Displaying items by tag: Freeman's

In 1911, Pennsylvania businessman George D. Horst began acquiring early-to-mid 20th century American and European works of art from th the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts’ annual exhibitions as well as from other fine art institutions, galleries, and auctions. Horst was the primary donor of the fledgling Reading Public Museum, which he helped establish. In 1924, after considerable growth, the Reading Museum began construction on a new location on the edge of town, which angered Horst as he felt it made his collection inaccessible to the public. Ultimately, Horst asked for the return of his paintings from the museum, as well as his financial donations.

On March 30, Freeman’s in Philadelphia will offer 64 paintings from Horst’s collection. The works, most of which remain in their original frames, have hung in Horst’s custom-built gallery since 1929. Since Horst’s death in 1934, the works have been loaned on occasion for exhibitions, but have mainly been hidden from public view. The collection is being offered by Horst’s grandchildren.

Horst’s collection includes works by American Impressionists such as Childe Hassam, Daniel Garber, Edward Willis Redfield, and Frank W. Benson as well as Barbizon works by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Eugène Boudin, and Charles-François Daubigny. Estimates range from a few thousand dollars up to $300,000.  

On Saturday afternoon, with a full and energetic saleroom, Freeman's achieved yet another extraordinary success when a 'double dragon' white jade seal realized over $3.5 million, making it the highest selling lot in the biannual Fine & Decorative Asian Arts auction. The Qing Dynasty seal was sold to a bidder in the room by auctioneer and head of Asian Arts department Robert Waterhouse. Its realized price of $3.5 million was more than doubled over the course of the evening, with a final sale result of $8.1 million.

"The jade seal had good evidence for an imperial attribution, though it was only the final selling price that could have confirmed it. Of course we are overjoyed with the result, and it once again demonstrates that Freeman's ability to source good private property and offer it with attractive estimates is a formula for success," said Asian Arts Associate Specialist Richard Cervantes.

Several of the lots more than tripled their high estimate: Lot 805, a Rare Chinese solid zitan floor screen stand, and lot 414, an important parcel-gilt ten-tablet celadon jade book, realized $217,000 and $205,000, respectively. Lot 495, a large Chinese ivory covered vase with Qianlong mark, and lot 787, a Qing Dynasty carved giltwood Luohan figure, realized $145,000 and $121,000, respectively. Lot 756, a Daoguang Period carved turquoise glazed porcelain teapot realized $103,000.

Samuel "Beau" Freeman, Chairman, commented "We couldn't be happier. It just goes to show that Philadelphia is an international center for the sales of world-class antiques and fine art, and that Freeman's can produce results meeting and exceeding our competitors for choice pieces. It's thrilling to be a part of an auction like this."