January 28, 2013 | New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Amy Sheldon
Tel. 212 734 2381
Amy@kenoauctions.com
KENO AUCTIONS JANUARY 22, 2013 SALE FETCHES $2.35 MILLION TOTAL WITH EXCEPTIONAL
SALES OF AMERICAN FURNITURE, FOLK ART AND DECORATIVE ARTS
New York – Keno Auctions’ Important American Furniture, Paintings, Folk art and Decorative Arts
European Paintings sale was a solid success, achieving a total of just over $2.35 million – right within the
pre-sale estimate range for the auction of $1,733,050/$2,971,750. More than 87% of the lots sold to
165 buyers; one third of whom were successful through the Internet. Online bidding participation was
the strongest to date for Keno Auctions.
The sale featured an excellent selection of American paintings, including the dramatic Boston's
Exchange Coffee House Burning of 1818 by John Ritto Penniman (American, 1782-1841) (est. $50,000100,000). This important picture, one of the earliest known American depictions of a fire, by one of
Boston’s best known painters of the time, was eagerly sought after by several impassioned bidders in
the room and on the telephone, selling to a Massachusetts-based client for $117,800.
The Estate of James Maxime DuPont and Violetta J.P. DuPont offered William Trost Richards (American,
1833-1905) Gentle Surf, New Jersey Coast, 1905 which achieved $86,600 (est. $40,000-80,000) and was
snapped up by New York dealer Andrew Schoelkopf, who was bidding for a client.
The sale offered many exceptional pieces of American furniture including the Massachusetts
Chippendale Serpentine-Front Chest of Drawers from an Arizona collection. Bidding escalated into a
spirited battle between clients on the floor, via telephone and online, bringing a remarkable $117,800
against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000-80,000.
Another American treasure, the Diminutive Queen Anne Mahogany Table with Rectangular Drop
Leaves (est. $15,000-30,000) sold for a strong price of $68,200, after an extended bidding frenzy. One
1
of just a few colonial tables in the world of this small size, it also retains much of its original finish which
contributed to the final result.
The sale offered a number of charming American folk art pictures, of which the most highly desired
depicted children. The winsome colorful circa 1830 pastel Portrait of a Young Child in a White Dress
and Red Shoes with Peach and Dog, by Deacon Robert Peckham (American, 1785-1877) brought
$86,800 (est. $60,000-100,000), purchased by a New England couple.
One of the most exciting and untouched works in the sale was the Double Portrait of Wealthy Jones
Winter and Sarah Marie Winter of Bath, Maine, attributed to John Brewster, Jr. (American, 1766-1854),
which descended directly in the family of the sitters to the consignors. Estimated at $40,000-80,000,
this charming depiction brought $74,400, bought by a private Americana collector with a great
appreciation for Brewster’s work and the painting’s impressive provenance. The picture hung until
recently in Maine on the wall across from a portrait of their mother, Sarah Bowman, since it was painted
circa 1827.
Another object that sold particularly well was the Gilt Copper Peacock Weathervane made by Jewell
and Company, circa 1870, from The Collection of Joanne and Jeffrey Klein. Estimated at $5,000-8,000,
and in remarkable condition, it went to a private New York collector bidding against six telephone
bidders and several people in the room achieving a final price of $39,600.
There was tremendous interest in the delightful Group of Six Carved Alice in Wonderland Figures
signed and dated 1925 by Augustus Davies (American 1867-1951) that fetched a stunning $39,680 (est.
$5,000-8,000). The set of figures is composed of the Mad Hatter, Frog Footman, Duchess, March Hare,
Alice, and White Rabbit. The bases of Alice, the Duchess, March Hare, and White Rabbit are signed and
dated by the artist. There was a slew of bidding on the floor, on the telephones and online, but a private
collector in the room patiently waited out the frenzy and finally won the lot.
Quality examples of the work of artist Edward Lange (American, 1846-1912) rarely come to the market;
Keno Auctions was fortunate to offer four fine examples. John C. Tottan, Cold Spring, Long Island, 1881
sold for a healthy $14,800 (est. $8,000-12,000).
The sale also offered an eclectic mix of property, including a Group of 22 Chinese Jade and Hardstone
Objects which sold for $17,360 (est. $1,000-2,000) and American sports memorabilia, including a Babe
Ruth Signed Baseball that brought $6,820 (est. $1,000-1,500).
And finally, true love triumphed (at the auction) when a young man purchased the delicate Platinum
and Gold Three Stone Diamond Ring, circa 1890, for $17,360 (est. $6,000-8,000) for his beloved; for
whom he intends to propose to soon after taking possession of this symbol of everlasting love.
Leigh Keno, president of Keno Auctions, commented: “We are very pleased with today’s result,
especially for the prices achieved for important works such as the Serpentine Chest of Drawers which
hammered at an outstanding $117,800, inspiring a good deal of competition between collectors. We
were also delighted to see arresting works such as John Ritto Penniman’s Boston’s Exchange Coffee
2
House Burning of 1818 that sold for $117,800, coming in far over the high estimate. Folk Art continues
to be an increasingly strong collecting area and we are thrilled with the results of Peckham’s Portrait of
a Young Child, the Brewster Double Portrait of Wealthy and Sarah Winter as well as the handsome Gilt
Copper Peacock Weathervane. We are impressed by the caliber of new and established clients in the
sale who bid decisively on the best examples of fine and decorative arts.”
Keno Auctions next sale of Impressionist, Modern & Contemporary Art is scheduled for June 11, 2013 at
10:00 a.m., at Keno Auctions headquarters at 127 East 69th Street New York City.
*Please note, all prices include the buyer’s premium which is 24% of the hammer price.
