Maine Antique Digest May 2015

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Maine Antique Digest, May 2015 33-E
- AUCTION -
for a government building or
public space, but there was no
documentation for the eagle’s
origin.
“As far as pre-auction inter-
est goes, that was one of the
pieces we got the most questions
about,” said Vogelpohl. “We find
in this area that sort of work does
really well, that folk art.”
Other folk art of note included
an Andrew Clemens (1857-
1894) sand bottle, circa 1884,
that realized $32,400. The pint
bottle depicted a sailing ship
over the date 1884 on one side,
while the other had the name
Estella in a floral wreath.
However, the most anticipated
piece among the Americana was
likely a folk art quilt made by
Camille Nixdorf Phelan (1882-
1946) of Oklahoma, signed and
dated 1937. Illustrated with hun-
dreds of stitched graphics that
told the history of the United
States from its founding until
1937, including a border of pres-
idents, a central field showing a
map of the country, and a mix
of personalities and landmarks,
the 73¾" x 64¾" quilt sold for
$19,200.
Phelan created another textile
masterpiece, the Oklahoma His-
tory Quilt, which took five years
to complete and was exhibited at
the 1933 World’s Fair, the Cen-
tury of Progress International
Exposition in Chicago. That
quilt now resides in the collec-
tion of the Oklahoma Historical
Society.
Surprisingly, little is known
about the follow-up project,
which has come to be known as
the American History Quilt. The
quilt was mentioned in a news-
paper article during the World’s
Fair, and a “national quilt” was
also noted in a 1946 article writ-
ten after Phelan’s death. Prior
to the piece’s surfacing at an
auction in New York state in
1983, questions remained as to
whether the quilt was actually
made and if it still existed.
“We really don’t know where
it was for all those years, but it
surfaced at this rural New York
auction,” said Vogelpohl. At that
point the quilt went into a private
collection where it remained
until returning to the market at
Cowan’s, where it once again
sold to a private buyer.
“We were really hoping that
would go to a museum or insti-
tution,” said Vogelpohl.
The best of the furniture was
a Kentucky blind-door corner
cupboard in walnut, circa 1800,
inlaid with stylized flowers,
vases, and vines, 83¾" high
x 48½" wide, that topped at
$12,000, showing the continued
strength of some regional pieces
on the American market.
For more information, phone
Cowan’s at (513) 871-1670 or
visit ).
Carved patriotic eagle in cherry, probably third quarter of the 19th
century, 32" high x 52¼" wide, small chips and minor age splits, loss
to one side of tail feathers, a break to one talon, some flaking to paint
in the mouth, old repair to one wing, $39,600.
Seven Daoguang blue and white dishes, 19th century, 6" diameter,
repair to the edge of one plate, $12,300.
Presentation punched-tin lantern,
19th century, the door punched
with “George / Petrie” over a lotus,
the reverse side featuring “G” and
a heart under a Masonic arch
flanked by diamonds and “GR,”
15" high, $720.
Castle Geyser, Yellowstone National Park by Antanas Zemaitis
(Lithuanian, 20th century), oil on canvas, signed and dated ’23,
inscribed on reverse with title and date, 14" x 17 ¾" plus frame,
$6600.
Kinsey coin silver premium pres-
entation pitcher, Cincinnati,
decorated with relief scroll and
grape motifs, engraved “Ky.
State Ag. So. Premium 1856,”
marked, 8½" high, $2880.
Running Horses by Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975), lithograph on
paper, signed and dated “52” in the plate, also signed in pencil, edition
of 100, 13" x 17" plus frame, laid down on mat board with the top mat
adhered to the upper margin of the print, $7200.
AndrewClemens (1857-1894) sand
bottle, dated 1884, pint, depict-
ing a sailing ship on one side, the
other having the name “Estella”
surrounded by floral swags,
the top of the stopper having
an almost entirely intact label, the
neck of the bottle having an intact
original band with a checkered
diamond pattern, 8¾" high, chip
to the lip, $32,400.
☞
Treadway Toomey Auctions • 20th Century Art & Design Auction • Chicago
June 6 • •
Rookwood