Featured Guess What Time It Is?

That's Right! It's time for the Americana Shows & Sales in NYC. Browsed the Christies auction first, a lot of pottery, early English Delft, silver, prints, folk art, Broadsides including one from Paul Revere on the Boston "Massacre".
https://www.christies.com/en/auctio...ilver-prints-and-broadsides-28694/browse-lots

These 2 pieces caught my eye, one a wood box made by Thomas Dennis and, for the first time ever for me, a basket. I know, a basket? Thing is, this lady is supposed to be
"Washoe basketmaker who is universally recognized as the greatest of all basketmakers."
Alrighty then, the GOAT! according to Christie's at making baskets, had to take a look.

Thomas Dennis Carved Box C. 1670-1700, Est 15-20k.......NOT. A. CHANCE. This box will go for big numbers.
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-a...5/?from=salesummary&intObjectID=6303445&lid=1

Click any photos to enlarge







Washoe Basket, Dat So La Lee (Louisa Keyser 1850-1925) Est 50-100k
She has another basket in this sale
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-w...7/?from=salesummary&intObjectID=6303457&lid=1

 

So is Thomas Dennis an early American craftsman? What makes his furniture distinctive?

 

"Washoe basketmaker who is universally recognized as the greatest of all basketmakers."

didn't even have to see the basket.......................

 

How often, whether in England or America, did these 17th century carved boxes have feet?

 

Thank you for posting this!! I agree that box is beautiful. I could never afford Christie's but I love to look.

 

Gorgeous items. It will be interesting to see what everything sells for.

 

Well, you could say that. Thomas Dennis & William Searle were 2 joiners who immigrated to America from Devon England in the 17th century. Searle died early on and Dennis married his widow.
Dennis is the most studied & celebrated joiner in 17th century America.

Short answer is, NEVER!
The feet have been added & the lid is replaced but that does not matter, that floral carving (and construction) is pure Dennis, no doubt about it. Condition report below
"The lid is an old replacement and the feet have been added. Some very minor surface scratches, nicks and abrasions consistent with age and use. Proper left cotter hinge loose at connection to body of chest. 3 inch loss to proper right rear corner of baseboard. Proper left front foot loose."

Never heard of her! But, little doubt Dat So La Lee made killer baskets!

 

Thanks for posting that Komo, nice to put a face to and have some history about a legend in their field.

 

Well, OK if you say so but I would argue it's a myth more than reality.
The top auction houses sell famous and distinctive collections in every field of collecting. While it's true the top objects get the press, attention & astounding prices, there are almost ALWAYS bargains in those collections that no one is paying the slightest attention to.
If one is patient, prepared, & willing to be crushed often by deep-pocketed collectors you can sometimes score important pieces for small money.

 

Was surprised to see some Grenfell pieces in there. Not sure they got the dating on those correct... and the pricing!

 

Well, that is in some dispute.
At Bowdoin College in Maine, which happens to have 4 pieces of Thomas Dennis furniture that descended directly from the Dennis family (incredible!) and donated to the college by Ray Dennis, there is this box attributed to William Searle...........
The feet may be, may not be original to this box......
KILLER box BTW
Considering that Dennis & Searle apprenticed as joiners in Devon, came to America at aprox. the same time, that Dennis married Searle's widow and inherited Searle's workshop & TOOLS!
It is often difficult to tell just who built what.

Bowdoin Box attrib William Searle C. 1665 descended in Dennis Family
Click to enlarge

 

POST IT with photos please! Grenfel pieces? What the heck is that!

 

That Dat So La Lee basket is stunning. Such finesse.

 

edited: my link didn't work.

you can search by Grenfell on the auction site tho.

Lot #401

 

That link doesn't work, takes me to auction as a whole.
Edit
OK but I'd rather wait on MOS posting what it is exactly & insights as well, I have no clue what Grenfell is.
OK, it's a PLACE! Canada, Newfoundland
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-t...3/?from=salesummary&intObjectID=6303743&lid=1

@wiscbirddog just stepped all over MOS post!
2 Hooked Handbags, 19th century
Click to enlarge

 

you can find the mats...and smaller weavings but handbags are less often seen...

and some designs garner higher prices..

Mr Grenfell.......

 

hooked mat ( rug )


made from silk stockings................

 

Meanwhile, over at Sotheby's, they released their catalog today, not near as fine objects this year I would say. That happens, it's rare when both houses have the best of the best in the same year.
That said, they did have 1 early important box, attrib. to John Moore 1614-1677, the design originator of what has become known as "Foliated Vine Group", centered in Windsor Connecticut. The carving is peculiar to that area and these boxes are rare.
In great condition, original red wash, lock, and hinges.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auc...ery-fine-and-rare-pilgrim-century-red-painted

Red Painted Box, attrib. John Moore, Windsor Conn. C. 1685. Est 30-50k
click to enlarge

 

The Grenfell mission was founded in 1892, but online sources say the workshops that produced these things were started in 1906. Doesn't mean they couldn't have been produced earlier, or outside the Grenfell sphere. My mother was from St. Anthony (where the mission is). It's possible that my great-grandmother made things like these. The Mission elevated St. Anthony to something more than just another outport.

On the Newfoundland rug above, St Antony is the little triangle at the top of the island on the right.

We drove up the east side of the island in the early '60s. Punctured all four tires and the gas tank doing so. At that time you could still see the hulks of torpedoed ships in the Straights of Bell Isle (between the island and the mainland). They're gone now.

In the early '60s, as a child, I bought this hand carved ivory thingy at the Grenfell Mission in St. Anthony: