Our Nice List: 2019 Auction Highlights
2019 flew by in a blur, and another year has come and gone in the blink of an eye. The holidays are the time of year when we all reflect on the ups and downs of the year and take the time to be grateful for what we have – whether that is health, happiness, family, friends, and personal or professional success.
In this feature, we want to show our appreciation for YOU. Thank you to the treasure hunters and dedicated bidders. Also, thank you to those who have trusted us with the sale of your valuables. In our business, it takes three to tango. And our dance continues as long as we have both sellers that list their items with us, and buyers who will find those items a new home (or person) to re-cherish them! Each person and piece has a story, and the story continues once the lot leaves our showroom.
This year’s auctions were full of fun surprises and ranged from our traditional fine art and jewelry categories to more unique ones like The Cedar Point auction. We want to share with you some of the top lots that you sold and bought with us.
But first, a few fun statistics:
You trusted us with the sale of 2,900 items this year!
Of those, we successfully sold 2,855. That's a 98.44% success rate!
Before you peruse the top lots of 2019, always remember that you, too, can request a free valuation for the items you’re ready to let go of as the new year begins. Also, if you’re in the giving spirit - please take a moment to leave us a review on Google!
Top Lots of 2019
A RARE FAMILLE ROSE 'BOY AND CHICKEN' CUP
With Imperial Poem, Qianlong Six-Character Seal Mark and of the Period in Blue Underglaze.
Estimate: $80,000 - 120,000
SOLD: $190,000
Private Sale.
ZDENEK SKLENAR (CZECH, 1910-1986) UNTITLED
Zdenek Sklenar, (Czech, 1910-1986) - Untitled, 1946. Oil on linen.
Estimate: $20,000 - $40,000
SOLD: $120,000
AN AMERICAN LAFRANCE STEAM FIRE ENGINE
Horse drawn steam pumping engine, was the 496th such engine built by the LaFrance Company.
Estimate: $150,000 - $250,000
SOLD: $120,000
AUTOMATIC WONDER STEINLE'S SANDUSKY CLOCK
An Automatic Wonder Steinle's Sandusky Clock, completed ca 1897, by the inventor and builder Frank Steinle (1834-1914)
Having over forty animated figures depicting Angles, George Washington, Christ and the 12 Apostles and various other figures. Together with painted banner of the clock and the exhibition sign.
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
SOLD: $28,000
DUNCAN GRANT, (SCOTTISH, 1885-1978) - NUDE
Duncan Grant, (Scottish, 1885-1978) - Nude
Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
SOLD: $24,000
A GRANDMOTHER'S PREDICTIONS MACHINE
A Coin Operated 'Grandmother's Predictions (Cleveland Grandma)' Arcade Machine by William Gent MFG. Co., Cleveland OH, ca. 1929-1932,
Grandmother's automation head moves left and right, nods and eyes blink. Right hand moves over playing cards, while left hand holds Cedar Point playing cards. Having four original fortune cards, ca. 1944-1970. 25 cents per play. Case is mahogany and pine, with three glass windows. The front window has a reverse decal of 'What does Grandma say? Your answer is here'.
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
SOLD: $21,000
HERMANN DUDLEY MURPHY, (AMERICAN, 1867-1945) - STILL LIFE
Hermann Dudley Murphy, (American, 1867-1945) - Still Life
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
SOLD: $20,000
HAROLD NEWTON, (AMERICAN, 1934-1994) - BEACH SCENE
Harold Newton was a founding member of the Florida Highwaymen a group of African-American landscape artists painting Florida's wetlands and seascapes.
Estimate: $20,000 - $40,000
SOLD: $20,000
ROCK-OLA 1937 WORLD SERIES ARCADE GAME
A Coin Operated Rock-Ola 1937 World Series Baseball Arcade Machine, Model A, serial no. 1254, type S. Not currently in working order, in need of restoration due to not being run since the 1980s.
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
SOLD: $16,000
A HARDWOOD APOTHECARY STORE DISPLAY
An Antique Glass and Hardwood Apothecary Store Display, 20th Century, From Charles E. Trory's Drug Store, Crestline OH 1903-1970. Please note that all the glass display cases and the two cash registers are offered separately.
