PITTSFIELD, MASS. — Fontaine’s Auction Gallery will present a major two-day auction on September 24-25, offering over 800 lots, each session starting at 11 am. This auction will include the collection of Howard and Arlene Lubkin of Rye Brook, N.Y., and Tiffany Studios lighting from private collections as well as several important estates. Bidding is available via online, phone and absentee. 

The first day will include early 20th century lighting, art glass, leaded glass windows, fine silver, and porcelain. Part two will include marble and bronze statuary, paintings, American and European furniture, jewelry, and 19th century American and European lighting. 

Not surprisingly, Tiffany Studios will be prominently featured with over 80 examples crossing the block in Saturday’s session. Ranging from chandeliers and table lamps to sconces and floor lamps, the grouping is led by a highly sought after “Peony Border” chandelier ($80/120,000), circa 1910, 24-inch diameter, which hails from a private collection in Chicago; a “Poppy” table lamp from a Florida estate ($70/90,000), circa 1905, with vibrant red poppies surrounded by blue and yellow background glass, 22 ½ inches high. 

Not one but two fine examples of “Dragonfly” table lamps will be on offer. First up is one estimated at $50/75,000, having yellow and amber toned leaded glass with a “Pepper” base, standing 19 ½ inches tall, followed by one having sky blue and spring green leaded glass ($40/60,000), 21½ inches tall. 

Also highlighting the Tiffany offerings is a circa 1910 pair of Tiffany Studios leaded glass windows in the Gothic Revival style ($40/60,000). Each ached-form window, framed in oak, measures 73 by 30 inches and is decorated with leaves and grape clusters. 

In addition to a strong selection of Tiffany lamps, other renowned makers are well represented, including an early 20th century Handel “Poppy” table lamp ($20/30,000), standing 23 inches tall with an 18-inch diameter shade; and an early 20th century Gorham Mfg. Co. leaded glass and overlay table lamp with silvered bronze ($10/15,000), 23 ¼ inches tall. 

Also crossing the block will be an American three-panel leaded glass window of the three theological virtues, depicting three women as faith, hope and charity ($15/25,000); the middle panel frame measures 108 ½ inches tall and the side window frames are 98 ½ inches tall. 

Shining standouts among silver offerings will be a Victorian silver tray, John Hunt & Robert Roskell, London ($8/12,000), circa 1881, set on four claw feet with animal heads having berry cluster below, approximately 144.37 troy ounces; and a 19th century Continental repoussé silver wine cooler ($7/9,000), having mermaid and serpentine handles. 

The second session kicks off with a curated and select grouping of fine art, including paintings and bronze sculptures, led by an Ernst Karl Eugen Koerner (German, 1846-1927) oil on canvas, “Sunset Cityscape of Iraq” ($10/15,000), signed and dated 1907, and a Joseph Gustave Cheret (French, 1838-1894) bronze grouping of children frolicking ($8/12,000), measuring 27 by 36 by 14 inches. 

Leading jewelry offerings is this platinum bracelet with over 45 carats of diamonds ($60/80,000). 

Another expected standout is an R.J. Horner & Co. oak grandfather clock ($30/50,000) with caryatids and winged griffins, circa 1895, in carved oak with brass and a silvered metal dial marked “Joseph Jennens / Skinner Street / Clerkenwell, London.” The clock stands 103 inches tall. The Horner brand remains desirable and ten separate lots will be on offer in this sale, including an oak 12-piece dining room set with griffins ($12/15,000), two circa 1895 mahogany sofas with griffins ($6/8,000 each) and a circa 1890 partner’s desk in mahogany with winged maidens ($6/8,000). 

American furniture will be well represented. Headlining this grouping is an Eastlake walnut four-piece bedroom set ($16/22,000), circa 1880, comprising a two-door armoire, bed, marble-top dresser and marble-top commode. Each piece has beveled glass mirrors and is elaborately carved with filigree, scrollwork, flowers and seashells.  

Standout lighting fixtures include several fine French examples: a pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne bronze and marble eight-light candelabra ($5/7,500) in patinated and gilt bronze with rouge marble, each marked “F. Barbedienne, Fondeur,” 34 ½ inches tall, and a French Louis XV-style bronze six-light figural chandelier ($5/7,500), late 19th century, 35 by 34 inches. The latter is decorated with three patinated bronze cherubs holding two gilt bronze arms with glass shades and the top with three maiden heads. 

Rounding out the final session are a monumental pair of Venetian carved and painted Blackamoor figures ($8/12,000), late 19th century and classically draped, 8-½ inches tall, and a lot of two Ansonia Brass & Copper Co. Aesthetic Movement plant stands with Longwy tiles ($4,5/6,500). 

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 27,500 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public. 

Consignments are currently being accepted for the winter and spring auctions. Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, to include furniture, lighting, art glass, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming and carousel items. 

The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment. Call (413) 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can send Mr. Fontaine an email to info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently. 

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is located at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20), Pittsfield, Mass. For more information, visit www.FontainesAuction.com or call 413-448-8922.