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John Moran auction posts strong prices across diverse categories

 

This large-scale oil by Russ Vickers (1923-1997) exhibits the artist’s skillful use of light and shadow. The work realized $4,500. John Moran Auctioneers image
This large-scale oil by Russ Vickers (1923-1997) exhibits the artist’s skillful use of light and shadow. The work realized $4,500. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

MONROVIA, Calif. – John Moran’s April 16 Decorative Art Auction was the third auction of 2016 featuring Modern and Contemporary works of Western art from the Estate of Phoebe Hearst Cooke. The sale also featured Native American items from the Pasadena estate of Margaret Eaton Brown Fleming and paintings and furniture from the Brentwood estate of actor Carroll O’Connor and his wife, Nancy.

While attendance was strong – standing room only at the start – many lots were purchased by Internet bidders. LiveAuctioneers.com facilitated absentee and Internet live bidding.

Top-lot status was tied between two lots. The first, an impressive 17th century cassone on wrought-iron stand, was expected to achieve $6,000 to $8,000, but caught the eye of online buyers as well as a determined telephone bidder. The cassone ended up bringing $15,600, including Moran’s 20 percent buyer’s premium. Later in the sale, Quai de Louvre, an oil painting by prolific French artist Edouard Leon Cortes (1882-1969) also brought $15,600.

Russ Vickers (1923-1997 Tempe, Ariz.) was represented in Moran’s catalog with a large-scale work titled War Paint. A self-trained artist known for his realist Western works, Vickers expertly depicted war-ready Indians on horseback in a light-dappled plateau landscape. Consigned from a private Orange County collection, the painting (above) brought $4,500.

Later in the sale, Peter Max’s (b. 1937, New York, N.Y.) abstracted acrylic painting of the head of the Statue of Liberty, executed in bright and bold hues, achieved $13,750 selling price – over twice the high end of the estimate.

 

This bold painting by Peter Max achieved $13,750. John Moran Auctioneers image
This bold painting by Peter Max achieved $13,750. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Continental decorative art objects produced several highlights, including a whimsical figural champagne cooler (below) by Figaro Piero for Atena. The highly polished pewter cooler was modeled as a portrait head of a man wearing a headdress of seashells and coral, and was quite a hit. Estimated to earn $1,000 to $1,500, the piece brought $2,375.

 

This contemporary Italian polished pewter champagne cooler by Figaro Piero for Atena certainly turned heads. It realized $2,375. John Moran Auctioneers image
This contemporary Italian polished pewter champagne cooler by Figaro Piero for Atena certainly turned heads. It realized $2,375. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Decorative objects from the Estate of Carroll and Nancy O’Connor earned particularly strong prices. A suite of custom-made office furniture by contemporary Wisconsin-based craftsman Steven Spiro, who creates organic furniture forms from inlaid layers of solid hardwood, achieved excellent prices. Spiro’s “Sculpture Garden Chair” earned $3,000 (estimate: $2,000 to $3,000), while his “Sculpture Garden Desk” (below) achieved $7,200.

 

Steven Spiro’s ‘Sculpture Garden Desk’ was one of four furniture pieces by the artist consigned from the Estate of Carroll and Nancy O’Connor. The desk just topped the high estimate at $7,200. John Moran Auctioneers image
Steven Spiro’s ‘Sculpture Garden Desk’ was one of four furniture pieces by the artist consigned from the Estate of Carroll and Nancy O’Connor. The desk just topped the high estimate at $7,200. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Prices for Native American items held fast A Mimbres quail-motif pottery bowl showing the usual restorations and in excellent condition considering its marked age was also offered from the Fleming estate; the bowl inspired a bidding war between online bidders, resulting in a final selling price of $8,750 (estimate: $3,000 to $5,000)
Contact John Moran Auctioneers via telephone at 626-793-1833 or email info@johnmoran.com.

 

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