Freeman’s Spring American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts Sale Surpasses $1M, Led by Andrew Clemens Sand Art Bottle
Lot 214 | A Sand Art Bottle, Andrew Clemens (1857-1895), McGregor, Iowa, Circa 1886
Sold for $128,000
Freeman’s American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts auction presented more than 250 lots spanning the breadth of American material culture. The sale brought together both academic and vernacular traditions, featuring fine needlework samplers, silver, paintings, rugs, brass, and sculpture, among other objects. Strong participation drove the auction to 124% by value, with 13% of buyers new, for a total realized of $1,107,904—continuing the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“We had competitive bidding throughout the sale, with participation from 55 new bidders and the addition of 15 new buyers. Notably, many of the rarest and most significant works were acquired by private collectors and institutions, underscoring the continued strength and discernment of the market.”
— Lynda Cain, Vice President, Head of Department, American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts
Lot 221 | Girl with Braided Hair, William Edmondson (1874-1951)
Sold for $128,000
Top lots included an intricate sand art bottle by Andrew Clemens (1857–1895), McGregor, Iowa, circa 1886 (lot 214), measuring seven inches in height, which sold for $128,000 to a private collector. Also achieving $128,000 was a carved limestone figure with a wood base, Girl with Braided Hair (lot 221), by William Edmondson (1874–1951), acquired by a private client, both of which performedmore than twice their low estimate.
Lot 46 | A Neoclassical Sterling Silver Covered Sauce Tureen Presented by Elizabeth Willing Powel (1743-1830) to Edward Shippen Burd (1779-1848), Philadelphia
Sold for $28,800
Patriotism and Historical Legacy: An Enduring Appeal
Additional standout lots underscored the enduring appeal of historically significant and patriotic works. A Neoclassical sterling silver-covered sauce tureen presented by Elizabeth Willing Powel (1743–1830) to Edward Shippen Burd (1779–1848) (lot 46) achieved $28,800, more than five times its low estimate of $5,000, acquired by a regional instituion. A Joseph Bonaparte Neoclassical carved marble mantel (lot 114) realized $57,600, acquired by a private collector. Also drawing strong interest was a pieced and appliqué cotton 48-star American flag, measuring 78 by 89 inches (lot 230), which sold for $10,880.
Lot 49 | Robert Field (Born England, 1769-1819),
A Portrait Miniature of George Washington (1732-1799)
Sold for $83,200
Portraits of Significant Americans and Rare Depictions of Early Cities
Notable lots further highlighted the depth of American history and the figures who shaped it. An intimate watercolor portrait miniature of George Washington (1732–1799) by Robert Field (1769–1819), housed in a gilt locket case (lot 49), achieved $83,200, selling to a private client. An oil on canvas portrait of Captain Samuel Lewis (1764–1820) by José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza (lot 65) was acquired by a museum for $25,600.
Lot 25 | A Silver Caudle Cup, John Coney (1655-1722), Boston, Massachusetts, Circa 1700
Sold for $32,000
Notable Rare Makers Complete the Sale
Rare handcrafted objects rounded out the auction, with strong results across the category. Highlights included a charming silver caudle cup by John Coney (1655–1722), Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1700 (lot 25), which achieved $32,000 and sold to the trade. Also of note was an exceptionally rare engraved brass sundial by goldsmith Chandlee (1751–1821), Winchester, Virginia, dated “1789” (lot 52), which realized $21,760 and was acquired by a private Southern collector.