Dubois Collection To Be Auctioned Feb 13 in Wichita Kansas

Jan 11, 2010  – The lifetime personal collections of Elizabeth and the late Clarence Lee Dubois of Russellville, Ark., will be sold to the highest bidder, without reserve, on Saturday, Feb. 13, beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. The couple collected KPM porcelain, Tiffany sterling, Pickard, art glass, Limoges table sets, and Orient and flume paperweights. Around 520 lots will cross the block.

The auction will be held in the 4-H Hall of the Sedgwick County Extension Center in Wichita, Kan., located at 7001 West 21st Street (on the corner of 21st and Ridge Road). Auctioneer for the event is Woody Auction, based in Douglass, Kan. It is the first auction of 2010 for the firm, and it promises to be a good one. “There are quality items in this sale,” Jason Woody said. “I expect a big crowd that day.”

While the venue is sizable and can accommodate a good number of people, bidders may also participate online, through Proxibid.com. There will be no phone bidding, but absentee bids will be accepted (if received by noon on Thursday, Feb. 11), with a written statement indicating the amount of the bid. All absentee bids will be charged an additional 10 percent of the selling price, plus shipping.

The fact that there are no reserves (meaning every item that comes up for bid will sell, regardless of the final gavel price) virtually assures a handsome turnout and a successful sale. “This will be a great opportunity for folks to kick off the snow, shed that cabin fever and bid on some truly wonderful items for their collections,” Mr. Woody said. “The Dubois’ were dedicated collectors for over fifty years.”

Plaques and plaque sets, many by KPM, will be abundant at the auction. Some KPM examples include an outstanding 20 inch by 16 inch marked oval porcelain plaque with a finely detailed portrait titled Rembrandt’s Mother, framed; and a 10 inch by 7 ½ inch porcelain plaque set in the original ebony shadow box frame, signed R. Dietrich and with beautiful detailing of young women gathering flowers.

Additional KPM pieces will feature a 9 inch by 6 inch porcelain plaque in a gilt wooden frame, with a scene of a young girl holding a cat that’s watching a butterfly, unsigned; a 9 inch by 6 ¼ inch marked porcelain plaque with a detailed scene of a servant girl with tea tray, artist signed; and a 9 ½ inch by 6 ½ inch unsigned marked porcelain plaque of Renaissance women carrying a sacred relic.

Other plaques of note include a pair of oval Old Paris plaques (circa 1890s), framed, with portraits of fancifully dressed young women against maroon backgrounds, artist signed A. Dusson; a set of three 3 ½ inch hand-painted oval medallions set in a 12-inch hanging plaque, artist signed K. Gope; and a 16 inch by 10 inch German porcelain plaque with a scene of La Belle Chocolatiere, unsigned.

Tiffany & Company will be represented in the sale. Anticipated top lots include a 17 ½ inch marked pedestal urn-shaped clock with yellow satin porcelain body, lavender cherub highlights and cobalt blue top; and a fantastic signed sterling silver reticulated basket with elaborate embossed blackberry and leaf décor. Also sold will be a nice, signed Nakara square-shaped hinged jewel box.

Meissen pieces will feature a 7-inch marked crossed sword figurine depicting a siren sitting on a rock ledge with a harp and sea serpent at her feet; and a 4-inch marked figural group showing a cherub sitting near a teapot and preparing tea, in very good condition. Also sold will be a wonderful pair of 19 ½ inch Royal Worcester candle holders, with different boy-and-girl figural depictions on each holder.

Pairpoint brides’ baskets are sure-fire crowd-pleasers. Examples include a 17 inch by 10 inch signed basket dated 1891, showing a figural cherub on a gilt silver base with Webb cased art glass bowl and enamel floral décor; and a 10 inch by 16 inch signed basket with fancy pink satin herringbone pattern and mother-of-pearl melon ribbed bowl set on a gilt silver plate with a two-handled frame.

Rounding out the highlight lots: a 4-inch French enamel fireplace screen showing a man and woman courting, featuring a medallion with bright red border and a scene on the back side; a 7 inch Wheeling peach blow water pitcher boasting very dark and rich colors; and a 4 ½ inch by 12 inch American Brilliant Cut Glass blown mold melon ribbed bowl with sharp cutting and clear blank.

The recommended lodging for the event is Hawthorne Suites in Wichita, located not far from the venue. To reserve a room, call (316) 729-5700. Regarding the condition of the lots to be sold, Woody Auction has attempted to call any flaw that can affect the value of each piece. However, the final determination is left to the buyer. Common nicks and scratches for each item have not been called.

Woody Auction has three more important sales planned for spring. The first will be an American Brilliant Cut Glass auction slated for Saturday, Mar. 20, at the Holiday Inn Airport West in St. Louis, Mo. Then, on Apr. 3, an antique auction will be held at the Sedgwick County Extension Center in Wichita, Kan. Finally, April 9-10 will see the sale of the Dale Gabel Collection in St. Charles, Mo.

Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them directly at (316) 747-2694. Or, you can e-mail them at info@woodyauction.com. To learn more about Woody Auction, log on to www.woodyauction.com. Information and photos for the Feb. 13 sale of The Dubois Collection have already been posted online.

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