Ken Farmer is an auction house i follow regularly as its close to where i live in charlotte nc. Yesterday, this little table generated 50 bids and went for over 8k, it had an auction estimate of $400-$600. What's so special about this table?
http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170246039719&rd=1
Orientalist Parlor Table
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General Discussion thread on victorianforum.com · started August 18, 2008 by jacon4 · 7 posts · discussion in 2008.
Ken Farmer is an auction house i follow regularly as its close to where i live in charlotte nc. Yesterday, this little table generated 50 bids and went for over 8k, it had an auction estimate of $400-$600. What's so special about this table?…
Wow - I'll bet it made the sellers (and auctioneers) day. Who'd a thunk it? Definately a fluke. Auctions can be weird for sure. All it takes is 2 determined bidders with a healthy bank account and prices can head for the moon.
Someone (a few someones) know something or at least "think" something is desirable about that table - ie. maker.
Good Call by RV, turns out this table is from the shop of Carlo Bugatti, Italian,1856-1940
"The elaborately decorated table proved to be quite a surprise. It was cataloged as a late 19th-century “Orientalist parlor table.” The table is in the familiar splayed-leg parlor table form, but every surface is inlaid with intricate patterns and images of insects, fish, and plant life, primarily in silver. Its top has a wide inward beveled edge creating a picture frame effect around the top surface. The table measures 30" x 28½" x 28½" and is in very good overall condition. The gallery sat transfixed as telephone bidders pushed the price of the seemingly modest table est. $400/600) to $8050.
Later, Ken Farmer answered the question that was on everyone’s mind: “What is so special about that table?” He announced that he had learned the table is the work of Carlo Bugatti
Italian, 1856-1940). Bugatti’s work is noted for incorporating elements of Gothic, Moorish, and Oriental design, and this table represents the full range of those styles. In the early 20th century Carlo Bugatti’s son Ettore focused his own artistic senses on steel and horsepower as the founder of the legendary Bugatti automobile company."
"The elaborately decorated table proved to be quite a surprise. It was cataloged as a late 19th-century “Orientalist parlor table.” The table is in the familiar splayed-leg parlor table form, but every surface is inlaid with intricate patterns and images of insects, fish, and plant life, primarily in silver. Its top has a wide inward beveled edge creating a picture frame effect around the top surface. The table measures 30" x 28½" x 28½" and is in very good overall condition. The gallery sat transfixed as telephone bidders pushed the price of the seemingly modest table est. $400/600) to $8050.
Later, Ken Farmer answered the question that was on everyone’s mind: “What is so special about that table?” He announced that he had learned the table is the work of Carlo Bugatti
Italian, 1856-1940). Bugatti’s work is noted for incorporating elements of Gothic, Moorish, and Oriental design, and this table represents the full range of those styles. In the early 20th century Carlo Bugatti’s son Ettore focused his own artistic senses on steel and horsepower as the founder of the legendary Bugatti automobile company."
OOPS, sorry, to see a pic of table as its no longer on ebay, heres a link to article.
http://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/index.html?id=931
http://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/index.html?id=931
There were some interesting sale prices that doubled auction estimates at Freemans sale, but these are pretty spectacular figures! Was condition perfect? I would definitely wonder about the purchasers who buy things with condition issues at very high prices, as I saw that happen quite a bit on Saturday.
amadara, no, condition wasnt perfect but never is with antique furniture, table was in very good condition considering it's age. The fact that the Bugatti name was attached to the table was what made it more valuable than it otherwise would be.