In its first major sale of 2021, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will present an irresistible array of fresh-to-the-market items that will attract all types of potential buyers. Titled “Temptations,” this sale will offer important collections of fine paintings, American and European furniture, folk art, sculpture, country antique accessories, and Asian items.

Out of an abundance of caution in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sale will be conducted as a live virtual sale with telephone, absentee and internet bidding. The gallery will open for previews every day from Feb. 15-25.

Thomaston Place owner and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said: “We’ve put together an exciting and diverse offering, from antiquities to contemporary art and furniture, with something to entice every interest.”

A seascape painting by Joseph DeCamp (ME/MA/PA/FL/OH, 1858-1923) will headline the sale. Titled “View from the Sprague House, Prouts Neck, Maine,” the work was a gift from DeCamp to his Prouts Neck neighbor, late 19th century coal baron and shipping magnate Phineas W. Sprague. DeCamp paintings are rare – less than 100 canvases are known, as 1904 fires in his Boston and Maine studios destroyed most of his life’s work.

There will be a group of important 20th century paintings by Latin American artists, including works by Carlos (Gomez) Enriquez (PA/Cuba, 1900-1957), Antonio Ruiz, El Corcito (CA/Mexico, 1895-1964), and Rene Portocarrero (Cuba, 1912-1985).

The sale will also present artwork by: John Frederick Kensett (NY/CT, 1816-1872), William Sidney Mount (NY, 1807-1869), William Leroy Metcalf (NY/MA, 1858-1925), John William Casilear (NY/VT, 1811-1893), Josef Israels (Netherlands, 1824-1911), Harrison Bird Brown (CA/ME/UK, 1831-1915), Stephen Etnier (ME/CA, 1903-1984), Paul Black (ME, 1951-2014), Andrew Winter (NY/ME/MA, 1893-1958), William Thon (ME/NY/Italy, 1906-2000) (and Bruno Zach (Austria/Germany/Russia/Ukraine, 1891-1945).

“American Flamingo, Old Male,” a Havell double elephant folio chromolithograph by Bien, New York, 1860, from a work by John James Audubon (NY/France, 1785-1851) will be offered, along with three Audubon elephant folio hand colored lithographs from “North American Quadrupeds” (J.T. Bowen, 1845).

Among the many marine and folk art items will be an early finely carved and gilded ship’s figurehead of a young woman in Empire gown attributed to American neoclassical sculptor William Rush (PA, 1756-1833), and a unique floor lamp owned by Admiral Donald MacMillan, that was crafted from Antarctic narwhal horn and walrus tusks, he brought to Maine. A full body copper cow form weathervane by Harris & Co., Boston will also be sold, along with a large collection of early pantry boxes.

Antique furniture will include: a monumental American early Federal period giltwood eagle-topped entry mirror; a pair of carved four poster beds with carved eagle finials and painted headboards; a nice selection of Maine painted and Victorian pieces. The 20th century furniture collection will offer: a Lucite and brass full-size bed by designer Charles Hollis Jones, an Arts & Crafts period Gustav Stickley bookcase, and Milo Baughman recliner.

Featured from the 128-lot Asian group will be a set of 18th century Thai narrative paintings depicting the life of Buddha and an 18th century Burmese Buddhist temple wood carved kneeling disciple figure.

The sale will offer 24 musical instruments: a 19th century Italian-made cello by Gaetano Guadagnini II (1796-1852); and a rare Amati pattern violin by Hungarian maker Karolus Ertl (1812-1876).

Other highlights will include: a Tiffany Studios Favrile glass pulled feather lamp shade, 103-piece set of Meissen porcelain dishes, and 3 sterling flatware sets by Tiffany & Co. A vintage Ambrosi platinum and diamond brooch and a Patek Philippe 18K gold gent’s wristwatch will be highlights of the 47-lot jewelry and watch selection. Finally, there will be selections of early tea caddies, Middle Eastern furniture and metal ware, clocks, icons, and oriental carpets.

Each day of the sale will have particular emphasis – on Friday, Feb. 26, the focus will be on Americana furniture, folk art and accessories; fine art and antiques, on Saturday, Feb. 27; and 20th century decorative arts and jewelry on Sunday, Feb. 28.

The auction will begin at 11 a.m. each day. All lots can be viewed at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ website, www.thomastonauction.com. Telephone, absentee, and online bidding on three internet platforms will allow multiple bidding options. Please visit our website of call 207-354-8141 for more information.

The gallery will be open for previews on Monday through Friday, Feb. 15 to 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20 and 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Monday-Thursday, Feb. 22-25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is Maine’s premier international auction company located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston.