A huge two-part auction featuring over 200 pieces of rare and important pottery (to include Edgefield pieces by Chandler, works attributed to Dave the Slave, and many pieces by the renowned Meaders family), outstanding furniture, fine estate jewelry, original works of art by listed artists and more will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, starting at 2 pm.
The auction will be held by Ken’s Antiques Auction at the firm’s new gallery facility located at 204 South Main Street in Adairsville, a town situated about an hour north of Atlanta and an hour south of Chattanooga, not far off exit 306 of Interstate 75. The pottery items will be offered first, from 2 pm until about 5 pm. After that, the mixed merchandise will cross the block.
Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.
“This will be, without a doubt, one of the biggest sales I’ve ever held, maybe even the biggest,” said Ken McLeod of Ken’s Antiques Auction. “My Labor Day sale last year grossed around $150,000, but I expect this one to sail past that figure. The pottery pieces are incredible, and we’ve got some serious furniture, too.” He estimated around 400 lots will come up for bid.
The contribution of the Meaders family to the world of folk art cannot be overstated. And the sale will feature dozens of original Meaders works, from four face jugs by Lanier Meaders (including one double-face jug) to the only known rooster dish ever crafted by Arie Meaders, the family’s matriarch. Works by Cheever (the father), Edwin and Reggie Meaders will also be sold.
Lanier Meaders (Ga., 1917-1988) is the most famous potter the U.S. has ever produced. The third child of Arie and Cheever, he infused his work with style and sculptural creativity. He and Arie were honored by the Library or Congress with a Meaders Pottery Day in 1978 and his face jugs are in the Smithsonian Institute. No folk pottery collection is complete without one.
Dave the Slave (1801-1875?) is another folk artist whose work is coveted by collectors. The enslaved African-American lived in Edgefield, S.C., and made alkaline-glazed stoneware from the 1820s to the 1860s. He was taught the art of pottery by his owner, Harvey Drake, whose last name he adopted after his emancipation. The works in the sale are all unsigned attributions.
Bidders will be able to inspect all the pottery items and other merchandise in a preview that will be held the day of sale from 10-4, or by appointment. Furniture will include an early cherry Tennessee Jackson press, a period Empire linen press, a large mahogany bedroom suite (restored), mahogany period Empire pieces, an early marble-top biscuit table and much more.
In fact, fresh consignments were pouring in at press time. Late additions to the furniture category include a signed Roycroft chair and a pair of Tennessee corner cupboards (one cherry, one walnut). Estate jewelry will be headlined by a lady’s gold watch from Rolex with diamond bezel and a Cartier lady’s gold watch. Vintage lighting will feature a great signed Handel lamp.
Sterling silver tea services will be offered, as well as art glass pieces by Tiffany, Steuben and others. The Tiffany includes salts and vases, and a large vase possibly attributed to Steuben will also be sold.
Wild and wonderful collectibles will also be served up in abundance. These will include two vintage barber chairs (one porcelain, circa 1950s, and one Eastlake Victorian example, circa 1880s /’90s), and a framed vintage tobacco advertising tray.
Also sold will be an early Coca-Cola 5-cent vending machine from 1935-45, all original and in good working order, five vintage slot machines (taking nickels, dimes or quarters), a signed Gustav Stickley mahogany safe, specially built for the Standard Oil Corporation, and several dental cabinets. See the website for any other last-minute lots, at http://www.kensauction.com.
Ken’s Antiques Auction regularly conducts estate sales on the second Saturday of the month, usually starting at 6 p.m. Mr. McLeod said he plans to hold sporadic “themed” auctions throughout the year, beginning in 2011, with examples possibly including vintage toys, Persian rugs, Native American artifacts and Southern folk art pottery. More details will be forthcoming.
Ken’s Antiques Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or collection, you may call them at (770) 364-6281 or (770) 877-9922; or, you can e-mail them at kensauction@kensauction.com. For more information on the Dec. 11 (or New Year’s Day) auctions, log on to http://www.kensauction.com, or auctionzip.com (ID # 1419).