Saturday, April 03, 2010
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
Antique POCKET WATCH TRADE SIGN Display Piece - FRENCH-$410
Had the heirs not told me what they knew about this delightful old piece I’d have had no idea it was French. That’s about all they knew, but they did know that.
It is quite large and very heavy. It is made a medal that does not take a magnet. So it could be brass. The gold surface doesn’t appear to be original, but it is likely appropriate and very close to the original. Who knows? It could be gilded brass underneath.
It is 18” tall counting the stem and loop. The “watch” is 12” in diameter and 2 ½” thick. The total weight is 6 ¾ lbs.
One other thing I love about it is that the sides are shaped just like a real pocket watch.
Most any watch collector would kill for such a piece. Well . . . Maybe not “kill,” but I’ll bet they’d slap someone around a little.
The back is a separate piece of metal. It even has the look that it might come off if you knew how. Don’t look at me! I wouldn’t take it off for love nor money. I’m afraid of what I might find. Plus – I’d never get the danged thing back on properly.
The back is a separate piece of metal. It even has the look that it might come off if you knew how. Don’t look at me! I wouldn’t take it off for love nor money. I’m afraid of what I might find. Plus – I’d never get the danged thing back on properly.
I guess you’ve already noticed that the dial is all hand painted. I wonder if this is a “one of a kind.” It may very well be.
If you’re a clock nut or a watch collector, you’re going to be tickled to death.
If you’re a clock nut or a watch collector, you’re going to be tickled to death.
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
Original SIGNED Aquatint ETCHING Cattle BENSON B. MOORE-$129
I just never know what will turn up in an estate. That’s why what I do is so exciting. I hate repeat myself, but in a listing of a Benson B. Moore watercolor yesterday I told of two sisters and their collections.
“Two young women, sisters, from Washington, DC befriended the famous wildlife and landscape artist Benson Bond Moore. Over a long period, the two young ladies collected several works by Moore and simply stored them safely away – never having them framed or allowing them exposure to sunlight.” This etching is one of those pieces, and we have probenance
One of the sisters became an artist in her own right. Her name was Elizabeth Muhlhofer, also of DC. She specialized in florals and miniature paintings, and she is listed most everywhere. Benson Bond Moore, of course, is deeply listed and actively sought. His works are in the permanent collections of many, many museums. From watercolors to engravings, his works are real treasures.
his etching is 10” by 8 ½”, and like the others in the collection, it has remained in pristine condition - remaining in the matting put on it by the artist himself. But this one is even more special due to the information Moore wrote on the bottom in pencil.
This is not the really special part, but it is important to note the girls even left Moore’s tag on the bottom. “Original Etching” – “Edition Limited to 50”.
Even during this early period in the life of Benson Moore, there is an impressive list of collections of his works: Congressional Library – The White House – Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris – New York Public Library – The Smithsonian Institution – Houston Museum of Fine Arts – Philadelphia Art Alliance – Washington Arts Club – Los Angeles Museum of Art – University of Georgia – Plus many Private Collections.
Now here’s your provenance – the really interesting part. Written in pencil by the artist: “Benson B. Moore – To the Misses Muhlhofer with the very best wishes of their friend the artist.”
Below that, also in pencil but hidden by his matting is the title: “Landscape with Cattle – Aquatint”
I’ll always wonder why the sisters never framed his pieces. I’m thrilled they didn’t because keeping them in folders was a most effective method of preservation. No finer examples can be found.
You’re going to be absolutely thrilled – that I guarantee. Be sure to check the watercolor I listed yesterday and keep an eye out for the few others I’ll be listing from this estate.
