A pair of gorgeous marine oil paintings by the noted British artist Thomas Buttersworth (1768-1842) sold for a combined $33,925 at a multi-estate sale held Oct. 21 by Gordon S. Converse & Co.
The paintings were the top achievers in a two-session sale that featured around 275 lots of fine art, period American furniture, ceramic objects, decorative accessories, vintage clocks and more.
The Buttersworth oils included Glasgow & Cutter Scout, the top earner at $19,550, and Glasgow & Albion, which finished at $14,375. Glasgow refers to the H.M. Frigate Glasgow, a 50-gun warship. The Albion was a 74-gun second ship. Both paintings were executed circa 1826-27 and were housed in later gilt wood frames. Each possessed identical measurements of 19 inches by 23 ¼ inches in the frame.
“It seems to me that the added value to these otherwise attractive paintings by this popular marine artist is that they are a pair, having survived together since the original execution,” said Gordon S. Converse, adding the paintings were both purchased by the same bidder.
The auction was held at the Italian-American Club in Wayne, a suburb of Philadelphia located about a half-hour west of the city, at 301 West Wayne Ave. Around 100 bidders combined participated live, by phone and through absentee bids. In addition, approximately 200 people registered to bid online, via LiveAuctioneers.com. Session one was a Discovery Auction, while session two was a Gallery Sale.
Other Fine art items sold included. a framed and matted 19th century engraving after Benjamin West’s William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians, one of the more fanciful images in Philadelphia history, went for $1,150. Also, a Victorian-era antique oil portrait of a happy cavalier at a tavern merrily drinking wine breezed to $900, which seemed to be a great value, since the elaborate gilt frame was about perfect and the image strong by a listed artist, while portraits of colonial figures Aaron Foster and Hannah Brown Foster sold for $805 and $748, respectively.
An antique oil painting on tin, measuring 7 ½ inches by 5 ½ inches and titled on the frame, Self Portrait Thomas Scully 1783-1872, painted by Scully at age 80 and framed later, demanded $805; a pointillist painting of sailboats at a dock by George W.K. Newbold (Am., 1879-1948) realized $633; and a set of four scenes of Italy, each signed Ellore Gianni and measuring 6 by 9 inches, commanded $633.
Gordon S. Converse & Co. is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them directly, at (610) 722-9004, or, you can inquire by e-mail at [email protected].
To learn more about Gordon S. Converse & Co, you may log on to www.AuctionsatConverse.com
