King of the Jungle
I am stuck in a quandary once again. Trying to narrow down to one thing for this week’s pick. What a nice problem to have! I could easily select another fraktur, just look at lots 643 and 644 in our upcoming Americana sale if you need more inspiration. There is a fantastic pair of Philadelphia chairs, a schrank with a great old painted surface, tiger maple dressing tables (yes plural), portraits, stoneware, and the hits keep coming. I start with a list of about twenty items and start comparing which ones I like better, so my twenty is paired down to ten which becomes five until I finally decide which is “The One”. This week for me I chose lot 338. When everyone comes for the preview this will be the guy who greets you at the door. It is a massive carved and painted recumbent lion. Measuring an impressive 70” long as his paws and tail overhang his wooden platform. His open mouth seems to be talking as it shows off his pearly whites. The regal gilt mane shows a deft hand of a successful carver, the massive paws with a fresh pedicure beckon you in for a closer look. All painted in an old ivory surface with terrific wear. Will this lion be the King of the Pook and Pook auction on January 11th and 12th, 2019 or will some other magnificent example rule the land? Look again next week for another competitor to the throne of this exceptional auction.
by: Jamie Shearer
