Weschlers Fine Furniture and Decorations Sale October 11, 2008

Yesterday was as beautiful a day as we can ask for here in DC. There was nary a cloud in the brightest blue sky. After a week of turmoil in the financial markets and meetings here in town of money minister potentates, I thought Weschler's big fall auction would tell me a great deal about our state of well being.

Auctions are by their very being,for us amateur economists, our closest venue to how the marketplace is behaving. It is the true place to see what is worth what. What is being sold? What is wanted? Does anyone have the cash to buy it? Is it the time to buy or is it the time to sell? My thoughts on yesterday are these.

The house was empty. When I arrived there were perhaps thirty people in the room. This struck me immediately as I have been there many times before with a much larger crowd. The lots being offered at the time were mostly Meissen porcelain and I watched the sales. 90% of the buyers were online and bidding through the internet. Without the internet I don't think anything would have sold. I'll admit my disinterest at this point as porcelain just isn't my bag. Luckily there was plenty of time before the pieces I wanted to see came to auction so it was off to the new McD's next door for a quick lunch.

Upon my return there might have been a few newcomers but nothing to talk about and there were some great items about to be sold. Bottom line, the buyers were not there, they weren't on the phone, they weren't online, they weren't in the room. I'd have to guess that 30% of the lots did not meet their minimums. I watched great deal after great deal go unanswered. I saw some great pieces fall into lucky hands.

I have listed below what happened to the pieces I was particularly interested in. The market was flat if not depressed. Thank God I had a sunny afternoon to walk away in. Like I said last night, if you had $10,000.00 to spend, you would have walked away with at least $40,000.00 in valuable goods. I don't know what this says about our day to day lives in the coming months, but it made me pause.



Tiffany & Co. Sterling Chocolate Pot
New York, 1907-1938
Having a fluted, urn-form body with beaded swags and oak leaf panels enclosing an engraved conjoined script monogram. Impressed with factory mark and 19131.
Height: 10-1/2 in (26.7 cm)
Gross weight: 26.2 oz
Estimate $1,000-1,500
LOST THE LOT NUMBER, SO I DON'T KNOW??


Lot 236
Set of Four Gorham Silver Plate Column-Form Candlesticks
Providence, Dated 1902
Each with a removable beaded-edge bobéche. Each impressed with factory mark, date cipher and 0135.
Height: 8-1/4 in (21 cm)
Estimate $400-600
SOLD FOR $500


Lot 342
Charles X Tôle-Peinte Tea Urn
Second Quarter 19th Century
Gilt decorated with an acorn and leaf banding on a black ground above a flower filled basket raised on cabriole legs ending in ball feet. Some wear and blistering to paint.
Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
Estimate $400-600
SOLD FOR $250.00


Lot 369
Biedermeier Walnut Writing Table and Side Chair
Circa 1820-1830
The writing table having a green baize inset panel over a frieze drawer; the side chair having an olive green, black and white floral needlepoint upholstered seat. Each with some repairs to veneer; top of desk with plugged holes.
Height of desk: 30-1/2 in (77.5 cm); Width: 39-1/4 in (99.7 cm); Depth: 25-3/4 in (65.4 cm)
Estimate $500-700
$600.00 - THAT WAS A DEAL!


Lot 374
Regence Style Walnut Banquette
Circa 1900
With brown and white honeycomb printed upholstery.
Height: 20 in (50.8 cm); Width: 43 in (109.2 cm); Depth: 17-1/4 in (43.8 cm)
Estimate $1,000-1,500
SOLD FOR $900.00


Lot 377
Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Parquetry Tulipwood and Kingwood Bureau Plat
20th Century
The top having a silver-tooled tan leather inset writing surface above a frieze, the opposing side with false drawers. Scattered losses and blistering to veneer.
Height: 32-1/2 in (82.6 cm); Width: 71-1/2 in (181.6 cm); Depth: 37 in (94 cm)
Estimate $1,500-2,500
SOLD FOR $1000.00 A NICE BUY.


Lot 383
Pair of Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mounted Mottled Black Marble Pedestals
Circa 1900
Height: 44 in (111.8 cm); Diameter of top: 11 in (27.9 cm)
Estimate $1,000-1,500
SOLD FOR $750.00. IF YOU COULD USE THEM, A GREAT DEAL.


