PITTSFIELD, MASS.- Fontaine’s important Fine and Decorative Arts auction on January 28 surpassed its high estimate to total $2.5 million. The 550-lot auction saw strong performers in nearly every category with a sell-through rate of 91 percent.

“The auction was very busy and well received with over 7,000 approved bidders. “I think in general the market is good for quality items in every category,” said auctioneer and owner John Fontaine.

By “quality items,” Fontaine is perhaps being a bit modest about the auction’s top lot — a well-executed Tiffany Studios window, “Jesus in a Field of Lilies” that went for $237,500, nearly doubling its high estimate. The circa 1898 window, featuring plated, leaded and confetti glass, measured an impressive 9 feet 11 inches by 7 feet 5 inches.

The window is not sized for the average home, so it makes sense that the winning bidder was a church in the western part of the United States. The buyers told John Fontaine they plan to restore and install the window in the church.

Another top lot in the sale was an 18K white and yellow gold ring centered with an intense yellow square radiant cut diamond of 10 carats surrounded by two carats of round brilliant white diamonds that attracted competitive bidding, particularly among retail buyers. In the end, the ring went out at $181,250 to a Chicago buyer. It was one of several pieces of jewelry, centered with yellow diamonds, from a Los Angeles estate that all did well, going to buyers in Israel, Chicago, New Jersey, etc. Another notable piece in this grouping was a 18K yellow gold ring with a 9-carat yellow diamond framed by nearly one carat of white diamonds that earned $62,500.

Tiffany lamps have a long tradition of being strong performers here and floor lamps in particular have been standouts in several recent auctions. Leading a select grouping of about two dozen examples in the auction was a “Curtain Border” floor lamp, circa 1910, 78½ inches tall, which earned $100,000, and a "Peony" floor lamp ($70/90,000), circa 1910, 64 inches tall, that made $93,7500. A “Moorish” and “Turtle-Back” chandelier ($60/$80,000), circa 1905, also did well, going out at $81,250. In all, if one adds up all the Tiffany lots in this auction from lighting to vases, desk sets and clocks, they accounted for just about a million dollars, not including the buyer’s premium.

Quite a few items saw bidders drive prices over estimate, including a monumental Swiss Black Forest carved figural clock with matching stand, Ulrich Leuthold, Lucerne, circa 1880. The clock, standing 85 inches tall overall, was surmounted by an elaborately carved eagle above three mountain goats and realized $34,375.

Rounding out the auction were a circa 1911 Oriel Cabinet Co. “Norman Suite” dining room set, Grand Rapids, Michigan, that sold for $30,000; a signed William Lester Stevens oil on canvas, “Village in the Winter” that was in a Florida collection before bringing $26,250; an American carved oak tall case clock with a J.J. Elliott movement, late 19th century, carved with angels, scrollwork, filigree and a mythical face, 97½ inches tall, $22,500, and a pair of large Italian carved marble sphinxes, Vanini, Milan ($12/16,000), 19th century, 33 by 19 by 60½ inches, $17,500.
All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.