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
SOLD: $16,000
SIMON WILLARD MAHOGANY TALL CASE CLOCK
An American Mahogany Tall Case Clock by Simon Willard, Late 18th Century.
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
SOLD: $12,000
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS ALHAMBRA NECKLACE
Limited edition 20 motif Alhambra necklace with clovers in alternating lapis-lazuli and yellow gold. Marked on sides of lapis-lazuli clover to left of clasp,18Kts © 4V258-57, V.C.A., Made in France. Hallmarks and French assay mark on clasp.
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
SOLD: $8,000
EMILE GRUPPE, (AMERICAN, 1896-1978) - BEACH SCENE
Emile Gruppe, (American, 1896-1978) - Beach Scene, Oil on Canvas
Estimate: $2,200 - $3,200
SOLD: $6,500
CONSTANTIN KLUGE, BRIDGE OVER THE SEINE IN PARIS
Czech, 1912-2003 - A Bridge over the River Seine in Paris
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
SOLD: $5,500
HELEN FRANKENTHALER, (AMERICAN, 1928-2011) - SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, 2005
Helen Frankenthaler, (American, 1928-2011) - Southern Exposure, 2005
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
SOLD: $5,000
PLATINUM AND DIAMOND RING
Set with one round brilliant cut diamond, approx. 1.01ct., G color and SI-1 clarity. Also set with four round brilliant cut diamond melee, each approx. 0.02pts.
Estimate: $1,800 - $2,000
SOLD: $3,600
North Italian Morion, ca. 1580
Made from one piece. The high ridged skull with integral pear stock. Brim with depressed bordered cabled edge of fine curvature. The skull base with original liner rivets throughout, all by one retaining their brass rosette. The skull and brim etched in redial panels of classical warriors and foliage on stippled ground.
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
SOLD: $3,600
RALPH LAUREN LEATHER TUFTED SLEIGH BED
A Ralph Lauren Clivedon Black Leather Tufted Sleigh Bed, 20th Century, King size.
Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
SOLD: $3,200
GOLD HEAVY CURB LINK NECKLACE
An 18kt. Yellow Gold Heavy Curb Link Necklace.
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
SOLD: $2,800
JOSEPH B. O'SICKEY, (AMERICAN, 1918-2013) - GARDEN VARIATIONS-TRELLIS, SUNFLOWERS, VICTORIAN CHAIR, 1977
Joseph B. O'Sickey, (American, 1918-2013) - Garden Variations-Trellis, Sunflowers, Victorian Chair, 1977,
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
SOLD $2,800
FINE KASHMIR ART SILK RUG
A Fine Kashmir Art Silk Rug, 20th Century.
Estimate: $2,800 - $3,000
SOLD: $2,800
ROCKWELL KENT, (1882-1971) - THE MOUNTAIN CLIMBER
Woodcut, Rockwell Kent, (1882-1971) - The Mountain Climber
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
SOLD: $1,700
YELLOW GOLD SNAKE LINK NECKLACE
An 18kt. Yellow Gold Snake Link Necklace
Estimate: $800 - $1,200
SOLD: $1,700
LARGE HUDSON WELLER POTTERY
A Large Hudson Weller Pottery Vase Painted by Hester Pillsbury, 20th Century
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
SOLD: $1,700
CHINESE SANCAI GLAZE EQUESTRIAN FIGURES
Two Chinese Sancai Glaze Equestrian Figure Roof Tiles mounted as Table Lamps.
Estimate: $800 - $1,200
SOLD: $1,500
WHITE GOLD AND DIAMOND BRACELET
Set with approx. 144 round brilliant cut diamonds, approx. 0.01-0.02pts. Also set with approx. 129 square cut diamonds, approx. 0.06-0.07pts. Diamonds approx. SI-1/SI-2 clarity and G-H color.
Estimate: $800 - $1,200
SOLD: $1,300
We genuinely thank you for your business. Please keep in mind that you can always get a free valuation of any of your treasures by requesting it online, here. Our services also include certified valuations and private art brokerages.
Warmest wishes for a festive holiday season from all of us here at Gray's!
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