Lot 399
Charles X Brass Mounted Tulipwood Lit d' Alcove
Circa 1820
Each lacking one brass rosette to the end posts.
Height: 37-1/2 in (95.3 cm); Length: 73-3/8 in (186.4 cm); Depth: 42-1/2 in (108 cm)
Estimate $1,000-1,500
DID NOT SELL


Lot 456
Group of Four Meissen Reticulated Dessert Plates
Circa 1756-1780
Each having a latticework border with three floral decorated cartouches centering a lattice and basketweave molded center polychrome decorated with various floral sprays. Each with underglaze blue crossed swords mark, one above a puce painted line; each with various impressed and incised marks.
Diameter: 9 in (22.9 cm)
Estimate $800-1,200
SOLD FOR $850.00 - FAIR



Lot 493
William & Mary Satinwood Inlaid and Oyster Veneered Walnut Chest of Drawers
Late 17th Century
Some losses and repairs to inlay; top cracked with some restorations to veneer; brasses probably replaced.
Height: 32-1/2 in (82.6 cm); Width: 37-1/2 in (95.3 cm); Depth: 23 in (58.4 cm)
Estimate $7,000-10,000
DID NOT SELL - THAT WAS MY FAVORITE PIECE


Lot 502
George III Mahogany Barber's Chair
19th Century
Lacking adjustable headrest.

Estimate $500-700
DID NOT SELL



Lot 518
George III Mahogany Tray-Top Tea Table
Circa 1770
Some knee returns replaced; three pad feet restored.
Height: 27-1/4 in (69.2 cm); Width: 34 in (86.4 cm);Depth: 20-1/2 in (52.1 cm)
Estimate $2,000-3,000
DID NOT SELL


Lot 534
George III Style Harewood Crossbanded and Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Serpentine Sideboard
Last Quarter 19th Century
Some repairs and losses to inlay; brasses replaced; rear legs probably replaced.
Height: 35-3/4 in (90.8 cm); Width: 76 in (193 cm); Depth: 27-1/4 in (69.2 cm)
Estimate $3,000-5,000
SOLD FOR $2200.00 - A GREAT DEAL!


Lot 539
George III Style Brass Mounted Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet
Last Half 19th Century
In two parts; the removable cornice above a pair of Gothic arch glazed panel doors enclosing a champagne moiré cupboard interior with three shelves; the lower section panel doors opening to view one shelf. Minor imperfections.
Height: 90-1/2 in (229.9 cm); Width: 49-1/4 in (125.1 cm); Depth: 20-1/4 in (51.4 cm)
Estimate $1,500-2,500
SOLD FOR $3000.00 - WORTH IT.



Lot 549
George III Style Mahogany 'Cockpen' Armchair
Late 19th-Early 20th Century
The seat with black leather and brass nail studded upholstery. Repairs to back rest.

Estimate $600-800
SOLD FOR $750.00 - A NICE PIECE, A FAIR PRICE



Lot 552
George III Style Red Japanned and Ebonized Pine Two-Pedestal Desk
Late 19th Century
The removable black lacquer top above three red japanned frieze drawers, over two similarly decorated pedestals each with three graduated drawers. Probably redecorated; distress to back corners of top; scattered wear and losses to decoration.
Height: 29-1/2 in (75 cm); Width: 54 in (137.2 cm); Depth: 27-1/8 in (68.9 cm)
Estimate $2,000-3,000
SOLD FOR $1400.00 - A GOOD DEAL. SOME CONDITION PROBLEMS BUT VERY UNIQUE. A DEAL!


Lot 571
George II-III Mahogany 'Porringer' Top Folding Card Table
Circa 1750-1760
The hinged top opening to view a green baize lined playing surface with four concave money pockets and four candle stands above a secret frieze drawer. Some repairs and cracking to veneered skirt; green baize lining with some staining and wear.
Height: 28-3/4 in (73 cm); Width: 33 in (83.8 cm); Depth: 16 in (40.6 cm)
Estimate $4,000-6,000
SOLD FOR $2600.00 - A GREAT DEAL!!


Lot 658
Federal Style Mahogany Triple Chair-Back Settee
Late 19th Century
Having a curved tablet crest carved with bowknot-tied olive branches above a blue striped upholstery seat flanked by wing-carved arm supports and raised on animal paw outer feet. Restorations.
Height: 33 in (83.8 cm); Length: 71-1/2 in (181.6 cm)
Estimate $1,000-1,500
SOLD FOR $700.00 - A STEAL OF A DEAL!!

Lot 686
Queen Anne Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Highboy
New Hampshire, Circa 1760
Scroll pediment added at a later date; brass finials replaced; inlay possibly of a later date; repairs to front right foot.
Height: 85 in (215.9 cm); Width: 39 in (99.0 cm); Depth: 18-3/4 in (47.6 cm)
Estimate $6,000-8,000
SOLD FOR $3000.00. A TREMENDOUS BUY!!