Fairfield, ME ~ February 4-7, 2014. Few companies these days can report significant growth several years running. Going on a business model built on honesty, customer service, top shelf presentation, and a consistent high quality offering, James D. Julia Auctioneers seem to have perfected a working formula that has enabled them to gross $46 Million in sales in 2012 to $47.5 Million in 2013. Not to rest on their laurels, they have just completed the first sale of their 2014 auction season with a resounding success. The four-day blockbuster auction event boasted their largest winter antiques auction to date (both in volume and value) with a final tally of over $4.7 Million!

Comprised of over 1,300 lots of Asian antiques, over 1,100 lots of early American and Victorian furniture, antiques and accessories, roughly 600 paintings, bronzes and other artworks, the sale also featured some very significant historical items that commanded the attention of museums and private collectors. One of the most impressive finds of late was an archive of Civil War era letters, medals, and other military effects of Captain Luis F. Emilio of the 54th Massachusetts. The 54th Regiment was immortalized in the movie “Glory” and he was a respected captain of a black regiment that saw much action and was noted for several brave acts. Respected authority John Sexton referred to the find as “among the greatest letter groupings of the Civil War ever to come to market.” Bidders agreed and this cache that was sold in two separate lots brought a staggering $207,375 against expectations of $120,000-180,000.

Continuing to perform admirably at Julia’s auction is the category of Asian art and antiques. The auction featured over 1,300 lots including consignments from several small private collections from the eastern United States. Julia’s Asian department has been extremely active and successful recently and the addition of well-known Asian specialist James Callahan as department head has helped in attracting some truly special offerings. Some of the many highlights included an array of cloisonné such as a massive pair of censers from the 19th century. With detailed decoration of lotus leaves across their bodies and matching bases, their appearance was enhanced by marvelous supports in the form of three cranes and repousse gilt dragon handles. These spectacular censers saw a lengthy and spirited bidding battle well beyond the pair’s $6,500-7,500 estimate. It ended with a gentleman in attendance beating out several phone bidders to the tune of $248,850 amid applause and congratulations. Other Chinese cloisonné worthy of mention included a bronze scepter decorated with imagery of the immortals, among bats and fruit trees. It likewise exceeded its presale estimate many times over to land at $29,160.

This segment of the auction showed great diversity of genres, style and subject throughout. A large offering of painted scrolls was all over the map and some performed better than others. From the first half of the 20th century, a hand scroll attributed to Xu Beihong depicting a pack of horses against a rolling landscape sold for $154,050 against an estimate of $1,200-1,800. A bamboo brush pot finely carved with a woman and attendant being guided to a sedan chair against a mountainous backdrop was also a hot ticket, changing hands at $35,550 (est. $800-1,200). Other scenic pieces included a massive porcelain plaque from the 1700s in a rosewood frame that depicted various aspects of silk production. The classical scene also went out at $35,550 versus its $9,000-12,000 estimate. Likewise bringing $35,550, and surpassing a $2,000-3,000 estimate was a fine pair of antique Chinese Huanghuali horseshoe back armchairs from a private collection in Great Britain. And a monumental celadon bottle vase from the Ching dynasty showing a dragon amid pearls and clouds sold above its $2,000-3,000 estimate for $19,440.

Figures, icons and images were clearly appealing to advanced collectors and fetched jaw dropping prices again and again. A Tibetan gilt bronze figure depicting Amida Buddha seated in the lotus position notched above its $50,000-60,000 estimate to sell for $65,175. And a bronze image of Quanyin, the goddess of mercy, in elegant draped robes sold for nearly 100 times its $400-600 estimate for $37,920.

Antiques of American origin included a wide variety of folk art, early furniture and accessories. The selection brimmed with quality, freshness, and a primitive craftsmanship that is most appealing to collectors. Of particular note was an expansive array of over 30 figural weathervanes that included some rather unusual forms not typically found. Case in point was a marvelous molded and gilded copper example depicting a centaur. Attributed to A.L. Jewell the half man, half horse with his bow drawn was removed from a house in Illinois in the 1960s and was sold to its most recent owner. Only a handful of these are known to have been created and this example brought in $53,325, topping its $30,000-50,000 estimate. Separating man from beast was a fine horse and jockey molded copper steeplechase weathervane. With a nicely rendered zinc head and a separately crafted rider, it sold for $20,145 against a $5,000-6,000 estimate. A full-bodied grasshopper with great verdigris patina and nice overall condition jumped past its $12,000-18,000 estimate to land at $21,870.

