Cottone Auctions

Cottone Auctions’ Fine Art Sale Reaches $3.7 Million, propelled by the important collection of Dr. Martin May, Plantation, Florida

The standout of the sale was Lot 244, a historic portrait of by (1778-1860), which sold for an impressive $492,000. Peale, who had the privilege of meeting Washington in 1795, sought to create a definitive portrait of the nation’s leader. This particular painting, executed with meticulous detail, showcases Peale’s exceptional ability to immortalize Washington’s dignified presence. His “Porthole” portrait remains one of the most recognizable depictions of Washington, blending realism with idealized patriotism. The portrait descended in the family of Buffalo, New York native, Colonel Charles Clifton. Clifton was an automobile industry titan, chairman of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Company, and patron to the Albright-Knox.

The collection of Dr. Martin May tops 1.4 million on day one of Cottone’s Sept. 20th and 21st auction...

A passionate collector for over 50 years, Dr. Martin May assembled a museum-quality selection of lamps, chandeliers, and decorative pieces for his Plantation, Florida home. His discerning eye and commitment to preserving important works made his collection highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike. Some highlights from his collection included...

lot 21. Fine & Extremely Rare Duffner & Kimberly Dragon Lamp, circa 1906 - Sold: $150,000

lot 32. Fine and Rare Handel Peacock Floor Lamp, circa 1915 - Sold: $87,000

lot 196. Pair of American School, Leaded Glass Windows - Sold: $60,000

lot 6. Tiffany Studios Paperweight Vase, circa 1905 - Sold: $48,000

lot 23. Fine & Rare Bigelow, Kennard & Co. Cherry Blossom Chandelier, - Sold: $48,000

lot 29. Suess Ornamental Glass Company, Grape Trellis Table Lamp, circa 1906 - Sold: $43,200

lot 33. Handel Woodland Landscape Lamp, No. 5673, circa 1915 - Sold: $39,600

Auction Today - (Part Two) at 12 PM EDT

Aaron Harry Gorson (1872–1933) was an American artist best known for his atmospheric paintings of industrial landscapes, particularly of Pittsburgh’s steel mills. Born in Kovno, Lithuania, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1888. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and later continued his education in Paris at institutions like the Académie Julian and Académie Colarossi.

Gorson became famous for his “Tonalist” approach, which often highlighted the dramatic interplay of light and smoke over factories and industrial rivers. His works, particularly of Pittsburgh, captured the aesthetic beauty he found in industrial pollution, showing factories illuminated by the glow of molten steel and reflected lights at night. His art was widely exhibited, and his work is now housed in major collections across the U.S., including the Carnegie Museum and the Worcester Art Museum.

Lot 252 - Pittsburgh Steel Mill Nocturne

Auction Today - The important collection of Dr. Martin May, Plantation, Florida

Grueby art pottery is a distinctive style of American pottery that originated in the late 19th century. It was produced by the Grueby Faience Company, founded by William H. Grueby in 1894 in Boston, Massachusetts. The company was known for its contribution to the Arts and Crafts Movement, which emphasized craftsmanship, simplicity, and the use of natural materials.

Lot 81

One of the most compelling aspects of Jane Peterson’s life and work is her ability to blend traditional artistic techniques with a bold, modernist vision. Her vibrant, expressive use of color and dynamic brushwork reflect her deep engagement with the evolving art movements of her time, particularly Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. This fusion of styles allowed her to create paintings that were both fresh and original.
Peterson’s work is also notable for its focus on everyday scenes and landscapes, rendered with a sense of vitality and movement. Whether depicting bustling city streets or serene natural settings, her paintings convey a strong emotional resonance and a keen observation of life.
Moreover, Peterson’s perseverance and success as a female artist in the early 20th century, a period when women faced significant barriers in the art world, add another layer of interest to her story. Her ability to establish a successful career and gain recognition in a predominantly male-dominated field underscores her talent and determination.
Her extensive travels and the influence of different cultures on her work further enhance her artistic narrative. Peterson’s exposure to various artistic environments and her ability to integrate these experiences into her art make her an intriguing and influential figure in American art history.


