NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s series of Americana Week sales brought a combined total of $7,717,892; Important Americana achieved $6,183,505 and the single-owner sale of Property of Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Landon III totaled $1,534,387.

Leslie Keno, Senior Vice President and Director of American Furniture, said, “While we saw a higher buy-in rate than usual in our Important Americana sale, we were encouraged to see activity from many new buyers as well as the return of buyers who have been inactive for some time. The success of the Landon sale, which was 95% sold by lot, is a wonderful tribute to Hank and Barbara’s eye for collecting. This is an active marketplace, with great opportunities for collectors.”

Nancy Druckman, Senior Vice President and Director of American Folk Art, said, “We were pleased with the results of some of the folk art highlights of our sale. The best quality works with attractive estimates performed well, particularly many of the marine paintings and folk portraits. Of course we were disappointed that the ‘Old Jake’ weathervane failed to sell, but it is a spectacular piece and it was an honor to have it in our sale.”

Furniture, Folk Art and Carpets
Topping the series of sales was the Important Captain Edward Allen Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Bombé Chest-on-Chest, Probably Salem, Massachusetts, circa 1780, which soared to $1,762,500 after a battle between two clients in the saleroom, with C.L. Prickett Antiques ultimately prevailing (lot 174, est. $800,000/1.2 million). The Captain Edward Allen Bombé Chest-on-Chest is one of only seven known examples to survive today, with most resting in museum collections. Other top prices were achieved by a Fine Chippendale Figured Mahogany Bombé Chest of Drawers, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1770, which brought $302,500 (lot 247, est. $300/600,000) and The Important Josiah Cotton Federal Inlaid and Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Dwarf Tall-Case Clock, with works by Calvin Bailey, Massachusetts, circa 1800, which sold for $158,500 (lot 189, est. $100/150,000). James Bard’s 1861 oil on canvas depiction of the paddle wheeler The Thomas V. Arrowsmith achieved $65,500 (lot 188, est. $30/50,000).

The Property of Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Landon III
The single-owner sale of the Property of Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Landon III brought $1,534,387 and was 95.5% sold by lot. The top lot of the sale was the Important Francis P. Garvan Important Rococo Carved and Figured Walnut Scroll-Top High Chest of Drawers, Philadelphia, the carving attributed to Nicholas Bernard, circa 1755-60, which brought $482,400 (lot 92, est. $200,000/1 million).

Chinese Export Porcelain, Prints and Silver
Leading the Friday afternoon session of Important Americana was an Important American Silver, Copper and Jewel-Set “Aztec” Bowl designed by Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. in New York and finished in 1905, which brought $302,500 (lot 105, est. $250/350,000). Two pairs of Deacon John Jacobs Beakers by Jacob Hurd, Boston, dated 1728 from the First Parish Church in Cohasset, Massachusetts, each sold for $80,500 (lots 141-2, each est. $70/100,000). An American Silver Caster, Jurian (Jeuriaen) Blanck, New York, circa 1700 jumped to $86,500 against an estimate of $20/30,000. Among the porcelain highlights, a Chinese Export Goose Tureen and Cover climbed to $206,500 (lot 30, est. $100/150,000). Prints after John James Audubon led that section with Carolina Parrot (Plate 26) reaching $86,500 (lot 69, est. $70/90,000) and both Snowy Owl (Plate CXXI) and American Flamingo (Plate CCCCXXXI) bringing $122,500 (lot 70, est. $70/90,000; lot 76, est. $100/150,000).