COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Distinctive Estate Treasures AAN Current A Global Collection Of Rarities Will Be Featured In Dec. 9 Auction At Briggs
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2, 2016 • VOL. 47, NO. 49
Smithsonian Opens New Galleries For Folk And Self-Taught Art
James Hampton’s “The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millennium General Assembly,” 1950-64, is a well-known mixed media piece in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It was the gift of anonymous donors, gift of Margaret Kelley McHugh, Nancy Kelley Schneider and William H. Kelley, and of Harry Lowe.
This is Clementine Hunter’s “Melrose Quilt,” 1960, fabric, from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It was a museum purchase through the Barbara Coffey Quilt Endowment.
This is David Butler’s “Nativity,” 1968, a paint-on-tin work at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It was a museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection of folk and self-taught art represents the powerful vision of America’s untrained and vernacular artists. Represented in the museum’s collection are pieces that draw on tradition, such as quilts and other artworks that reveal a more personal vision. The museum has reimagined its permanent collection galleries to feature 59 recent acquisitions, an expanded presentation of the beloved “Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly” by James Hampton, reopened historic windows and new oak floors. The new galleries recently opened to the public. “The Smithsonian American Art Museum has long recognized folk and self-taught art as integral to the greater story of American art,” said Betsy Broun, the Margaret and Terry Stent director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “The museum’s mission to tell the story of America through the art of its people is particularly relevant at a time when museums everywhere are realizing that an expanded narrative of what American art is is necessary for engaging and satisfying contemporary audiences and accurately portraying the scope of creativity in this country.” Recently acquired works by Consuelo Gonzalez Amezcua, Emery Blagdon, David Butler, Ulysses Davis, Ralph Fasanella, Clementine Hunter, Dan Miller, Joe Minter, Eddy Continued on page 2
News
Annual Christmas House Tour In Mullica Hill, N.J. on page 2
This Paul Evans “Cityscape” dining table will be estimated at $3,000-$5,000. Briggs Auction Inc. is excited to announce its Friday, Dec. 9, auction featuring a varied mixture of unique and rare items from Pennsylvania estates and collections, including the remaining estate collection of Richard C. Bull, a known Asian art collector. On Sept. 14, 2012, Briggs sold a fine 20th-century Chinese scroll from the Bull collection for $166,750. The scroll featured a folk art watercolor family scene with hut by master Chinese artist Li Keran. A poem rendered in Chinese characters, meaningful to the artist and representative of the scene, hovered above the image. Featured Asian art and artifacts in the Dec. 9 sale will include a rare and important Chinese doublesided archaic bronze pole finial from the Shang/Early Western Zhou
Dynasty period featuring a cast taotie head surmounted with horns. The reverse is cast with a horned animal head. This artifact had been in the Van Heusden collection and was once exhibited at Stanford University’s museum. It will be estimated at $10,000$20,000. A Chinese Shang Dynasty bronze Yue axe head with relief decorated taotie masks will hold a presale estimate of $1,500-$3,000. Items from a Philadelphia estate will include a spectacular R.J. Horner (fine Victorian furniture maker) carved mahogany threedoor bookcase with large carved maidens, mask sides, and a heavily adorned frieze with figures of Neptune. It will be estimated at $10,000-$12,000. A Paul Evans “Cityscape” dining
Rago To Premier “Remix” on page 6
Militaria sale was on Oct. 20. The Firearms auction boasted a Johnson Automatics Model 1941
This Johnson Automatics Model 1941 semiautomatic rifle sold well above estimate at $7,200. Militaria auctions. The auction center was busy with activity when collectors, sportsmen, and history buffs congregated to listen to the thrill of the chant in-house, online, and live via Facebook video. The Firearms sale was Oct. 18, and the
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Alderfer’s Experiences Record-Breaking Sales At Firearms And Militaria Auctions Alderfer’s Auctioneers and Appraisers recently had several record breaking sales at its Firearms and
Santa Is Coming To The Emporium
semiautomatic rifle that sold well above estimate at $7,200. An Enfield L42A1 bolt action rifle followed, bringing a strong $6,600. The semiautomatic rifles were on fire when a Barrett Model 82A1 sold for $6,000.
Pook & Pook And Noel Barrett To Launch New Collaboration on page 10
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Mid-Century Modern Steals The Show At Bunch Auctions Hybrid Sale on page 14
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 A 1951 Willys M38A1 U.S. Army Jeep sold for $15,300.
SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 7
FEATURED AUCTION: Cordier Auctions & Appraisals - December 4 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Page 9
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 15