DALLAS – Dallas Auction Gallery exceeded all expectations for the Sam Wyly Art Collection, totaling more than $5 million for the 119 lots. The auction on Nov. 4 had a sell-through rate of 93 percent and achieved 25 percent over the high estimate for all sold lots.
The top lot was the Gilbert Stuart’s Portrait of George Washington, oil on canvas, 1798, from the Sam Wyly Collection, which fetched $1,025,000 million (prices quoted include the buyer’s premium). The presale estimate was $150,000 to $250.000.
Collector Sam Wyly’s passion for American history was evident throughout the sale with a wide range of portraits, historical letters and documents, textiles and paintings by American artists.
Two important paintings by Western artist Frank Tenney Johnson attracted interest from the beginning and sold strong in the room at a combined $345,000. Likewise, a grouping of five unique Picasso ceramic pieces all soared above their ranges to achieve premium prices for a combined $829,000.
LiveAuctioneers.com provided absentee and Internet live bidding.
“Numerous significant works of art with outstanding provenance and fresh to the market appeal well exceeded their estimates and expectations. American Art led the prices realized with phenomenal results across the board,” said Brendan Kennedy, director of Fine Arts at Dallas Auction Gallery.
Additional highlights:
– Thomas Hart Benton, A Social History of Missouri: Mural Study for the Jefferson City Capitol Building, tempera and pencil on board, 1935. Presale estimate: $200,000-$300,000. Sold for: $485,000;
– Thomas Hart Benton, Cotton Loading, gouache on paper, 1945. Presale estimate: 70,000-$90,000. Sold for: $425,000;
– Jean Béraud, Le jour d’emprunt (Loan Day), oil on canvas. Presale estimate: $150,000-$250,000. Sold for: $305,000;
– Frank Tenney Johnson, Don, the Horse Wrangler, oil on canvas, 1935. Presale estimate: $70,000-$90,000. Sold for: $245,000;
– Andrew Wyeth, Maine Door, watercolor on paper, 1970. Presale estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Sold for: $173,000;
– Pablo Picasso, Plat picador et toreador, glazed terra-cotta rectangular plate, 1953. Presale estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Sold for: $173,000;
– Pablo Picasso, Vase deux anses grand oiseau, ceramic, 1949. Presale estimate: $250,000-$350,000. Sold for $395,000;
– Pablo Picasso, Plat taureau a l’oiseau ceramic, 1951. Presale estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Sold for: $173,000.
“Dallas Auction Gallery’s Fall Fine Art Finale was a perfect representation of our gallery’s culture: a wonderful gathering of great artworks and motivated buyers in a friendly atmosphere. We are honored that DAG was chosen to bring theses exemplary works to market,” noted Scott Shuford, president, DAG.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
