January 6, Antiques & Fine Art Auction
PITTSFIELD, Mass. A rare Caille Brothers musical double upright slot machine, a pair of diamond and platinum pendant earrings, a Carl Kauba bronze sculpture – “A Friend in Need” and a carved marble nude and putti sculpture are expected top lots at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s next Antiques & Fine Art Auction scheduled for Saturday, January 6, starting at 11 a.m. Eastern time.
Up for bid will be 250 quality antiques & fine art items including 19th & 20th century lighting by Tiffany Studios, Duffner & Kimberly, Wilkinson, Pairpoint, etc., fine clocks and watches, American figural carved & Victorian furniture, Asian items, marble & bronze statuary, art glass, cameo glass, Lalique, gold & diamond jewelry, fine silver, Royal Vienna, KPM & Meissen porcelain, plus related accessories.
With a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-60,000, the Caille Brothers musical double upright slot machine could very well end up the top lot of the auction. Exposed through the glass in the base on the right side is a Swiss cylinder spring driven music box which plays as the wheel spins.
Featured items in the fine jewelry category are a dazzling pair of diamond & platinum pendant earrings that contain 70 mine cut and pear-shaped diamonds totaling approximately 25.5 carats. H-J color and SI1-SI2 clarity. 2 ¼ inches high by 1 ¼ inches wide (estimate $20,000-30,000). The next lot is a pair of Cartier 18K & diamond “Taj Mahal” earrings. Spring clasp and post earring with five diamond drop, and six collet set diamonds in a line down to the teardrop shaped pendant which has diamonds all around, estimated to bring between $20,000-25,000.
Bronze works will feature a Carl Kauba Bronze Sculpture – “A Friend In Need,” which depicts a Native American Indian chief on horseback reaching down and rescuing another Indian as his horse stumbles. The 29-inch-high sculpture should bring $20,000-30,000. The next is a Eugene Lanceray (1848-1886) Russian bronze grouping titled Winter Troika; has a three horse-drawn sleigh with two men and a young boy in the back, mounted on a green marble base. Signed in Cyrillic for “Eugene A. Lanceray,” and with a foundry signature for “F. Chopin” and dated “1874,” estimated to bring $10,000-15,000.
The carved marble nude and putti sculpture stands at 53 inches tall. The standing figure is a nude maiden wearing a rose crown with garments draping down her back and is holding a cluster of roses up in her left hand; a nude figural and winged putti at her feet is also holding clusters of roses. In excellent condition, has an estimate of $20,000-25,000.
A Bruno Zach (1891-1945) exceptional gilt eight-piece bronze desk set with figures of children, flowers, and filigree. The large inkwell has cornucopias overflowing with fruit and filigree, and the clock has an enamel decorated brass dial signed “Tiffany & Co.,” is expected to achieve $8,000-12,000.
The fine furniture category will be led by an R.J. Horner winged maiden mahogany partners desk. The 64-inch-wide by 40-inch-deep top sits on large figural winged maiden bust legs that have acanthus carving at the waist, pilaster legs and large carved feet, excellent overall condition with an estimate of $6000-8000.
There are eight figural bronzes by Franz Xaver Bergman in this auction, including a bronze lamp of an Arab man seated on a carpet under a tent with a camel standing outside and a palm tree that reaches up behind the tent. Signed with Bergman’s “B” in an urn foundry mark and stamped “Austria,” should hammer for $5000-7500.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery was founded over five decades ago, serving thousands of buyers and sellers throughout the world with the purchase and sale of fine art, antiques, jewelry, clocks, watches, lighting and more. With extensive knowledge of market conditions and international experience, the specialists at Fontaine’s work closely with collectors and consignors alike to provide the highest quality of service.
Fontaine’s has several important upcoming auctions planned for the first half of 2018, scheduled on January 6, February 10, March 18, April 21, and May 26, all held in the Pittsfield gallery with start times of 11 A.M. Eastern time. Of these five auctions, four will feature exceptional furniture, paintings, bronzes, jewelry, fine clocks, watches, music boxes, 19th & 20th Century lighting, fine silver and accessories. The April 21 Fine Art Auction will feature paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture.
Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items, including furniture, paintings, jewelry, lighting, clocks, watches, 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. Consignments are currently being accepted for all the upcoming auctions. To inquire, call Fontaine’s at (413) 448-8922.
Fontaine’s will buy outright or accept on consignment a single item to an entire estate or collection. Call (413) 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can send Mr. Fontaine an e-mail to [email protected]. For more information about the company and the upcoming auctions, please visit www.FontainesAuction.com. Updates are often posted.