Cropsey picturesque church painting may soar past $200K
The painting “Gray’s Elegy at Stoke Poges, Kent” painted by Jasper Francis Cropsey and inspired by a poem penned by Thomas Gray is coming before bidders during Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ 3-Day Winter Auction Feb. 16-18. It enters the sale with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.
THOMASTON, Maine – Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ 3-Day Winter Auction Feb. 16-18 will present an array of traditional and modern artwork, including an uncommon Cropsey artwork. In addition, antiques, decorative items and ethnographic artifacts will cross the auction block. The auction will begin at 11 a.m. each day.
Poem's Influence Evident in Cropsey Painting
An important Jasper Francis Cropsey painting, “Gray’s Elegy at Stoke Poges, Kent” (actually Stoke Poges Buckinghamshire) is up for bid. A poem by English poet Thomas Gray is the inspiration behind the painting. It is among the objects vying for the top lot status, with an estimate off $200,000-$300,000. Cropsey, who resided in the UK between 1856 and 1863, created several works depicting the picturesque church at Stoke Poges.
In addition to the many original works and signed fine art prints, the contemporary art collection includes many artist-signed exhibition posters, suggesting that the owner personally knew many of the artists, both American and European. The collection includes pieces by William Turnbull (NY/Scotland, 1922-2012), Robert Morris (NY/KS, 1931- ), Tina Girouard (NY, 1946- ), Dan Flavin (NY, 1933-1996), Larry Clark (CA/OK/ 1943- ), Robert Longo (NY, 1953- ), Matt Mullican (NY/CA, 1951- ), William Gropper (NY, 1897-1977), Damian Hurst (UK/NY, 1965- ), and many others.
The 333-lots of Inuit artifacts in this auction features two 19th century wooden shamanic masks sitting on metal museum stands. A circa 1000 AD fire starter fetish and a rare Okvik ceremonial grease bowl, both in fossilized mastodon tusk, also is on offer.
Carving Headlining Ethnographic Artifacts
Among the many carved stone works by artists of Quebec and the NWT, will be: “The Shaman’s Dream,” a 24-inch high sculpture by Joe Nasogaluak depicting a man enveloped by a bird and seal; and Kiugak Ashoona’s green serpentine sculpture of a sedna and seal spirit on stand, circa 1982-1985.
In addition, within the fine Asian antiques on offer is a framed panel of a circa 1730 embroidered silk panel of a Buddhist dance robe. It likely dates to use at court during the reign of the Yongzheng emperor ($5,000-$10,000). Furthermore, a 19th century Chinese temple vase with pate-sur-pate decoration of a 9-tiered pagoda ($3,000-$5,000) is on offer. Plus, a pair of Kangxi period famille verte porcelain plates with enameled decoration may bring $2,000 to $3,000.
Additional Highlights
• 18th century American Queen Anne cherry highboy ($8,000-$12,000).
• Late 17th century silver Persian rhyton drinking cup ($2,500-$3,500).
• Ladies platinum ring with a diamond flanked by two oval diamonds and four baguettes ($6,000-$8,000).
• Winston Churchill’s engagement diary ($10,000-$15,000).
In addition to live bidding in the auction hall, Thomaston Place accepts absentee and telephone bids, and on the internet (via Thomaston Live, Invaluable, or Live Auctioneers). Furthermore, the buyer’s premium is 17 percent for live, telephone, and absentee bidders and 20 percent for online bidders.
In conclusion, for more details, visit www.thomastonauction.com or call 207-354-8141.
