November’s Auction Block column includes: a religious portrait that passed through George Washington’s family; a gold, sapphire and diamond necklace; and a copy of Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire,” annotated by the author.
The Potomack Company
St. John the Evangelist
Estimate: $250,000–$500,000
Sold for: $325,000
This circa-18th-century British or European pastel portrait from the collection of George Washington descended through the Washington family. The portrait, which includes the original gilded rococo frame, was listed in Washington’s 1799 estate inventory. St. John the Evangelist is the patron saint of Freemasonry, which played a large role in the first president’s life.
Weschler’s
Estimate: $70,000–$90,000
Sold for: $138,600 (including buyer’s premium)
This bright oil painting on canvas of a botanical subject by French artist Bernard Buffet (1928-1999), from a Chevy Chase, Maryland, trust, is signed and dated “65.” The lot included a book, “Bernard Buffet,” by Maurice Druon and a Christmas card from Findlay Galleries, Chicago.
Doyle
Van Cleef and Arpels Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace
Estimate: $100,000–$150,000
Sold for: $191,000
This Van Cleef and Arpels necklace from Doyle’s Important Jewelry auction on Oct. 30 belonged to a family in the Pacific Northwest. The 18-karat gold piece measures 16 inches in total length, with seven oval sapphires (approx. 23 carats) and numerous small round diamonds (approx. 33.2 carats).
Bonhams
Annotated Copy of “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice
Sold for: $7,040
Part of Bonhams’ “Elegance of the Eternal: The Anne Rice Collection” auction, this copy of the 20th anniversary edition of Rice’s 1996 novel, “Interview with the Vampire,” is tabbed and annotated in pen and silver Sharpie. The front flyleaf reads: “For the Radio Reading” and “Revisiting July 1, 2013.” Rice, who was born in 1941, died in December of 2021.
Christie’s
Two Color Gold Mounted Silver Gilt Desk Clock
Estimate: $200,000–$250,000
Sold for: $504,000
This Fabergé desk clock, depicting the Admiralty in St. Petersburg, has a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and gold hands within a seed-pearl bezel. The body of the clock is enameled in translucent light blue over a wavy guilloché ground. It is marked on the mount and under the base with “Fabergé” in Cyrillic and the initials of workmaster Henrik Wigström.
