Auction Fever!

One of the top auction houses in the United States is a ten minute drive from my home. This is both good and bad. Good as there are always quality antiques available at auction only a ten minute drive from my home. Bad as there are always quality antiques available...need I continue?

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The auction house of Pook and Pook, established in 1984, resides in a historic stone inn not far from Philadelphia. From its inception it has attracted serious collectors, major museums and estate representatives. In 1999, Pook and Pook held the largest on-site single day auction ever conducted in the United States. Henceforth, the distinguished auction house has gone on to repeatedly break sales records and continues to attract consignors of the finest quality of antiques for auction.  Read more on Pook and Pook here.

This recent auction of a large collection of Flow Blue was estimated at $300-$500 with a realized price of $237.00! I am crushed I missed this incredible sale because I love Flow Blue (see my post here) and this was a real steal!

 This lot of 19th c flow blue plates and bowls was estimated at $150-$250 with a realized price of $178.00! You snooze, you lose!  Well, I must have been in hibernation!

On the other hand, this 19th c French giltwood bergere estimated at $800-$1200 sold for $1638.00. Go figure.

This early 20th c French giltwood vitrine realized $1337.00 but was only estimated at $400-$700!  Vitrine's are certainly at a value price as there are several others listed that also sold at very reasonable prices.

 This circa 1800 French toile panel (see more on toile here) was estimated at $150-$200 and realized $237.00

This horse head trade sign realized $385.00- close to the estimated $200-$400.

This French provincial pine cupboard was estimated at $400-$700 and sold at $273.00!

Do you remember Joni's post here on the divine Carol Glasser including her incredible pine dresser?  The cupboard sold at auction isn't quite the same but would go far in achieving a similar effect.

This pair of darling French 20th c cane seat chairs estimated at $100-$200 realized $119.00.

This pair with no estimate also sold at $119.00.

 A very charming pair of late 19th c French terracotta figural table lamps estimated at $300-$500 sold at $668.00.

 Four beautiful marble and alabaster lamps estimated at $200-$400 realized $213.00. The quality today is just not comparable.

A painted metal figure of a woman and child atop a tole decorated pedestal. It sold along with a three-piece marble pedestal and realized $59.00 with a pre-auction estimate of $200-$300.




Some of these prices are 2011 and 2012 but obviously many bargains can still be found at auction.   Here are a few of the items I am interested in that are coming up for auction soon.

 19th c pewter trays estimated at $200-$400

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INSPIRATION-
 I adore this kitchen and have been on the hunt for pewter plates ever since I first saw this arrangement !

19th c classical carved and painted column with an estimate of $100-$200

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Jardiniere used as a table base. The column is similar- I would love to try this.

French Victorian iron table with marble top, estimate $200-$400

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Designed by Marjorie Wollan  

19th c Staffordshire transferware estimated at $100-$200

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London home of Malcom Kutner

Two olive demijohns estimated at $200-$400

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 Designer Elizabeth Tyler-Kennedy

French tabletop globe by J. Lebegue & Cie, estimate $150-$250

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 Joni's globe collection

19th c French bee skep estimated at $200-$400

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This beautiful image from Trouvais features a bee skep.

20th c leather club chairs, estimate $50-$100

These would be perfect in my library in the making- although they are a bit bulky, I love the patina on the leather.

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 Giannetti Home

A 19th c Chinese garden stool, estimate $200-$400

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Design by J. Tribble 

Well, at this auction I will be found front and center. With any luck, everyone else will be home snoozing.




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Swimming Towards Warmer Weather!

Because I love the sea so much, I usually have a few shells and coral sitting around in every room. I found this wooden fish at a local shop and because he went so well with the coral, it is now his new home!

Home Goods has a lot of ocean related decor right now. I know some of it is kind of kitschy but I mix it in with a few genuine shells and coral and it doesn't look bad. Every year I try to buy one genuine shell which breaks my rule of waiting until I can afford to buy what I really want. But the fake shells are inexpensive and fill in the gaps. Every once in a while it is okay to break the rules!

Shells and coral feel less seasonal when mixed in with some antique German pewter and Flow Blue. I have a small collection of pewter that I add to from time to time.

The bookcase was an ugly pine which I painted and put new knobs on. The blue lamp is one of a pair I found at Home Goods.  I made a beeline for them when the color beckoned but I am really not a blue girl!  Yet, I have been adding in bits and pieces of it and I am finally beginning to redefine my design style. I have been floundering (no pun intended) for some time as I felt I could not clearly express my taste. I will share more about that when I have my thoughts together about living in design limbo! 

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Going With The Flow Blue

I am a huge admirer of flow blue china. While I like all blue and white porcelain, the effect of the flowing, softened blue is my favorite. I only have a few pieces in my home but would love to add to my would be collection.  One thing I try to be aware of with collecting is the dreaded "granny" look.   Both of my grandmothers had various extensive collections scattered throughout their homes including porcelain. Thus, my impression of any collection beyond three objects is inadvertently linked to my recollection (no pun intended) of the granny look.

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Flow blue originated in Staffordshire, England around 1825. Flow blue's characteristic depth of color is a result of reaction to chlorinated vapors in the kiln causing the cobalt color to spread and blur.  Today, one way of valuing flow blue is determined by the depth and spread of the color. Serious collectors pursue particular patterns and manufacturers.  My budget does not allow for that kind of selectivity; I don't even mind a few chips as long as they are not prominent.

Flow blue is utterly enchanting when used in traditional design such as a display of plates on a wall or arranged in a hutch. This collection belonging to blogger Pamela Gordon was passed down through several generations and she recalls her mother using it daily.

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Even though flow blue is considered a valuable collectable, I especially love when it someone actually uses their flow blue in addition to merely displaying it.  

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This striking black kitchen designed by Friederike Kemp Biggs and photographed by Derry Moore for Architectural Digest features flow blue among other blue and white porcelain.  Many collectors mix blue and whites.

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The charm of flow blue for me lies in its blurred, almost smudged appearance.  It is not so formal as some of the other blue and whites and I can readily imagine it gracing a rustic antique farm or zinc topped table. Here is how I would love to use a collection of flow blue and I would use it!

 

 

 Dinner is Served!