A 1541 English Great Bible sold for $9,500 while an 18th century verge watch with chatelaine realized $7,500 in Cordier Auctions’ Spring Two Day Antique & Fine Art Auction on May 18 and 19. Other highlights of the sale included an enameled and jeweled padlock watch at $5,500, a 1.97 carat diamond solitaire at $8,500 and a circa 1917 Steinway Model O grand piano at $4,400. The 755 lot auction was held in Cordier Auctions’ salesroom located at 1500 Paxton Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Saturday’s sale offered books and paper, collectibles, toys, jewelry, silver, porcelain and glass. An English bible, the Great Bible version of the Byble in Englyshe printed by Edward Whitchurch in London in 1541, was the top lot of the auction, realizing $9,500 from an online bidder on an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. Among several autographed items was a signed photograph of Charles Lindbergh standing in front of his plane. Estimated at $200 to $400, the photo sold well above estimate for $1,100.
Of note among collectibles were two drum sets that both sold within their $1,000 to $2,000 estimates. They included an eight piece Tama Star Classic set and a circa 1966 Ludwig six piece Champagne Sparkle set, both with provenance to a local musician. A John Juzek, Prague violin did well, selling to the internet at $1,100 (estimate $300 to $500). The highlight among a collection of steins was a 19th century German etched and cut glass example. The winning online bid of $1,800 was well above the $150 to $300 estimate. Three Brown’s Indian Bitters bottles were offered, each in a rare shade of amber and each selling well above their $200 to $400 estimates at $550, $650 and $1,200.
A highlight among silver was a pair of German gilt sterling and ivory court figures depicting Maria and Philip I. Carrying an estimate of $1,000 to $1,500, the pair sold to the internet for $2,900. A circa 1868 to 1912 Miyamoto Shoko sterling tea set with bamboo decoration also went to the internet for $1,100 (estimate $500 to $700).
Silver was followed by fine jewelry and watches. The highlight was a circa 1760 to 1790 verge pocket watch by Jean Arthur (French, 1730-1810). The watch featured an elaborate gold chatelaine decorated with diamonds and cobalt enameling and sold within estimate to a telephone bidder at $7,500. An enameled and jeweled padlock watch was one of the surprises of the auction. Despite not being in pristine condition, the watch garnered a large amount of interest before it knocked down at $5,500 on an estimate of $100 to $200. Other watches of note included a man’s 14K Omega Chronometre wristwatch at $1,400, an Edwardian pearl, diamond and platinum wristwatch at $1,100 and a Hamilton 3.33 ctw diamond wristwatch at $1,300.
Antique jewelry saw strong results including an Art Nouveau enameled 14K and diamond pansy pin by A.J. Hedges that realized $1,200 (estimate $300 to $500) while two Victorian gold and coral demi-parures each realized $1,100. Numerous lots of diamond and gemstone jewelry were also offered including a GIA certified 1.97 carat diamond solitaire ($8,500), a GIA certified 3.11 ctw platinum and diamond engagement ring ($7,500), and an 18K and diamond Cartier Lincoln Mercury award ring ($2,000). Among Native American and Mexican jewelry was a Victor Coochwytewa Hopi necklace that realized $1,200 (estimate $300 to $500).
Saturday’s session concluded with porcelain and glass. A highlight was a Mintons pate-sure-pate ewer that surpassed its high estimate of $1,200, selling to the internet at $2,800. A 21” Royal Vienna covered urn estimated at $500 to $700 sold to a New York dealer at $1,400 as did a Meissen reticulated scenic cabinet plate at $1,100 (estimate $300 to $500). In glass, a Murano aquarium by Gino Cenedese realized $950 as did an Orrefors “Ariel” vase by Edvin Ohrstrom (Swedish, 1906-1994).
Sunday’s session included furniture and rugs, Asian, fine and decorative arts, clocks, and lighting. A Chinese carved rosewood étagère was a key lot selling just above high estimate at $3,200 while a circa 1917 Steinway Model O grand piano sold just under low estimate at $4,400. Other pieces of note included an antique octagonal revolving hardware cabinet and a French Louis XV bombe cabinet that each sold at their high estimate of $1,200. A French needlepoint screen estimated at $400 to $600 realized $1,000 while a Persian Tabriz wool and silk room size rug with the same estimate hammered down at $1,100.
A highlight of Asian arts was a group of six Chinese polychrome ivory carvings of immortals that knocked down at $3,000 to a phone bidder (estimate $1,000 to $2,000). A lot of two Chinese ivory figurines of Guanyin sold for $2,300 while a second group realized $1,700. Among decorative arts was a 19th century bronze and marble desk set with provenance from the Estate of Mary Landis of Newport, Pennsylvania. Estimated at $800 to $1,000, the set hammered down to a dealer in the room at $1,900.
A pair of bronze bas-relief plaques of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln by William Rudolph O’Donovan (American, 1844-1920) was a key lot in art selling for just under low estimate at $3,200. Of local interest was a painting of the Gap at Rockville by well-known Pennsylvania artist Ira J. Deen (1874-1952). Estimated at $500 to $700, the painting saw strong bidding before going to the internet for $1,400.
Sunday’s auction concluded with clocks and lighting. A Bailey, Banks & Biddle tall case was a highlight, selling for its low estimate of $1,500. A Pairpoint reverse painted table lamp sold just under high estimate at $1,900 while an Art Deco bronze floral lamp base soared past its $100 to $200 estimate to hammer down at $1,100.
Consignments for Cordier’s Fall catalog auction are currently being accepted. Information on Cordier Auctions & Appraisals can be found at www.CordierAuction.com. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or by calling 717-731-8662.