I thought we would share some cool things from last week’s Hess Fine Art auction. Instead of boasting about the rare Patek that brought $40,000 or the rare mid-century print that brought $50,000, we thought it might be more interesting to share some less valuable but still cool items of interest.
The colorful Native American Indian doctor’s bag was purchased by us for $1,000 from a Tampa Bay resident and we achieved a nice 30% profit selling it for $1,400 (remember there are platform and advertising costs as well).
A Tampa Bay resident consigned to us a very rare lacquer sword case. These were made in the 17th and 18th centuries for carrying the most treasured swords of the daimyo (feudal lords) while traveling. An almost identical one is a prized possession of the Metropolitan Museum. She was hesitant to even let us try to sell it because it has extensive damage and missing parts. But its sheer rarity meant it fetched $2,000. It is going back home to Japan.
Some Auction Results Can Be a Surprise
Another damaged piece (with a “kiln kiss” missing factory “chip” on the side) still brought a $1,100 winning bid. This small Rookwood plaque was done by Edward Timothy Hurley, one of Rookwood’s best guys. It is not his best work, but it still did well.
An oddly marked Nikon camera that usually goes for a hundred or two, brought an amazing $1,700 because it was marked “Made in Occupied Japan” and had the original 1950 receipts and paperwork.
And lastly, we lost $2,000 on a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels platinum blue chalcedony, sapphire and diamond VCA blue gardenia clip-on earrings with box that were estimated to bring $30,000 to $40,000.
We would like to mention (boast) that this week Katrina Hess, Licensed Auctioneer, once again for the sixth year won the best of the best in this newspaper’s annual contest. All of us at Hess Fine Auctions appreciate all who voted for us.
Three former Sothebyscom associates and three art historians
on staff. We will buy for cash or consign to auction
any of your rare, valuable antiques, prints, jewelry
or collectibles. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
This is an archival article formerly written and is for informational purposes only. The valuations in this article have likely changed since it was first written.
