Chinese Scrolls, Armani Figurines and Sterling Gave Meaning to “Eclectic”
Elegant Erte and Armani “Ladies” Lead Bidding at the Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers Winter Eclectic Auction
On a rare sunny day in January, Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers in St. Louis had a full gallery for their Winter Eclectic Auction. Appropriately named, “eclectic” was the
operative word for spirited bidding on such diverse items as Chinese hanging scrolls, a
collection of snuff bottles, Armani figurines, an oil painting by James Peter Cost, and
sterling pieces.
Sculptures and figurines of women were the highlight of the auction, specifically on two
bronze sculptures by Romain de Tirtoff Erte (French/Russian, 1892-1990). “Fire Dancer”
and “Dream Girl” brought $2,625 and $2,750 respectively; both were polychrome
bronze sculptures with foundry marks: Chalk & Vermillion and Seven Arts.
Equally as exciting was the interest on a collection of Giuseppe Armani figurines. The bidding was fast and furious on more than 40 pieces, selling for between $150 and $950 each, well
above estimates. “La Pieta,” Italy, 20 th century, composition, was from a limited edition
of 5,000 and was accompanied by the original box and certificate; the gavel fell at $938.
Early in the auction a pair of 20 th century ink-on- paper Chinese hanging scrolls sparked
heavy bidding, bringing in an above estimate $813.
Just a few items later, a collection of more than 50 early to mid 20 th century snuff bottles
in different forms and materials, including hardstone, faux stone, porcelain, glass and
more, realized $1,080, more than twice the high estimate.
Still in the first hour of the auction, a pair of 21 st century woodblock prints from Japan,
one depicting temple grounds and the other illustrating a city landscape, sold for $390,
more than 15 times the high estimate.
An oil-on- canvas painting, Coastal View, by American James Peter Cost (1901-1966) – a
somber seascape depicting a craggy coastline with an overcast sky – brought $4,560,
more than four times the high estimate.
Several pieces of furniture made a statement, as well, including a Rocco style display
case and console table, bringing $360 each – both well above estimate. An oak dental
cabinet sold for $720.
Bidding stayed active through the end of the auction, with several sterling pieces selling
above estimates, including a Gotlieb Kurz sterling platter at $438, an Ellis Barker Sterling
serving tray at $625, a Fisher sterling platter at $300 and a Gottlieb Kurz Habana pattern
sterling platter at $625.
The next two auctions be held in March and April. The Specialty Auction, featuring
American Indian and Ethnographic Artifacts with Oriental and Persian rugs, will be held
March 11, 2017; the Gentlemen’s Auction, a first-of- its-kind in St. Louis, will be held on
April 22, 2017.
For further information regarding how to sell at Selkirk or for a complimentary
evaluation, please contact info@selkirkauctions.com or call 314.696.9041.
For more information visit www.selkirkauctions.com, or find us on Facebook.
