Fine & Decorative Arts to Kick Off Fall Season at Fontaine's Auction Gallery, Oct. 17

PITTSFIELD, MASS. — This auction will feature 400 lots of art glass, cameo glass, American art pottery, Louis Vuitton trunks, 19th & 20th Century lighting, weathervanes, advertising signs, mechanical banks, Asian items, sterling silver, a collection of John Rogers statuary, American & European paintings, early blown flasks, historical soft paste, Shaker items, bronzes, American Indian pottery, Oriental rugs, leaded windows, Arts and Crafts items, swords, firearms, plus related accessories.

“This auction is filled with conversation pieces and a really diverse range of fine goods across the board,” said John Fontaine, owner of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. “No matter what your collecting interest, buyers will be sure to find something here.”

Excellent Examples of Fine Art

An expected highlight in the auction is a George Benjamin Luks (American, 1867-1933), oil on canvas, “Lower Manhattan” ($6/9,000). Other fine paintings crossing the block include a Leon Jean Basile Perrault (French, 1832-1908), oil on canvas, “Give Me for My Chapel” ($3/5,000), and a Robert Kemm (British, 1837-1895), oil on canvas, “Girl with Fishing Net,” ($3/5,000).

Several lots are being sold to benefit the Marie McWilliams and Francis X. McWilliams '44 Scholarship Fund at Bard College, including a platinum and diamond ring ($6/8,000), centered by a 1½-carat round brilliant diamond, and a Persian Kerman room size Oriental carpet ($2,5/3,500) having an overall floral design, 12 feet 7 inches by 8 feet 7 inches.

Fine Antiques to Contemporary Art

The auction is a diverse affair, running the gamut from fine antiques to contemporary art, vintage advertising to antique weaponry, and more. Highlights range from a rare Louis Vuitton custom shoe trunk owned by J.P. Morgan family ($3/5,000) in orange leather, to a group lot of 21 pieces of .800 silver, including trays, bowls and serving items ($2,500/3,500)

Among design standouts are a small but nice selection of weathervanes, led by a 19th Century gilt eagle weathervane ($2,500/3,500) with spread wings and perched on a ball centered on an arrow, 59 by 30 by 29 inches; and a 19th Century horse weathervane ($2/3,000) in copper and zinc weathervane depicting a horse in stride, 20 by 26 ½ inches.

Art pottery will cross the block, led by a Rookwood Pottery matte floral vase ($2,500/3,500), circa 1904, decorated with large green leaves and clusters of pink flowers, artist signed by Olga Geneva Reed, and a group of 15 Grueby faience pottery tiles ($2/3,000) decorated with a mermaid, floral motifs, swans and landscape scenes.

Rounding out the auction will be a pair of Prairie School leaded glass windows attributed to George Washington Maher ($2/3,000) with geometric and foliate decoration, an ornate French bronze chandelier ($2/3,000) having intricate designs of swirling filigree and acanthus throughout and a Rumsey & Co. Fire Engines & Supplies advertising sign in the form of a 3-dimensional fireman’s hat, ($2/3,000).

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 24,000 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public.

Consigning Tiffany Studios, Fine & Decorative Arts, Coin-Op and Fine Furniture

Consignments are currently being accepted for the January 23, 2021 auction, consisting of a large collection of Tiffany Studios, fine and decorative arts, coin-op and fine furniture. Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, to include furniture, lighting, art glass, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming and carousel items for future sales.

The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment fine antiques, collections or entire estates. Call (413) 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can send Mr. Fontaine an email to [email protected]. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is located at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20), Pittsfield, Mass. For more information, visit www.FontainesAuction.com or call 413-448-8922.