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Americana

Wonderful Americana selected for July 31 no-reserve online auction

Copper and zinc trotting horse weathervane, est. $900-$1,800
Copper and zinc trotting horse weathervane, est. $900-$1,800

 

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.

 

Grasshopper weathervane, est. $250-$500
Grasshopper weathervane, est. $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.

 

Codfish weathervane with well-sculpted scales, est. $300-$600
Codfish weathervane with well-sculpted scales, est. $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.

 

Polychrome painted Chinese checkers game board, est. $100-$200
Polychrome painted Chinese checkers game board, est. $100-$200

 

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.

 

Circa-1900 Elgin figural rooster windmill weight, est. $240-$480
Circa-1900 Elgin figural rooster windmill weight, est. $240-$480

 

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.

 

One of several examples of tramp art to be auctioned, this box with carved heads and an embedded portrait is expected to make $150-$300.
One of several examples of tramp art to be auctioned, this box with carved heads and an embedded portrait is expected to make $150-$300.

 

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.

 

Geometric hooked rug, est. $180-$360
Geometric hooked rug, est. $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.

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.