Jane Peterson (American, 1876-1965) Gloucester Scene

Oil on canvas. Signed ‘JANE PETERSON’ (lower left).

Likely Exhibited: Rochester, New York, The Memorial Art Gallery, An Exhibition of Paintings by Jane Peterson, Frank Townsend Hutchens and Other Contemporary American Artists, Feb. 1917.

24 x 30 in.

Provenance:
The Artist.
Willis O. Chapin, Buffalo, New York (purchased circa 1912).
William F. Chapin, Buffalo, New York (acquired from above).
Alma (Chapin) Owen-Strachan (acquired from above).
Thence by descent.

Auction DateSep 21, 2024

Estimate: $50,000-$80,000

COTTONE AUCTIONS September 21, 2024. Featuring Fine Art, Lamps by Handel, Tiffany Studios, and Duffner & Kimberly details at cottoneauctions.com
…
Jane Peterson (1876-1965) Gloucester Boats, Oil on canvas. One of two works. 24 x 30 in. | Alma (Chapin) Owen-Strachan, Buffalo, NY, thence by descent. Est. $50,000-$80,000 Available Cottone Auctions

“The American artists live through their paintings, affirming their human conscience. They have thus given new life to a set of values and beliefs that, though born in Europe, were beginning to become sterile through complacency and mannerisms.” These are the artist’s words, commenting on the profound effect postwar American art had on the development of his style. Indeed, Afro’s works from the 1950s communicate the newfound freedom of the non-figurative paintings of the Abstract Expressionists that he witnesses during his several trips to America. Here the artist meets most of the major artists associated with the movement and is inspired in particular by , , and Kline; these encounters prompted Afro to explore a similar sense of expressive freedom in his own work, in an ongoing search for purity of expression.

“Afro’s imagination unfolds on silent suspensions, long and sudden voids of consciousness: it glides into the shuddering limit of the unconscious and plunges into its fluid mass, like a diver who, having shattered the luminous mirror of the sea, suddenly finds himself facing a new and different world, mute and dense, muffled and teeming with forms. But if the diver cannot bring back with him to the surface these visions, which vanish and cancel out as soon as he resurfaces, for Afro the process is possible, and slowly the images read in the unconscious rise up to float in consciousness, filter into it and become precise, subtly knotted and articulated” (Artists at the Biennale: Afro, «Comunità», n. 43, 1956).

Lot #: 318

Afro (Italian, 1912-1976) Untitled, No. 16

Oil and mixed media on newspaper laid on canvas. Signed ‘Afro ‘68’ (lower right).

22 x 32 in.

Provenance
Catherine Viviano Gallery, New York.
Private collection, Buffalo New York.

Auction Date
Sep 21, 2024
Estimate: $20,000-$40,000

(1778-1860)Born on Washington’s birthday during the American Revolution, Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860) felt destined to create the ultimate portrait of which he believed would be the “standard likeness” of the nation’s first president. In 1823, he drew upon his previous endeavors, as well as those by , , his father, and . Rembrandt depicts Washington with a strong brow, Roman nose and pronounced jaw, characteristics that recall Houdon’s version. Rembrandt created a composite image of the American hero; idealized to communicate a figure that transcends the confines of mortality. He is framed by an illusionistic trompe l’oeil stone masonry window, reminiscent of Roman funerary sculpture; another influence of neoclassicism and a nod to the Roman Republic from which the ideals of the country were rooted. Rembrandt paints Washington against a background of clouds. By not placing him in a specific place and time, he creates an ethereal image of the man and elevates him to an almost godly status.

Lot #: 244 - Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860) George Washington

Circa 1846. Oil on canvas. Signed ‘Rembrandt Peale’ (lower left).
36 x 30 in.
Documents: Original invoice and correspondence. Appraisal by Wildenstein & Co. Inc., New York dated Nov. 15th, 1928.

