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Bill Spicer, North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Redware Crock Brings $16,500

by Jackie Sideli

Even a few hours before the Bill Spicer auction started on February 11, there wasn't any place to park. Spicer is known to local dealers and collectors as a source and his auctions, which he holds at the American Legion Hall in rural North Kingstown, Rhode Island, are known as a great place to buy.

Some of the excitement at this sale was for a beautiful and rare 6 inches tall American redware crock, which Spicer had unearthed in a nearby home. According to sources at the sale, the jar was probably made in Greenwich, Rhode Island, or Bristol County, Massachusetts. It had an underglaze of mottled creamy green with black speckles, with a bold and deliberate green overglaze poured on top of the underglaze. According to dealer Louis Scranton, "The condition was superb." After an exciting round of enthusiastic bidding, Connecticut dealer and collector Ronald Dionne bought the jar for $16,500 (including buyer's premium).

Joe Collins of Cobalt, Connecticut, went home with a period inlaid bowfront Hepplewhite chest at $1320 and a Queen Anne candlestand with a square top in an old refinish at $880. Louis Scranton bought a pair of period brass candlesticks for $522.50.

Among a collection of old toys at the sale was a lithographed Noah's ark that sold for $770.

Dealer Henry Callan of East Sandwich, Massachusetts, bought a superb piece of Chinese Imari, an oversize, handled tankard in perfect condition, for $1210. According to Callan, it dated from around 1750. An Imari bowl brought $550.

A dated 1827 presentation whalebone cane, presented to J.B. Goodwin, sold for $4180 to dealer William Taylor of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, who was at the sale. Taylor also bought a beautiful pair of period iron andirons with graphic concentric circle tops in a style reminiscent of Alexander Calder's work for just $302.50.

An American 18th-century highboy sold to someone at the sale for $4180. As it was being sold, Spicer said, "Some people say it's married, and some say it's not." Its graceful and elegant form apparently pleased the crowd.

Some interesting paintings were offered, including an oil on canvas landscape by Rhode Island artist Hope Smith that carried a Providence Art Club label. It sold to a buyer at the sale for $440. A hunting scene by J.C. Spencer opened at $300 and sold to a buyer at the sale for $990.

Early in the auction a good, early 15' x 10' Oriental carpet sold for $6380.

This was a no-frills sale (no catalog) but one with lots of fresh, good-quality material. For more information about upcoming sales by Spicer, check the Web site (www.billspicerauction.com) or call (401) 295-0339.