Fontaine’s Auction Gallery Will Present Important Lighting & Fine Art Offerings Sept. 27-28
Fontaine’s two-day sale (Sept. 27–28) spotlights an early Remington “Broncho Buster” cast and 150+ Tiffany Studios masterworks, alongside art glass, windows, fine art, jewelry, furniture, and clocks.
PITTSFIELD, MASS. — Fontaine’s will present an important two-day fine and decorative arts auction September 27-28 to include over 1,000 lots of 19th/20th century lighting, Tiffany lamps, art glass, leaded glass windows, fine silver, porcelain, marble and bronze statuary, Asian items, paintings, American and European furniture, clocks, and jewelry. This auction will feature a rare sculpture by Frederic Remington titled “The Broncho Buster,” which is from the first group of castings done through the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. Highlighting the sale will be over 150 Tiffany Studios items, including fine examples of the Peony, Bamboo, Poppy, Dragonfly, and Apple Blossom. Preview by appointment only on September 25-26. Available bidding methods are internet, phone, and absentee.
While there are plenty of appealing pieces in this auction, many eyes, especially those of fine art and Western art collectors, will take notice of a rare sculpture with a big history. Lot 65 is a bronze casting of Remington’s most famous work, “The Broncho Buster,” estimated at $300,000 to $500,000. Standing 24 inches tall, the circa 1899 sculpture is inscribed “Frederic Remington” and “Cast by the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. Founders N.Y. 1899” on the base and marked “Copyrighted by Frederic Remington 1895”; as well as numbered “58” (underneath the base).
“Remington’s ‘Broncho Buster’ bronze of a cowboy is famous and notable as it was not only his first sculpture but also the first time a cowboy and the horse had been cast in bronze,” said auctioneer and owner John Fontaine. “The motif is synonymous with the American West.” This example is numbered 58/64, and Remington authorized Bonnard casts from 1895 to 1900, so this grouping was a very limited edition, and its castings are prized for a high level of detailing. After this run, Remington worked with Roman Bronze Works in 1901, producing about 90 lifetime casts and 340-some authorized casts.
Another lot expected to be a top performer is a Tiffany Studios “Morning” window designed by Elihu Vedder ($200,000-$300,000). The circa 1888 window features leaded glass, hand-faceted glass jewels, drapery glass, mottled glass, and glass roundels. It measures 10 feet by 6 feet. Vedder was a key artisan for Tiffany Studios in several decorative art enterprises before leaving in 1886 to start his own studio. Designed circa 1882-83, this window was likely one of his final designs for Tiffany.
A parade of fine Tiffany Studios lamps will cross the block, led by a “Bamboo” floor lamp ($150,000-$200,000), circa 1910, with a “Bamboo” base and finial, standing 66 1/2 inches tall. The shade is impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 150,9” and the base is impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 10938.” In recent years, Fontaine’s has sourced several sublime examples of “Peony” table lamps created at the apex of Tiffany’s success. This sale features a circa 1903 example, estimated at $125,000-$175,000. Its 22-inch diameter shade retains a small and early tag reading “Tiffany Studios, New York” and the base is impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 28620” along with the Tiffany Glass & Decorating Co. monogram.
Other Tiffany Studios standouts include a circa 1910 “Drophead Dragonfly” floor lamp with a later base and heat cap, standing 67 ¾ inches tall, and an early and rare “Poppy” table lamp, circa 1898, having a rare decorative rim collar depicting poppy buds, outfitted with a 16 1/2-inch diameter shade. Each lamp is estimated at $100,000-$150,000.
Stunning large gemstones will highlight the jewelry category, including a platinum, diamond, sapphire, and Ceylon star sapphire Art Deco brooch/pendant on a 14K white gold chain centered with a 48.27-carat Ceylon star sapphire cabochon, accented with over two carats of step-cut square blue sapphires and diamonds. Another eye-catching piece is an 18K yellow gold, platinum, and 3.04-carat diamond ring, size 6 1/2. Each is estimated at $30,000-$50,000.
A pair of signed and framed oils on canvas by Susette Keast (American, 1892-1932) of Gloucester Harbor is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000 each. The paintings measure 34 by 36 inches (sight).
Rounding out the auction will be a Gothic Revival 14K gold chalice and paten from the 20th century ($40,000-$60,000). The chalice has a precious stone-embellished cross and is inscribed “Calicem Salutaris Accipiam,” while the paten depicts a scene of Jesus and the Apostles.
Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors, and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 30,000 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public. Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, to include furniture, lighting, art glass, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming, and carousel items.
The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment. Call 413-448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or email Mr. Fontaine at info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20), Pittsfield, Mass. For more information, visit www.FontainesAuction.com or call 413-448-8922.