Defying category or peer was an important and rare 13th century gilt copper and enameled Limoges reliquary chest from a Kentucky estate. Consisting of a footed vessel with a front hinged compartment and decorated with jeweled cabochons between enameled depictions of saintly figures, it was once used to hold and transport sacred religious relics. This breathtaking piece saw very active bidding beyond its $50,000-150,000 estimate to reach a celestial $183,675.

The day continued with a huge volume of furniture representing several different eras. Included were numerous Gustave Stickley items from a New York home. Highlights included a wonderful L & JG Stickley double door china cabinet. Retaining its original label, glass, and hand hammered copper hardware, it was an exceptional example of arts & crafts furniture. It sold at the upper end of its $8,000-12,000 estimate for $11,850.

Of an earlier vintage, a diminutive Chippendale serpentine front walnut five drawer chest with ball & claw feet and a pedigree a mile long sold just above its $5,000-8,000 estimate for $8,295. A Connecticut Queen Anne cherry bonnet top highboy from the late 1700s with lovely carvings went out at $7,110 against a $2,000-4,000 estimate.

Complementing the above were several tall case clocks including a spectacular and rare Simeon Jocelin Connecticut example. Its massive and imposing mahogany case houses an ornate brass face with both Roman and Arabic numerals and highlighted by applied vine fretwork. Dated 1771, this beauty sold for $20,145 against an estimate of $12,000-18,000. On the more ornate side was an example by Tiffany & Co. that featured a highly carved walnut case with an elaborate scene of artisans at work and works set with eight graduated bells. It exceeded its $8,000-12,000 estimate to also sell for $20,145.

Quality antiques, accessories and the like were great in number and very well received. An important set of four leaded glass windows depicting an American eagle and each emblazoned with patriotic messages of Liberty, Truth, Equality and Justice resulted in a battle between two phone bidders. The price soared above its $3,000-5,000 estimate until one dropped out, allowing the other to take the windows at $20,737. A monumental 26-1/2” hand carved North American Woodlands burled bowl did not go quietly into the sold column. This time the bidding battle took participants beyond its $2,500-4,500 estimate to the winner willing to pay $21,330. And a rare antique R.S. Prussia covered chocolate pot decorated with tigers was believed to be a unique form and sold above its $2,500-4,500 estimate for $11,257.

A generous offering of early English silver from the 17th and 18th centuries included a fine 18th century handled pedestal bowl with flared fluting and decorated band rim. It sold above its $2,000-3,000 estimate for $4,858. In simpler form but no less elegant but was a Britannia silver tankard with a tapered body and low domed cover that exceeded its $1,500-2,200 estimate to bring $5,628.

The massive auction was completed by approximately 600 paintings, portraits, and bronzes that met with varied results. While there were certainly those that performed better than expected, there were some that did not find buyers and for which Julia’s is now fielding post auction offers. Of those that saw strong activity, buyers seemed to favor European artists such as Hedwig Mechle-Grossmann whose charming oil on wood panel depicted a well dressed young Victorian era girl during playtime with her favorite doll. With perfectly captured joy and innocence, bidders were captivated and brought the piece well above its $5,000-7,000 estimate to finish up at $31,995. Fellow German artist Hugo Darnaut’s outdoor scene of a duck pond in spring appealed to other sensibilities and was also an evocative work. It sold for $23,700 against expectations of $12,000-18,000.

Not to say that the Europeans held a monopoly on fine artwork in this auction. A duo of winter city scenes by 20th century American artist Guy Wiggins was well received. His storm scene with New York’s Flatiron Building serving as the focal point sold above its $10,000-15,000 estimate for $22,515 while his “Snowstorm Over the Plaza New York City” brought $18,960 versus its $8,000-12,000 estimate. Blanche Lazzell’s woodblock print of a stylized single tulip in a bulbous vase was able to best its $15,000-20,000 bracket to sell for $22,515. And Alfred Hutty’s watercolor of a worn down Charleston, South Carolina street speaks volumes with so little. It sold within its $15,000-20,000 estimate for $17,775.

