Game Boards Galore and More at Skinner!

In an unexpected roll of the dice, the playful side of Americana moved ahead several spaces during Skinner's American Furniture & Decorative Arts sale on March 3rd. Amongst the fine art selection that one expects to see in catalog such as this (nautical scenes, family portraits and appetizing still lifes) the delicate art of game board painting was equally admired during the sale that cleared $1.3 million in sales. 

Actively jumping across the auction block, Bidsquare crowned a few kings of its own during the course of the auction. The top lot on Bidsquare was lot 72, a Polychrome Paint-decorated Double-sided Game Board from the late 19th Century selling for a total of $10,455 against an estimate of $6,000 - $8,000.

The kaleidoscopic precision of lot 72 can be admired for its geometric complexity alone, however its history and past function adds an intriguing dimension to its place in American folk art history. Coming from the collection of Allan Katz, an authority and respected dealer in American advertising, Americana and American folk art, its safe to say that this buyer made all the right moves. Additional game boards sold to the platform were lot 65, lot 70 and lot 74. 

Here are our favorite highlights, sold on Bidsquare:

1. A Polychrome Paint-decorated Double-sided Game Board | $10,455

2. Polychrome Paint-decorated Checkerboard | $6,765

3. Walnut High Chest of Drawers | $3,382.50

4. Carved Mahogany Side Chair | $1,476

5. Painted Tin Coffeepot | $1,968

6. Slip-decorated Pearlware Master Salt | $1,599

7. Two-sided "Rocket to Mars" Carnival Ride Sign | $861

8. Four Carnival "Knock-down" Pins | $307.50

Click here to view the full results for Skinner's American Furniture & Decorative Arts sale on March 3rd.

Register to bid in Skinner's upcoming sales! 

Click here to view their Asian Works of Art sale coming up on March 16th.

Click here to view their Fine Jewelry Collections sale coming up on March 20th.

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Jessica Helen Weinberg | Senior Content Editor at Bidsquare

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