PITTSFIELD, Mass. – An exceptional set of eight multi-layered glass windows, executed by the Tiffany Studios in New York in 1913 and depicting The 8 Beatitudes of Jesus (from Matthew 5: 3-10), sold for $356,950 to take top lot honors at cataloged antique auction held Sept. 10th by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, in the firm’s Pittsfield facility located at 1485 West Housatonic St.

The windows used multiple layered glass, including drapery, enamel decorated and cameo cut glass. Each 48 inch by 24 inch window depicted an angel figure with blue banners and purple cameo cut scripture. Each one was housed its original bronze frame. One was signed in cameo, “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1913,” while one window frame was signed “Tiffany Furnaces.”

The set of windows was the undisputed star in an auction that grossed just under $1.5 million and attracted approximately 2,300 registered bidders; 125 in the gallery, 1,950 registered to bid online, via LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable.com, Ebay Live and Fontaine’s Live (driven through www.FontainesAuction.com). Phone and absentee bidding made up the additional 225 bidders and was brisk throughout the day.

The auction featured 665 lots in a wide range of categories. Offered were antique lamps by top makers such as Tiffany Studios, Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, Pairpoint etc.; clocks and watches, music boxes, period furniture, original paintings, bronze and marble statuary, art glass, jewelry, fine silver, porcelains, gold & diamond jewelry, Asian objects and related accessories.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted are inclusive of the 21 percent buyer’s premium.

The runner-up top lot was a gorgeous Tiffany Studios curtain border floor lamp with a 24-inch domical shade having a geometric staggered brick pattern top section in fiery orange glass with a green diamond pattern below. The lamp was in excellent condition, very clean with nice original patina and no panels at all to the various shade panels. The 88-inch-tall lamp went for $60,500.

A pair of large Chinese teak and porcelain floor screens, having a 31-inch diameter porcelain center panel decorated with a cherry blossom tree, penjing tree, peonies, cranes and flying birds, overall 68 ½ inches tall by 47 inches wide, changed hands for $54,450. The screens displayed Chinese character inscriptions and seal marks on the front and impressed markings on the back.

One of the more unusual (and desirable) items for bid was a complete Flying Eagle and Indian head cent collection, with each coin in uncirculated condition and the entire group housed in an acrylic display. There were 61 coins in all, from 1857 to 1909-S, without the overdate. Included were copper-nickel and bronze coins with each of their variations. The set gaveled for $57,475.

A Seth Thomas No. 12 oak regulator clock with a quality 14-inch signed silver dial and a brass, 8-day weight-driven, time-only movement, housed in a massive 72-inch tall oak case with carved crest and base, chimed on time for $26,620. A pair of carved figural marble sphinxes, 34 inches tall, with large maiden’s heads and busts and a seated lion with large claw feet, made $18,755.

A star of the furniture category was a walnut extra grade Wooten desk, carved in the Renaissance Revival style, with a fancy carved gallery and large burled panels. The desk, in nice refinished condition, brought $16,335. Also, an oak dining table attributed to R. J. Horner, having a 60-inch diameter top with swirling filigree carved border, drop apron and 8 skirted leaves hit $11,495.

An 18-inch Handel Floral Poppy table lamp having a signed and numbered conical shade with a scalloped lower rim, reverse painted with vibrant clusters of red and orange poppy flowers with black enamel centers, fetched $21,780. Also, a mahogany R. J. Horner 9-tube grandfather clock with a dial signed Tiffany and a painted disk on the back signed “Walter H. Durfee, hit $18,150.

A bronze animated European locomotive industrial clock with a case in the form of a steam locomotive on a marble base with gilt rails, a thermometer, compass and aneroid barometer, made $22,990; while a French industrial mystery swinger clock in the form of a hot air balloon, with a man in a wicker basket retrieving an anchor acting as a pendulum bob, rose to $14,520.

A Robert Houdin (Paris) glass dial mystery clock with signed brass hairspring movement and a front-mounted escapement that engaged a large crown wheel which rotated a series of rods and gears, realized $20,570. Also, a 3-piece French bronze clock set with a 4-inch brass champlevé dial and a brass 8-day spring-driven movement signed “Japy Freres,” topped out at $14,520.

Other lots that did well included a 7-pierce Gorham sterling tea set with tray, made circa 1916 with the silver set in pattern no. “A1860” and with the initials “K.R.A.” showing on the kettle, stand and tray, that finished at $10,890; and a pair of Cartier 22kt gold petal floriform earrings with tourmaline centers and the petals silver laid on gold with diamonds that went for $12,100.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s next big auction is scheduled for early next year, on Saturday, January 21st, 2017, also in the Pittsfield gallery. Already consigned are over 200 quality lots, mostly from prominent local estates and collections, to include a large clock collection. Watch the website for more info as the New Year approaches, at www.FontainesAuction.com.

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 19,000 select buyers. Seven times Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” by the public.

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

The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment fine antiques, collections or entire estates. Call (413) 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can send Mr. Fontaine an e-mail to info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming Saturday, January 21st auction, visit www.FontainesAuction.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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