Dedham, MA – On Sunday, June 6, Grogan and Company Fine Art Auctioneers and Appraisers brought a large assortment of of Fine Art, 18th and 19th century Furniture and Decorations, Silver, Jewelry and Oriental Rugs from a variety of estates and collections, to the auction block. The sale, one of the largest of the year, drew a packed audience and grossed 1 million dollars in sales.
“I was pleased to see so many new faces,” commented President and Chief Auctioneer, Michael Grogan, “Nearly 15% of our purchasers were new to the Gallery.” Grogan and Company kicked off the three day event with a Cocktail Preview Reception on Thursday evening. The event was well attended by a veritable who’s who of local dealers and museum directors mingling with private collector’s, family and friends. “It was nice to spend time with our clients and friends in a social setting,” explained Nancy Grogan, “It gives us a chance to really stop and say thank you for their support, not to mention how fun it is to bring everyone together.”
The highlight of the auction came within the first few minutes, when a drawing by German artist, Adolf Von Menzel, soared well beyond it’s $3,000-5,000 estimate, achieving $32,200, the highest price of the sale. A bevy of European phone bidders vied for the prized drawing before it finally sold to a German collector. An oil on canvas by Nova Scotia artist, Jack Gray, Gathering Irish Moss, sold for $21,850 to a private New England collector and a Pastoral Landscape by Edward Mitchell Bannister brought $20,700. Of local interest was a large oil by Dedham native, Charles Mills, titled The Little Love God. Known for his mural painting, the artists interpretation of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 154 was sold for $7,475 by the Dedham Institute for Savings with the proceeds benefiting the Dedham Historical Society. Albert de Carrier-Belleuse’s bronze Enlevement D’Hippodamie, a 25 ½ inch sculpture from the collection of art historian Fred Licht, achieved $26,450, against a $20,000-30,000 estimate.
Highlights from the furniture and decorative arts offerings included a Rare French Brass and Beveled Glass Astrological Mantle Clock, which brought the second highest price of the sale, $28,750 and a Pair of Austrian Wiener Werstatte Silvered Metal Fluted Vases, rescued from the discard pile of a local estate, far surpassed their $1,500-2,000 estimate, selling for $14,950 to a European collector. The top furniture lot was a Fine 19th century Georgian Carved and Inlaid Mahogany Breakfront, which sold for $10,350 and the rug highlight was a beautiful blue ground Heriz Carpet, circa 1910, which sold over the phone for a respectable $24,150.
All prices include a buyer’s premium. A fully illustrated catalogue with results is available on-line at www.groganco.com. For more information, contact the gallery at 781-461-9500.
