A painting by Sturtevant J Hamblen achieved an impressive 320% increase on its estimate of $30,000-50,000 when it hammered for $210,000 at Skinner's October 27 auction.
The work is titled Portrait of a Young Girl Seated in a Rocking Chair with Her Dog, and dates to the mid 1800s.
 The girl is possibly a member of the Fellows family from Exeter, New Hampshire |
Hamblen worked as a painter in Maine between 1841-1856, learning his trade from brother in law William Matthew Prior.
The similarity in style between the two artists, combined with the fact that Hamblen rarely signed his work, means that the extent of his body of work is difficult to calculate.
Paintings that are not directly attributable to either painter are usually assigned to the Prior/Hamblen school.
A silver cann produced by Paul Revere, both a silversmith and a significant figure in the American revolution, realised $100,000 at the Boston auction. Made in the city circa 1780, the cann features Revere's mark along with an engraved coat of arms.
 The Revere cann was consigned by the family of Charles P Fischer |
Earlier this year a silver teapot designed by Revere made $230,500 at Christie's Important American Silver auction.
A circa 1807-1812 federal mahogany carved and inlaid lady's secretary bookcase sold for $100,000. It features intricate carvings and decorative eglomise painting, and is attributed to Thomas Seymour - a Boston based cabinet maker.
It was made for John Bryant III, a 19th century China tea merchant.
A painted and gilt card table built by Seymour circa 1808-1812 made $280,000 at Keno Auctions in January 2012.
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