European pewter drawing attention ahead of Mar. 28 sale
More than 150 selections of European pewter, including two 19th century pewter mugs, are expected to become highlights of Pook & Pook’s International Auction, slated for March 28.
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. — Pook & Pook, Inc., Auctioneers and Appraisers, is kicking off spring with a three auction run beginning on Saturday, March 28th, 2015 with their bi-annual International Auction. The auction features the European pewter collection of Allan Fogel, a selection of European antiques, and hundreds of Asian objects.
Over 150 pieces of European pewter launch Pook & Pook’s first International Auction of
2015. Pewter was wildly popular in Europe starting around the Middle Ages and remained so until it was replaced by porcelain. While no longer popular as a vessel for food, pewter continues to retain a unique decorative quality that appeals to both collectors and designers alike. All of the European pewter offered on March 28th, 2015 is from the collection of Allan Fogel of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Two 19th century pewter mugs began Allan’s collection over forty years ago. His association with the British Pewter Society coupled with his research, provided the foundation for his early collection of British pewter, which has been on loan to the London Towne Publik House in Edgewater, Maryland since 1978. While British pewter is simple and understated, it was the enchanting European variety that created the impetus for his expansion into European pewter. On the antique show circuit from 1982 onwards, his expertise in European pewter allowed him to carve out a niche market as America’s specialist in European pewter. After identifying the makers and locations of his acquisitions, he wrote letters to European museums to fill in the gaps of his pewter knowledge. Allan devoted years to researching, identifying, and documenting hundreds of European pewter items that were previously unidentified. After decades of hunting, collecting, and dealing, Mr. Fogel has decided to part with the most significant items of his personal collection.
The collection includes examples from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, and England. A German Gothic pewter libation cup, ca. 1450, boasts zoomorphic embellishments surrounding the base (Est. $3,000-4,000). An important three-piece Royal Hapsburg presentation set, dated 1893, is crossing the block. The set includes a faience pitcher used by Empress Elizabeth of Austria during the Maundy Thursday Ceremony of 1893 and two pewter beakers ($6,000-9,000). A large Austrian Baker’s Guild pewter flagon from the 18th century supported by winged stallion feet is expected to bring $8,000-12,000. The highlight of the sale will surely be the rare Austrian pewter Masonic Guild flagon, ca. 1595, inscribed “We build our homes on Earth, yet we are only guests. When we are finished here, we will move to Heaven” in German ($20,000-30,000).
Following the pewter is an excellent selection of European furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories. This segment of the sale begins with a portrait by French artist Louis Valtat titled “Femme au Châse” ($10,000-15,000). Valtat was a tremendously prolific artist during the first half of the 1900’s. He was associated with the early 20th century group of artists known as Les Fauves (the wild beasts), so named for their wild use of color. Several other French artist’s works will be sold including paintings by Maurice Martin (1894-1978), Theodore Alexander Weber (German/French 1838-1907),
George Henry Bogert (French/American 1864-1944), Alfred Arthur Brunel de Neuville (French 1851-1941), Frits Thaulow (Norweigian/French/Dutch 1847-1906), and Ludwig Knaus (French/German). A number of bronze sculptures offered include an incredible piece by Christophe Fratin (French 1921-2010) of a young boy playing with his dog. French decorative accessories crossing the block include a firefender, clocks, porcelain plates, urns and vases, a letter holder, a dresser box, a mirror, lamps, etc. A selection of furniture from France will be sold including a fauteuil, a chiffonnier, a marble pedestal, a dressing table, and ferniers.
English material follows including more furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories. The furniture crossing the block includes chests of drawers, a breakfront, a spice chest, armchairs, dining chairs, desks, tall case clocks, a tea table, a candlestand, card tables, cupboards, a barrel organ, etc. A George III mahogany marble top pier table, ca. 1760, is expected to fetch $2,000-4,000. An Adams painted satinwood games table, ca. 1800, should bring $2,000-4,000. One of the highlights from the UK is a miniature Scottish tall case clock signed Tanish Grieff ($20,000-30,000). The highly figured case with crosshatched lightwood corners is sure to catch the eye of several collectors. A George I burl veneer and marquetry inlaid tall case clock, ca. 1700, is sure to strike the fancy of more than one bidder with its case adorned with ebony panels decorated with elaborate floral inlay ($8,000-12,000).
