Nakashima sofa may realize $9,000 during June 2-4 sale

THOMASTON, Maine — Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ Spring Auction Weekend on June 2-4, 2017 will present a collection of ancient and modern rarities from around the world, including a fascinating sofa by George Nakashima.

On Friday, the focus will be on objects from the Far and Near East, plus artifacts from Africa. Saturday will offer an engaging mix of American and European art and antiques, and Sunday will feature 20th Century decorative arts and jewelry, ranging from the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau eras to the modern period.

In addition to live bidding in the auction hall, Thomaston Place accepts bids via absentee, telephone, and on the internet (via Thomaston Live, Bidsquare, or Live Auctioneers).

A centerpiece of the sale will be an oil on canvas painting by Italian artist Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765) depicting a crowd greeting victorious troops (est. $50,000-70,000). Other featured works of art include a charming painting by John George Brown (NY/CA, 1831-1913) of a street urchin nuzzling a dubious dog (est. $25,000-35,000); a watercolor by Maurice Prendergast (MA/NY/France, 1858-1924) depicting an autumn stroll on a village lane (est. $20,000-30,000); a magnificent painting of Fort Wetherill (Conanicut Island, Rhode Island) by William Trost Richards (est. $20,000-30,000); and an 1874 painting by Frederick Dickenson Williams (MA/France, 1829-1915) depicting a Barbizon forest cart path at sunset (est. $7,000-9,000). These paintings, along with other important works, will be presented on Saturday, June 3rd.

The Friday auction will present an impressive collection of 23 watercolor works by Chinese artist Wang Chi-Yuan (China/NY, 1893-1975). There are also examples of Japanese metal work, including: a pair of Meiji period bronze baluster vases with silver, gold and copper inlay depicting figural narrative scenes (est. $8,500-9,500), a pair of Meiji period silver mounted and enameled glass bowls with relief silver overlay of butterflies and flowers (est. $6,000-8,000), and a Shoto, or short sword, with a 17th c. blade signed by Wakizashi Masanaga (active 1648-1652) (est. $4,000-6,000).

Two important early 19th Century pieces of English furniture by Gillows of Lancaster and London will be offered on Saturday: a rosewood round pedestal table with lion paw feet (est. $10,000-15,000), and a Sheraton mahogany two-drawer drop leaf library table (est. $8,000-12,000). Included in the selection of American antiques will be a Queen Anne period Delaware River Valley cherry lowboy (est. $12,000-18,000), a monumental pine apothecary cabinet from a Camden, Maine pharmacy (est. $5,000-10,000), and a carved mahogany lyre clock by Aaron Willard, Jr. with original gilded wood eagle finial (est. $5,000-10,000).

Important late 19th - 20th Century decorative arts names such as Nakashima, Cartier, Paul Evans, Faberge, Tiffany, and Gustav Stickley will figure strongly in the Sunday sale. Featured items will include: Water Kiss”, an oil on canvas painting by James Taylor Harwood (UT/CA, 1860-1940) (est. $15,000-25,000); a circa 1925 platinum and 15-carat diamond brooch by Cartier (est. $15,000-20,000); a Danish modern carved teak settee by Finn Juhl (est. $10,000-15,000); a George Nakashima sofa from the Widdicomb Series (est. $7,500-9,000); a bronzed sculptural wall shelf unit by Paul Evans dated ’69 (est. $6,000-8,000); and a `947 Wurlitzer Model 1015 “Bubbler” jukebox (est.: $5,000-7,000).

Additional highlights of the Sunday sale are: a Tiffany & Co. silver mounted mammoth tusk inkwell (est. $5,000-7,000); a Tiffany Studios “Swirling Oak Leaf” pattern leaded glass lamp shade (est. $3,000-5,000); a Mabel Conkling (NY/ME, 1871-1966) bronze garden urn (est. $3,000-5,000); a Faberge enameled silver snuff box (est.: $3,000-5,000); plus, a large collection of art pottery, including pieces by Newcomb College, Rookwood, Brother Thomas, Grueby, Clewell, and Walrath. Sunday will also offer a large estate jewelry collection; watches by Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Constantin Vacheron; fine silver; Art Nouveau time pieces and lighting; five pieces of Gustav Stickley furniture; and four vintage automobiles.

The auction will begin at 11:00 a.m. EST each day.

For more information, visit www.thomastonauction.com or call 207-354-8141.