Michael Bonne unique award, Knightstown
Updated August 23, 2026
| Lot number | 33 |
| Auction | Johnson Art & Antiques Online Auction |
| Date | September 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM EDT |
| Auction house | Harmeyer Auction & Appraisal Co. |
| Location | Rushville, Indiana |
Quart pitcher made by internationally known coppersmith Michael Bonne, marked beneath ribbed handle "2nd Place Car Show 2000", the front with embossed image of the historic Knightstown Academy with its famous rooftop globe and telescope, 6 1/2" high, base 4 1/8" diameter, good overall condition, joints and seams solid, no dents, interior of base with areas of green patina, some tarnish. (To remove tarnish, Bonne recommends using ketchup as a cleaning agent.) Bonne launched his coppersmith business in rural Carthage, Indiana, in the early 1980s, using vintage tools and early metalworking techniques to handcraft his designs. The self-taught artisan developed a loyal following, and the increased demand for his creations necessitated moving to a larger space in nearby Knightstown, Indiana. His clients have included Disney, Eddie Bauer, Martha Stewart, the American Folk Art Museum, the Smithsonian, and Williams-Sonoma. The business was closed in 2003, but after a ten-year hiatus Bonne began crafting copper items with a folk-art flair from his current studio in Florida.
