Records in Sotheby's Americana Week
Sotheby's establishes a new trend for Americana, achieving the highest results for this category since 2007
Americana is at its best. As surprising as it ay seem, antique works with US stamp manufacture are registering records not only for their field but for any category. In total, 17,900,261 dollars, the highest total for this series of annual sales in five years. Without doubt, the Friday and Saturday sales were the ones to drive up results, establishing distinguished hammer prices for several lots.
Specially significant was the hammer price for the unknown and undocumented High Chest of Drawers with Open Talons made by John Townsend in 1756. With a low estimate of two million dollars, the piece by the famed cabinet maker conquered the heart of bidders, who finally elevated its price to 3.554.500 dollars. The piece of furniture has become the most expensive high chest of drawers.
The second hammer price of the week was for the Gold-inlaid and deep relief pocket revolver, model 1849, Sammuel Colt, Hartford, Connecticut, Circa 1853. With an estimate of 800.000 dollars, the piece was auctioned off for 1.142.500 dollars, becoming the most valued fire arm in the market. The Sunday sale, centered on American Schoolgirls embroideries, the Betty Ring collection, added up to a total of 4.389.503 dollars, farly excedding its high estimate of 3.4 million dollars.
Meanwhile American painting again received a strong push with the sale of the portrait Young girl in red with green slippers, dog and bird by Amma Phillips. It is one of only 11 works in red by the artist and almost doubled its starting price selling for 806.500 dollars.
Meanwhile the first sale of the week saw the resurgence of silverin teh new world. Highlights included an exceptional group of 17th, 18th and 19th century pieces from the First Parish Church in Dochester, Massachusetts. The group made 1.721.313 dollars. The Massachusets church will use the funds to update its mission in community. Not only renovating ts building, but becoming a resource and active center of this locality. Alfonso Carbajo Agrasar
Ammi Phillips. Portrait of a Winsome Young Girl in Red with Green Slippers, Dog and Bird, circa 1840 (est. $300/500,000). Hammer Price: $ 806.500 Sotheby's.