Provenance
The Artist.
Giles F. Ward (1812-1885), purchased Feb. 22nd, 1845.
Lucy Bell Ward (1847-1926).
Mrs. Sully, whose husband was a grandson of Thomas Sully.
M. Knoedler & Company, New York.
Colonel Charles Clifton, Motor Car Co., purchased April 12th, 1926.
Mrs. Alice (Clifton) Strachan, Buffalo, New York.
Thence by descent.

$200,000-$400,000

Tiffany Studios, founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the late 19th century, is renowned for its exquisite leaded glass lamps, which became iconic examples of Art Nouveau design. These lamps are celebrated for their intricate craftsmanship, vivid colors, and nature-inspired themes.

Tiffany Studios’ leaded lamps remain iconic not just for their artistic beauty but also for their innovative use of glass and light, embodying the spirit of an era that celebrated craftsmanship and nature-inspired design.

Upcoming:
Lot #: 256
Tiffany Studios Peony Lamp

Circa 1910, leaded glass, patinaed bronze.
Greenish-brown patina.
Shade impressed ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK 1475-41’. Base impressed ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK 359 S173’.

Literature: Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, by Alastair Duncan, Woodbridge: Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club, 1988, shade: pg. 145, plate 606, base: pg. 74, plate 285 (for similar examples).

Ht. 27 in. Shade 18 in.

Provenance
A New England family. Private collection.

Auction Date
Sep 21, 2024

Estimate: $60,000-$80,000

Tiffany Studios, founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the late 19th century, is renowned for its exquisite leaded glass lamps, which became iconic examples of Art Nouveau design. These lamps are celebrated for their intricate craftsmanship, vivid colors, and nature-inspired themes.

Tiffany Studios’ leaded lamps remain iconic not just for their artistic beauty but also for their innovative use of glass and light, embodying the spirit of an era that celebrated craftsmanship and nature-inspired design.

Upcoming: Lot #: 255. Tiffany Studios Clematis Lamp

Circa 1905, leaded glass, patinaed bronze. Shade impressed ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK’. Base impressed ‘TIFFANY STUDIOS 3230 481’.

Literature: Tiffany Lamps and Metalware, by Alastair Duncan, Woodbridge: Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club, 1988, shade: pg. 92, plate 364, base: pg. 82, plate 316 (for similar examples).

Ht. 24 in. Shade 18 in.

Provenance
Estate of George Hamm, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (acquired in the 1940s).
Thence by descent.

Estimate: $40,000-$60,000

Jane Peterson (1876–1965) was an American artist known for her vibrant paintings that blend Impressionism, Fauvism, and realism. She studied in New York and Europe under prominent artists and was influenced by her extensive travels. Peterson’s work is characterized by bold colors and expressive brushwork, often depicting urban scenes, gardens, and still lifes. Her art was widely exhibited during her lifetime, and her works are held in major collections like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Her Gloucester scenes are highly coveted because they capture the vibrant essence of this coastal town with her distinctive use of bold colors, dynamic compositions, and expressive brushwork. Gloucester, Massachusetts, known for its picturesque harbor, fishing boats, and charming streets, provided Peterson with rich subject matter that showcased her ability to blend light and color in a way that brought the scenes to life.

Her Gloucester paintings reflect a lively and atmospheric quality that appeals to collectors who appreciate her ability to depict the unique character of New England coastal life, making these works stand out among her diverse body of art.

Lot #: 246
Jane Peterson (American, 1876-1965) “A Pier at Gloucester”
Oil on canvas. Signed ‘JANE PETERSON’ (lower left). Adhesive inventory label (behind frame). Original carved wood frame.

Likely Exhibited: Rochester, New York, The Memorial Art Gallery, An Exhibition of Paintings by Jane Peterson, Frank Townsend Hutchens and Other Contemporary American Artists, Feb. 1917. Exhibition catalog pg. 2 (A Pier at Gloucester, No. 9).

30 x 24 in.

Provenance
The Artist.
Willis O. Chapin, Buffalo, New York (purchased circa 1912).
William F. Chapin, Buffalo, New York (acquired from above).
Alma (Chapin) Owen-Strachan (acquired from above).
Thence by descent.

