“Buy only what you love” at Garth's First Auction of 2016
“Buy only what you love”, were the oft-heard words of longtime Americana dealer and collector Elinor Meugniot of Clive, Iowa. On January 16, 2016, Garth's Auctioneers & Appraisers is proud to kick off the new year with a two-session auction featuring Meugniot’s fine Americana Collection (290 lots), and an assortment of Americana, Folk Art, European Decorative Arts & 20th Century Design (465 lots) which includes The 50 Year Collection of the Late Joyce Specter of Russell, Kansas, the sister-in-law of former Pennsylvania Senator, the late Arlen Specter. Bidders should find no shortage of objects they will love adding to their own collections among the varied categories of decorative & fine arts to be sold.
Mrs. Meugniot’s passion for rare rocking horses, stoneware, objects with hearts, treenware, and authentic painted furniture not only allowed her to amass her own premiere collection, but also to help many others establish large and wonderful collections of their own over the 32 years Meugniot operated her business. In session one, twenty-seven horse form rocking horses and pull toys will be sold, and a pine & hide-covered example with original paint decoration and saddle from New York maker J.A. Crandall is one of the most special (32"h. 63"l., Estimate $ 400-800). Thirty-one pieces of decorated stoneware will cross the block and a cobalt stenciled crock with the inscription “From Wallace's Cheap Store, New Haven, Pa. 2" should illicit a smile from bidders (Estimate $200-400).
Eleven stepback, corner and hanging cupboards from the Meugniot Collection show off some of the painted pieces Mrs. Meugniot had in her home for years. An Ohio one-piece corner cupboard with old red paint is estimated to sell for $1,000-2,000, while a Midwestern one-piece wall cupboard which was found in Ohio is expected to fetch $600-1,000.
Decorative smalls include ten lots of treenware and peaseware, as well as nine lots of painted gameboards with an original painted red and black example with checkerboard and hearts estimated at $600-800. A variety of counter-top coffee mills, duck and goose decoys, decorated sleds, dolls, and assorted textiles including a vibrant sampler quilt round out the morning session.
The afternoon session leads off with a Chester County, Pennsylvania miniature Chippendale blanket chest. Dating to the late 18th century, the piece is adorned with arched panels and inlaid Greek key trim over two drawers and bracket feet. Retaining its original hinges and brasses, and an old finish, the chest, which measures 17.5"h. 27"w. 15.5"d., was deaccessioned in the 1970s from the Art Institute of Chicago, then offered as part of the Collection of Jean Stuck Monger (Ohio) when sold at Garth's, July 1999. Estimated at $15,000-25,000, it is also accompanied by a copy of an evaluation by furniture expert and conservator, Allan Miller of Pennsylvania.
A mid-18th century, Massachusetts Queen Anne high chest of drawers is quite special. The upper section is adorned with a broken-arch pediment, carved finials, and a single shell carved drawer, all above a lower section with a central shell carved drawer and cabriole legs ending in pad feet. It is estimated conservatively at $10,000-15,000. Of the three tall clocks in the auction a 97” tall example from Kentucky will likely be the most sought after. With a cherry and poplar case attributed to Elijah Warner, Lexington, the broken-arch pediment, turned columns, and a shaped with crossbanded inlay all contribute to an estimate of $1,000-2,000.
Items from the Joyce Specter Collection are mixed throughout the sale. Specter was a homemaker whose avid antique hobby led to a vocation. Among her treasures to be sold are several American burl bowls including an exceptionally large 36” diameter example with good color, figure and an applied wrought iron band with handles (Estimate $800-1200). Several piece of American stoneware are also in the auction including a water cooler decorated with a cobalt naive incised man with top hat and a fish, 11.25"h. (Estimate $600-1,200) and a two-handled crock brushed and stenciled cobalt label with tulips, eagle and "Star Pottery, 12" (23"h., estaimte $800-1,200). A group of three Sandwich glass lamps carrying an estimate of $400-800 includes a clambroth petal font lamp, 12"h., and a pair of amethyst loop font lamps with octagonal baluster bases, 10.25"h.
An assortment of early to mid 20th century objects will comprise a healthy portion of the afternoon session as well. A Tyler Tiffany table lamp is especially vibrant with a green leaded shade and a green pottery base signed "Hampshire". The 17" high lamp is expected to fetch $14,000-18,000.
Another Tiffany & Co. object is a cloisonne floral cased repeater carriage clock (7.75"h. Estimate $400-600). A Jaeger-Le Coultre Atmos in the Marina pattern with angelfish and coral decoration is also lovely (Estimate $600-1,200).
Featured on the front cover of the auction brochure, an American sterling figure of an owl by Tom Griscom (Tennessee, 20th century) was cast by David Klahn (Ohio) from mold marked "Griscom". 13"h. At approximately 102 ozt., it should sell for $1,000-2,000. A service of Georg Jensen flatware in the Acorn pattern is comprised of 30 pieces and is estimated at $2,000-3,000.
A set of eight Isozaki “Marilyn” chairs by Sunar Hauserman have ebonized wood frames with slat backs and leather seats are a stately group at 55” high each (Estimate $ 1,000-2,000). A three-piece leather-upholstered contemporary Italian parlor set by Nicoletti are comprised of a pair of a pair of chairs and a sofa (Estimate $ 1,000-2,000).
A group of art deco ceramics by Juanita Rodriguez (Louisiana, 1904-1935) includes eight lots of bowls, a sundial, more. A blue, pink, and gray glazed fireplace surround by Rodriguez includes a fluted surround and overmantel panel, with figural carved panels. Measureing approximately 66"h. 38"w., it was once installed in the offices of Davis Wince Architecture, Columbus (Estimate $1,500-2,500).
Garth’s will offer over 25 woodblocks by Paul Jacoulet (France/Japan, 1902-1960). Resources indicate that “Jacoulet is considered one of the few western artists to have mastered the art of woodblock printing sufficiently to be recognized in Japan”. Twenty-nine lots will be offered between $200-400 to $800-1,200. An example titled “Le Bocal de Poissons Rouge” bears a printed signature, from an edition of 150. Part of the series of the five Manchurian Princesses, it is expected to sell for $800-1,200. A large selection of bronze sculpture rounds out the sale and is highlighted by a work titled “Wings” by Gary Lewis (Utah born 1958). Signed and dated 1995, the 45” high figure depicts a boy with a toy airplane (Estimate $ 2,000-4,000).
Garth's illustrated catalog is available for purchase by contacting Client Services at 740-362-4771 or may be browsed for free online at garths.com. Garth's gallery is located at 2960 Stratford Road, Delaware, Ohio. Preview hours will be held January 11-16. Garth’s is accepting quality items for the 2016 auction schedule. For further information regarding how to sell at Garth’s or for a valuation of your item(s), please contact sell@garths.com or call 740-362-4771. For more information visit www.garths.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
