The second tapestry, also Chinese weaving silk with gold metallic thread fared similarly, doubling the high estimate of $500 at $1,000.

Lovers of French Art Deco had the chance to bid on a bonze female nude lamp, attributed to Max Le Verrier (French 1891-1973), with a Daum Nancy shade. Estimated between $800 and $1,200, this piece closed just below high estimate at $1,050. Likewise, a Franz Bergman (Austrian/American 1898-1977) bronze statue of Salome holding the head of John the Baptist on a plate, signed "Nam Greb" (est. $800-$1,200), closed at $1,250.

Of course, every auction has its deals for collectors, and this sale was no exception. A Dutch Master still life in the style of Egbert (the Elder) van Heemskerck (Dutch 1643-1704), consigned by the Eiteljorg estate and estimated between $2,500 and $5,000, ended below estimate at $800. Likewise, a painting after American painter Benjamin West, "The Death of General Wolfe," probably executed in the 1800s, estimated between $1,000 and $2,000, closed shocking low at $140.

Lovers of abstract painting had several opportunities to take home some impressive works consigned from the Eiteljorg estate, including an abstract pottery tile by Fred Henze (est. $300-$600), closing low at $275, as well as an abstract modern painting by an unknown artist, closing well above high estimate of $100 at $400. Also from the Eiteljorg estate was an agamograph by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam. Given to Harrison and Sonja Eiteljorg in 1977 by Agam, the piece was signed, dated and framed by the artist. Estimated between $300 and $500, it closed at $650, plus 10% buyer's premium to a floor bidder.

As the auction sped to its concluding, there was yet another surprise in store for all in attendance. A stir rose through the crowd as an oil on canvas depicting a ship, attributed to American illustrator Harvey T, Dunn (1884-1952), first soared past estimate of $3,000-$6,000, then reaching far above anyone's wildest expectations to close at an impressive $18,500, plus a 15% buyer's premium to a phone bidder from New York.

With the acquisition of an important East Coast collection, Antique Helper is looking forward to hosting many more similar auctions in the coming months, holding separate sales of cataloged and uncataloged items, as well as our second all-modern design auction, scheduled for October 9. For more information, please call us at (3127) 251-5635.