COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Author To Share A Social History Of Amish Quilts
AAN Current News
FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 • VOL. 47, NO. 12
David Brumbach Artwork Sells At Horst Watercolor Of Lancaster, Pa., Railroad Station, circa 1978, Brings $20,500 By Karl Pass An 836-lot twoday catalog sale grossing $225,770 was conducted by Horst Auction Center in its Ephrata, Pa., facility on Feb. 12 and 13. Horst does not charge a buyer’s premium for inhouse buyers. There is a 10 percent fee for absentee bids. A Peter Derr (1793-1868) betty A collector paid $20,500 for the David Robert Brumbach (1942lamp dated “1842” 92) watercolor of the Lancaster, Pa., railroad station, circa 1978. sold for $1,900 to a A rare betty lamp attributed to collector from the same area Derr worked near Bernville, Pa. The col- John Long sold to a private colleclector is a distant descendant of tor from Chester County, Pa., bidDerr through marriage. It was ding in the salesroom for $5,600. Continued on page 2 underbid by Josh Reeder bidding on behalf of dealer Greg Kramer. The following lot was a wrought iron dough scraper with brass handle stamped “P.D” on the blade which sold for a reasonable $375 to a collector from Berks County, Pa. Also made by well-known and prolific metalsmith Peter Derr, the dough scraper had a cut corner that was not damaged, but clipped for easier and more efficient use in a particular dough box or tray. The late dealer Chris Machmer had a “clipped corner” Derr scraper in his study collection that was identical.
This iron and brass betty lamp attributed to John Long sold to a collector from Chester County, Pa., bidding in the salesroom for $5,600.
This paint-decorated miniature lift-top chest inscribed underneath “Made by Joseph Lehn in his 89 year Feb. 3, 1887” sold for $4,300. It went to an online buyer, underbid by Josh Reeder in the salesroom bidding on behalf of dealer Greg Kramer. The 12-by-6-by-6-inch chest sold for $5,085 on Nov. 6, 2010 at the late J. Harlan Miller sale held by Conestoga Auction Company.
Plan For Your Stuff on page 6
Amish quilts were not always a familiar part of America’s visual culture. As the broader American culture intersected with Old Order Amish society, Amish quilts have undergone a remarkable transition from utilitarian crafts into works of art, as well as commodities. Janneken Smucker, author of “Amish Quilts: Crafting an American Icon” will relate stories of local quiltmakers and explore how the commercial success of Amishbranded goods has influenced Amish artisans during a free lecture at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28, at Ridgeview Mennonite Church in Gordonville, Pa. Popular Amish quilting styles in the 19th century were bed covers in dark and bold geometric patterns.
Things shifted in the 20th century, and the Amish began incorporating lighter colors and more diverse patterns into their work. One hundred years after quilting began in earnest among the Amish, art collectors began to notice the striking similarities between those simple old quilts and minimalist works of modern art. In 1971, an exhibit titled “Abstract Designs in American Quilts” opened at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, which reinterpreted quilts, especially the old Amish quilts, as works of art. Smucker is a fifth-generation quiltmaker who learned the craft from her great-grandmother. She is
Gallé Cameo Vase Brings $18,600 At Cowans on page 11
Continued on page 6
Morphy Auctions’ Firearms Sale Hits The Bull’s-Eye
Witman Auctioneers Conducts Mid-Winter Antiques Sale
on page 12
Abner Zook Diorama Sells For $16,600 By Karl Pass Abner Zook made over 800 3-D dioramas during his lifetime, primarily in the 1970s and 80s. The elaborately done regional folk art has always had a local following with collectors. Anyone who has ever entered the Shady Maple Smorgasbord in Blue Ball, Pa., knows of This Abner Zook diorama measuring 31-by-48-inches, dated his work since it has 1982, sold for $16,600. long been on display buildings, figures, trees, carriages, there. and other items are all sculpted. Zook, of Newmanstown, They are made out of various mateLebanon County, Pa., was a member rials, from steel wool and copper of the Schaefferstown Mennonite wire to material that was originally church and passed away at age 89 intended to repair automobile bodin 2010. His twin brother, Aaron, was ies. The paintings have a brilliant also an artist creating finely use of depth and perspective to detailed dioramas. Both Zooks’ make a space that looks true to life. work is a combination of painting The intricate paintings are action and sculpture. In the paintings, the based and tell a story. The paintings’ settings take place in the Amish community at the turn of the century (1900s). The paintings include scenes from daily life such as farm work, church gatherings, public sales, barn raisings, and busy train stations. The largest collection of the work belongs to James J. and Nancy Binsberger, who once held an exhibit of their collection at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. On Feb. 20, Witman Auctioneers This Aaron Zook diorama measuring 17-byContinued on page 6 17-inches, dated 1995, sold for $3,500.
What Makes A Corkscrew Collectible? on page 14
Exciting New Book On Decorative Tiles Published on page 22
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 4 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 10 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 8
FEATURED AUCTION: Morphy’s Auctions - March 20 in Denver, Pennsylvania - page 20
AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 23