This Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, and others like it, will be the topic of discussion at a free seminar and appraisal session to be hosted by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery on Sunday, Mar. 21, 2010.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Fontaine’s Auction Gallery—which has been the scene of numerous auctions that featured rare and vintage lamps and lighting fixtures—will be offering a free one-day seminar and appraisal on the lamps of Tiffany and other 20th century lighting.

The seminar is slated for Sunday, Mar. 21, in the firm’s gallery facility here in Pittsfield.

Guest speaker for the event will be Paul Crist of Paul Crist Studios, an expert in Tiffany lamps and the author of the book “Mosaic Shades II.” Crist specializes in Tiffany examples and has more than 30 years’ experience in mosaic shades (copper foiled and leaded).

Teaming with Crist will be John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, himself an expert in the field of lamps and vintage lighting and co-author of the book “The Handel Lamps Book.” Fontaine invites the public to bring their lamps to the seminar for a free evaluation and authentication. A certificate documenting a vintage lamp’s authenticity may also be purchased.

“If you have one piece or an entire collection, we are here for you,” said Fontaine. “We suggest calling ahead, to reserve a time slot in the morning or afternoon.” Fontaine added his firm will host a Spring Exceptional Antiques Auction on May 22, at which a session will be devoted entirely to fine lighting from estates and collections from around the country.

“We are offering a zero-percent sellers’ commission on high-end lighting and antiques,” Fontaine said. “That’s right; it will cost consignors nothing to sell their Tiffany and other high-end lighting at one of the top galleries for 20th century arts and lighting in the country.” Fontaine’s implemented the zero-percent commission policy at the end of last year.

Crist is a nationally renowned and leading expert in the lighting field by dealers and collectors alike. He is said to be the “last stop” for authenticating and lighting evaluation and his exhaustive research and documentation, spanning more than three decades, prompted him to produce the three-volume “Mosaic Shades” series, which is used as a learning tool by collectors.

John Fontaine and Paul Crist, who will both speak at the seminar, authored these lamp books.

His first publication, “Mosaic Shade II,” is packed with knowledge and photos of the many copper-foiled shade makers apart from Tiffany, to include Duffner & Kimberly, Chicago Mosaic, Wilkinson, John Morgan, Unique Glass Co. and more. Volume II serves a dual purpose: it is a handsome coffee table treasure, and it is a “go-to” reference for the ambitious researcher.

Fontaine was born into the world of auctions and antiques. He has been in the business for 40 years, both as an auctioneer and ambitious researcher. His knowledge extends to renowned furniture makers like J.H. Belter, J. & J.W Meeks, R.J. Horner, Herter Brothers, Alexander Roux, Gustav Stickley, Charles Rohlfs and many others recognizable to collectors.

But Fontaine’s passion for lighting is uncharted. Over time, he has had the kind of hands-on experience that most can only dream about, and his driving ambition assisted him well in the preparation and writing of “The Handel Lamps Book.” Documenting and photographing the treasures of Philip Handel, he was able to produce a definitive reference work on Handel lamps.

Fontaine has embraced the world of 20th century lighting fully. Included in his repertoire is knowledge of other reverse painted lamp makers such as Moe Bridges, Pittsburgh, Jefferson and Pairpoint, as well as leaded/copper-foiled lamp makers like Tiffany, Duffner & Kimberly, Chicago Mosaic, Wilkinson, John Morgan, Unique Glass Company and many others.

For more information about this seminar, call 413.448.8922, e-mail to info [at] fontaineauction [dot] com, or visit the Fontaine’s Auction Gallery Web site.

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This Tiffany Studios 20-inch Dragonfly table lamp with excellent 6-dragonfly shade is estimated to bring between $75,000 and $100,000 at a massive three-session auction on Nov. 21 hosted by Fontaine's Auction Gallery.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Antique lighting by Tiffany, Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, Pairpoint and others will highlight a massive three-session cataloged auction boasting nearly 525 lots to be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

The auction will also include many sought-after vintage clocks and watches, pieces of Arts & Crafts furniture and accessories, bronzes, coins, paintings, porcelains and more. The sale is being facilitated by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery.

A Duffner & Kimberly modern floral table lamp (est. $50,000-$75,000) and a Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp (est. $75,000-$100,000) are the prizes of the show.

