Bidders pursue blue RS Prussia porcelain

DOUGLASS, Kan. – Three blue RS Prussia marked bowls – each one boasting a portrait and scenic décor of one of the four seasons – sold as single lots for a combined $33,000 at the Part 1 sale of the lifetime collection of RS Prussia antique porcelain of the late John and Lavaun Headlee, nearly all the pieces in the rare cobalt blue color, held May 26 by Woody Auction in the firm’s Douglass gallery.

The Headlees were beloved members of the RS Prussia Collectors Club, and word quickly spread that their 40-year collection focused almost exclusively on cobalt blue examples. Bidders responded with eager enthusiasm. “This was the finest RS Prussia auction ever held in Kansas,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction. “No other auction has ever featured the quantity of cobalt blue offered in this sale.”

Internet bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.com but in-house participation was strong and most of the items were purchased on the floor. 

Prices quoted are hammer. Woody Auction does not charge a buyer’s premium to bidders who are present live, but a 5 percent convenience fee is charged when bidders pay at auction using a credit card. Following are additional highlights from the auction.

The top earner was the fall season bowl, 9 3/4 inches in diameter with poppy highlights ($15,000). The summer season bowl, 9 inches in diameter with pink poppy highlights, changed hands for $11,000. And the winter season bowl, 9 3/4 inches in diameter with leaf and berry highlights, fetched $7,000. All three of the bowls were stippled mold, with cobalt blue borders and strong gold trim and gold stenciling.

Two lots posted an identical selling price of $10,000. One was an unmarked chocolate set, cobalt blue with a stylized carnation décor and gold stencil highlights. This set featured an 11 3/4 inch tall chocolate pot, plus six rare demitasse-size cups and six matching saucers.

The other was a hard-to-find 15-inch diameter blue RS Prussia marked center bowl. The carnation-mold bowl features yellow and cobalt blue with a pink and yellow rose décor and gold stencil highlights. 

A marked 11 3/4-inch RS Prussia stippled mold plate hit $6,000. It exhibited fall season portrait décor and a cobalt blue and gold stencil border. A marked Royal Vienna mold 5 ewer, 6 3/4 inches tall, made $4,250. It featured a figural tulip handle, a Countess Litta portrait and gold stencil highlights.

Also impressive is an unmarked stipple mold cracker jar sporting a yellow and green background with Potacka and Recamier portraits. The jar featured a cobalt blue border and extensive gold trim and sold for $4,500.

An unmarked bowl, 10 3/4 inches in diameter, mold 14A (medallion variation), topped out at $7,000. It features a cobalt blue border, gold trim and gold stencil highlights. The five medallion portraits featured Lebrun with a hat and Recamier (aka Juliette) and Lebrun with a ribbon.

Woody Auction’s showroom is located at 130 East Third Street in Douglass, Kansas. Most auctions will be held in the Douglass gallery, starting at 9:30 a.m. CST, unless otherwise noted. The firm has a full slate of auctions lined up for the rest of 2018 and into next year. These include the following:

Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate, or a collection, you may call them at (316) 747-2694; or you can e-mail them at info@woodyauction.com.