About Keno Auctions
Keno Auctions, a premier full-service auction house headquartered at 127 East 69th Street in
Manhattan, specializes in a variety of categories including fine art, jewelry, furniture, decoration, and
Asian works of art. From Rembrandt to Calder, Cartier to Tiffany, the auction house has consistently
presented the finest objects at auction with record-breaking results. Having cultivated a broad collector
base for accessible works, Keno Auctions has secured a unique platform within the art market.
With more than 35 years of experience in the art world, founder Leigh Keno has assembled an eminently
qualified network of top-notch experts and specialists involved in the disciplines of paintings, furniture,
decorative arts and jewelry. Through his longevity in the business, he has developed an exceptional
client base of buyers and sellers. Leigh and his experts regularly visit collections and clients, advising
them on how best to navigate the increasingly complex marketplace.
Keno Auctions works with estate executors, fiduciary advisors and private clients who regularly use their
valuation services to provide comprehensive appraisal and auction opportunities. Keno Auctions’
meticulous, well-researched assessments have earned the company a distinct reputation for expertise,
dependability and integrity, and attract a broad base of buyers and consignors from around the world.
3
Highlights from the Important American Furniture, Paintings, Folk Art and Decorative Arts Sale:
Lot 102
Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Massachusetts, 1760-1780
H. 32 in.; W. 34 in.; D. 20 in.
Literature: Two related chests are illustrated as ‘Best’ in Albert Sack, Fine Points of Furniture (N.Y., 1950),
p. 100; and as ‘Masterpiece’ in Albert Sack, The New Fine Points of Furniture (N.Y., 1993), p. 103.
Sold $117,800 (Estimate: $50,000-80,000)
Lot 120
John Ritto Penniman (American, 1782-1841)
Boston's Exchange Coffee House Burning of 1818
Boston, 1824
Signed and dated lower right, "J R Penniman Pinxt 1824"
Oil on canvas
27 3/8 x 41 5/8 inches
Sold: $117,800 (Estimate: $50,000-100,000)
4
Lot 260
The Estate of James M. DuPont and Violetta J.P. DuPont
William Trost Richards (American, 1833-1905)
Gentle Surf, New Jersey Coast, 1905
Signed and dated lower left: “Wm. T. Richards. 05″
Oil on canvas
28 1/4 x 48 1/8 inches
Sold: $86,800 (Estimate: $40,000-80,000)
Lot 39
The Dr. and Mrs. Robert Isbell Collection
Deacon Robert Peckham (American, 1785-1877)
Portrait of a Young Child in a White Dress and Red Shoes with Peach and Dog
Circa 1830
Painted in Massachusetts
Pastel on paper
25 x 20 ½ inches
Sold: $86,800 (Estimate: $60,000-100,000)
5
Lot 49
Descended directly in the family of the sitters to the present owners
Attributed to John Brewster, Jr. (American, 1766-1854)
Double Portrait of Wealthy Jones Winter and Sarah Marie Winter
Bath, Maine, circa 1829
Oil on canvas
22 x 17 inches
Sold: $74,400 (Estimate: $40,000-80,000)
Lot 53
The Dr. and Mrs. Robert Isbell Collection
Diminutive Queen Anne Mahogany Table with Rectangular Drop Leaves
Massachusetts, 1740-1760
H. 28 in.; W. (closed) 12 in.; W. (open) 29 in.
Sold: $68,200 (Estimate: $15,000-25,000)
6
Lot 90
Chippendale Mahogany Shell-Carved Desk
Attributed to Samuel Loomis (American, 1748-1814)
Colchester, Connecticut, 1774-1800
H. 43 in.; W. 37 in.; D. 21 in.
Sold: $55,800 (Estimate: $30,000-60,000)
Lot 121
The Joanne and Jeffrey Klein Collection
Gilt Copper Peacock Weathervane
Massachusetts, 1850-1877
A.L. Jewell and Company, Waltham, MA
Sold: $39,680 (Estimate: $5,000-8,000)
7
Lot 95
A Group of Six Carved Alice in Wonderland Figures
Augustus Davies (American, 1867-1951)
1925
Comprising: the Mad Hatter, Frog Footman, Duchess, March Hare, Alice, and White Rabbit. The bases of
Alice, the Duchess, March Hare, and White Rabbit are signed Augustes Davies (American, 1867-1951),
Frog Footman signed "Augustus Davies 1925"
H. (tallest) 17 in.
Sold: $ 39,680 (Estimate: $5,000-8,000)
Lot 221
Platinum and Gold Three Stone Diamond Ring
Circa 1890.
Containing three old European cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.23 carats, 1.58 carats and 1.24
carats each. The ring has a gross weight of approximately 4.5 grams.
Along with an antique Tiffany ring box.
The ring shows wear to mount.
Unsigned.
Sold $17,360 (Estimate: $6,000-8,000)
8
Lot 233
The Estate of James M. DuPont and Violetta J.P. DuPont
Group of Chinese Jade and Hardstone Objects
Twenty-two items including a figure; a pendant; two cups; a mounted plaque; rings, and other small
examples. (22)
Sold: $17,360 (Estimate: $1,000-2,000)
Lot 81
Edward Lange (American, 1846-1912)
John C. Tottan, Cold Spring, Long Island, 1881
Signed lower right: Edw. Lange/ Artist./ Elwood Suffolk Co NY/ 1881Ó
Watercolor and gouache on paper
17 x 24 inches
Sold: $14,880 (Estimate: $8,000–12,000)
9
Lot 245
Babe Ruth Signed Baseball
American League
Desirable Sweet Spot signature. Baseball type cannot be determined. Date and marking on south panel
written in unknown hand.
Sold: $6,820 (Estimate: $1,000-1,500)
###
10