Sale Highlights | Locati Auctions’ March Sale

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Ihsan Tunca

Locati Auctions’ March Sale includes property from Philadelphia-area collections and estates. The sale features Asian art, fine art, decorative arts, musical instruments and much more. The auction is now live on iGavel Auctions through March 11. Items are on view on March 9th, from 10AM to 5PM, by appointment at Maple Glen, PA. For more information, Locati Auctions can be reached at 215-619-2873, or at michael@locatiauctions.com

The sale features a lovely 19th Century Pair of Gilt Bronze French Wall Sconces. Each sconce is decorated with a cornucopia figure on the body with four acanthus decorated arms. They were later wired to use with electricity. These sconces are estimated at $2,000-3,000 and available for bidding. Click here to bid

Another highlight from the sale is a Large Bronze Bust c. 1890. The gilt bronze bust was commissioned by Tiffany and Co. and was dubbed “Thersea” by the sculptor, Georges van der Straeten (1856-1941). The bust is estimated at $800-1,600 and available for bidding now. Click here to bid

Another sculpture included in the auction was made by the French artist Jules Moigniez(1835-1894). The piece depicts a turkey and a cockerel fighting over a dish of food on a naturalistic base. It is estimated at $1,500-2,000 and available for bidding now. Click here to bid

Sale Highlights | Locati Auctions’ February Sale

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Ihsan Tunca

iGavel Auctions is proud to present Locati Auctions’ February Sale. The sale offers property from Philadelphia area collections and estates, a Great Neck, NY estate, and more. The sale is now live through February 11 and the items are on view in Locati Auctions’ headquarters in Maple Glens, PA on February 9th, from 10 AM to 5PM, or by appointment. Locati Auctions can be reached at 215-619-2873, or at michael@locatiauctions.com.

Highlights include a Tall Case Clock by Elliot of London. The clock is in good condition with a molded base with a shell carving below the glass door. The face features a hand painted moon phase with two chime tunes, six bells and a calendar function. It is estimated at $3,000-5,000 and it is available for bidding now. Click here to view

Included in the Asian Art category of the sale is this Pair of Ming Dynasty Pottery Vases. Each vase is in hexagonal shape and finished with a turquoise glaze. There are dragon decorations molded on the exterior of the vases. These vases are estimated at $4,000-5,000 and available for bidding now. Click here to view

The sale also features a very unique screen print by recently passed artist Leroy Neiman(1921-2012). A Minnesota native, Neiman focused on impressionist paintings and screen prints in his lifetime. This print, titled “Caspian Tiger”, is a great example of the artist’s style during his career. The print is estimated at $4,000-5,000 and available for bidding now. Click here to view

Design Center | Metal Castings and Cases

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Cary Hooper

This week’s Design Center focuses on a number of metallurgically appealing objects from silver and copper to iridescent glass currently available on iGavel.

1. Evans Sterling Silver Cigarette Box
Starting Bid: $ 25

2. English Sterling Silver Humidor
Starting Bid: $ 25

3. A Latvian Silver and Enameled Cigarette Case
Starting Bid: $ 200

4.Hammered Copper Vase
Starting Bid: $ 25

5. Silverplated Gong with Lion Supports
Starting Bid: $ 50

6. Iridescent Glass Hanging Lamp
Starting Bid: $ 100

Today’s picks were chosen by Rhobin Delacruz, an interior designer based out of New York City. In 2008, DelaCruz founded his namesake company with the goal of providing contemporary design solutions to any space. His artful approach combines the clean comfort of his California upbringing with the urban sensibility of his new home, New York City. Rich textiles combined with vibrant pops of color add visual interest to all of his designs. Click here to visit his website.

Sale Highlights | Locati Auctions December Sale

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Ihsan Tunca

A Chinese Silver, Jade and Ivory Hand Mirror

Locati Auctions December Sale is now live on iGavelAuctions.com through December 10, 2012, offering over 300 items consisting of furniture, paintings, Asian art and more.

