The top lot in the three-day auction held by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries (17% buyer’s premium) in Maine from August 27-29 proved to be this dramatic marine subject by Ivan Aivazovsky (1817-1900).
The oil on canvas, which is signed lower right, depicts a stormy sea scene with a crew in a longboat escaping their foundering ship with the sun glinting through a break in the clouds. The painting is contained in a substantial gilt gesso frame and measures 2ft 5in x 3ft 4in (74cm x 1m) overall with a sight size of 13½in x 2ft (34 x 61cm).
It has been cleaned and revarnished, has a repaired puncture just above the longboat and a reinforced canvas edge on original stretcher. It was estimated at $70,000-90,000 but sold for $145,000 (£105,840) after a bidding battle.
The George I Britannia standard silver coffee pot by Thomas Parr I, 1717, which was previewed in ATG No 2505 sold for $7500 (£5475) against a guide of $2000-3000.
£1 = $1.37
