PITTSFIELD, MASS.- Fontaine’s will present an important Two-Day Fine & Decorative Arts Auction on February 1-2 which will include over 750 lots of 19th/20th Century lighting, Tiffany lamps, art glass, leaded glass windows, fine silver, porcelain, marble and bronze statuary, Asian items, paintings, American & European furniture, clocks and jewelry.

This auction features the fine art collection of Elizabeth Fox, an important private collection of Art Nouveau furniture and accessories, the estate of Donald Olivero, and various other private collections. Preview by appointment is January 30-31. Available bidding methods are internet, phone and absentee. Sessions start daily at 11am.
“We have been curating fine and notable items that are fresh to the market,” said auctioneer and owner John Fontaine. “Tiffany is of course a dominant feature and remains highly coveted. Buyers will find more than 100 choice pieces included in this auction.”


Few paintings cross the block here but when they do, they are worth noting. An untitled large work by Takako Yamaguchi in oil and bronze leaf is estimated at $60,000/80,000. It measures 48 by 83 inches.

Leading the choice selection of Tiffany Studios goods is its famed table and floor lamps. An expected strong performer is a large, circa 1910 Drophead Dragonfly table lamp ($100,000/150,000), having a 22 ¼-inch shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1507” and standing 35 ½ inches tall. Its base is impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 439.” It’s not the only example in the maker’s perennially popular dragonfly patterns, however. Also piquing buyers’ interests will be a circa 1920 Drophead Dragonfly table lamp ($80,000/120,000) with a “Roman” base, 32 inches tall and a trio of circa 1910 Dragonfly table lamps, all in three different sizes: 19 ½ inches, 25 and 28 inches tall. The latter three have estimates ranging from $80,000/120,000 to $30,000/50,000 and each has a different color palette: blue, green and amber.


A rare Louis Majorelle grand piano carved with pine cone motifs and two large curved and sculpted legs, estimated at $50,000/75,000, circa 1903.

The span of Tiffany lighting in the sale stretches to floral-themes like a circa 1905 Nasturtium table lamp ($100,000/150,000), with both its base and shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York;” a circa 1910 Oriental Poppy table lamp ($80,000/120,000) having a shade impressed "Tiffany Studios, New York, 1495” and the base impressed "Tiffany Studios, New York, 587” and a circa 1905 Geranium table lamp ($50,000/75,000), its 16-inch diameter shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York” and base impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 6859.” A dozen Tiffany floor lamps will be available in patterns such as Turtle-Back, Vine Border, Swirling Leaf and Geometric.


Tiffany Studios "Dragonfly" Table Lamp.

Standout paintings by noted artists are becoming increasingly hard to find but buyers take notice when notable examples pop up. In this sale is an oil and bronze leaf on paper painting by contemporary Japanese-American artists Takako Yamaguchi ($60,000/80,000) measuring an impressive 48 by 83 inches. The LA-artist has been making a splash at auction lately for her paintings. Apropos to this winter auction, the Fox estate yields a classic snowscape by Guy Carleton Wiggins. The oil on board, “Fifth Avenue Blizzard” is estimated at $30,000/50,000.

Rounding out the auction will be statement pieces like a Louis Majorelle Grand Piano ($50,000/75,000), circa 1903 and a circa 1908 Steinway & Sons Model B Grand Piano ($20,000/30,000) as well as a fine grouping of Art Nouveau pieces. The latter category is led by a Daum Nancy set of four Art Nouveau three-light sconces ($15,000/25,000) from the early 20th century in mottled glass with gilt bronze and a Bruckmann & Sohne Art Nouveau silver five-piece tea and coffee service ($5,000/7,500). The circa 1905 set is .800 silver and weighs a total of 161 troy ounces.


Alexander Roux (1813-1886), Fine & Rare Buffet

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. 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.


Guy Carleton Wiggins (American, 1883-1962), "Fifth Avenue Blizzard"

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.