Asian art highlights include a Chinese hand mirror decorated with a jade carving on its back, surrounded with several precious stones. The mirror stands on a finely carved ivory handle. It is estimated at $3,000-5,000 and available for bidding now. Click here to view

A Massachusetts Reverse Serpentine Block Front Chest c. 1770

The sale also offers a variety of furniture from several New Jersey and Pennsylvania collectors. Of particular interest is a mahogany block front chest, circa 1770. This chest is estimated at $20,000-30,000 and available for bidding now. Click here to view

Julian Walbridge Rix (American, 1850 – 1903) Oil on Canvas

Among the paintings in the sale is a Julian Walbridge Rix oil on canvas. The painting depicts a landscape illuminated by a setting sun, a common subject matter of this American landscape painter. The painting is presented in a high quality modern gilt frame. The painting is estimated at $3,000 to 4,000 and available for bidding now. Click here to view

Locati Auctions is the Mid-Atlantic consignment center for the New York based on-line auction company iGavelAuctions.com. Their business focuses on marketing a wide range of antiques to a world wide clientele of buyers.

Locati Auctions is located at 1425 E. Welsh Rd. Maple Glen PA 19002.

Locati Auctions invites you to join them for an exhibition in Maple Glen, December 8th, from 10 AM to 5PM, or by appointment. Locati Auctions can be reached at 215-619-2873, or at michael@locatiauctions.com.

Discoveries | An 1864 Letter from General James H. Wilson to General Ulysses S. Grant

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Cary Hooper

Michael Locati with an 1864 Letter from General James H. Wilson to General U.S. Grant

One of the joys of the antiquing business is finding the hidden meaning in the objects we deal with everyday. In many cases, the history and value of items can be difficult to discern: made opaque by years of sequester in homes, collections, even in storage, antiques often lose their history of ownership and become hard to place in the flow of time. Sometimes, though, the importance of items is impossible to miss: on a Saturday Morning during a free appraisal day at Locati Auctions in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, a nice older couple brought a collection of letters that had descended in their family for valuation. Included in their collection were a number of letters to Benjamin Franklin and a letter from General James H. Wilson to General Ulysses S. Grant, two of the most important items sold in Locati Auctions’ October Sale.

The letter, measuring 5 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ and in excellent condition, is a rare piece of American History. Meant to introduce the Captain to the General, it reads:

“War Department, Cavalry Bureau, Washington, D.C. Feb. 6th, 1864, Major Gen. U.S. Grant, _____ Mil. Div.____ . General, allow me to introduce Capt. Price, ordinance officer of this Bureau. He is sent west on duty connected with his office, Will you be good enough to have such facilities as he may need furnished to facilitate the performance of the duty assigned him? Very Respectfully, ___ ___ ____. J. H. Wilson”.

At the back of the letter, Ulysses S. Grant wrote instructions to a subordinate and ended his command with his signature. The lot ultimately sold for $1,800 with buyer’s premium after 7 bids.

Auction Highlights | October 1-9

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ihsan Tunca

Selections from Locati Auctions October Sale and South Bay Auctions ranked the highest in our auction highlights between October 1st through 9th. This period’s top lots include: Sterling silver flatware service for (12), Reed & Barton, Gorham sterling silver flatware set, An 1864 Letter from General James H. Wilson to General U.S. Grant , A Ruby and Gold Parure , 14k gold men’s matching rope necklace and bracelet.

Sterling silver flatware service for (12), Reed & Barton

Description
Sterling silver flatware service for (12), Reed & Barton, with additional pieces, to include: (12) dinner knives; (12) dinner forks; (12) luncheon forks; (12) luncheon knives; (24) teaspoons; (12) soup spoons; (24) dessert forks; (12) seafood forks; (12) butter knives; (2) serving spoons; (2) serving forks; cheese knife; condiment fork; and salt spoon.

Provenance
Estate of Bruce A. Sikora, Lee, MA.

