Over 300 lots will be offered at the morning sale, May 6th at Fairfield Auction. With items from choice estates in Ridgefield, Farmington and New Canaan the sale is notable in categories as disparate as modernism, rare books, fine art and Chinese art as well as the usual strong selection of American and Continental antiques.
The twentieth-century is well represented. A large selection of furniture by Vladimir Kagan is lead by an unusual “floating” lounge with acrylic sides, a dining set, coffee table and sectional seating group. A fine Tiffany favrile desk lamp leads a group of lamps that also include works by Handel, Pairpoint and Pittsburgh. A good Mermod Freres cylinder music box and a French double birdcage automaton also should find bidders. A 1967 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe electric guitar, a Gendron spoke-wheel pedal car, circa 1910 and a Lenci felt doll with mechanical googly eyes will also be sold.
Guy Wiggins, Winter of 5th Avenue, New York City, 10″x8″ oil on board
A strong selection of fine art includes a New York Winter street scene by Guy Wiggins. The 10”x8” oil on board is a view looking down Fifth Avenue with several flags and three green trolley cars, which faded from New York street life in the 1920s. Excellent paintings by Will Howe Foote, Robert Emmett Owen and Ogden Pleissner were consigned from a turn-of-the-century twenty-room mansion in Farmington. Other fine art to be sold includes works by Peter Poskas, Paul Emile Pissarro, Edward Lear, Pietro Gabrini, Jan Lebenstien, Malcom de Chazal, F.A. Micoletzky and a large and impressive work by Rene Seyssaud depicting three worker in the field.
An old family collection of books and ephemera includes some of the most compelling items in the sale. A Survey of the Roads of The United States, by Christopher Colles, 1789 is the first road map of the new nation and has rarely appeared on the market. Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, by Von Steuben, 1779 is the first edition of an important book issued dozens of times in the 18th century. Several pocket maps including Panorama of the Hudson River, 1845, with its twelve-foot folding map will also be sold.
Signed documents by Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams and John Jay will be sold. A baseball signed by Babe Ruth consigned from the family of its original owner should find bidders. A collection of Hollywood Autographs, being sold as a single lot includes Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Spencer Tracy and Jackie Gleason as well as many vintage unsigned photos. An extensive scrapbook from the Paris Exposition of 1900 with calling cards from Bartholdi, Bougereau and Whistler (with note from the artist), as well as a handwritten note from Andrew Carnegie should also attract the autograph hounds.
Other Americana to be sold includes a Federal banjo clock signed A. Willard, game boards, a Grenfell rug, Return from the Hunt, a folk portrait of a girl in blue with her dog and an excellent folk carved whirligig of a black man with hat circa 1910.
European decorative arts include a fine French skeleton clock by Ridel of Paris, an Italian neoclassical chest, a fine Italian micro mosaic scene of the canals of Venice measuring 11” x 7 ½”, a Dutch baroque chest of drawers, a George III Welch dresser, a Russian imperial etched crystal goblet and a pair of Louis Vuitton trunks, one with full wardrobe interior. Also of interest is a selection of early Delft including a pair of ribbed jars and a 15” charger with Adoration of the Magi scene.
A good grouping of Chinese art includes early porcelains and plaques. Of particular note is a 13” dragon charger, probably Ming, a 10” Mille Fleur ginger jar and a Kangxi covered jar. A large framed temple wall fragment, measuring 40”x36” should also attract bids. Two Chinese robes, carved 19th century ivories and enameled silver will also be sold.
Of particular interest is a very rare Maori Tupapaku (bone box), 47” long, carved with a stylized face, ribs and arms. These boxes were filled with the dried and painted bones of senior members of the Maori tribe and hung in caves.
The auction will take place Sunday, May 6th at 11am. Viewing is available auction week Thursday through Saturday 11am to 4pm and auction day 9am-11am. The gallery is located at 707 Main Street, Monroe, Connecticut and can be contacted at (203) 880-5200 or online at www.fairfieldauction.com
