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Brunk Auctions’ March 12 sale, featuring the lifetime collection of John and Marie Vander Sande of Newbury, Massachusetts, achieved remarkable success, earning $1,529,874 and boasting a 96 percent sell-through rate by lot. The auction, consisting of 211 lots, showcased a range of rare and historically significant pieces, with a Pilgrim Century paneled oak valuables cabinet stealing the spotlight. This cabinet, crafted circa 1660-90 in Boston and attributed to the Mason-Messenger shop tradition, was cataloged as “extremely rare,” with only two known examples from Seventeenth Century Boston surviving to this day (though more related examples from Salem, Massachusetts, exist). The cabinet sparked intense bidding, ultimately selling for $442,800 to a private collector on the phone, far surpassing its high estimate of $150,000.
The Vander Sande collection was a testament to their discerning taste and passion for early American furniture and decorative arts. The cabinet’s exceptional provenance and rarity made it a standout piece, but the sale also featured a variety of other remarkable items that captured the attention of collectors and institutions alike. The success of this auction underscores the enduring appeal of well-preserved, historically significant pieces in the antiques market.
The Pilgrim Century cabinet’s craftsmanship and historical context made it a particularly compelling lot. Boston-made furniture from this period is exceedingly rare, as much of it was lost to time, war, and urban development. The Mason-Messenger attribution further enhances its importance, as this shop tradition represents a distinct style of cabinetry from the era. The cabinet’s design, with its intricate paneling and utilitarian form, reflects the practical needs and aesthetic sensibilities of early American settlers. Its survival in such fine condition is a testament to its quality and the care it received over the centuries.
While the cabinet was the undisputed highlight of the sale, other lots also performed strongly, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Vander Sande collection. The auction included a variety of period furniture, decorative arts, and folk art, many of which carried strong provenance and historical significance. The strong prices achieved across the board demonstrate the continued demand for high-quality, well-documented pieces.
Brunk Auctions’ ability to present such a prestigious collection and achieve such impressive results speaks to its reputation as a leading auction house for fine antiques and collectibles. The sale attracted a wide audience, including private collectors, dealers, and institutions, all vying for a piece of this exceptional collection. The strong competition for key lots, particularly the Pilgrim Century cabinet, highlights the enduring allure of early American material culture.
The Vander Sande collection’s success also reflects broader trends in the antiques market. While some segments of the market have seen fluctuations in recent years, the demand for rare, historically significant pieces remains robust. Collectors continue to value items with strong provenance, exceptional craftsmanship, and a compelling story, all of which were hallmarks of this collection.
The sale’s results also underscore the importance of careful curation and presentation in achieving strong auction outcomes. Brunk Auctions’ expertise in cataloging and marketing the collection helped to attract the right audience and generate excitement around the lots. The detailed descriptions, high-quality photography, and historical context provided in the catalog were instrumental in showcasing the pieces’ significance and value.
In addition to the Pilgrim Century cabinet, other notable lots in the sale included early American furniture, such as chairs, tables, and case pieces, many of which featured carved details and period-appropriate finishes. The collection also included decorative arts, such as pottery, glassware, and metalwork, as well as folk art, including paintings, carvings, and textiles. These items, while perhaps not as headline-grabbing as the cabinet, were equally important in telling the story of early American life and craftsmanship.
The sale’s success is a testament to the passion and dedication of John and Marie Vander Sande, who spent a lifetime assembling this remarkable collection. Their love for early American antiques is evident in the quality and rarity of the pieces they acquired, and their decision to share these treasures with the world through this auction ensures that their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of collectors and enthusiasts.
Overall, the March 12 sale was a landmark event for Brunk Auctions and the antiques market as a whole. The strong prices achieved, particularly for the Pilgrim Century cabinet, highlight the enduring appeal of early American material culture and the importance of preserving and celebrating these historical treasures. As the antiques market continues to evolve, sales like this one serve as a reminder of the lasting value of well-crafted, historically significant pieces and the stories they tell. A more detailed recap of the sale will be featured in a future issue, providing further insights into the collection and its impact on the market.
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