Post Sale Press Release

June 17 & 18, 2015

Kamelot Auctions' annual Town and Country Sale was held on June 17th and 18th in Philadelphia, attracting a myriad of bidders from across the globe, from novice buyers to seasoned enthusiasts, designers, professional dealers, and private collectors alike. The two day auction was packed with more than 1,000 lots, ranging from Asian objects to original works of art to fine estate jewelry to antique clocks, garden antiques, Continental furniture, rugs, and much more.

Headlining the auction was a large collection from the living estate of American writer, pianist, and educator Harrison Gradwell Slater. Slater’s career took him all across the globe and in his travels he acquired a collection of treasures among which fine artworks, decorative objects and accessories, jewelry, clocks, and fine furnishings, are included. Hailing from this very collection was a fine and rare nineteenth century Baltic flame birch empire center table having book matched top over shaped apron with gilt bronze mounts (lot 414). Opening at an estimate of $2,000-$3,000, a lengthy bidding war ensued between two phone bidders for the rare table, ultimately bringing the price up to a whopping $45,000 when it finally sold to a collector in New York.

Kamelot has a reputation as a source for fine French furniture and this sale showed us a number of stunning examples. Chief among them were two pairs of oversized early nineteenth century Louis XV open arm chairs. Together the two pairs brought a total $26,000, more than ten times the pre-sale estimate for each pair. A good mid-century modern bronze, and brass coffee table attributed to Maison Charles circa 1970 was another top contender amongst furniture buyers. The table far exceeded its projected $1,000-$1,500 estimate with a winning bid of $6,500.

A fine and complete example of Zuber ''Les Jardin Francais'' scenic wallpaper originally created by Pierre Mongin in 1822 was consigned by the Lynchberg Museum in Lynchberg, Virginia. The complete scene was in almost perfect condition and fetched a hefty $12,500 on the auction block (lot 435)

A nice collection of clocks was offered in the two day sale, including a nice French cloisonné and bronze mantle clock which was made for and signed Bigelow (lot 102). Estimated at a meager $200-$400, this clock brought a final selling price of $7,500. Similarly was a large white marble and two tone bronze French mantel clock circa 1890 which brought $6,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $600-$900 (lot 98).