Fire Trucks and Ambulances at Cordier's Winter Sale

March 3, 2017

A bidder collapsed mid-way through the sale, but the quick thinking of a fellow attendant halted the auction so that EMT’s could be called. After they wheeled the then-conscious man out, to relieved applause from the room, the auction continued unabated. The stricken bidder continued to participate in the sale remotely.

 

A 19th century tinplate and wood toy fire pumper exceeded expectations to become the top lot of the auction, finally selling to a buyer on the floor for $33,000 after extensive competition between live, phone, and absentee bidders.

 

Also garnering great attention was a cast bronze signed by Isidore-Jules Bonheur (French, 1827-1901) and bearing the Hippolyte Peyrol foundry mark. The finely chased casting was expected to become one of the forerunners of the sale, and finally achieved $23,000 to an enthusiastic phone bidder. Another featured lot, a life size portrait of 18th century royal Marie Leszczynska, was won by a bidder online for $10,000.

 

A massive Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company (London) 204 troy ounce sterling silver tray was among the top performing lots in the silver and jewelry category, hammering down at $7,500. A platinum and 2.2 carat diamond solitaire ring also performed well in that category, selling for $6,500.  A Leica Black M6 camera with accessories was the top selling lot in collectibles, bringing $4,700.

 

In artwork, a charcoal sketch on paper by Violet Oakley (American, 1874-1961), which had been passed down to the consignor by a grandmother who had been friends with the artist, sold for $5,000. Known for her mural and illustration work, Oakley completed one of her most significant commissions in 1902, "The Creation and Preservation of the Union" which consisted of a series of large murals for the walls of the Governor's Reception Room in the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

 

A copy of Cocteau Picasso de 1916 – 1961 Editions du Rocher brought $4,200, while a large canvas piece measuring 85-1/2" x 92" by Phillip Wofford (American, B. 1935) titled “The Tattooed Man” sold for $3,600.

 

Furniture and rugs also performed well, with a Jacob and Bernard Hendel Carlisle tall case clock selling for $4,000 and a beautiful Persian room size rug bringing $4,100. A French revival Louis XV style inlaid table and chairs brought $3,000.

 

The sale was the first of four quarterly Antique and Fine Art catalog auctions to be held by Cordier Auctions and Appraisals in 2017. The highly anticipated sales attract bidders both across the country and internationally. Cordier Auction has already begun curating their next Antique and Fine Art Auction, to be held in May of 2017.

Fire Pumper
Bonheur
Lifesize Portrait
204 Troy Ounce Sterling