Life in Maine is connected to the sea. Maine's rich seafaring history is evident in its world-renowned shipbuilding traditions, fishing industries, and the many ports and towns that have thrived on maritime trade. Maine's rich maritime history is shaped by its extensive coastline and history of shipbuilding, and is also shaped by the captains—particularly in the 19th century with towns like Thomaston Maine becoming known as "The Towns That Went to Sea".

Lot #1126: *Magnificent 6 Fold Folding Screen, Edo Period Cranes And Birds, Signed.*

The captains, many of whom became exceptionally wealthy, built magnificent homes throughout Maine and New England and played a significant role in acquiring artifacts and building large estates. In young America, ports were where the money was. Roads were poor and the sea was the opportunity to wealth and the superhighway—linking the continent and Maine to the rest of the world—where mariners could gain financial and material opulence. Every rock of granite, cut of lumber, and barrel of fish that shipped out—and every chest of tea, fine silk works and painted scrolls that shipped in—left a story.

Lot #1119: *Late 19th c. Figure, in patinated bronze, depicting a seated street performer holding a pole for his tethered monkey to climb, with impressed artist seal mark at base edge, 21" high, 13 1/2" x 13".*

During the 19th century, Maine's sea captains and shipbuilders played a crucial role in the country’s economy, particularly in towns like Thomaston, where Captain Samuel Watts—a very successful sea captain, ship builder and entrepreneur, owned large properties in Thomaston and New York and invested heavily in railroads as the country expanded—and was one of America’s first millionaires.

The sea captains accumulated fortunes allowing them to build impressive estates and acquire significant collections. Subsequently, the captains of Maine played a significant role in cultural relations between the United States and Japan, particularly through the opening of trade in the 19th century, as many Maine-built ships sailed to Japan.

As Maine was settled, shipbuilding thrived. More and more Maine ships and captains sailed the world delivering foreign resources such as limestone and granite, white ash and pine wood. Schooners carried cargo from Maine up-and-down the East Coast and to distant ports in Japan. Often the captain’s families would accompany them, and at the ports throughout Japan, shopping expeditions and excursions ensued, and exotic artifacts would be shipped back to Maine and to towns throughout New England.

Lot #1131: Meiji Period Japanese Porcelain Koro or Potpourri Jar, ca. 1890, bulbous form with pierced silver floral design lid, the jar decorated with a traditional Daimyo procession of warriors, on a tripod base, with gold painted artist's seal mark on base, 3" high, 3" diam.

Kaja Veilleux, founder of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, and seasoned appraiser with over 50 years of experience in New England’s arts and antiques, cherry-picked a selection of rare objects from homes and attics of sea captains throughout New England. From Machias to Salem, Boston to New London and everywhere in between, New England’s coastal towns and cities have estates built as showcases of wealth. The ones who harnessed the maritime trade became the wealthiest, and they often displayed their affluence by building the finest homes and exhibiting within, the finest and rarest of articles.

Lot #1003: *Fine Late Edo blade in Koshirae Saya, having a six character mark on one side of the tang, 40 cm blade with beautiful hamon, shallow curve, 26" long overall, excellent condition and edge.*

Lot #1003: *Detail of Japanese Wakizashi Sword In Saya, 18th C. Or Earlier.*

Our upcoming auction features Japanese art and antiques that exhibit both a history of cultural exchange as well as a collection of modern and contemporary art. The Japanese Art and Antiques Auction will feature more than 500 artifacts with a range of objects, including woodblock prints, rare netsuke, inro, and okimono, as well as painted scrolls, traditional silk work, elegant watercolors, and other fine and rare articles from Japan. There will be opportunities to bid in-person, phone, absentee, and online.

In the digital age, where the superhighway is online, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is pleased to present an exciting opportunity for such rare articles to be once again exchanged. Maine and Japan share a connection to the sea and the maritime trade has shaped both culture’s economies and societies. Historically the sea captains provided an exchange of goods and served as a crucial resource for shaping culture, history, society and the arts. On offer, is a spectacular collection of fine and rare Japanese art and antiques and re-telling a story of the art of Japan.

For assistance with bidding and registration, please telephone: +1 (207) 354-8141

Register online at live.thomastonauction.com

For all other enquiries please contact us.