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Three New World Record prices at $5.8m antiques sale
The most valuable piece of New York furniture was in Antiques Roadshow expert Leigh Keno's auction
The Inaugural Sale from Keno Auctions, which took place May 1-2 at the Marriott Stamford Hotel in Connecticut, achieved $6,014,000 in sales over its pre-sale high estimate ($2.8-5.4 million).
With 87.5% of the 741 lots finding buyers, an incredible three new Word Record prices were established.
The top lot of the sale was The James Beekman Chippendale Carved Mahogany Chest of Drawers from the shop of Thomas Brookman with carving attributed to Henry Hardcastle, New York, circa 1752.
The lot incited a bidding war between dealer Todd Prickett, on the phone, and noted American collector John McGraw, who was in the room. Mr. McGraw prevailed, winning the chest with a final bid (including buyer's premium) of $1,428,000.
This was more than twice the high end of its $200/600,000 estimate, and set a World Record for a piece of New York furniture.
An exceptional, record-breaking price was also achieved for the Portrait of Anna Brodhead Oliver, attributed to Gansevoort Limner, Kingston, New York, circa 1743 (estimated at $40/80,000).
 The James Beekman Chippendale Carved Mahogany Chest of Drawers |
Bidding started at $50,000 and rapidly surpassed expectations, finally selling for $1,118,600, establishing the record for an 18th century American Folk portrait.
Meanwhile, a third milestone was attained when a pair of American Silver Rococo Sauceboats by Paul Revere, Jr., Boston, circa 1783 (estimated at $50/100,000) sold for $190,400, setting the record for a pair of American silver sauceboats.
"We couldn't be happier with the results of our very first sale," enthused Mr Keno. "We saw a lot of confidence in the market, with particular interest being shown in great American Folk Art and exceptional Marine Art.
"The record price for the Beekman chest was particularly gratifying, as was the noticeable presence of many new buyers," he said.
Keno Auctions' next sale will be a major Americana auction in January, 2011 in New York.
Keno Auctions, a full-service auction house based in Manhattan, was founded in 2009 by noted appraiser and gallery owner Leigh Keno. Keno appears regularly as an appraiser on the popular US television series Antiques Roadshow.
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Image: Keno Auctions
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