Aralov Painting Headlines Kaminski July Auction

Kaminski Auctions’ Early Summer Estates Auction, which took place July 25-26, 2009, attracted bidders both locally in Massachusetts and internationally via phone and live online bidding. Day one of this two-day sale featured general fine art, antiques and collectibles, while day two highlighted a wide selection of fine antique frames. Consignments hailed from estates spanning Massachusetts to Kaminski’s second location in California. (All prices reflect a 15% buyers premium)

Highlighting the sale was a painting by Russian artist Vladimir Nikolaevich Aralov (1893-c1972). Russian Winter in the Village, a signed oil on artist board, depicts a number of cloaked villagers making their way through the snow on a winter day. The piece measured 25 x 33 inches in a fine gilt frame and realized a final price of $8,625.

Also featured was a sculpture of a boy by Pavel Trubetskoy. The artist was a member of Russia’s Troubetskoy princely family and was a student of Giuseppe Grandi. The sculpture, a bust of a young boy, is signed and dated 1915 with the foundry mark “Roman Bronze Works”. The piece measures 12.5 inches in height and realized $7,760 at auction.

Additional fine art highlights included a painting of Rockport Harbor by Emile Gruppe (American 1896-1978). The painting features Motif Number 1, a fishing shack in Rockport well-known as “the most often-painted building in America”. The piece was originally purchased in 1936 by a collector in Buffalo, NY and was later acquired by a St. Croix family, where it remained for 20 years before being sold to Florida collector Donald Bauckus. The painting was highly sought after and brought a final price of $6,900.

The auction’s dark horse came in the form of a lamp made from a Chinese Celadon vase. The green hued vase measures 11.5 inches tall and the entire piece, complete with base and socket, measures 17 inches. The sides are decorated with a glazed floral pattern. Originally estimated $250-$350, the vase struck a chord with collectors, reaching a final prize of $2,185.

“Prices realized were strong across a spectrum of fine art, decorative arts, furniture and collectibles. Many great pieces came in through our Tuesday free appraisal days, ” commented Frank Kaminski, owner of Kaminski Auctions. “The energy in the room was remarkable and it really made for an exciting event. This kind of enthusiasm helps us achieve great prices for our sellers.”