Other outdoor works included contemporary New England artist Thomas Nicholas’ “Harbor at Port Clyde” that used a vibrant palette of blues and greens to show the tranquil scene. It sold for $8,887, nearing the top of its $6,000-9,000 estimate while his rendering of Monhegan Island in winter sold for $7,110 against a $4,000-6,000 estimate. And Carl William Peter’s oil on canvas winter scene of a wooded stream went out at $7,702, surpassing a $5,000-7,000 estimate.

Modern art also made a strong showing. The auction featured a collection of over 30 lots of works by the late James Rizzi, whose almost cartoon-like work during the mid-1990s has been compared to that of Keith Haring. Using a bold palette and built-up levels for his layered collages, the collection was consigned by the family of the artist’s then companion. Highlights included his acrylic on canvas work entitled “Be My Valentine” of two lovers engaged in a kiss. It sold for $3,199. His work showing a scatter of yellow birds among the flowers sold for $3,792. And his Picasso-esque “This Way, That Way” brought $3,140. Each was estimated for $1,000-2,000.

Julia’s upcoming auctions include their phenomenal firearms and military memorabilia auction taking place in March. Following will be Julia’s toy & doll auction as well as their rare lamp & glass auction in June. Their next Antiques, Asian & Fine Art auction will take place in August 2014. Julia’s is currently accepting consignments for these and other upcoming auctions. Call immediately for inclusion in these exciting sales. For more information or to place offers on unsold items, contact their offices at 207-453-7125. James D. Julia, Inc., P.O. Box 830, Dept. PR, Fairfield, ME 04937. E-mail: info@jamesdjulia.com.

Image	Description
	European art such as Hedwig Mechle-Grossmann’s charming oil on wood panel depicting a well dressed young Victorian era girl with her favorite doll sold well above its $5,000-7,000 estimate for $31,995.
	A huge volume of furniture included a wonderful L & JG Stickley double door china cabinet. An exceptional example of arts & crafts furniture, it sold at the upper end of its $8,000-12,000 estimate for $11,850.
	Tall case clocks included a spectacular and rare Simeon Jocelin Connecticut example. Its massive and imposing mahogany case and dated 1771, this beauty sold for $20,145 against an estimate of $12,000-18,000.
	One of the most impressive finds of late was an archive of Civil War era letters, medals, and other military effects of Captain Luis F. Emilio of the 54th Massachusetts, which was immortalized in the movie “Glory”. Considered “among the greatest letter groupings of the Civil War ever to come to market,” the cache that was sold in two separate lots brought a staggering $207,375 against expectations of $120,000-180,000.
	Guy Wiggins’ storm scene with New York’s Flatiron Building serving as the focal point sold above its $10,000-15,000 estimate for $22,515.
	A Tibetan gilt bronze figure depicting Amida Buddha seated in the lotus position notched above its $50,000-60,000 estimate to sell for $65,175.
	An array of cloisonné included a massive pair of censers with detailed decoration of lotus leaves, marvelous supports in the form of three cranes and repousse gilt dragon handles. These spectacular censers saw a lengthy and spirited bidding battle well beyond the pair’s $6,500-7,500 estimate that ended at $248,850.
	An important and rare 13th century gilt copper and enameled Limoges reliquary chest from a Kentucky estate that was once used to hold and transport sacred religious relics saw very active bidding beyond its $50,000-150,000 estimate to reach a celestial $183,675.
	A large offering of painted scrolls included a hand scroll attributed to Xu Beihong depicting a pack of horses against a rolling landscape that sold for $154,050 against an estimate of $1,200-1,800.
	A selection of over 30 figural weathervanes included a most unusual molded and gilded copper example depicting a centaur. Attributed to A.L. Jewell, it was removed from a house in Illinois in the 1960s. Only a handful of these are known to have been created and this example brought in $53,325, topping its $30,000-50,000 estimate.

The pair brought $248,850 – close to a quarter million dollars – and garnered the highest sales price of any lot during the company’s recent $4.7 million dollar, four day auction event.

February 14, 2014

Fairfield, ME and Woburn, MA – James D. Julia, Inc., one of the nation’s top ten antique auction houses, sold this elaborately decorated and handsomely ornate matched set during the company’s February 2014 Annual Winter Antique, Asian & Fine Art event. These censers, discovered through Julia’s Woburn, Massachusetts office, generated enormous buyer’s interest and serve to affirm the company’s leadership across the greater New England region as well as in the important Asian art category.

