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Mid-Century Modern Sells in Middleboro

White's Auctions, Middleboro, Massachusetts

by Jackie Sideli

Photos courtesy White's Auctions

White's Auctions in Middleboro, Massachusetts, held a sale on August 29 that was packed several hours before it started. One of the reasons was the George Nakashima (1905-1990) American black walnut slab coffee table that was found in a local storage unit. According to Kathryn Black, one of the principals in the firm, the Nakashima table, a chair, and an ottoman had been made for the clients whose name was on the bottom of the table. A relative found the items and consigned them to White's. "We had phone bidders from Paris and lots from the United States," including the retail couple from an eastern U.S. city who bought the table by phone for $8050 (includes buyer's premium).

Another big draw at the sale was the exceedingly rare French automaton industrial revolution clock. According to Jim Milanoski, one of the underbidders, "They are quite rare. When it hits the hour, all four wheels turn." After an intense bidding war that included a phone bidder from Moscow, the clock sold for $26,450 to a very satisfied Larry Thompson of Sundial Farms, Greenlawn, New York, who also has a gallery at the Manhattan Art and Antiques Center in New York City.

A stylish pair of ottomans designed by Paul Evans (1931-1987), from his "Argente" series, signed "Paul Evans 1967" and made of hand-tooled aluminum painted black with a scratched design and white tops, sold for $8625 to the phone. A rare and delicate frosted glass ram's head car hood ornament by René Lalique, with a signature in relief and dated to 1928, sold for $5290.

The same local estate that produced the Paul Evans ottomans produced sculptures and paintings by Wei Leitany (John Way) (b. 1921). Both were abstract oils on paper. The dramatic Broken Branches, dated 1967, 18¾" x 23¾", sold for $2127.50. Desert Plant, dated 1966, 17¾" x 23½", went to a left bid at $1840.

The same local estate produced a Bertoia-like kinetic metal spray sculpture, which the catalog noted was made by Don Conard. An aluminum spray on a square base, it measured 26" tall and sold at a fair $575.

The George Nakashima footstool in walnut found in a local storage unit sold to the phone for $2185. The rare Nakashima armchair in walnut, dating from around 1959, sold for $2645.

A German paratrooper helmet drew lots of attention. With the original liner and strap and in as-found condition, it sold for $2875. A Chinese calligraphy brush painting sold for a solid $4830. Among the mid-century offerings was a stylish Howard Miller grandfather clock, 64" tall, in chrome and mahogany that seemed like a good deal at just $575.

A few fine early American items surfaced. A Shaker worktable in maple or cherry with a one-board top drew much attention before the sale and sold quickly to a buyer at the auction for $3220. An interesting lot of Civil War material that included a Civil War flag, a brass bugle, a Maine discharge, and a Massachusetts Civil War discharge, went to a phone bidder at $1955.

This was a very interesting auction with lots of variety. It provided a rare opportunity to buy Nakashima furniture fresh from the original owner. Kathryn Black and John White have been operating since 1993 in Middleboro. Black started collecting in the fifth grade when she rescued an antique desk from her friend's trash. White has been in the antiques business 25 years. The couple will host their next sale on November 7. For more information, call (508) 947-9281 or check the Web site (www.whitesauctions.com).

Originally published in the November 2010 issue of Maine Antique Digest. (c) 2010 Maine Antique Digest