Rafael Osona 41st Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Online Auction

NANTUCKET, MA  – Sourced from Nantucket’s oceanfront and historic estates, and from private collectors across the US, Rafael Osona’s 41^st Annual Christmas Stroll Auction is loaded. With strong offerings in both maritime arts and Americana, the Dec. 4^th online auction presents a Smart Fortwo Car convertible, fine art and antiques, collectibles, a 1936 Steinway baby grand piano, jewelry, furs, luxury furnishings and décor - the 600-lot event is packed with unique holiday gifts – there’s something special for absolutely everyone.

Lot 179, Terry Bailey (b. Manchester 1941), America's Cup 1895,  Oil on Canvas

The colorful drama of the maritime permeates the annual event: In a rousing painting, 1895 America’s Cup winner, Defender foils her rival off Sandy Hook lightship. Terry Bailey R.S.M.A. (b. 1941).

There’s a quiet drama in an exceedingly rare, blue-sailed catboat painted by Robert Stark Jr. that will not be overlooked among global collectors of Stark’s iconic red sails. The winning bidder will want to take home a second Robert Stark Jr. lot – the artist’s signature, luminist view of twilight marshlands and the sound. That blue sail? In this painting its barely visible, reaching against an infinite, faintly rouged horizon.

Wendell Macy’s oil on canvas is a resplendent 1894 view of Nantucket’s Brant Point Lighthouse - the second oldest light station in America, wrecked, burned, moved, and rebuilt more times than any other. 

Equally splendid, a portrait of the Boston bark, White Cloud at Smyrna in 1853, the impressive work of a young Raffaele Corsini. (1830-1880). The 5 lots headline a compelling selection of marine paintings by both Continental and American artists across the 19^th and 20^th centuries, including Antonio Jacobsen, Theodore Victor Valenkamph, Salvatore Colacicco, Joseph McGurl, Jack Gray, David Bareford, William Lowe, Peter Layne Arguimbau and others.

Lot 69, George Herbert McCord (New York 1848-1909) Shipyard with Lady Under a Sun Umbrella, Oil on Canvas

Hudson River School enthusiasts will note a scarce genre scene by George Herbert McCord, (1848-1909) esteemed landscape and maritime painter of the second Hudson River group. In this painting, the artist observes a pair of young children with their guardian, waterside; their pleasant idyl under clearing mid-day skies overshadowed by the dank and rugged bulk of a local shipyard. 

For Nantucket collectors of 20^th century regional art, works by Julian Yates, Doris and Richard Beer, Irmgard Arvin, Maggie Meredith, John Austin, Joan Albaugh, Paul LaPaglia, James Cromartie, Kerry Hallam, David Lazarus, Jan Pawlowski, and more offer a broad selection. Nantucket Stroll enthusiasts will note C. Robert Perrin’s fitting Nantucket Noel burlesque.

Lot 68, Stephen Swift Cherry and Ash Pomfret Windsor Side Chair #2

Outstanding amid a broad survey of 18^th and 19^th century American, Continental, Gustavian, and English antiques, designer Stephen Swift’s meticulously crafted heirloom furniture is presented in 7 lots. Particularly rare is a graduated seven-drawer chest in ash and cherry. Also presented are Swift’s spindle bed, wardrobe/armoire, and two writing desks, all in cherry; and more.

Lot 118, Jose Formoso Reyes (1902-1980) Friendship Basket

Look for impressive material woven by the Nantucket basket greats, (28 lots) including rare Nantucket basket nests by José Formoso Reyes and Mitchy Ray. There’s a fine contemporary interpretation of Nantucket Basket design in a 36” shallow tray that also serves as a cocktail table. A standout among the extensive selection of Nantucket basket purses by José Formoso Reyes and others is a scrimshawed bone ditty box, the collaboration of esteemed craftsmen Mark Sutherland and David Lazarus. 

Don’t miss the smart, extremely low mileage Smart Fortwo car convertible or the classic 1936 Steinway black lacquer baby grand piano. 

From Osona’s textiles department, sailors’ 19^th century woolies complement folksy hooked rugs and American patchwork quilts. The English woolies are represented in 7 lots, alongside worthy sailor-made shadow boxes and cased models.

Lot 211, Signed Antique Log Cabin Patchwork Quilt

Two lots are of notable merit among the dozen American patchwork quilts presented. A signed, circa 1880 quilt in the log cabin pattern will appear visionary among today’s collectors both for its restraint and its modernist palette.

Conversely, the artfully worked blocks in a 19^th century kaleidoscopic interpretation of the barn raising pattern imply the baroque. Designers will acknowledge the pair’s virtue in today’s cool neutral interiors. 

Lot 158, Signed Martha Cahoon and Bernard Woodman Sailor's Valentine

Sailor’s valentines by 20^th-21^st century artisans (9 lots) offer refined expressions of 19^th c. shell artistry. Collectors will value a work by Bernard Woodman, his shell mosaic built around a centered painting by Martha Cahoon and will prize the skill of multiple award winner, Richard Lee.

Perfect for holiday gifting, a men’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual President Day-Date Watch in 18k Yellow Gold, a ladies’ Bvlgari stainless, pink gold and diamond expansion bracelet, and a stunning collection of genuine South Sea Pearl necklaces and earrings are among the fineries presented in the Jewelry department, (22 lots) plus silver including Tiffany & Co., Thomas Levesley – Sheffield, Gorham, and flatware services by Osborne, Christofle and Lunt. (14 lots)

Lot 218, British Regency Dome Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy, 19th Century

A variety of antique chests and boxes from centuries past, devised to secure valuables or transport properties include a fine Tennessee (or Kentucky) sugar safe, an English Bible box, American feather painted blanket chest, knife boxes and tea caddies, still banks, a Biedermeier coffer, elegant Regency card holder, a sea chest with original beckets, Chinese export camphorwood and leather trunks, an Anglo Indian document box, campaign chests, jewelry and vanity boxes, and a George III Beau Brummel.

Opulent chinoiserie adorns a 19^th century flat top highboy, while a highly ornate lacquer & parquetry etagere cabinet of the same period headlines 11 lots of bamboo furniture. American furniture includes a fine set of 12 Pennsylvania stenciled and grain painted rush seat chairs. 

Carpets include antique and vintage tribal, including Navajo and Persians, as well as American hooked rugs and Claire Murray designs. (35 lots)

Rafael Osona Auctions is highly regarded for consistent and exceptional offerings in quality 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. He is a 41-year master in the discrete sale of privately-owned antiques, fine art, and custom décor to global patrons.