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Jeffrey S. Evans

Collectors profess devotion to folk art valentines at Jeffrey S. Evans auction

Shenandoah Valley of Virginia cut-work/scherenschnitte valentine, dated 1856, lot 260, $22,230. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia cut-work/scherenschnitte valentine, dated 1856, lot 260, $22,230. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image

 

MT. CRAWFORD, Va. – The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates’ Americana and Fine Antiques Auction on Nov. 12 was a successful event and generated strong prices in multiple categories. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.com.

With over 120 consignors included, the auction consisted of an especially large 1,091-lot offering of high quality material, much of which was fresh to the market, and, in many cases, had descended directly in the families of the original owners. Bidding was intense throughout the long day, with strong institutional interest and over 3,000 registered bidders from nearly 50 countries participating.

Leading the way in a robust folk art category, the sale’s top lot was an important Shenandoah Valley of Virginia folk art cut-work/scherenschnitte watercolor and ink on paper valentine (above), dated 1856, one of three valentines and an embroidered show towel made by Sarah Weaver (1839-1918) of Rockingham County, Virginia, fresh to the market, descended directly in the family of the maker. A rare and delicate form in fine condition, the valentine brought $22,230 from a prominent Virginia dealer bidding on behalf of a client (all prices include a 17 percent buyer’s premium).

Another valentine by Sarah Weaver, dated 1854, also captivated collectors, ending at $12,870. From the same group, an embroidered cotton on linen show towel (below), dated 1854, one of only four Shenandoah Valley examples known, attracted strong bidder interest, selling to a prominent Virginia institution for $12,870 (Lot 262).

 

Shenandoah Valley of Virginia embroidered show towel, dated 1854, lot 262, $12,870. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia embroidered show towel, dated 1854, lot 262, $12,870. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image

 

Other noteworthy folk art results from the sale include an American carved hollow-body carousel figure (below) at $8,775, a large and dynamic late 19th century hooked rug at $8,190 (Lot 355), and a vibrant American, possibly New York, tied bed cover exhibiting an undulating embroidered design at $6,435 (Lot 371).

 

American carved hollow-body carousel figure, lot 281, $8,775. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image
American carved hollow-body carousel figure, lot 281, $8,775. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image

 

Additional segments of the sale produced positive results as well, demonstrating signs of vigor in what is often an unpredictable market. Native American material and American historical objects were two such categories that exhibited strength. Featuring the collection of author, scholar, craftsman and historian Wallace Gusler of Williamsburg, Virginia, the auction contained a choice selection of Native American articles, including a wide array of tomahawks, axes, points and other objects. Top performer in this section of the sale was an 18th-century American pipe tomahawk (below). The early form retained its likely original leather-covered haft exhibiting “crow track” decoration and generated strong interest, selling to a private collector for $9,360.

 

Eighteenth-century American pipe tomahawk, lot 193, $9,360. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image
Eighteenth-century American pipe tomahawk, lot 193, $9,360. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image

 

Historical material also performed well in the auction and was highlighted by an important wine glass cooler (below) from the Andrew Jackson/Franklin Pierce-pattern White House service. Produced by either Bakewell, Page and Bakewell in Pittsburgh or the Brooklyn Flint Glass Works in New York, and beautifully engraved with a design based on the Great Seal of the United States, the rare object soared past its estimate range to settle at $14,040.

 

Wineglass cooler from the Andrew Jackson/Franklin Pierce-pattern White House service, lot 179, $14,040. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image
Wineglass cooler from the Andrew Jackson/Franklin Pierce-pattern White House service, lot 179, $14,040. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image

 

The auction finished with a large selection of 17th to 19th century ceramics highlighted by a Virginia estate collection of English and Dutch tin-glazed Delft that drew strong Internet interest. Top lot was a 10-inch diameter tazza signed “VE” for Lambertus Van Eenhoorn, at De Metaale Pot, Delft, Holland which reached $2,808 (Lot 855).

 

Late 19th-century American hooked rug of impressive size, lot 355, $8,190. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image
Late 19th-century American hooked rug of impressive size, lot 355, $8,190. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates image

 

After the sale, company president and auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated tremendous interest from private collectors, regional and national institutions, and dealers alike. The excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and high quality of the merchandise offered. In addition, the auction was 99 percent unreserved, so the results are a true and honest gauge of the current market.”

For more information email info@jeffreysevans.com or call 504-434-3939.

 

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