The robin’s egg blue Chinese cloisonné incense burners, lot #4307A, were originally estimated at $6,500 to 7,500 and date from the 19th century. They measure an impressive 34” high and 18” wide. The almost identical vessels are decorated with formalized lotus scrolling and deer, have supports in the form of three cranes, and are detailed with repousse gilt dragon handles. Their dramatic and elegant repousse brass lids are covered in stylized lotus plants. The pair brought $248,850 – close to a quarter million dollars – and garnered the highest sales price of any lot during the company’s recent $4.7 million dollar, four day auction event.

The auction event also featured several other extraordinary Asian treasures, also consigned from Julia’s Boston area office. Highlights include lot #3476, a 102” long, 19th century Chinese hand scroll featuring horses in various attitudes in a landscape that was estimated at $1,200 to 1,800 and sold for $154,050; lot #3519, a 6-1/2″ high, 18th century finely carved bamboo brush pot that was estimated at $800 to $1,200 and sold for $35,550; lot #3450, a 10-1/2” tall, 15th century Sino Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Amida Buddha with hand in the earth witnessing Mudra that was estimated at $50,000 to $60,000 and sold for $65,175; and lot #4222, a 31-3/4″ tall, Ch’ien Lung period (1735-1796) Chinese Famille rose porcelain plaque that was estimated at $9,000 to $12,000 and sold for $35,550.

These outstanding results were made possible in part from the time and talents of Julia’s Woburn based team. According to Jim Callahan, Director of Asian Arts, who took in the items, “It was great to see the interest in these outstanding treasures and their sale prices confirm the continuing interest in top tier Asian art and decorative items. The censers were the biggest surprise of all – their size, design, and last bid truly put them in a class by themselves – and I am delighted that my office is able to bring such remarkable consignments to Julia’s worldwide base of clients and collectors.” Martin Willis, Director of Decorative Arts for the Greater Boston Area and the auctioneer who sold the censers adds, “It’s always exhilarating to be behind the podium when there’s excitement in the hall, competition between bidders, and an unexpectedly high hammer price. Besides real estate, this was the most expensive lot that I’d ever sold. I told the audience that after the hammer came down, and everyone started clapping.”
About James D. Julia, Inc.:

James D. Julia, one of the top ten antique auction antique houses in North America, is headquartered in Fairfield, Maine. The company also has an office in Woburn, Massachusetts. In business for almost five decades, the company conducts high-end antique, collectible, and decorative arts auctions throughout the year. Julia’s has routinely establishes new world records through its sales events. The company consists of four key divisions, including rare firearms; fine and Asian art and antiques; lamps and glass; and important toy, dolls, and antique advertising. Each division is regarded for its excellence and is staffed with world-class specialists to insure fair and professional authentication, identification, and valuation services.

James D. Julia is a proud recipient of the 2012 Governor’s award for Business Excellence, which is administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. This honor recognizes companies that demonstrate a high level of commitment to the community, employees, and to manufacturing or to service excellence.
For more information:

Jim Callahan
Director of Asian Arts
James D. Julia, Inc.
(781) 460–6800
jcallahan@jamesdjulia.com

Image	Description
	Lot #3519, a 6-1/2″ high, 18th century finely carved bamboo brush pot that was estimated at $800 to $1,200 and sold for $35,550.
	Lot #4307A, the robin’s egg blue Chinese cloisonné incense burners, were originally estimated at $6,500 to 7,500 and date from the 19th century sold for $248,850
	Lot #4222, a 31-3/4″ tall, Ch’ien Lung period (1735-1796) Chinese Famille rose porcelain plaque that was estimated at $9,000 to $12,000 and sold for $35,550.
	Lot #3450, a 10-1/2″ tall, 15th century Sino Tibetan gilt bronze figure of Amida Buddha with hand in the earth witnessing Mudra that was estimated at $50,000 to $60,000 and sold for $65,175
	Lot #3476, a 102″ long, 19th century Chinese hand scroll featuring horses in various attitudes in a landscape that was estimated at $1,200 to 1,800 and sold for $154,050

