A rare 19th century Chinese gilt bronze with enamel automaton clock boasting elaborate jewel work sailed past its pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$30,000 to finish at $526,750 in a two-day, two-session auction held May 17 and 18, by S & S Auction Inc. in the firm's gallery in Repaupo, N.J. The clock was the top lot in a sale that grossed just over $1.1 million.
"The owner of the clock said before the auction he'd be happy if he got $30,000 for it, so it's safe to say he was pleased with the outcome," said Glenn Sweeney of S & S Auction Inc. "I took this as a positive sign that fine examples of antiques can still bring high prices in a changing market."
The clock, standing 33-inches tall and 15.25-inches wide, featured a mechanical spinning dial on the top, spinning trees and simulated waterfalls. It was originally made for the Chinese Imperial market. The buyer was a collector who asked to not be identified and said he plans to install the clock in a planned clock museum that's not yet built, after he gives it a good cleaning and adjustment.
The cataloged auction featured 320 lots of antiques and decorative arts on day one and 219 lots of 20th century modern and design (2,500 uncataloged lots also came up for bid) on day two. About 250 people attended the auction in person, while over 700 others participated online, through LiveAuctioneers.com. Hundreds of phone and absentee bids were also recorded. All prices quoted include a 22.5 percent buyer's premium.
The Chinese clock was the undisputed star of the first session, but other top lots included a pair of Victorian burl walnut, rosewood and ebonized wood pedestals with porcelain plaques showing handpainted putti, each pedestal 45-inches tall. They sold for $18,375. A pair of 13-inch-tall 18th century Continental bronze mounted vases made of polychrome decorated ceramic sold for $7,962.
Two lots posted identical selling prices of $5,512. One was a pair of neoclassical-style figural bronze and marble tables, each with three 23-inch bronze winged male figures. The tops were 2-inch-thick verdigris marble. The other was a set of five antique Continental oil painting wall panels, both 95 inches tall and having oil-on-canvas works on each panel.
An antique Sevres porcelain console bowl with handpainted flowers and gilt bronze mounts realized $4,594; a signed Tiffany Studios lamp with signed Quezal shades, 16.5-inches tall, in good condition, fetched $3,981; and a Black Forest carved tobacco jar with an anthropomorphic fox realized $2,450.
Rounding out the session was a set of four French Empire-style brass curtain tiebacks mounted with 7-inch brass masks, both 10-by-4-inches and in overall very good condition ($2,695), and a 19th century Edouard Poteau French ormolu mounted credenza with finely cast gilt bronze mounts and repaired marble top, 41-by-72-inches ($3,981).
The top lot of day two was a C. J. Weinstein Art Deco starburst chandelier, silver painted metal with frosted glass spikes, 26-inches in diameter, in good condition, selling for $15,312. Also finishing strong was a Hans Wegner president rosewood tambour door sideboard with metal legs, in good shape except for a few minor veneer chips, which sold for $7,656.
An Art Deco dressing table made from rosewood and ostrich skin, unmarked but attributed to Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, sold for $6,125. A pair of Robsjohn Gibbings upholstered lounge chairs with walnut frames, still with the original finish and exhibiting some light wear, commanded $5,635.
A rare and unusual Arteluce Monza brass pedestal table with a glass top with some pitting on the brass finish and an edge chip on the glass sold for $3,185, and an Aldo Tura lacquered goatskin bar cabinet with brass hardware climbed to $2,450.
For additional information, call 856-467-3778, or visit www.ssauction.com.