Pook & Pook Inc., Auctioneers and Appraisers, is kicking off spring with a three-auction run beginning on Saturday, March 28, with their biannual International Auction. The auction features the European pewter collection of Allan Fogel, a selection of European antiques, and hundreds of Asian objects.
Over 150 pieces of European pewter will get the International Auction started. Pewter was wildly popular in Europe starting around the Middle Ages and remained so until it was replaced by porcelain. While no longer popular as a vessel for food, pewter continues to retain a unique decorative quality that appeals to both collectors and designers alike. All of the European pewter offered on March 28 is from the collection of Allan Fogel of Silver Spring, Md. The acquisition of two 19th-century pewter mugs began Fogel's collection over 40 years ago. His association with the British Pewter Society coupled with his research, provided the foundation for his early collection of British pewter, which has been on loan to the London Towne Publik House in Edgewater, Md., since 1978. While British pewter is simple and understated, it was the enchanting European variety that created the impetus for his expansion into European pewter. On the antique show circuit from 1982 onwards, his expertise in European pewter allowed him to carve out a niche market as America's specialist in European pewter. After identifying the makers and locations of his acquisitions, he wrote letters to European museums to fill in the gaps of his pewter knowledge. Fogel devoted years to researching, identifying, and documenting hundreds of European pewter items that were previously unidentified.
After decades of hunting, collecting, and dealing, Fogel has decided to part with the most significant items of his personal collection. The collection includes examples from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, and England. A German Gothic pewter libation cup, circa 1450, boasts zoomorphic embellishments surrounding the base (est. $3,000-$4,000). An important three-piece Royal Hapsburg presentation set, dated 1893, is also crossing the block. The set includes a faience pitcher used by Empress Elizabeth of Austria during the Maundy Thursday Ceremony of 1893 and two pewter beakers (est. $6,000-$9,000). A large Austrian Baker's Guild pewter flagon from the 18th century supported by winged stallion feet is expected to bring $8,000-$12,000. The highlight of the sale is excepted to be the rare Austrian pewter Masonic Guild flagon, circa 1595, inscribed in German, "We build our homes on Earth, yet we are only guests. When we are finished here, we will move to Heaven" (est. $20,000-$30,000).
Following the pewter is an excellent selection of European furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories. This segment of the sale begins with a portrait by French artist Louis Valtat titled "Femme au Châse" (est. $10,000-$15,000). Valtat was a prolific artist during the first half of the 1900s. He was associated with the early 20th century group of artists known as Les Fauves (the wild beasts), so named for their wild use of color. Several other French artists’ works will be sold, including paintings by Maurice Martin (1894-1978), Theodore Alexander Weber (German/French 1838-1907), George Henry Bogert (French/American 1864-1944), Alfred Arthur Brunel de Neuville (French 1851-1941), Frits Thaulow (Norweigian/French/Dutch 1847-1906), and Ludwig Knaus (French/German). A number of bronze sculptures offered include an incredible piece by Christophe Fratin (French 1921-2010) of a young boy playing with his dog. French decorative accessories crossing the block include a firefender, clocks, porcelain plates, urns and vases, a letter holder, a dresser box, a mirror, lamps, and more. A selection of furniture from France will be sold, including a fauteuil, a chiffonnier, a marble pedestal, a dressing table, and ferniers.
English material will follow, including more furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories. The furniture crossing the block includes chests of drawers, a breakfront, a spice chest, armchairs, dining chairs, desks, tall case clocks, a tea table, a candlestand, card tables, cupboards, a barrel organ, and more. A George III mahogany marble top pier table, circa 1760, is expected to sell for $2,000-$4,000. An Adams painted satinwood games table, circa 1800, should bring $2,000-$4,000. One of the highlights from the United Kingdom is a miniature Scottish tall case clock signed Tanish Grieff (est. $20,000-$30,000). A George I burl veneer and marquetry inlaid tall case clock, circa 1700, is sure to strike the fancy of more than one bidder, with its case adorned with ebony panels decorated with elaborate floral inlay (est. $8,000-$12,000).
Decorative accessories scheduled to be sold include porcelain urns, an embroidery, tapestries, a firefender, tea caddies, figural groups, candle sticks, porcelain, and silver. An English nine carat gold-mounted dresser set, 1919, including 22 pieces, is anticipated to sell for $2,000-$4,000. A silver sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon, 1907, is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000.
Quite a few English artists adorn the walls of the gallery at Pook & Pook these days, including a pair of oil-on-panel portraits of women by Lady Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema (British 1852-1909). Her art was mainly influenced by 17th century Dutch art. Classical scenes such as these were rare for the artist. Other English artists include C. Weston (British) and John Charles Maggs (British 1819-96).
One of the expected highlights of the European material in the sale is a German organ clock by A. Pfaff. The clock includes five musician automatons above the dial. The Pfaff family was well-known in Germany and in Philadelphia for their excellent musical instruments. A Criterion mahogany disc music box and stand with elaborate carvings and 74 discs is expected to fetch $3,000-$4,000.
Other decorative accessories and furniture from across the pond will include silver, bronze, a cigar cutter, glass, a dresser box, porcelain, cupboards, cabinets, tables, tall case clocks, chests, chairs, a settee, landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, carpets, religious carvings, and Anglo-Indian carved padouk furniture. The continental portion of the auction ends with a selection of jewelry followed by a group of paperweights.
Over 200 lots of Asian art and objects will finish the auction. The Asian material starts with an elaborately carved prunus decorated Chinese Zitan throne chair with cloisonné panels depicting a house nestled in the mountains with figures going about daily activities. This piece from the late Qing dynasty is estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Hundreds of pieces of Chinese porcelain will be sold, including Fitzhugh, famille rose, famille verte, Imari, Wucai, rose medallion, rose canton, Nanking, Mandarin palette, export porcelain, and more. Other accessories will include a table screen, a carved soapstone censer, vases, carvings, a silk robe, scrolls, and snuff bottles. A large Chinese spinach jade disc decorated in relief with a dragon on one side and an incised phoenix on the other is anticipated to sell for $800-$1,200. Of particular interest is a Chinese silver and enamel Order of the Golden Grain breast star, 2nd class (est. $1,000-$2,000). A large Chinese cloisonné and carved hardstone potted tree is estimated to bring $1,000-$1,500. Asian furniture crossing the block will include painting tables, an armchair, a console table, a center table, an altar table, stands, a desk, cabinets, and carvings of religious figures.
The online preview is available at www.pookandpook.com. Online bidding for this auction is available through Bidsquare at www.bidsquare.com. The gallery exhibition for this auction begins on Saturday, March 21, at noon.
For more information, call 610-269-4040.