With the faltering of the world economies casting uncertainty in almost all areas of life, we did not know what to expect from our June 20-21, 2012 Lamp & Glass Auction. We were delighted that the auction totaled nearly $1.1 Million! The collection of exceptional Moser glass drew a great deal of attention worldwide and was highlighted by the monumental decorated and applied vase which sold for $26,450 within the estimate range of $20,000-$30,000. Once again paperweights drew a great deal of attention and highly competitive bidding with one highlight being a Clichy loop garland paperweight from the Una & Henry Blake collection which was estimated at $5,000-$7,000 and sold near the top of the estimate at $6,900. French cameo glass showed some weakness in the auction but high quality items that were fresh to the market still did very well. A Daum Nancy prairie vase estimated at $10,000-$15,000 sold for $14,950. Good pieces of Tiffany Studios continue to draw a great deal of interest. A few of the highlights include a Tiffany Studios window sketch which was estimated at $2,000-$3,000 and sold for $5,175. A magnificent Tiffany Studios decorated black vase was estimated at $10,000-$15,000 and sold for $25,300. A very nice Tiffany Studios Tiffany dragonfly table lamp estimated at $60,000-$80,000 sold for $69,000. We are already accepting consignments for our fall Lamp & Glass sale. Please contact us today if you have an important single item or an entire collection! Let us show you how we can put James D. Julia’s marketing and reputation for fair dealings to work for you!

Fairfield, ME ~ November 28-29, 2012. With the final days of 2012 upon us, the auction firm James D. Julia, Inc. is recording another banner year of top shelf auctions, grossing over $46 Million in sales. The icing to finish out the year came with a three-day auction extravaganza that combined two days of fine glass and lamps with rare toys, dolls, and advertising items to bring the final tally to over $2.5 million. Julia’s focus on high quality antiques, combined with a stellar marketing program and a dedicated staff company president Jim Julia frequently refers to as the best auction team in North America has been a recipe for success over their 40 years in the business.

This Glass & Lamp auction generated some of the strongest participation and sales results sold in the last few years. Boasting fresh-to-the-market items from collections and estates from across the country, the auction was chock full of such wonderful antiques that set themselves apart from the ordinary. And seeing the bevy of beautiful treasures enhanced by the fine lamps, aglow all at once is nothing short of breathtaking. Among the numerous examples lighting the way was a marvelous Tiffany Venetian leaded table lamp with intricate micro-design done with exceptional glass. The shade rested on its original and equally intricate bronze base patterned to match the Tiffany bronze desk sets of the same design. This unusual lamp knocked its $60,000-80,000 estimate flat, climbing to a staggering $103,500. A Tiffany Nasturtium floor lamp preceded this one and was a gorgeous mix of highly mottled and fiery glass forming an allover pattern of flowers, resting on a vertically ribbed bronze base. It went out at $69,000, just nearing its $70,000-100,000 estimate. Yet another stunner was a Tiffany Daffodil leaded table lamp with clusters of flowers in varying stages of bloom in a variety of colors against a mottled gray sky background. It sold for $40,250 against expectations of $20,000-25,000. An unusual lamp with one of the most desirable shades Tiffany Studios ever created was the pansy full floral. The shade consisted of four bunches of flowers so accurately represented with the perfect combination of mottled, striated, and textured glass. It gave a solid performance, hitting $38,525 against a $25,000-35,000 estimate. A lovely example done with bellflowers along the perimeter below a deep emerald green background, and resting on a beautifully patinated bronze library base nudged above the top end of its $15,000-25,000 estimate to sell for $25,300. On a slightly smaller scale was a lovely Tiffany leaded acorn lamp with a 10” shade done in a geometric pattern and set with a band of alternating acorns. A special feature of this lamp was that it was made with dichroic glass, which displays a greenish hue when unlit and turns to a fiery yellow, orange and green when lit. Bidders appreciated the rare opportunity, taking it beyond its $6,000-8,000 estimate nearly threefold to $20,700.

Other Tiffany lamps included a rare hanging prism chandelier. The outstanding piece featured an open fretwork bronze top with five gooseneck arms supporting iridescent lily shades, leading to a gold favrile stalactite shade, separated by a row of gold favrile prisms. Elegance beyond words, this treasure saw bids above its $40,000-60,000 estimate to finish up at $57,500. A scarce variety of their Linenfold lamp was another treat. Normally found in green or amber, this example was in white and displayed a lovely brilliance and charm. The formed glass crafted to look like fabric is delightfully deceiving. It sold for $15,525 within an estimate of $15,000-20,000.

