Upon the 2014 death of Richard Mellon Scaife, a billionaire heir of the Mellon fortune, it was announced that his collection would split into two Pennsylvania museums – Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Scaife’s taste in art may be as conservative as many of his political views. … Continue reading The Remains of a Great Collection — Richard Mellon Scaife’s Paintings at Freeman’s
Tag: Freeman’s
Freeman’s Reschedules Sale Due to Storm
Due to the severe winter storm on the East Coast of the U.S., Freeman's is rescheduling its upcoming sales. According to a bulletin sent out by Freeman's, European Art & Old Masters auction has been postponed until Thursday, January 29 at 10 a.m. The sale initially was scheduled for January 27. While the business office will be … Continue reading Freeman’s Reschedules Sale Due to Storm
Auction Record Set for Asher B. Durand Painting
The top lot at a recent sale of American and European works at Freeman's was a work simply titled "Landscape." The auctioneer says the work has generated significant interest since its publication in Freeman's catalogue and was chased by bidders on the phone and in the room. Its final price of $386,500 is an auction … Continue reading Auction Record Set for Asher B. Durand Painting
Flea Market Sculpture Tops $20K at Auction
If you've ever stood in a flea market and wondered what you were looking at, it might be a lot of money. Found at a Flea Market in Philadelphia for $200, a unique sculpture commissioned by Tiffany & Co. from one of the world's foremost living silversmiths floored a standing-room only auction Tuesday at Freeman's … Continue reading Flea Market Sculpture Tops $20K at Auction
Chinese Landscape Brings $1.3 Million at Freeman’s
A painting by modern Chinese master Lee Man Fong topped estimates to bring $1,314,500 at Freeman's on Sunday. Fong was a painter born in Guangzhou, China. he died in 1988. The auction house reports this is the fourth consecutive Asian Arts auction to achieve million-dollar-plus prices for top items. Other recent sales include a Ming Dynasty gilt bronze and cloisonné covered jar … Continue reading Chinese Landscape Brings $1.3 Million at Freeman’s
Some Results from Freeman’s
I am not sure I have ever seen Freeman's auction so packed with furniture. Today's American Furniture, Silver, Decorative & Folk Arts auction in Philadelphia featured an array in styles and quality, providing insights into market strengths. The highlight for me was an architect's desk once owned by Declaration of Independence signer Charles Carroll. Irish … Continue reading Some Results from Freeman’s
Three Days in Philadelphia
When Philadelphia throws a party, as it does for Philadelphia Antiques Week, April 27 - May 1, there's so much to see and do that it takes a travel guide to plan an itinerary that allows enough time to take in the antiques shows and the city's sites. So, the publishers of PhiladelphiaAntiquesWeek.com have provided … Continue reading Three Days in Philadelphia
Seal Sets Record, Prove Popular With Collectors, Tourists
I've been in the room when an unnoticed or misidentified piece of Asian art hammers down at ten or more times the estimate. Chinese art and antiques having been owned by collectors for some time in America has a good chance of being the real deal, but it appears the most knowlegable people on the … Continue reading Seal Sets Record, Prove Popular With Collectors, Tourists
Season of Antique and Art Shows Approaching
The last months of the year, and then the first few months of the new year are the season for antique shows and art events. I thought I would take the opportunity to highlight some favorites, and introduce a new feature on Urban Art and Antiques, our calendar. The Theta Antiques Show in Houston is … Continue reading Season of Antique and Art Shows Approaching
Book References for Furniture at Freemans
I had some success finding book references for two items in this weekend’s auction of American furniture at Freemans in Philadelphia. The first items is the fourth lot, a pair of Chippendale carved mahogany side chairs. I mentioned them in yesterday’s post as well. There are similar chairs in American chairs: Queen Anne and Chippendale, by … Continue reading Book References for Furniture at Freemans
Urban Art & Antiques 