Autumn 2015 Preview

16 www.antiquesandfineart.com Autumn HIGHLIGHT This elaborately decorated chest was painted by Johannes Spitler (1774–1837) and is perhaps the last Spitler chest remaining within the family of an original owner. The Long family, for whom the chest was made, settled in the Massanutten area of Virginia in the eighteenth century. There are twenty-eight chests with decoration attributed to Spitler. Each example is constructed with the same techniques and made of yellow pine, suggesting one person was responsible for the craftsmanship, whether Spitler or another artisan. The chests are divided into two modes of decoration: the Geometric Group, with square-edge elements as the description indicates; and the Figural Group, which also features geometric designs but incorporates natural elements such as birds, flowers, and hearts. This chest is associated with the latter group. With family roots in Old World traditions of painted furniture, Spitler developed a style where symmetry and balance were achieved, often in a tripartite manner as with this example, creating a clean, modern look that is as aesthetically successful now as it was when made. In his post-auction commentary, Jeffrey S. Evans said, “It is not often that such an important piece comes to market directly from the original owner’s family where it has resided for more than 200 years. We are proud to now hold the #1 and #2 record auction prices for a piece of folk-decorated furniture by Johannes Spitler.” Gary R. Sullivan Antiques Opens a New Gallery 1 Wattles Street, Canton, MA Weekdays by chance or appointment 781.784.9914 or www.garysullivanantiques.com Opening to the public on August 13, 2015 Gary Sullivan is celebrating the opening of his new gallery this August 13th. Comprising four rooms comfortably arranged with American furniture and decorative arts, the 4,000 square-foot gallery is located outside Boston in Canton, Massachusetts, only a minute or two off route 95. Billed as one of the largest inventories of American antique furniture in the country, Sullivan says, “This endeavor is very exciting. People will be surprised by how much material we have.” In addition to high-end furniture and decorative arts, Sullivan, and his business associate Matthew Buckley (as well as staff they will be hiring), will also offer examples that are geared to interior designers. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a shop that people can walk into,” says Sullivan, recalling a gallery he ran in the 1980s. “For years my inventory has been cramped together in a barn on my property and in a warehouse. People couldn’t get in to see the material and I was turning away business.” With more than fifty clocks on site, combined with other furniture forms, there will now be ample opportunity to see this fine collection of Americana. In addition to opening his gallery, Gary is also coauthoring a book with Kate van Winkle Keller on early American musical clocks (Willard House and Clock Museum); contributing a chapter about clocks and clock making to a forthcoming book on Rhode Island furniture, spearheaded by Patricia Kane at Yale University Art Gallery; and contributing his energy and expertise to developing Gemr.com, a new social website for collectors (of collected items of all types). NOTEWORTH Y S A L E Extremely important Johannes Spitler Painted Blanket Chest Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Paint-decorated yellow pine, circa 1800 H. 23, W. 47½, D. 21¼ inches Provenance: Descended in the Long family until present day Sold at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, Mt. Crawford, VA; June 20, 2015 Estimated: $250,000-$300,000; selling for $356,500 and setting a new record for a Spitler-decorated blanket chest at auction (Lot 492)

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