Auction Date
Sep 21, 2024

Estimate: $50,000-$80,000

Rare Gilt Bronze Gravity Ball Waterwheel Industrial Clock
Estimated $15,000-$25,000

Compound congreve waterwheel clock. Circa 1900, gilt bronze on an onyx base. With thermometer and barometer.
As the clock runs and the large wheel slowly rotates it allows a ball to escape once per minute down the three-tier track into the conveyor belt. When activated by the movement the belt lifts and another ball is allowed to roll into the track above and then drop into the wheel. The piece should be fairly accurate since the power comes from the constant weight of the balls instead of a spring with varying degrees of power.

Available in our upcoming May 30-31 Fine Art & Antiques Auction. Check out our website for more information and bidding.

Upcoming in our May 30-31 Fine Art & Antiques Auction:
Emmi Whitehorse “Rincon Marquez”, series May 1987 #627

Estimates $5,000-$8,000

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Pictured:
Tiffany Studios Jeweled Geometric Table Lamp

Circa 1910. Leaded and favrile glass, patinaed bronze. Shade impressed 'TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK'. Base impressed 'TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK 6839'.
Ht. 28 1/2 in. Shade Dia. 22 1/2 in.

Provenance
Shade: Christie's, December 1994, lot 1131.
Acquired by Ann and Gordon Getty from above.
Base: Christie's, December 2012.

Estimate: $50,000-$80,000

Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski (Polish, 1849-1915) Meeting the Train

Oil on panel. Signed 'A. W. Kowalski' (lower left).
7 1/2 x 9 1/4 in.
Provenance
Christie's, New York, 1986.
The estate of James Prise, East Aurora, New York.

Estimate: $8,000-$12,000

Use the link in our bio to see this and more in our upcoming Fine Art & Antiques auction on March 20th, 2024!

Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski was a Polish painter and representative of the Munich School. He settled in Munich in 1876 after studies in Warsaw, Prague, and Dresden. He studied for a year at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts and worked under Jozef Brandt and Alexander von Wagner. He was the most popular polish painter in Munich, alongside Jozef Brandt. His paintings received medals at numerous art exhibitions and were sought-after by collectors and German art dealers. Wierusz-Kolwaski painted landscapes, generic, and historical scenes. After his journey to Africa in 1903, he also undertook oriental themes.

Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. (Bristol, London, 1769-1830)

Lady Elizabeth Mary, Countess of Belgrave, afterwards Marchioness of Westminster
21 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.
Provenance:
Fearon Galleries, New York, 1923.
Colonel Charles Clifton, Buffalo, New York. Thence by descent.
Estimate: $30,000-$50,000

Lady Fitzwilliam
20 1/2 x 20 1/2 in.
Provenance: Bretby Heirlooms: Seventh Earl of Chesterfield and the Dowager Countess of Chesterfield. M. Knoedler & Co, New York.
Colonel Charles Clifton, Buffalo, New York, thence by descent.
Estimate: $15,000-$25,000

Sir Thomas Lawrence was an English portrait painter and the fourth president of the Royal Academy. Self-taught, he was a brilliant draughtsman and known for his gift of capturing a likeness, as well as his virtuoso handling of paint. Lawrence was also a collector and formed one of the finest collections of Old Master drawings ever known. His first royal commission was from Queen Charlotte, whose portrait he painted in 1789.

Use the link in our bio to see this and more in our upcoming Fine Art & Antiques auction on March 20th, 2024!

Louis Comfort Tiffany (American, 1848-1933) "Gossipy Market Women at Nuremberg"

Circa 1889, oil on canvas. Inscribed and titled (on paper label verso). Original carved and giltwood frame attributed to Stanford White / Louis C. Tiffany Decorating Company.
20 x 16 3/4 in. Frame: 30 7/8 x 27 3/4 in.

