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Post Press ReleaseJanuary 18 & 19, 2014Kamelot Auction House ushered in the new year with one of their most successful sales to date on January 17th and 18th in Philadelphia. An eclectic assortment of period furnishings, fine art, Orientalia, ethnographic items, toys and collectibles, and all categories in between made up the more than 1,000 lots that crossed the auction block over the course of the two day event. Items were sold at no reserve on the first day of the sale, and sure enough, it was met with a frenzy of eager bidders and heated competition on the auction floor. Impressive numbers were seen across the board, but the fine art department proved to be the frontrunner of the sale, with the centerpiece being the corporate art collection from Astra Zeneca Pharmaceutical Company. Out of the many spectacular American and international paintings that were offered, the highest selling painting of the sale was an oil painting titled Late Afternoon, Winter by Gifford Beal (New York, 1879-1956) which faired exceptionally well selling for $18,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$9,000 (lot 431). In fact, American artists delivered impressive results across the board. An oil painting by Pennsylvania Bucks County impressionist Fred Wagner of a harbor scene blew away its meager $300-$500 estimate and realized a hefty $11,400. Other stunners include lot 409, an oil painting by Emile A. Gruppe (American, 1896-1978) titled Oh Fish that brought $7,100 and lot 457, an oil painting by Johann Berthelsen (American, 1883-1972) of a winter cityscape feching $4,800. Among European highlights was an oil painting titled Sylvester Punsch Der Künster by German artist Otto Eduard van Pippel that brought $6,600 against a pre- sale estimate of $500-$1,000 (lot 380) and a monumental oil painting depicting fowl and chicks by German artist Rudolf Bernhard Willmann that sold for $4,800 (lot 425).
Ethnographic and Orientalia were other categories to produce fruitful results. Leading the pack was a fine and rare antique Chinese carved rhinoceros horn that significantly climbed past the projected estimate of $1,000-$2,000 to earn final selling price of $9,900 (lot 66). Decorative arts also commanded significant bidder competition, notable highlights include a Picasso vase and earthenware plate that brought a whopping $24,600 selling to a phone bidder in France (lot 185 and 186). Several lots of military memorabilia aroused a great deal of interest from collectors all over the country including a collection of U.S. military insignia patches bearing a conservative $200-$400 estimate and grossed a final $14,700 (lots 190 and 191).
The second day of Kamelot’s sale featured antique furniture, lighting, and textiles. Furniture offerings were abundant with a varied range of pieces to choose from. French, Italian, and English furniture had strong representation, with many sets of dining chairs, club chairs, library chairs, mirrors, desk and tables. One of the most unique of the furniture items was a carved and gilt wood borne in the Louis XVI taste circa 1910 which realized $6,300, more than twice the pre-sale estimate (lot 662). Other top earners were a two-part 18th Century oak Welsh dresser that brought $5,200 (lot 849), a good pair of Continental Louis XIV style carved needle point arm chairs circa 1880 that brought $3,800 (lot 575), and a two part English mahogany secretary desk circa 1850 that brought $1,500 (lot 826). Mirrors and lighting hit the mark as well. Among the dozens offered was lot 585, a pair of late nineteenth Century Chippendale style gilt wood carved mirrors that were estimated at $800-$1,200 realized $3,200.
Kamelot’s next sell is Mid Century Furniture and Design and will be held on Saturday February 22 at their Philadelphia Showroom. For additional information please visit www.kamelotauctions.com or call 215.438.6990.
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 Lot 457  Lot 425  Lot 66  Lot 185  Lot 186  Lot 849  Lot 826 |
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4700 Wissahickon Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144 215.438.6990 Fax 215.438.6992 info@Kamelotauctions.com