Adolf Von Menzel Quadruples Estimate

On Sunday, June 6th, at Grogan and Company a drawing by German artist, Adolf Von Menzel, soared well beyond it’s $3,000-5,000 estimate, achieving $32,200, the highest price of the sale. A bevy of European phone bidders vied for the prized drawing before it finally sold to a German collector. An oil on canvas by Nova Scotia artist, Jack Gray, Gathering Irish Moss, sold for $21,850 to a private New England collector and a Pastoral Landscape by Edward Mitchell Bannister brought $20,700. Of local interest was a large oil by Dedham native, Charles Mills, titled The Little Love God. Known for his mural painting, the artists interpretation of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 154 was sold for $7,475 by the Dedham Institute for Savings with the proceeds benefiting the Dedham Historical Society.Albert de Carrier-Belleuse’s bronze Enlevement D’Hippodamie, a 25 ½ inch sculpture from the collection of art historian Fred Licht, achieved $26,450, against a $20,000-30,000 estimate.

Highlights from the furniture and decorative arts offerings included a Rare French Brass and Beveled Glass Astrological Mantle Clock, which brought the second highest price of the sale, $28,750 and a Pair of Austrian Wiener Werstatte Silvered Metal Fluted Vases, rescued from the discard pile of a local estate, far surpassed their $1,500-2,000 estimate, selling for $14,950 to a European collector. The top furniture lot was a Fine 19th century Georgian Carved and Inlaid Mahogany Breakfront, which sold for $10,350 and the rug highlight was a beautiful blue ground Heriz Carpet, circa 1910, which sold over the phone for a respectable $24,150.