NEW BRAUNFELS, TX.- The recent sale of European and Other Works of Art offered by Lark Mason Associates on the iGavel Auctions platform contained 133 lots with 128 selling with a 96% sale rate for a total of $158,466. Many of the items had an excellent provenance, having been formerly sold by Sotheby's or Christie's in New York. The realized prices of many of these works was a fraction of the amount that had been formerly achieved when purchased originally, reflecting the changes that have roiled traditional antiques in recent years.

Commented Lark Mason, "Astute buyers are seizing this opportunity to buy items that in years past would have been out of reach. We were particularly pleased to see a number of young buyers who saw the quality and value in the works in this sale."

Highlights of the sale included a rare Russian presentation gilt steel tray from the Tula workshops dated 1843. The tray had an engraved cityscape scene within a border depicting men at work. Estimated at $7,000-10,000 the tray rose to over double the estimate at $21,875. A surprisingly strong result was achieved for a rare Portuguese Colonial Ivory Figure of the Virgin, dating to the 17th century, which was estimated at $3,000-5,000 and with spirited bidding achieved $15,000. Changes in the endangered species act in 2015 dramatically lessened the market for ivory except for works meeting the regulatory criteria and with a strong history of ownership. This figure met the regulatory requirements and was a rarely seen type likely created in the Portuguese colony of Goa. Continuing the trend in smaller, portable works garnering the most interest was the American Renaissance Revival Gilt Bronze Clock by E.F. Caldwell and Company. An unusual table-top form, the clock received numerous bids from American participants and realized $5,750 against an estimate of $1,200-1,800.

Lark Mason Associates next sale of European and Other Works of Art will take place in early 2019.