Catalogue Note: The work titled Study of Women at Market, oil on panel; 6 3/4 x 5 in. (17 x 14 cm) CHMF 55-21, currently in the collection of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park, Florida is undoubtably the study for this work. Tiffany used wood panels in the early stages of design to perfect details he felt important to the finished paintings, the studies appear to have been very personal to him as they were displayed on shelves in his studios and lined the halls of his personal suite at his Long Island country home, Laurelton Hall.
When the house and contents were sold in the 1940’s, these cherished studies escaped the auction block and were offered first to family. This study was later gifted to the museum by Tiffany’s daughter, Comfort Tiffany Gilder. Although unsigned and undated the study was likely painted during a summer trip from June 15, 1889 - September 2, 1889, when Louis C. Tiffany traveled to the Exposition Universelle in Paris, Nuremburg, Germany, & northern Italy.

Exhibited:
Society of American Artists, Thirteenth Annual Exhibition, The American Art Gallery, Madison Square, New York, 1891.
The Art Institute of Chicago, Fourth Annual Exhibition of American Oil Paintings & Sculpture, Chicago, 1891, no. 335.

Provenance:
The Artist. The Tiffany House, Madison Avenue and East 72nd Street.
Laurelton Hall, Oyster Bay, New York (by repute).
Henry MV Summers, Oyster Bay, New York.
Theodore V Summers Esq., Oyster Bay, New York. Theodore V. Summers II, Pittsford, New York, thence by descent.

Estimate: $20,000-$40,000

Use the link in our bio to see this and more in our upcoming Fine Art & Antiques auction on March 20th, 2024!

Charles Allan Winter's 'Pandora' unleashed dozens of bids at Cottone GENESEO, N.Y. — An interesting selection of art, antiques, advertising and vintage fire memorabilia came together at Cottone Auctions for its Art & Antiques two-day sale on November 29 and November 30. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

Auctions in Rochester NY | Fine Art & Antiques | Cottone Auctions Cottone Auctions is a leading auction house specializing in fine art & antiques, with two locations in Rochester & Buffalo NY.

Tall Price (And A Record) For Rohlfs Hall Chair At Cottone Auctions GENESEO, N.Y. — Fine art and antiques crossed the block at Cottone Auctions on March 19, including more than 275 lots and featuring the collections of the estate of Elizabeth Strasenburgh, Rochester, N.Y., Randy and Bette Swift, Fernandina Beach, Fla., the David K. Anderson Grandchildren’s Trust...

Kensett Beach Scene Hits $1 Million At Cottone Auction GENESEO, N.Y. — John F. Kensett’s (American, 1816-1872) oil on canvas painting, “Singing Beach & Eagle Rock, Magnolia, Massachusetts,” tripled its high estimate at Cottone Auctions’ September 18 sale, realizing $1,080,000, including buyer’s premium. The firm’s Matt Cottone said that th...

John F. Kensett (1816 – 1872), at his finest… On September 18th, Cottone Auctions will offer a fresh to the market oil painting by John Frederick Kensett (1816 – 1872) titled, Singing Beach & Eagle Rock, Magnolia, Massachusetts, dated (1868) measuring at 22 by 36 in. and with a pre-auction estimate of $200,000-$400,000. Previously twice.....

Rare American Revolutionary-Era Tiger Maple Rifle Loads Up To $306,000 At Cottone’s GENESEO, N.Y. - An Eighteenth Century tiger maple rifle caught a bull's-eye at Cottone's May 7-8 sale when it sold for $306,000. The fresh-to-the-market early transitional Jaeger rifle had a 33-inch barrel and lock plate signed "I.I. Behr." The patch box was inscribed that it was purportedly recover...

Tiffany Pond Lily Table Lamp Brings $138,000 | Maine Antique Digest Cottone Auctions’ March 27 sale in Geneseo, New York, brought in $1.6 million for just over 200 lots. The top lot was a rare Tiffany Studios Pond Lily lamp from a Winter Park, Florida, collection that sold for $138,000 (includes buyer’s premium) via absentee bid. Tiffany Studios Pond Lily table ...