Price Realized
$ 5,530

Gorham sterling silver flatware set

Decription
Gorham sterling silver flatware set to include: (12) dinner knives; (12) dinner forks; (9) dessert forks; (6) tea spoons; (6) soup spoons; (8) butter knives; (2) serving spoons; strainer; (2) ladles; fish server; serving fork; (2) sterling handled cheese knives; sterling handled cake knife; and sterling handled carving fork and knife.

Price Realized
$ 2,298

An 1864 Letter from General James H. Wilson to General U.S. Grant

Description
A letter from General James H. Wilson to General Ulysses S. Grant which reads,”War Department, Cavalry Bureau, Washington, D.C. Feb. 6th, 1864, Major Gen. U.S. Grant, _____ Mil. Div.____ . General, allow me to introduce Capt. Price, ordinance officer of this Bureau. He is sent west on duty connected with his office, Will you be good enough to have such facilities as he may need furnished to facilitate the performance of the duty assigned him? Very Respectfully, ___ ___ ____. J. H. Wilson”. At the back of the letter U.S. Grant wrote instructions to a subordinate, ended with his signature.

Provenance
From a local collection.

Price Realized
$ 1,800

A Ruby and Gold Parure

Description
Set consists of matching yellow gold bracelet, ring and earrings along with a complementing necklace. A)Necklace contains 40 pear and round cut rubies accented with 18 round cut white sapphires, all bezel set stones, supported by a curb link chain spaced with pear shaped openings; B)Bracelet contains 9 pear and round cut bezel set rubies accented with 14 full cut diamonds depicting a heart design, curb link chain; C)Heart shaped earrings each containing one pear cut ruby and 12 full cut diamonds, post backings; D)Heart shaped top containing one pear cut ruby and 12 full cut diamonds.

Provenance
From a Local Estate.

Price Realized
$ 1,200

14k gold men’s matching rope necklace and bracelet

Description
14k gold men’s matching rope necklace and bracelet, each marked ”14k”.

Price Realized
$ 1,177

Other notable lots include:

Large group of sterling silver accessories
1,140

A Pair of 18th Century Portuguese Side Chairs
$ 1,098

A Large Japanese Satsuma Vase, 19th Century
$ 1,080

A Moderne Work, Oil on Artist’s Board
$ 960

A Partial Sterling Flatware Service
$ 900

Daily Image: The Erotic Drawings of Mihaly Zichy

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Pat DePuydt

The Erotic Drawings of Mihaly Zichy

This Week in Auction Highlights | May 7-13

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Cary Hooper

In the wake of our successful Asian, Ancient and Ethnographic Works of Art Auction, Chinese antiquities have continued on the trend of well-exceeding their estimates. Over the past week, iGavel achieved strong sales in our FR3SH category, totaling nearly $110,000 between the week’s top three lots. Among these lots were: Three Chinese Calligraphic Scrolls and a Chinese Painting in a European style, 20th Century; a Chinese Colored Ink on Paper, Forest Landscape, 20th Century; and a Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Maitreya, 19th Century. The lots achieved 63 bids and were extended by half an hour in last-minute bidding.

Three Chinese Calligraphic Scrolls and a Chinese Painting in a European style, 20th Century achieved $47,854.80 with Buyer’s Premium. The lot was originally estimated at $800-1,000, and realized nearly 48 times its high estimate over 12 bids.

A Chinese Colored Ink on Paper, Forest Landscape, 20th Century achieved $46,200 with Buyer’s Premium. There were 26 bids, and the lot achieved over 46 times its high estimate of $700-1000.

A Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Maitreya, 19th Century achieved $15,000 with Buyer’s Premium. The lot recorded 25 bids and sold for 30 times its high estimate of $300-500.

Other highlights include:

Chinese Painting, Inks on Silk, Landscape with Scholar, 20th Century
$11,100

Nine Chinese Coral Carvings, 20th Century
$7,725

Irish 18th C. Chippendale Settee
$6,900

A Nude Sketch, 20th Century
$5,521

Alfred Boucher (1850-1934), Au But, Bronze
$ 5,400