Rafael Osona Auctions Post Auction Highlights Americana, Fine Art, Marine August 6 & 7

August 15, 2022 - After a robust four-day live exhibition of 850 lots, Rafael Osona’s combined August 6^th & 7^th Americana, Fine Art, Marine Auction grosses nearly 2 million dollars.

Lot 196, Anne Ramsdell Congdon Oil on Canvas "View from Monomoy", circa 1941

Fine Art by Nantucket artists lead the two-day event, bringing solid bids that sailed above the house’s estimates. Anne Ramsdell Congdon’s 1941 oil on canvas "View from Monomoy” was top lot across the two-day sale, bringing $123,000 including buyer’s premium. Robert Stark Jr.’s iconic red sail paintings were consistent in attracting competitive interest with “Sunset Sail,” the largest bringing $70,725. Two scarce portraits painted by Wendell Macy in 1878 and 1895 brought $20,910 and $15,990 respectively, while Emily Hoffmeier’s circa 1920s depiction of Killen Wharf brought $18,450 and Sybil Goldsmith’s 1976 “View of Town from the Creeks” brought $8,190.

Lot 196c, Hayley Lever Oil on Canvas "Old South Wharf, Nantucket", circa 1929

Lot 174, Rare Benjamin Bunker Nantucket Coin Silver Porringer, circa 1797

Nantucket collectors further demonstrated allegiance to Island history with determined bidding for Hayley Lever’s 1939 oil, "Old South Wharf, Nantucket" which brought $70,400 against a $22,000-$30,000 estimate. An early view of the Old Nantucket Golf Course, painted in 1901 by William Wallace Scott sold for $23,370 and is destined for the Nantucket Historical Association, a gift from Friends of the NHA. Nantucket silversmith Benjamin Bunker’s rare 1797 coin-silver porringer sold to a local collector for $24,320, and the one-of-a-kind 19^th century bronze Nantucket Railroad bell brought $6,930 after having been discovered during a home renovation in ‘Sconset, MA.

Lot 172a, 1935 Ford Model 48-790 "Woody" Station Wagon

From an island estate, a set of six George Nakashima "New" chairs, circa 1962 found its $23,370 winning bid from Europe and Ford Motor Company’s 1935 Model 48-790 "Woody" Station Wagon is destined for a western Massachusetts collector. 

Lot 144, Ralph Eugene Cahoon Jr. "Mermaids and the Duck Hunters," Oil on Masonite

In the Folk Art category, two samplers wrought by paternal sisters among Boston’s prominent Loring family garnered $14,760 while Ralph Eugene Cahoon Jr.’s painting “Mermaids and the Duck Hunters” landed $61,500 with four other Cahoon works totaling $172,290.

The meticulously curated Gail & Rich Mellin Canton Collection attracted new bidders to 156 lots that individually and collectively represented Canton’s finest artistry. A rare group of nine graduating cider jugs led the category with a $13,530 winning bid. A clobbered example of a cider jug with allover Masons motifs brought $5,760, surpassing its $2,000-$3000 estimate, while keen interest in a 19th century Canton umbrella stand brought $5,376.

Top lots by bid count reflected strong interest across Osona’s decorative and fine art offerings, including a cranberry harvest painted by American Illustrator Lowell Herrero earning 25 bids, closing at $18,900. 24 bids brought a Gustavian pale blue serpentine credenza to $10,880 exceeding the $2,500-$3,500 estimate as did Eastman Johnson’s diminutive 6” x 6.5” pencil sketch with 22 bids fetching $12,710. (estimate $1,500-$2,500).

A commanding Connecticut Chippendale oxbow cherrywood secretary, circa 1790, brought $13,530 and is destined to grace a Nantucket Main Street Mansion. A pair of George III inlaid mahogany knife boxes brought a more than serviceable top bid of $11,520 and Island goldsmith Diana Kim England’s “loaded” 18k Gold Nantucket Charm Bracelet sold for $17,220.

Lot 620, French Prisoner of War Miniature 80 Gun Man-o-War Ship Model, circa 1800

French Prisoner of War artifacts lead The Marine Sale on day two, with a miniature 80 gun man-o-war ship model, circa 1800 selling for $13,860 while a miniature 3-figure spinning Jenny of carved bone, circa 1800 brought ($9,840).

Day Two’s Marine Auction’s Folk Art department attracted a top bid count for ingenuity if not grace with a wholly unique antique/vintage naval sailor-made, port starboard fid propeller table, its two-tiers constructed with king fid standard, solid brass boat propeller base, port with starboard paint-decorated graduated stands, and ropework throughout. The lot brought $1,260 in 24 bids, at $25 increments.

View and register to bid in Rafael Osona’s August 27, 2022 - Late Summer Auction​​​​​​​ on Bidsquare.