Rhode Island artists poised for appreciation
Skeleton clocks, hand-wrought vases, and paintings by noted artists with ties to Rhode Island are sure to command attention at Bruneau & Co.’s June 3 auction.
CRANSTON, R.I. – A Summer Antiques & Fine Art Auction featuring more than 400 lots of original artwork, vintage lamps, American and European bronze sculptures by notes artists, and a broad selection of fine art glass will be held Saturday, June 3, by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, online and in the firm’s gallery, located at 63 Fourth Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island, starting at noon EST.
19th Century Skeleton Clock May Command $4,000
Featured lots include five paintings by American abstract expressionist Fritz Bultman (1919-1985). Plus, a pair of hand-wrought copper vases by Ludwig Vierthaler (German, 1875-1967). Commissioning the vases is J. Winhart & Company. Bidders will see a fine Italian bronze equestrian group as well.
The skeleton clock collection will feature a 19th century French gilt brass and glass plate great wheel skeleton clock. The unit features an open white enamel chapter ring with black Arabic numerals ($2,000-$3,000). Brass skeleton clock offerings include a 19th century English Victorian Gothic brass model. This model is powered by a triple fusee 8-day chain movement with music played on the quarter hour. It carries an estimate between $2,500 and $4,000.
The Vierthaler for Winhart & Co. (Munich) Art Nouveau hand-wrought copper vases should attract keen bidder interest. A naturalistic repousse cicada with inset opal version, 7 1/4 inches tall, may see between $1,000 and $2,000. Lots include a vase etched with stylized poppy flowers contrasted by a dark patinated background, measures 4 3/4 inches in height, and carries an estimate of $500 to $800.
Paintings, Sculptures by Revered Artists Headlining Sale
Works by artists with Rhode Island ties are plentiful. An Impressionist oil on canvas painting of Gloucester, Mass., done by Herbert Cyrus Farnum (1866-1925), a member of the Providence Art Club, should breeze to $1,000-$2,000. A gouache on paper Impressionist landscape of Lake Thun in Switzerland by Hezekiah Anthony Dyer (R.I., 1872-1943), should garner $1,000-$1,500.
Bronze creations will be led by a 19th century Italian equestrian group by Bartolomeo Colleoni after Andrea del Verrochio (It., 1435-1488), 19 1/2 inches tall including marble base ($3,000-$5,000); and a 19th century French patinated and gilt bronze sculptural clock of a putti, 23 inches tall and with movements bearing the Raingo Freres and Japy Freres marks ($2,000-$3,000).
Rounding out the day’s list of expected top lots is an original photograph of a rural small town restaurant in Alabama taken in 1971 by William Christenberry (1936-2016) ($1,500-$2,500).
To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and the June 3 two-session auction, visit www.bruneauandco.com or contact info@bruneauandco.com
