Chippendale Chest Makes $34,500 at Fontaine’s Auction
Published November 7th, 2008
A reverse serpentine mahogany four-drawer ball-and-claw foot Chippendale chest, measuring 39-1/2 inches wide by 34-1/2 inches tall by 23-1/2 inches deep, sold for $34,500 at a two-session, multi-estate sale held Oct. 18 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery.
The chest was the top lot in a sale that saw around 500 lots change hands and grossed a little more than $1 million.
The first session, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., comprised about 200 lots from the estate of Henry Brownell, a longtime antiques dealer from New Bedford, Mass., who passed away earlier this year. His estate, most of it early American period furniture pieces, was sold without reserve. The second session featured about 300 lots from prominent local estates, plus consignments from Oregon and Cleveland.
“I was very pleased with the results of this auction, considering we’re in the midst of uncertain economic times,” said John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. “I think savvy investors are getting out of the stock market and into tangibles. And quality antiques and collectibles have historically done very well.” The auction was held in Fontaine’s showroom, at 1485 W. Housatonic Street in Pittsfield.
Next up for Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is an Antique Discovery Auction on December 6 and a Cataloged Antique Auction in January 2009 (date to be determined). The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future sales.
To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (413) 448-8922. Or, you can send them an e-mail, at info@fontaineauction.com.
To learn more about Fontaine’s Auction Gallery and its calendar of upcoming events, log on to www.fontaineauction.com.
