Fontaine's Fine & Decorative Arts Auction Realizes $2.4M

PITTSFIELD, MASS. — Items produced by Tiffany Studios are always a highlight at Fontaine’s Fine & Decorative Arts auctions. This auction was no exception with over 100 fine Tiffany pieces crossing the block.

Consigned Tiffany Studios Oriental Poppy Chandelier

The expected highlight of the sale was a Tiffany Studios Oriental Poppy Chandelier, which was consigned by a client from Maryland who had inherited it decades earlier and finally decided to part with it. Sure enough, bidders were eagerly anticipating when that lot crossed the block on September 12, and it attracted multiple internet and phone bidders before landing at $665,500 with the buyer’s premium. It sold to a private collector who bid on the phone.

“This was just a good, strong sale overall that totaled $2.4M, and the star was this chandelier, which had such bold and beautiful coloring, from vibrant red-orange Oriental poppy flowers rising out of green stems, to the rich green-brown patina of the fixture itself,” said John Fontaine, owner of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery.

The parade of fine lamps by Tiffany Studios continued with an Elizabethan table lamp, having a 22-inch diameter octagonal shade with red, green, amber and blue glass jewels, which sold comfortably within estimate for $90,750, and a curtain border floor lamp with a 24-inch diameter shade having an amber-yellow glass geometric tapering brick pattern over a mottled green and amber diamond pattern. It sold just over its high estimate at $63,525.

Fine Lighting Sells for Higher than Estimated

Besides Tiffany, fine lighting by other renowned makers was well represented, led by a Duffner & Kimberly Louis XIII table lamp, having a hexagonal shade with multi-colored scrolling arabesques, that went just over the high estimate at $33,275; the lamp was shipped to Fontaine’s from Barcelona, Spain. A grouping of four Daum Nancy bronze wall sconces with three arms in leaf and berry motif decoration earned $25,410.

Paintings & Fine Art Round Out the Auction

Among paintings and fine art, blue chip artist Diego Rivera (Mexican, 1886-1957) was well received in the auction with his watercolor and gouache on paper, "Mineros" (Miners), that fetched $29,040, depicting miners coming out of a mine with the town of Ayala in the background.

Gustav Stickley is always a hit with buyers here and selling well over its estimate was an early Gustav Stickley dinner gong, circa 1902, that achieved $26,620, while an L. & J.G. Stickley dining room set, although refinished, was still a good buy for $19,360.

Several lots did well over their estimates, including a Pottier & Stymus Egyptian Revival pedestal, having an ebonized finish and paint decorations of trumpeted flowers, flora and round medallions, soared over its $2/3,000 estimate to hit $24,200, and an English mahogany bracket clock having a silvered dial with black Roman hour numerals that more than tripled high estimate to realize $21,175.

Rounding out the auction was an Art Deco console table attributed to Edgar Brandt, in wrought iron and bronze with an inset marble top, which realized $15,730, a J.H. Belter laminated rosewood center table with swirling pierce carved filigree in the apron over long cabriole legs that took $12,100, and a French Industrial “Quarter Deck” nautical-themed clock that went just over high estimate to earn $10,587.

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.

Consignments Being Accepted Now

Consignments are currently being accepted for the January 23, 2021 auction, consisting of a large collection of Tiffany Studios items, fine and decorative arts, clocks, 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.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.

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.