October 15, 2012
Rare Bach Portrait Sells for $122,500 at Freeman’s
(Philadelphia, Pa) October 12, 2012 - Auctions love a mystery... Controversy has long surrounded the portrait of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, attributed to the unsung painter Elias Gottlob Haussmann. The top lot in Freeman's October 'International Sales,' it hammered in, after a vigorous bidding war, at an astounding $122,500, many times what might be expected. Is this a contemporaneous portrait, painted of the composer from life, as abundant scholarship, scientific evidence, even a book suggest?... The market has spoken. The smart money is betting it is.
Freeman's 'Old Master Paintings' auction, only our second-ever, is a key component of our 'International Sale,' in alliance with Lyon & Turnbull, Scotland's oldest auction house. It succeeded, as the only Old Masters Painting sale in America outside of New York, in capturing the interest of collectors across the continents, resulting in a strong performance across the board that reflects our growing strength and commitment in this arena.
Freeman's 'Old Master Paintings' auction, only our second-ever, is a key component of our 'International Sale,' in alliance with Lyon & Turnbull, Scotland's oldest auction house. It succeeded, as the only Old Masters Painting sale in America outside of New York, in capturing the interest of collectors across the continents, resulting in a strong performance across the board that reflects our growing strength and commitment in this arena.
Presenting a complementary dimension, Freeman's 'International Sale: Fine Antiques & Decorative Arts' auction achieved equally dazzling results, compensating for the depreciating market in Georgian furniture with an expanded scope of diverse rare and unique pieces, such as the exquisite Japanese bronzes that shattered estimates, to pique the interest of top world collectors.
Overall, the prominence of the collections on offer in Freeman's International Sales -including the estate of philanthropist Marvin J. Lundy and the contents of Ditchley, an historic Virginia plantation, formerly the Virginia home of Alfred I. and Jessie Ball DuPont-generated a groundswell of local American interest and enthusiastic bidding.
Dominant however were collectors and dealers worldwide, who are increasingly turning their attention to the under-picked regions of America, where unique pieces of world-class quality and uniqueness can be still found that have eluded the market for generations.
Top 5 Lots:
The International Sale: Old Master Paintings, Lot 169 ??
ATTRIBUTED TO ELIAS GOTTLOB HAUSSMANN, (GERMAN 1695-1774), PORTRAIT OF JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH. ??
Sold for $122,500
The International Sale: Old Master Paintings, Lot 217
ATTRIBUTED TO DOMENICO FETI, (ITALIAN 1589-1624), DAVID WITH THE HEAD OF GOLIATH.??
Sold for $86,500
The International Sale: Fine Antiques & Decorative Arts, Lot 1301
Fine Japanese silvered bronze model of a hawk, on silver mounted lacquered stand, meiji period.
??Sold for $74,500
The International Sale: Fine Antiques & Decorative Arts, Lot 1298
??Fine Japanese gilt and patinated mixed metal koro, meiji period, seal mark to base.??
Sold for $56,250
The International Sale: Old Master Paintings, Lot 216
ATTRIBUTED TO GASPARE LANDI, (ITALIAN 1756-1830), HECTOR SCOLDING PARIS.??
Sold for $50,00
All prices inclusive of buyer's premium.
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About Freeman's
Founded in 1805, Freeman's has upheld an exemplary role as America's oldest auction house. Located on Chestnut Street, Freeman's conducts over 30 auctions a year in categories including: American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Art, English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Fine American & European Paintings, Modern & Contemporary Art, Rare Books, Fine Prints, Oriental Rugs, Fine Jewelry, and Silver. Freeman's offers a full range of appraisal services from insurance, probate, family division and charitable contribution to inventory and insurance loss. For more information, visit www.freemansauction.com or contact 267.414.1240.
Overall, the prominence of the collections on offer in Freeman's International Sales -including the estate of philanthropist Marvin J. Lundy and the contents of Ditchley, an historic Virginia plantation, formerly the Virginia home of Alfred I. and Jessie Ball DuPont-generated a groundswell of local American interest and enthusiastic bidding.
Dominant however were collectors and dealers worldwide, who are increasingly turning their attention to the under-picked regions of America, where unique pieces of world-class quality and uniqueness can be still found that have eluded the market for generations.
Top 5 Lots:
The International Sale: Old Master Paintings, Lot 169 ??
ATTRIBUTED TO ELIAS GOTTLOB HAUSSMANN, (GERMAN 1695-1774), PORTRAIT OF JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH. ??
Sold for $122,500
The International Sale: Old Master Paintings, Lot 217
ATTRIBUTED TO DOMENICO FETI, (ITALIAN 1589-1624), DAVID WITH THE HEAD OF GOLIATH.??
Sold for $86,500
The International Sale: Fine Antiques & Decorative Arts, Lot 1301
Fine Japanese silvered bronze model of a hawk, on silver mounted lacquered stand, meiji period.
??Sold for $74,500
The International Sale: Fine Antiques & Decorative Arts, Lot 1298
??Fine Japanese gilt and patinated mixed metal koro, meiji period, seal mark to base.??
Sold for $56,250
The International Sale: Old Master Paintings, Lot 216
ATTRIBUTED TO GASPARE LANDI, (ITALIAN 1756-1830), HECTOR SCOLDING PARIS.??
Sold for $50,00
All prices inclusive of buyer's premium.
####
About Freeman's
Founded in 1805, Freeman's has upheld an exemplary role as America's oldest auction house. Located on Chestnut Street, Freeman's conducts over 30 auctions a year in categories including: American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Art, English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Fine American & European Paintings, Modern & Contemporary Art, Rare Books, Fine Prints, Oriental Rugs, Fine Jewelry, and Silver. Freeman's offers a full range of appraisal services from insurance, probate, family division and charitable contribution to inventory and insurance loss. For more information, visit www.freemansauction.com or contact 267.414.1240.