Decorative accessories scheduled to be sold include porcelain urns, an embroidery, tapestries, a firefender, tea caddies, figural groups, candle sticks, porcelain, silver, etc. An English 9K gold-mounted dresser set, 1919, including twenty-two pieces is anticipated to fetch $2,000-4,000. A silver sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon, 1907, is expected to bring $3,000-5,000. Quite a few English artists adorn the walls of the gallery at Pook & Pook these days including a pair of oil on panel portraits of women by Lady Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema (British 1852-1909). Her art was mainly influenced by 17th century Dutch art. Classical scenes such as these were rare for the artist. Other English artists include C. Weston (British, late 19th c.), John Charles Maggs (British 1819-1896), etc.
Additional continental material in the March 28th auction rounds out the European segment of the sale. A pair of Italian 925 silver gilt and malachite veneer candelabra are expected to bring $1,000-1,500. A landscape by Adolf Rylski (Austrian b. 1864) titled Partie am Zellersee carries an estimate of $400-700. A fantastic still life with fruit by Carl Max Gurlach Quaedvlieg (Dutch 1823-1874) includes an ornate frame and a $2,000-3,000 estimate. One of the highlights of the European material in this sale is a German Organ clock, mid 19th c. by A. Pfaff. The clock includes five musician automatons above the dial. The Pfaff family was well known in Germany and in Philadelphia for their excellent musical instruments.
A Criterion mahogany disc music box and stand with elaborate carvings and seventy-four discs is expected to fetch $3,000-4,000. Other decorative accessories and furniture from across the pond include silver, bronze, a cigar cutter, glass, a dresser box, porcelain, cupboards, cabinets, tables, tall case clocks, chests, chairs, a settee, landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, carpets, religious carvings, Anglo-Indian carved padouk furniture, etc. The continental portion of the auction ends with a selection of jewelry followed by a group of paperweights.
Over two hundred lots of Asian art and objects finishes the auction. The Asian material starts with an elaborately carved prunus decorated Chinese Zitan throne chair with cloisonné panels depicting a house nestled in the mountains with figures going about daily activities. This piece from the late Qing dynasty is estimated at $8,000-12,000. Hundreds of pieces of Chinese porcelain are included in the March International Auction, including Fitzhugh, famille rose, famille verte, Imari, Wucai, rose medallion, rose canton, Nanking, Mandarin palette, export porcelain, etc. Other accessories include a table screen, a carved soapstone censer, vases, carvings, a silk robe, scrolls, snuff bottles, etc. A large Chinese spinach jade disc decorated in relief with a dragon on one side and an incised phoenix on the other is anticipated to fetch $800-1,200.
Of particular interest is a Chinese silver and enamel Order of the Golden Grain breast star, 2nd class ($1,000-2,000). A large Chinese cloisonné and carved hardstone potted tree is estimated to bring $1,000-1,500. Asian furniture crossing the block includes painting tables, an armchair, a console table, a center table, an altar table, stands, a desk, cabinets, carvings of religious figures, etc. A pair of Chinese red lacquer cabinets, 20th c., boast ornately carved bone appliques and cloisonné hardware ($1,000-2,000). A circular Chinese carved hardwood display cabinet, ca. 1900, opens to each shelf by a rotating barrel. Sitting atop this fantastically carved piece is a flamboyantly carved dragon. A number of pieces of Oriental art round out the auction.
The online preview is available at www.pookandpook.com. For more information, email info@pookandpook.com or call (610) 269-4040. Online bidding for this auction is available through Bidsquare at www.bidsquare.com.
