Auction watch: Upcoming sales include paintings of local interest
Local auctiongoers know spring is just around the corner when Concept Art Gallery returns for a series of three auctions after a winter hiatus. Also on the block in coming weeks are sales at Dargate, BHD Auctions and Smith's Antique and Auction Service.
Concept Art Gallery
If Concept Art Gallery's March 5 sale could talk, you would definitely hear Pittsburgh accents. Along with significant parcels of goods from local consignments, the fine-art and estate auction includes major works from renowned Western Pennsylvania artists, as well as pieces from lesser-known practitioners who painted in what Concept owner Sam Berkovitz calls a “Pittsburgh vernacular” style.
Artistically speaking, this group of works says a lot about the painters and the city. For the most part, the paintings show familiar Pittsburgh sites such as the Blockhouse and Cathedral of Learning in an almost primitive style that focuses more on capturing the scene than technique. In most cases, the paintings reveal a “folk art” appeal. However, “Urban Life,” an oil-on-masonite by Dorothy Davids, displays a more sophisticated style that's reminiscent of Samuel Rosenberg.
Other regional heavyweights shine throughout. The names of George Sotter, Aaron Gorson, George and Lila Hetzel, Roy Hilton, Julius Kahn, A.F. King, Henry Koerner and Harry Scheuch dominate one of the stronger collections of Pittsburgh-centric works to grace the confines of the gallery.
Another type of art illuminates a pair of Tiffany Studios lamps. On the low end of the bidding scale, a Tiffany linen-fold harp lamp could be considered a starter kit with an estimate of $1,900. On the high end of the spectrum, an intricate 12-light lamp, with a dozen lily-shaped shades, enters the sale with a $12,000 estimate.
On a whimsical note, a set of “occupational” shaving mugs could work bidders into a fine lather. Most of the vessels, which look like ornately decorated coffee cups, bear images of occupations long since gone from the modern workplace, such as the tinsmith, the teamster driving a team of horses, the caboose man and other jobs from yesteryear.
Delving deeper in the 420 lots, bidders will find Asian and Middle Eastern rugs in a variety of styles and sizes. A smattering of furniture ranges from American folk pieces to an elegant Victorian Eastlake-style side table. Fine pottery and ceramics from Roseville, Rookwood, Meissen and other respected makers still dazzle years after their creation dates. Among the curiosities are an Orrey electrical model of the solar system, a fireman's horn from Duquesne, colorful Bakelite napkin rings and a couple of highly polished pieces of petrified wood.
Bidders may preview the sale goods online or at the Concept showroom at 1031 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square. Details: 412-242-9200 or conceptgallery.com
Dargate Auction Galleries
Back with another double shot of auction action, Dargate holds a two-day sale March 5 and 6. The sales leads with 100 to 200 lots of costume jewelry. After that, bidders will vie for everything from antique photos of Native Americans in the Badlands to early Chinese bronze artifacts.
One of the more sought-after groups will be a half-dozen Tiffany Studios lamps, three of which carry pre-sale estimates in the five-figure range. Particularly striking is a three-light model with a leaded-glass “pomegranate” shade. Standing 22 inches tall on a bronze base, the lamp and its shade bear the Tiffany Studios mark.
Noted for his stunning photogravure images of Native Americans, Edward Sheriff Curtis captured the image and spirit of Chief Red Hawk atop his horse as it drinks from a pond in the Badlands. Curtis took the photo and others with the help of a grant from industrialist J.P. Morgan in an attempt to document Native Americans and their customs before they disappeared. Over the course of two decades, Curtis took more than 40,000 photos of Native Americans belonging to more than 80 tribes.
A large selection of Asian goods, including a Hindu temple carving, should attract strong bidding from the Far East. Rounding out the sale are selections of ceramics and porcelain, furniture representing various periods and styles, fine art, model trains, crystal and art glass and movie posters.
Previews are from noon to 8 p.m. March 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 4. Goods may also be viewed online. The sale starts at 10 a.m. March 5 and noon March 6 at the Dargate showroom, 326 Munson Ave., McKees Rocks. Details: 412-771-8700 or dargate.com
Smith's Antique and Auction Service
Jerry Smith ends the month with a two-day coin and antiques auction Feb. 27 and 28. Leading the way on Feb. 27 is Smith's coin and currency sale, in which a rare 1862 U.S. $1 bill, the first printed on paper, may fetch a Benjamin or two. This sale will have a significant selection on ancient coins, some dating to 336 B.C. Of course, there will be plenty of American dimes, half-dimes, quarters, half-dollars and dollars, with a mix of silver and gold. Overall, the 300 lots include coins designed by Christian Gobrecht, 3-cent coins and many Morgan Peace dollars.
On Feb 28, the focus turns to antiques with more than 400 items in the auction. Shutterbugs will watch what develops as a large collection of cameras and accessories goes on sale. Because of the sizeable amount of gear up for grabs, many pieces will be sold in group lots. Also worth noting are more than 100 pieces of fine goods, diamond, precious stone and other types of jewelry. A selection of more than 500 45-rpm records from the 1950s and '60's, including singles from Elvis and the Beatles, will keep your toes tapping.
Previews start at 9 a.m. before the 11 a.m. Feb. 27 sale, and at 11 a.m. before the noon Feb. 28 auction — all at 113 Firehall Road, Leechburg. Details: 724-845-7162 or smithauctionsvc.com
BHD Auctions
Coming off one of his top three Internet sales, BHD owner Brian Detch offers another “sweet sale” of goods that mostly hail from a Fox Chapel estate of “old money.”
Some of the merchandise shows its age and wears it well. For instance, a book containing George Washington's farewell address to the citizens of America is reportedly a first-run edition from 1810.
Much of the furniture in the sale runs the gamut in styles and age from the late 1800s to the mid-20 th century. A nicely painted dovetail blanket chest first went on sale in the 1940s. However, several chests of drawers are from earlier eras and display unusually intricate carving and “flamed” wood patterns.
Among the items in the “unusual” category are many pieces of figural cast-iron, such as a dragon-shaped covered roasting pan with holes in the nose so steam can escape. Also, a 27-inch-tall child's miniature upright piano
A large group of sterling-silver pieces features the names of Tiffany, Gorham, Rogers and Reed & Barton and includes serving trays, coffee urns and flatware sets.
The sale continues until Feb. 25. Details: 724-816-0683 or bhdauctions.net
John Altdorfer is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
