Sotheby’s New York Important Americana Auction
Published December 24th, 2008
Sotheby’s 2009 auction season in New York will begin with the two-day sale of Important Americana. Leading the Folk Art offerings is A Rare and Important Molded Copper Fireman “Old Jake” Weathervane Made for the Union Fire Hall, now Charley Rouss Fire Company, Winchester, Virginia, American, circa 1850 (est. $3/5 million). “Old Jake,” as the weathervane has long been called, is unprecedented in its quality, form, and scale – measuring over six feet high and six feet wide – and has topped the Charley Rouss Fire Company since just after the Civil War. Also among the Folk Art highlights will be a group of approximately thirty waterfowl decoys led by a Fine and Rare High-Neck Pintail Hen, Mid-Western, circa 1900 (est. $70/90,000). Highlighting the furniture offerings, The Important Captain Edward Allen Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Bombé Chest-on-Chest, Probably Salem, Massachusetts, circa 1780, is estimated at $800,000/1.2 million. Bombé case furniture represents the most expensive type of furniture available in eastern Massachusetts during the eighteenth century, and the chest-on-chest to be offered in January is one of approximately seven known examples to survive as well as a new discovery for the market, never before published. Property from the Estate of John William Boor, MD will feature select timepieces and Pennsylvania furniture led by a Very Fine and Rare Carved Walnut Chest-on-Chest, Signed by George Claypoole, Jr., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1755 (est. $80/160,000), and Property from the Estate of Peter Terian will comprise American Classical furniture highlighted by a Important Neoclassical Ormolu-Mounted and Figured Mahogany Marble-Topped Pier Table, labeled by Honoré-Lanuier, New York, circa 1818 (est. $80/120,000). The Silver and Furniture Collection of the First Parish Church in Cohasset, Massachusetts, formerly the Second Church of Christ will feature six lots of silver beakers highlighted by two pairs of beakers – The Deacon John Jacobs Silver Beakers by Jacob Hurd, Boston, 1728 (each pair est. $70/100,000) as well as An Important William and Mary Carved and Figured Maple Armchair, Ipswich or Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1720 (est. $50/100,000).
