112 / 229
8-C Maine Antique Digest, April 2015
- AUCTION -
Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) was
an Italian-born American sculp-
tor who is well known for his
welded wire seating creations.
The Diamond chair by Knoll
is the most recognizable of his
designs. After Bertoia left the
furniture world, he began to cre-
ate sound-producing sculptures.
He performed concerts with his
musical sculptures and produced
11 albums of the music. The series
of albums is called “Sonambient.”
The Bertoia example offered at
the Quinn & Farmer sale is an
untitled Sonambient sculpture,
circa 1970. The piece consists of
a square brass base raised on low
feet at the corners. Perpendicu-
lar to the base are 81 beryllium
copper rods, each approximately
30" long, formed with a small
knob at the end. When brushed
the sculpture produces a soothing
chime-like sound. This piece is in
excellent condition and sold to a
telephone bidder for $33,040 (est.
$8000/12,000).
Here is a very nice 19th-century Hepplewhite-style bowfront console table. The table mea-
sures 67½" long and is constructed of mahogany and oak, with mahogany veneers. There are
three locking drawers. The top features perimeter crossbanded veneer accents. The drawer
fronts are framed with double lines of satinwood string inlay. The table is raised on square
tapered legs, terminating in spade feet. There are several missing pieces of veneer. The table
enjoyed spirited bidding from several quarters, ultimately selling for $2714 (est. $800/1200).
Here is an oil on canvas cityscape by Johann
Berthelsen (1883-1972), a Danish-born Ameri-
can Impressionist painter. The scene is a snowy
view of Trinity Church as seen looking down Wall
Street, New York City. American flags are flying,
and pedestrians and automobiles compete for the
right of way. The painting measures 16¼" x 12¼"
sight size. The painting sold quickly for $5900 (est.
$2000/4000).
Here is a large circa 1800 American schrank. The unit is constructed
of poplar and displays an old worn blue- and red-painted surface. It
has a molded cornice and two double-panel doors that open to reveal
three fixed shelves. The lower portion has a single drawer with a
shaped edge flanked by picture frame molded decorative panels on
a simple bracket base. The interior displays a brand that reads “L.
HOUSE.” There are several pieces of molding that are missing or
split, and the proper left rear foot is missing. The schrank measures
74" x 50½" x 17½" and sold for $2832 (est. $2000/3000).
This little kneehole dressing table is Georgian, dating from the early 19th
century. The piece is constructed of mahogany, oak, and mahogany veneers.
The top is rectangular, with light veneer crossbanding and applied edge
molding. There is a single long drawer, with stacked graduated drawers on
either side. There is a center frieze drawer and a recessed kneehole com-
partment with shelves and a locking door. All of the drawer fronts and the
kneehole door display crossbanded veneers. The dressing table measures
29" x 31" x 20½". There are numerous veneer repairs, and the drawer sides
are replacements. This little table sold for $767 (est. $300/500).
This 19th-century Staffordshire spill vase
depicts four sheep gathered at the base of a
tree stump. The piece stands 7" high x 8½"
wide. There appear to be no broken or missing
elements. There is some crazing as expected
with age. An Internet bidder won this spill
vase for $217.80 (est. $150/200).
This American sampler includes the
name of Mary Barten [sic] Philpott.
The textile displays the expected exam-
ples of stitching, alphabet letters, and
numbers. The bulk of the sampler
appears to be a message from Mary to
her parents, but fading of the colored
threads makes the text illegible. Mary
Barton Philpott was born in 1762, and
her father, Barton Philpott, was an
American Revolutionary. The sampler
measures 13¼" x 8" and sold for $944
(est. $500/800).
Moise Kisling (1891-1953) was a Pol-
ish-born French artist best known for his
depiction of female nudes and his use of
vivid colors. Here is an example of the lat-
ter. The oil on canvas is an untitled portrait
of a woman with a turban-style head wrap,
piercing eyes, and bright red lips. The por-
trait is not dated but is signed upper left.
The painting measures 14" x 11½" sight
size. An Internet buyer liked the look of
this Kisling and bought it for $9680 (est.
$2000/3000).
This bronze sculpture of a roaring
lion has been converted into a table
or desk lamp. The piece is not signed
or dated. The lion figure is 10" high
x 20" long, and the lamp is 27" high
to the finial. The lion lamp brought
$2242 (est. $200/500).