Rare Pink Grueby, Copper Works, Stickley & Limbert Furniture Sells at AC Stickley Auction
by Kate Nixon
Saturday’s Arts and Crafts Auction saw the sale of many a sideboard, ceramic vase, prints and paintings; participants were able to bid on works both rare and affordable. Arts and Crafts furniture were represented by several works from Gustav Stickley and JM Young, Lifetime Furniture, Charles Limbert, L & JG Stickley, and the Roycrofters and among the high-selling items: a Gustav Stickley sideboard selling for $4,500 ($4,500-$5,000), a pair of early Stickley armchairs selling for $4,000 ($4,000-$5,000), and a set of four Roycroft dining chairs selling for $5,000 ($5,000-$7,000). In addition, a couple of Limbert Morris chairs sold for $1,800 ($2,000-$3,000) and $2,400 ($2,500-$3,500) respectively, while a Limbert spade cutout table sold for $3,000 ($2,500-$3,500).
For American ceramics, results varied in the sold works from Rookwood to Pewabic to Weller to Grueby, although the latter was well-represented with a rare pink matte Grueby vase as a highlighted item, which sold for $1,700 ($1,500-$2,000) and a Grueby Matte Squat vase sold for $2,400 ($1,800-$2,200). A beautiful blue drip iridescent vase from Pewabic sold at its minimum estimate of $900, while another example of the Pewabic name in the form of a tall silver and metallic blue vase sold for $3,750 selling within estimates of $3,000 to $4,000. A lovely Van Briggle matte blue Dragonfly bowl sold for an affordable price of $375, and the Rookwood name was well represented with lovely examples as a vase from Elizabeth Barrett sold for $800 ($750-$950) and a bold matte blue Rookwood vase sold for the affordable price of $225 ($200-$300). Even Newcomb college was well-represented with a scenic vase from Anna Frances Simpson selling for $4,750 ($5,000-$7,000). In the category of rare pieces, along with the pink Grueby vase, a rare McCoy King tut vase sold for the minimum estimate of $1,200 ($1,200-$1,500). Meanwhile, a high seller of the auction, the always eccentric Martin Brothers name was represented with a tobacco jar that sold within the estimate range at $37,500 ($30,000-$50,000).
For metalwork, a highlight of the auction was the sale of an Albert Berry copper tray, made in Juneau Alaska before Berry traveled to Seattle. With excellent original patina, the tray sold for $5,000, just below the estimate of $6,000-$8,000. A Charles Rohlfs cigar ashtray sold for the minimum of $1,800 ($1,800-$2,200) and a Roycroft hammered copper vase sold for $850, up from the high estimate of $350. An Arts and Crafts Enamel and Hammered Copper box additionally sold for $1,800 ($2,200-$2,800).
Lastly, in Arts and Crafts lighting, the works of Dirk Van Erp, a specialty of the AC Stickley name, sold an early Van Erp lamp for $7,500 ($7,500-$9,500). Other highlights include a beautiful example of a leaded glass lamp with a Handel vase selling for $4,000 ($4,000-$5,000), and a Bradley & Hubbard overlay lamp selling for $1,900 ($900-$1,200).
Additional highlights of the auction include an antique panorama of the Eastern Sierras selling for $1,000 ($750-$950) and an ornamental leather pillow from Elizabeth Burton sold for $1,200 ($1,500-$2,000).
To view the realized prices of all lots in the auction, you can click HERE to see AC Stickley’s own auction page.
How did our picks do? Some sold at their low estimates if not mid-estimate, while some sold below the estimates.
Lot #16: Rare Brush McCoy King Tut Vase
Circa 1923
Unsigned. Perfect condition.
Measures 4″h x 4.5″d.
Estimate: $1,200 – $1,500
Sold for $1,200
Lot #30: JM Young Furniture Co Morris Chair
Circa 1910
Unsigned. Excellent original finish. Very sturdy.
Measures 42″h x 30.25″w x 32″d.
Estimate: $900 – $1,200
Sold for $700
Lot #38: Elizabeth Burton Ornamental Leatherwork Pillow
Circa 1905
Unsigned. Excellent original condition. Burton filed a patent for this process in 1900 and was awarded the patent April 25, 1905.
Measures 22″d.
Estimate: $1,500 – $2,000
Sold for $1,200
Lot #46: Grueby Pottery Matte Pink Vase
Circa 1905
A very crisp example of a very rare color. Signed. Invisible professional restoration to rim chips.
Measures 7.5″h x 4.5″d.
Estimate: $1,500 – $2,000
Sold for $1,700
Lot #70: Gustav Stickley #814 Strap-Hinge Sideboard
Circa 1910
Signed. Excellent original finish. Exquisite example of this classic form.
Measures 66″w x 48″h x 23″d.
Estimate: $4,500 – $5,500
Sold for $4,500
Lot #98: Albert Berry Alaska Artisans Hammered Copper Tray
Circa 1910
Made in Juneau, Alaska before Berry moved to Seattle in 1918. One of the best Albert Berry pieces to come to market in several years. Signed. Excellent original patina.
Measures 9.5″d x 1.75″h.
Estimate: $6,000 – $8,000
Sold for $5,000
Lot #137: Rookwood Jeweled Porcelain Floral Vase from Elizabeth Barrett
1904
Signed. Perfect condition.
Measures 8.25″h x 3.25″d.
Estimate: $750 – $950
Sold for $800
All descriptions and images courtesy of AcStickley.com
Future Arts and Crafts Auctions:
October 15th – Interiors Auction, Toomey & Co Auctioneers
OCTOBER 25th – DECORATIVE ARTS AUCTION, Treadway Gallery
November 12th – Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu, Toomey & Co Auctioneers