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Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s Two-Day Auction Grosses $3M
PITTSFIELD, MA – Featuring a selection of 700 items, Fontaine’s was a R.J. Horner & Co. grandfather
Auction Gallery’s two-session auction on May 22 and 29 grossed clock (est. $50,000-$75,000), circa
$3 million. While the jam-packed sale was notable for its quantity, 1890, in carved mahogany, having a
more important was the roster of quality items. The auction boasted dial signed “Joseph Jennens, Skinner
offerings from hot collecting categories ranging from paintings and Street, Clerkenwell London.” The case
silver to Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamps and windows. is decorated with winged griffins,
“We were very excited to put together this auction that really female caryatids, scrollwork, filigree,
resonated with bidders,” said John Fontaine, owner of Fontaine’s and the crest with two maidens flank-
Auction Gallery. “We saw one standout item after another perform ing a cartouche shield, 120 inches tall.
well, usually above estimate, and we were very Several conservatively estimated
pleased with the results.” lots proved to be nice surprises,
Hardly surprising, the top lot of the auction was including a Louis Majorelle Art
a leaded and stained-glass window by Tiffany Nouveau walnut and fruitwood mar-
Studios, Sunset and Evening Star, circa 1910, quetry writing desk ($2,000-$3,000),
measuring 49 3/4 by 30 1/2 inches, which doubled circa 1900, that more than tripled its
its high estimate to achieve $139,150. A pair of high estimate to bring $12,705. Also
leaded “chunk jewel” glass windows (est. $20,000- handily outperforming its estimate were an early 20th Century Louis
$30,000) by John La Farge, also did well, going out Vuitton monogram steamer trunk (est. $6,000-$8,000, shown above),
at $30,250. The circa 1880 windows had flowers, fetching $28,435; a German porcelain plaque of three semi-nude
scrollwork, and geometric panels. Besides the women ($800-$1,200), signed Wagner, that attained $21,175, and a
Tiffany window, Tiffany Studios lamps—a staple Carlo Mario Camusso sterling silver centerpiece, featuring a figure of a
at Fontaine’s auctions—caught buyers’ eyes. nude woman seated on a shell-form bowl, going for $10,500.
Standout lamps included a “Moorish” chandelier Rounding out the auction were a pair of porcelain urns attributed to
($40/60,000), circa 1905, with 16 shades, measur- Tucker Factory ($15,000-$25,000), circa 1830, standing 22 inches tall,
ing 34 1/2 by 24 inches, that realized $48,400. that made $23,310 and a German carved boxwood shadow box, circa
Highlighting a fine selection of clocks was a 1865, depicting a battle scene with rolling hills and a castle town in the
monumental English carved oak tall case clock background, that performed well at $20,160.
(est. $80,000-$120,000, shown left) having a pair of For more information, visit www.fontainesauction.com or email
3-foot-tall putti at the base flanking a central Fontaine’s info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the
medallion of Sir William Whittington and a date of company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit
1793, standing 11 feet, 10 inches tall; it made www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently. All prices
$127,050. Another leader among clocks at $63,525 reported include the buyer’s premium.
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