We are rapidly coming to the end of 2024. It has been a very busy year for Visbids as we have held 18 online auctions. Since our inception in 2021 we have completed over 75 auctions.
This is the last one to be run this year. We hope you will enjoy the selection of antiques, collectibles, folk art and fine art that we have to offer. Let’s have a closer look at what there is to see and collect.
We have been working with one collector and downsizing his massive collection for nearly three years. He was a knowledgeable and passionate collector of early hand-made forged iron, lighting, and tin-smithed articles. He attended and recorded his purchases from local auctions from Waterloo to Kingston. He bought at auctions in the States early lighting, fireplace utensils, early woodenware etc. These he documented so he would be able to pass on the knowledge of not only what but where things came from. You will see many references throughout the auction to the collection or auction from whence things came. I wish more collectors did that as we are losing the history and provenance on so many antiques.
We have been working with a number of collectors and friends who have chosen us to auction their collections. There are a number of highlights. For the folk art collector there are carvings by noted Canadian folk artists like Ewald Rentz, Wilfred Richard, and Bruce Smith. There are many other folk carvings throughout the auction that are also worthy of note by lesser known artists. One of the more interesting pieces is the large chiseled pine bust of a fierce looking man carved by a local artist Jan Cegema of Bowmanville. He completed this work in his later years. As you read many of the biographies of folk artists one oft occurring theme is that they started carving or painting after retirement, or after they were no longer able to hold down a paying job either because of injury, ill health or age. Creativity is not inhibited by age. What is particularly noteworthy about this pine bust is that it is very similar to a bust that was on display at the Kamloops Art Gallery titled An Era of Discontent: Art as Occupation speaking to revolutions and political instability.
Indigenous paintings have been historically undervalued. With the emergence of what is now called the Woodland School founding artists like Norval Morrisseau , Benjamin Chee Chee, Daphne Odjig, and Jackson Beardy have now gained fame and financial recognition. While we are not selling any originals by these famous artists we have a collection of paintings done by Noel Ducharme in the Woodlands School tradition. His paintings have very strong imagery and would grace the walls of an indigenous art collector or someone looking to display highly visual symbolic original artwork.
Collectors also provided us with several early pieces of formal and country furniture. One collector had made several “picking” trips to Nova Scotia back in the day and brought back painted chairs and a fine early gateleg table. Antique furniture does travel. A pair of Shaker No. 2 ladderback chairs has made its way into Ontario and is being offered in this sale. Images of these chairs were shown to the famous Shaker expert Willis Henry and he authenticated them as Shaker No. 2.
Check through the auction to see other examples of Chippendale period chests, Hepplewhite tables, cabinetmaker pieces from Lake Erie, etc. We even have a mid-century modern Quebec chest. One of the more exotic pieces in this sale is a hanging corner shelf found on the Six Nations Reserve. It combines folk art elements, practical wall boxes, lattice work, etc. It is hard to say if it was made on the reserve but perhaps someone has seen similar work and can help to define exactly where it was made.
There is one last collecting category worth mentioning – first edition collector books. One is Undine with illustrations by Arthur Rackham. Another two are the histories of conflicts with First Nations peoples — Personal Reflections of General Nelson A. Miles, and Indian Horrors or Massacres by Red Men. How times have changed we hope.
Enjoy the auction. And yes the barn is set up for anyone who wishes a nice air conditioned preview. We sincerely encourage people to come out and look thought the collection.