Non-Tiffany leaded lamps included a nice Duffner & Kimberly example with allover ivy leave design over a fiery amber background and finished with an irregular border. Originally a wedding gift to Mildred Shannon, it sold for $10,350 versus more conservative expectations of $6,000-8,000. Other lamps included a variety of Pairpoint examples such as an outstanding Puffy Poppy. Including both the two and the rarer three color examples with realistically rendered blossoms, they sold for $9,775 and $14,950, respectively, each meeting or beating their pre-auction estimates. The auction also featured a Pairpoint Puffy Rose lamp with similar styling and desirability. It brought $8,625 against a $6,000-8,000 estimate.
Lamp highlights likewise included a most unusual cast bronze Raoul Larche lamp with terrific art nouveau styling. It depicted a beautiful woman wearing a flowing sheer gown that appears to hug her form as it blows in the wind around her. With Larche’s expert crafting and execution of the dress folds, one would swear it was actual fabric. It caught the eye of many a bidder, but went to the one willing to go to $31,050 with no deference to its $10,000-15,000 estimate.

This auction was also highlighted by a quality selection of fine Tiffany glass. A rare Tiffany red miniature bulbous vase with wavy bands of gold iridescence garnered the attention of advanced collectors. It sold within expectations of $8,000-12,000 to land at $10,925. And a monumental Tiffany vase measuring over 19 inches featuring delicate peacock feathers surrounding the perimeter went out at $8,625, in line with its $6,000-9,000 estimate.

French cameo glass made a strong showing including a rare Daum vase with a long slender stem and squat body with a desirable Martele background. Looking like a hand hammered finish it also featured wheel carved flowers and sold within a $20,000-30,000 estimate for $23,000. This was joined by several other rare Daum pieces such as a monumental Daum mushroom vase with an acid textured stem that looked like flowing water leading to the bulbous base decorated with a field of colorful wild mushrooms. It sold within its $15,000-20,000 estimate for $17,250. A 6” Daum rain scene vase with a realistic rendering of windswept trees on a vibrant pink, green and frosty sky soaked its $7,500-8,500 estimate to bring $10,350. A smaller version more than tripled the low end of its $1,500-2,500 estimate to sell for $4,600.

The cavalcade of cameo glass continued with two outstanding Galle marquetry and padded vases. Once the vase itself was blown, the artist then would inlay molten glass and wheel-carve delicate translucent flowers for a striking effect. These examples including one with a carved Oriental style signature each sold above pre-auction expectations for $25,875 and $21,850, respectively. Galle mold blown vases included a lovely blue and purple clematis flower decorated example, followed by a red fuchsia on cream example. Each met or bested their estimates to finish up at $9,487 and $10,350.

Other exciting offerings included over 50 pieces of Moser glass from a West Texas collector. After Julia’s glass and lamp auction in June of this year that showed strong results in Moser, the consignor felt it the proper time to sell his collection and Julia’s the firm to handle it. The offering did not disappoint. Included was such significant pieces as a monumental two-handled cranberry colored vase beautifully enameled with a wooded brook scene with a large heron scoping for his next meal as two herons fly above for a different vantage point. With its exceptional artistry and realism, the piece neared the top end of its $10,000-15,000 estimate to bring $14,375. This was followed by a marvelous Moser decorated wine set. Consisting of an elaborate handled decanter and eight matching glasses, the set was decorated with a highly enameled and delicate applied grapevine motif. It saw action beyond its $2,500-3,500 estimate to sell for $12,650. A Moser decorated compote with a highly decorated irregular border bowl supported by a three branch base decorated with applied acorns and enameled insects was another unusual piece. It also found favor with collectors and sold for $13,800. And a monumental 31” Moser trumpet vase decorated with towering sunflowers went out at $2,990, just above expectations of $2,000-2,500.

Another area in which Julia’s has excelled in recent years is Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre. This highly elaborate decorated ceramic ware created by Daisy Makeig Jones in the early 20th century has consistently found favor among serious collectors for its otherworldly depictions of whimsy and fantasy. Included in this sale were such pieces as a lovely footed pear shaped vase decorated in the Pillars design showing castles in the distance as seen beyond a fantastic overgrown jungle landscape. It sold within its $12,000-15,000 estimate for $12,650 where another example sharing the Pillars design, but in a shoulder vase form instead sold for $10,925. A rare footed chalice bowl with the Twyford Gardens pattern on the exterior and a variation of the Fairy Gondola pattern on the interior likewise sold within estimate for $10,350. And a Fairyland Lustre plate decorated with an image of fairytale character Thumbelina floating downstream on a leaf outperformed its $2,000-3,000 estimate to sell for $7,187.

