Asheville, North Carolina, August 1, 2020— Brunk Auctions’ global appeal was on full display at its mid-summer sale as bidders registered from 26 countries on six continents and vied for winning bids across an array of periods and categories. Very fine examples of American and European Paintings, American Furniture, Fine Silver, and Firearms and Militaria captured the best results across a variety of categories of sale with Fine Art claiming an impressive 44% of the total sale. With a 93% sell through rate, the auction surpassed its presale estimate and posted a final sale total of $1,650,513.
“It was gratifying to conclude our summer auctions with such strong results. There were over 4,500 bidders registered online, the sell through rate was 93% and we are successfully navigating the changes brought on by COVID19,” remarked Andrew Brunk. “The Fall and Winter auctions are shaping up to be some of the best in our history. We are full steam ahead!”
Fine Art delivered strong results for the mid-summer auction, posting an 87% sell through rate and accounting for 44% of the total weekend sales. Lot 890, Haymakers, a luminous oil on canvas by Julien Dupré was the top lot of the auction and sold for a total of $73,800. Emblematic of the French artist’s body of work, Haymakers will be included in the forthcoming Julien Dupré catalogue raisonné by Rehs Galleries, Inc.
Other Fine Art highlights included Lot 1051, Jervis McEntee’s oil on canvas, Lake Placid, New York, which realized $46,740; Lot 1104, Richard Evett Bishop’s oil on canvas, Geese at Sunset, Honey Lake, Monticello, Florida, which sold for a final total of $44,280; Lot 1184, a Rare Georgia Related Print after William Verelst which achieved $36,900; Lot 1301, Thomas Downing’s acrylic on canvas, Red 21, 1967, which sold for $19,680; and Lot 1286, Wolf Kahn’s oil on canvas, Field on Abbott Road, which finished at a final total of $15,360. Charles Caryl Coleman’s 1901 oil on canvas, Summer Flowers, Ana Capri, which realized a total of $14,760.
With a 98% sell through rate, American Furniture demonstrated solid returns and a continuing demand through 2020 for fine American pieces. Lot 1187, a Rare Historic Georgia Federal Desk and Bookcase secured the second highest price of the sale, finishing at a final total of $56,580. Other highlights included Lot 1225, a Very Fine Charleston Carved and Inlaid Mahogany Rice bed, which achieved $23,370; and Lot 1073, a Fine Federal Figured and Inlaid Serpentine Chest, which more than quadrupled its presale estimate and realized a total of $12,300.
The Fine Silver department again delivered excellent results with a 98% sell through rate. Lot 950, a Monumental Spanish Colonial Silver Incense Burner claimed the top lot of the category, greatly exceeding its presale estimate to finish at a final total of $17,220. This playful incense burner delighted bidders with both its turkey form with its articulated wings and hinged body and its extraordinary provenance. Other Fine Silver highlights included Lot 837, a Georgian Style English Silver Epergne, which achieved $17,220; Lot 858, a Tiffany Sterling Two Handle Tray, which realized $10,455; and Lot 843, a Set of Twelve George III English Silver Goblets, which sold for a final total of $8,610.
With a 100% sell through rate, the Firearms department delivered excellent results. Highlights included Lot 1336, a Boss & Co. Best SLE 20 Shotgun with Case, which sold for a total of $31,980; Lot 1337, a J. Purdey & Sons Shotgun, which realized $10,455; and Lot 1333, a Krieghoff Classic Left Handed Double Rifle, which achieved a final total of $7,380.
Southern Art highlights included Lot 1183, an Edgefield Dave Drake Stoneware Jug, which sold for a total of $15,990; and Lot 1242, Alfred Heber Hutty’s oil on board, Live Oaks with Moss, which finished at a final total of $9,840.
Brunk Auctions looks forward to building on its success this year for both collectors and consignors and welcomes potential consignments for Premier and Emporium auctions at its Asheville location. Visit us online at https://www.brunkauctions.com.