FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 43rd Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Auction

Rafael Osona

43rd Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Auction

In Person Preview Nov 30 & Dec 1

Online Auction Dec 2

 675 lots

Nantucket, Massachusetts, November 9, 2023: Diamond jewelry might just steal the show during Rafael Osona's 43rd Annual Christmas Stroll Auction. Top lots feature luxury jewelry, fine art and modern furniture designs by Stephen Swift, among choice offerings in Nantucket baskets and collector's items, textiles, antique furnishings, and decor.

Representing less than 1% of the world’s natural diamonds, VVS1 clarity is rare. On Dec. 2nd, Osona Auctions showcases an emerald cut VVS1 diamond. Set in platinum; the centered 4.2 ct stone is flanked with two baguette diamond accents and is accompanied by a GIA report.
 

The stunning ring takes center stage among fine diamond, platinum and 18 kt yellow gold jewelry offered among 31 fine jewelry lots. From Georg Jensen, Edvard Kindt-Larsen's link bracelet in 18 kt gold, designed in 1955 and no longer in production.

From Tiffany & Co. a gold Maltese cross brooch-pendant a symbol of protection or perhaps worn as a badge of honor. There's a winning diamond studded lady golfer's pin by Kurt Wayne, and for the punctually inclined gentleman, Cartier and Rolex watches. Osona has long been considered a solid source for fine South Sea and Tahitian pearls, and this sale offers 11 lots. 

American fine art offerings are strong, led by regionalist Harry J. Sunter's (1850-1900) “Dories at Low Tide." oil, 1885.

A student of William Henry Yates, active in New York's Finger Lakes and coastal New England, Sunter's national exhibitions include the National Academy of Design and the 1876 United States Centennial Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. The latter institution continued to exhibit Sunter's then-emerging work for more than a quarter century after an untimely death ended the artist's short but impressive career. It should be noted: during prior Osona sales of Sunter's work, prices realized were $30,000 for "Mending the Nets" s/d 1885 (sold in 2016) and $24,200 for "A Sand Beach, South Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1885” (sold in 1997). It is Osona's opinion that “Dories at Low Tide,” also signed and dated 1885 was likely also to have been painted on Nantucket Island.

Anne Ramsdell Congdon's (1873-1958) equally well-wrought oil painting renders a New Hampshire homestead. Native to Nashua, NH she was active on Nantucket from the 1920s-40s. Congdon began her art studies at the age of seven. As a young woman, she studied at the Académie Delecluse in Paris. Back in the States again, Congdon's study continued under Rhoda Holmes Nichols, an assistant of William Merritt Chase at Chase’s summer art school near Ogunquit, Maine. It was there that Boston and Ogunquit marine painter Charles H. Woodbury (1864–1940), was definitive in the further development of Congdon’s painterly style. The following summers on Nantucket with husband and family found her among a newly forming art colony and under a second famous Chase’s influence, (Frank Swift Chase 1886-1958) when Congdon's paintings grew larger and her brushes' expressions more amplified. A Boston Herald critic observed, “Her work is direct, facile, and without mannerisms.” Among multiple Osona sales of Anne Ramsdell Congdon's works, prices realized reached  $72,600, $78,000, and in August of 2022, $123,000.

Pedestal tables for dining emerged during the late 18th century. Stephen Swift's (1948-2001) late 20th century spider leg table spins some magic, its mahogany pedestal legs supporting perfectly matched leaves reflective of their source tree's grain and girth. Custom built, signed, and dated 2000, the extended table seats 10 and is offered just after the matching set of 10 signed Stephen Swift mahogany high back dining chairs, also signed and dated 2000. For 40 years, exceptional furniture was made to order in Stephen Swift's studio on Nantucket or in Pomfret, CT. His philosophy centered on craftsmanship. Accordingly, each of Swift's original designs "stem from a relationship between design and material." To ensure heirloom quality, one person constructs each individual piece from start to finish before undertaking the next. The Dec. 2 auction offers eleven Stephen Swift Furniture lots including a sideboard, beds, corner cabinet, barstools, desk, chairs and chest. 

Right up there with real estate, Nantucket baskets rank foremost among the island's iconic and justly prized collectibles. Unique to Nantucket in both style and form, the baskets were first made by crewmen aboard the Nantucket Lightship. When the Commonwealth banned the making of baskets aboard ship as “moonlighting,” makers simply moved their work from ship to shore. Woven on molds that ranged in size and purpose from single egg to sewing, apples to laundry,  they passed their craft on to the present day. Fashionable ladies of the 1940s took to using the baskets their husbands made as purses or, as was said in New England, "pocketbooks." José Formoso Reyes designed the first covered basket intended for use as a purse, its hinged cover woven around a personally designed plaque. The Nantucket "Friendship Basket" was born. Demand to own one immediately became and remains profound. 

An impressive collection of Nantucket baskets in 36 lots survey works by top friendship purse makers José Formoso Reyes, Stephen Gibbs, and Bill Sevrens. There's a 19th century nest by Rowland Folger, a rare, labeled J. O. Freeman 2-egg basket, and a serving tray made by Susan Chase Ottison. Nantucket collectors should not miss a tiny pair of signed coin silver salt spoons, circa 1830, the work of Nantucket silversmith, James Easton (1807-1903). From several recently sold Nantucket seaside properties and historic residences, there's an impressive mix. Weatherend Estate Furnishings in their proprietary "yacht white" finish include dining and serving tables, chairs, and pair of quarter round settees in 8 lots. Fine Art offerings include collectible Nantucket works by Isabelle Hollister Tuttle, Robert Stark Jr., Lowell Herrero, John Austin, Robert Jones, (image 20  - lot# 90 est. $8,000 -$12,000) John Lochtefeld, Robert Perrin, Joan Albaugh, Donald Jurney, Emily L. Hoffmeier and many others.

  A fine Hawaiian appliqué red on cream quilt leads 13 various quilt offerings.

Decorative arts include tea caddies, carved and inlaid boxes, vintage Steuben crystal, antique sailor’s valentines. Sterling silver includes flatware service and tea sets by Gorham and Georg Jensen, there's a collection of 58 Gorham sterling snowflake ornaments, and for the fun at heart, a Nantucket curated collection of Bakelite bracelets. 

Rafael Osona Auctions is highly regarded for consistent and exceptional offerings in designer furnishings, Nantucket art & artifacts, fine art, Nantucket baskets, Americana, maritime, scrimshaw & decorative Arts, estate jewelry, carpets and more. He is a third-generation antiquarian, a respected expert in the fields of maritime and Nantucket collections. Rafael is a 43-year master in the discrete sale of privately-owned antiques, fine art, and custom décor to global patrons. 

LIVE, IN-PERSON PREVIEW November 30 & December 1, 10am-5pm at American Legion Hall, 

21 Washington Street, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, US. ONLINE AUCTION begins promptly at 9:30am EST December 2nd.

Register to Bid at least 48 hours in advance 

Absentee or Phone Bids: +1(508) 228-3942 or info@RafaelOsonaAuctions.com

Cash, Check, ACH or Wire Transfer 

Pickup: Monday and Tuesday December 4&5, 9:30 - 4:00; Shipping and Delivery Available

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For additional information

508-228-3942 weekdays 9-5

http://www.rafaelosonaauction.com

GALLERY: 21 Washington St. Nantucket, MA 02554 US

OFFICE: PO Box 2607, Nantucket, MA 02584 US

EMAIL: info@RafaelOsonaAuctions.com

PHONE: +1(508) 228-3942

FAX: +1(508) 228-8778

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