From a somewhat earlier era came a variety of Victorian glass including some rather spectacular examples of Mt. Washington Burmese pieces. A lovely vase with a ruffled lip and enameled with monkeys was a rare find, having a most unusual subject matter not normally portrayed. Expected to bring $15,000-20,000, it found a buyer at $28,750 while a similar form only decorated with owls instead brought in $27,600. A Mt. Washington Burmese two-handled vase with delicate curlicue handles and decorated with herons flying over pyramids cleared its $8,000-12,000 estimate to sell for $12,650. The selection of Victorian glass continued with some wonderful Royal Flemish works including an elaborate vase with a V-shaped freeform top reminiscent of a bird’s beak. This theme was echoed in the enameled decoration of a flock of seagulls across its body. Originally expected to sell for $3,000-4,000, bidders took it all the way to $11,500.

Also included was a large collection of contemporary paperweights including artists such as Paul Stankard, Debbie & Delmo Tarsitano, Rick Ayotte, and many more. Highlights of the grouping included large Paul Stankard “Root Spirit” elongated cubical weights depicting stylized figures entwined in the roots of flowers. One such example with lady slipper flowers went out at $6,900 within its $6,000-9,000 estimate while another with lilies sold for $6,612. A spectacular example in the more traditional globular form was Stankard’s dragonfly perched on the branch of a blueberry bush. A true artist having great appeal to collectors, the piece went out at $2,702, exceeding an estimate of $1,500-2,000.
Art glass included a variety of quality offerings from renowned makers such as Loetz whose blue iridescent vase with a melon ribbed body was overlaid with stunning silver design and trim. A spectacular example, it went out at $4,600 over expectations of only $2,000-3,000. A Steuben decorated vase in gold aurene with brown aurene pulled feather design across the lip and shoulder was quite captivating. It sold for $8,050 against an estimate of $4,500-6,500. A Steuben pedestal centerpiece featuring a trio of three clear glass eagles atop a formed dark amber plinth supporting a light amber glass Bristol bowl changed hands at $3,680 within a $3,000-5,000 estimate. A bulbous Durand vase with a central band of white cameo flowers over green background sold for $6,900 within an estimate of $6,000-8,000.

The sale was rounded out by a large selection of jewelry and sterling silver including Tiffany, George Jensen, J.E. Caldwell, and other top makers and included coffee & tea service pieces, bowls, and other utilitarian pieces. A sterling silver set of 12 dinner plates and 12 service plates went out within a $6,000-8,000 estimate at $6,325. A set of J.E. Caldwell flatware in the King’s Pattern exceeded its $2,000-3,000 estimate to bring $4,140. And a Caldwell tea & coffee service with matching vertical rib decoration sold for $2,415 against a $1,000-1,500 estimate.

In the jewelry category were a few choice pieces, most of which brought neither high or low, but just right such as a marvelous 18KT black opal and diamond ring that stayed within estimate to hit $6,325. A platinum, sapphire, and diamond ring was also quite stunning, and went for $4,600. However, an 18K gold Cartier necklace was a sleeper, hitting well above pre-auction predictions. Consigned from the collection of actress Polly Bergen, whose career has spanned over six decades including the original Cape Fear, television roles throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, and work as recent and notable as ABC’s Desperate Housewives, the necklace brought in $3,967 against an estimate of only $300-500.

Julia’s upcoming auctions include their winter antiques, fine art, and Chinese artifacts auction in January while a phenomenal firearms and military memorabilia auction will be held in March. Julia’s next toy & doll auction as well as their rare lamp & glass auction will follow in June. Julia’s is currently accepting consignments for these and other upcoming auctions. Call immediately for inclusion in these exciting sales. For more information or to place offers on unsold items, contact their offices at 207-453-7125. James D. Julia, Inc., P.O. Box 830, Dept. PR, Fairfield, ME 04937. E-mail: info@jamesdjulia.com.