“Originally, this auction was envisioned as three separate sales, but in the end we decided to just combine them into one huge event, held on one day,” said John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery. “For that reason alone we expect a healthy turnout.” Online bidding will be facilitated via Artfact.com and the Fontaine’s Web site. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

Session I will kick things off with vintage clocks and watches, a category for which Fontaine’s has become renowned in the industry, thanks to semi-annual sales that have featured blockbusting top lots. Among the expected top lots include an E. Howard & Co. #60 astronomical hanging regulator (est. $75,000-$125,000) and a Howard & Davis astronomical regulator (est. $75,000-$125,000). Several fine examples of the E. Howard #61 astronomical floor standing regulator clocks were sold by Fontaine’s within a year, hitting prices of $195,500, $189,750, and $161,000.

This Duffner & Kimberly 22-inch #508 modern floral table lamp with a rare leaded shade is expected to bring between $50,000 and $75,000.

The name Howard will be very much in evidence at the Nov. 21 sale, with the aforementioned clocks figuring to dominate the session. The E. Howard & Co. #60 astronomical hanging regulator has a fantastic walnut case with burled trim and quality carvings and is in great condition. The Howard & Davis astronomical regulator has a signed 16-inch silvered dial and a massive quality brass movement.

Other clocks expected to do well include a large bronze French industrial automated locomotive clock with gilt bronze trimmings (est. $20,000-$30,000); a French conical marble and bronze clock, in excellent condition (est. $15,000-$20,000); an Aaron Willard Massachusetts shelf clock (est. $12,000-$15,000); and a signed Herter Brothers mantle clock in a heavily carved case (est. $5,000-$7,000).

Yet another E. Howard & Co. clock will come under the gavel: a Figure 8 #8 wall clock with black pierce diamond hands and original signed 11-inch dial (est. $12,000-$15,000). Vintage watches will feature a Tiffany & Co. minute repeater pocket watch with split-second chronograph (est. $8,000-$10,000) and a Verge Fusee ¼ hour dumb repeater watch with encrusted pearls (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Session II will feature some 375 lots of furniture, lamps, accessories and coins, with anticipated top achievers including a an early Gustav Stickley #6 chalet plant stand (est. $15,000-$25,000), a set of six mahogany R.J. Horner figural carved dining room chairs with oversize frames and maidens on the sides (est. $18,000-$25,000); a monumental 9-piece figural oak dining room set attributed to R.J. Horner (est. $15,000-$25,000); and a carved floral inlaid Herter Brothers ebonized parlor cabinet (est. $15,000-$25,000).

And early Gustav No. 6 chalet plant stand, with deep brown finish and original paper label, could realize between $15,000 and $25,000 at auction on Nov. 21.

Other stars of the furniture category include a 7-piece laminated rosewood parlor set by J.H. Belter in the Rosalie with Grapes pattern (est. $15,000-$25,000); an Egyptian Revival marble-top credenza (Allen Bros., Philadelphia, est. $15,000-$20,000); a carved 4-door walnut breakfront (est. $12,000-$15,000); and an oak game carved sideboard attributed to A. Roux (est. $10,000-$15,000).

The Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp and Duffner & Kimberly table lamp will be the undisputed champs of the lamps category, but other lots to watch include a 12-inch Pairpoint Apple Tree reverse painted table lamp (est. $20,000-$30,000); a Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom table lamp (est. $18,000-$22,000); and a Handel reverse painted Daffodil table lamp (est. $12,000-$15,000).

Art glass will include an unusual conical form Galle leaf and bud cameo cut vase (est. $2,500-$3,500) and a bulbous form Mt. Washington Crown Milano goldfish vase with a trumpeted neck (est. $6,000-$8,000). Also sold will be a lovely original oil on canvas river valley scene by David Johnson (N.Y., 1827-1908), signed and dated (1866), relined and with visible touch-ups (est. $40,000-$60,000).

Rounding out the expected top lots of Session II: a huge walnut figural mantle with timepiece, heavily carved with large figural robed maidens (est. $20,000-$30,000); a nice Symphonion No. 192 mahogany music box with bells, playing 27-inch discs, in original finish and condition (est. $15,000-$25,000); and a Pierre-Francois Jumeau bisque head bebe doll, 19 inches tall (est. $4,000-$6,000).

Bridging Sessions II and III will be a number of gold coins, to include a pair of Walking Liberty $20 gold pieces (est. $2,000-$3,000). Session III will feature Arts & Crafts furniture, to include a Gustav Stickley #703 Ellis designed leaded 2-door bookcase with a long arched apron (est. $8,000-$12,000) and the aforementioned early Gustav No. 6 chalet plant stand with a deep brown finish and original paper label, lacking its original Grueby tile.

For more information, call Fontaine’s Auction Gallery at (413) 448-8922, e-mail to info [at] fontaineauction [dot] com or visit the Fontaine’s Web site.

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