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Lynn Chadwick

Lynn Chadwick ‘Beast’ tops A.B. Levy’s auction at $96,000

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Bronze statue by British sculptor Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003), ‘Beast XXI,’ 1959, 13in tall. Price realized: $96,000. A.B. Levy’s image
Bronze statue by British sculptor Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003), ‘Beast XXI,’ 1959, 13in tall. Price realized: $96,000. A.B. Levy’s image

 

PALM BEACH, Fla. – An important and rare glass vase by Emile Galle sold for $89,600 and a patinated bronze sculpture by Lynn Chadwick brought $96,000 at an auction held by A.B. Levy’s. The auction grossed a little more than $2 million.

The Galle vase (below) was marqueterie de verre, a glassmaking technique in which colored pieces of semimolten glass are set into the body of a glass vessel before it hardens. It was first introduced by Galle himself, who lived in France from 1846-1904. The vase in the sale boasted applied and carved foot detail and gilt foil inclusions, and stood 17 1/2 inches tall. It had no chips or cracks.

 

Important and rare glass vase by Emile Galle (French, 1846-1904), ‘marqueterie de verre,’ 17 1/2in. Price realized: $89,600. A.B. Levy’s image
Important and rare glass vase by Emile Galle (French, 1846-1904), ‘marqueterie de verre,’ 17 1/2in. Price realized: $89,600. A.B. Levy’s image

 

There were actually two bronze sculptures by Lynn Chadwick (British, 1914-2003) in the auction. The one that fetched $96,000 (the sale’s top lot) was titled Beast XXI, 1959. It was 13 inches tall, signed, dated and numbered. The other, titled Walking Cloaked Figures, featured a pair of figures, both signed. The piece, partially polished, stood 11 1/4 inches tall and fetched $57,600.

A standing-room-only crowd of around 40 people packed A. B. Levy’s gallery to attend the sale live, while hundreds of others – from over 35 countries – bid online.

LiveAuctioneers.com facilitated absentee and Internet live bidding.

“It was a solid sale,” said Albert Levy of A. B. Levy’s. “Lalique, modern and contemporary lots all did especially well.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.

Over 78 percent of lots by the renowned French glass designer Rene Lalique (1860-1945) were sold. Two lots posted identical prices of $36,000. One was a rare and fine opalescent glass vase titled Terpsichore (below), introduced in 1937 and 8 1/4 inches tall. The other was a gray glass vase titled Palestre, 16 inches tall, first introduced in 1928 and the largest Lalique production model made. A third Lalique vase, an opalescent glass piece first introduced in 1927 and titled Bacchantes, 9 3/4 inches tall, brought $31,200.

 

Rare and fine opalescent glass vase by Rene Lalique titled ‘Terpsichore,’ introduced in 1937, 8 1/4in. Price realized: $36,000. A.B. Levy’s image
Rare and fine opalescent glass vase by Rene Lalique titled ‘Terpsichore,’ introduced in 1937, 8 1/4in. Price realized: $36,000. A.B. Levy’s image

 

Pablo Picasso made multiple appearances, first with a partially glazed ceramic pitcher or chope visage (face mug), 8 inches tall and conceived in 1959, one of 300 made, which sold for $4,800, and then with a red earthenware turned pitcher with a painted surface in black and white, titled Sujet Poisson (below), 1962, 5 1/2 inches tall, one in an edition of 500, which brought $3,900.

 

Red earthenware fish-form pitcher by Pablo Picasso conceived in 1952 and executed in 1962, one of 500. Price realized: $3,900. A.B. Levy’s image
Red earthenware fish-form pitcher by Pablo Picasso conceived in 1952 and executed in 1962, one of 500. Price realized: $3,900. A.B. Levy’s image

 

Early 20th century pieces from Tiffany Studios included two leaded glass and bronze table lamps that did particularly well. One, having a Bell Flower hemispheric shade (below), 20 1/2 inches tall, sold for $33,600. The other, titled Feather, 16 inches tall, featured a stylized feather decoration on a multicolored, conical shade raised $16,800.

 

Tiffany Studios Bell Flower leaded glass and bronze table lamp, circa 1910, 20 1/2in tall. Price realized: $33,600. A.B. Levy’s image
Tiffany Studios Bell Flower leaded glass and bronze table lamp, circa 1910, 20 1/2in tall. Price realized: $33,600. A.B. Levy’s image

 

Two acrylic on canvas paintings by Jules Olitski (American, 1922-2007) combined to sell for over $70,000. One, titled Amongst Angels, (below), 1991, measuring an impressive 48 inches by 72 inches and signed, titled and dated, brought $40,800, while a 1982 work titled Demon Queen, 28 inches by 80 inches, also signed, titled and dated, hit $30,000. Both still had their gallery labels.

 

Acrylic on canvas painting by Jules Olitski (American, 1922-2007) titled ‘Amongst Angels,’ 1991, 48in x 72in. Price realized: $40,800. A.B. Levy’s image
Acrylic on canvas painting by Jules Olitski (American, 1922-2007) titled ‘Amongst Angels,’ 1991, 48in x 72in. Price realized: $40,800. A.B. Levy’s image

 

An acrylic on canvas rendering by James Brooks (American, 1906-1992), titled Isen, 1966, 48 inches by 72 inches, sold for $48,000.

 

Signed acrylic on canvas painting by James Brooks (American, 1906-1992), titled ‘Isen,’ 48 in x 72in. Price realized: $48,000. A.B. Levy’s image
Signed acrylic on canvas painting by James Brooks (American, 1906-1992), titled ‘Isen,’ 48 in x 72in. Price realized: $48,000. A.B. Levy’s image

 

For more information contact A.B. Levy’s at 561-835-9139 or sent an email to info@ablevys.com.

 

Lynn ChadwickClick here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

Lynn Chadwick