NEW YORK – The many forms and distinctive designs collectively known as Americana are showcased in a July 31 online-only auction hosted by Jasper52. Each of the items in this colorful, fully curated sale opens for bidding at $1, and across the board there’s no reserve (minimum required selling price).
Handcrafted by artisans, the decorative objects featured in the 45-lot auction define the rural American experience between the 1870s and 1940s, when our nation had a booming agrarian economy.
The centerpiece of many Americana collections is the weathervane – a figural metal element that was mounted to the roof of a barn, farmhouse or other building to indicate the wind’s direction. Several appealing vanes are found in the collection to be auctioned on July 31. The bidding opens with a circa 1940-50 grasshopper weathervane measuring 22¼ inches long and with a handsome verdigris surface. The estimate on Lot 1 is $250-$500.
Lot 35 a full-bodied, hollow-form codfish vane, circa 1930-40, is made of copper and has an excellent verdigris patina. Its estimate is $300-$600.
The sale’s closer, an elegant trotting-horse weathervane (shown at top of page), is made of copper with molded zinc ears and dates to the late 19th century. A fine and desirable specimen, it is expected to make $900-$1,800.
Ever popular with Americana collectors, game boards are displayed as bona fide works of art. Lot 23, a circa 1880-1920 Chinese checkers board is polychrome painted in red, yellow, green, blue and black. Shown below, its estimate is $100-$300. Following closely behind at Lot 26, a circa 1920-40 painted and varnished “Aggravation” game board is entered with a $100-$200 estimate.
A charming circa-1900 figural rooster windmill weight is painted in eye-pleasing shades of aqua, red and yellow. Estimate: $240-$480. Additionally, there are decorative folk art metal cutouts to tempt collectors, including Lot 9, a white-painted deer, which is estimated at $50-$100.
Several examples of tramp art are included, such as Lot 5, an elaborately notched and layered 1930s picture frame, $150-$300; Lot 21, a puzzle-work art basket with decoupage flowers, est. $250-$500; and Lot 31, a box on spool feet with interior mirror, est. $100-$200.
Textiles are featured in the sale, including two baby quilts and a 19th-century geometric hooked rug. Found in Illinois and mounted with a simple painted-wood frame, the rug is estimated at $180-$360.
There is so much more to view and bid on in this eclectic country-focused auction, including a repousse ram doorstop, blue and yellow painted firkin, and painted eagle wall plaque, to name but a few examples.
Jasper52 sales are no-reserve events, and all items start at $1.