Arts and Crafts furniture and decorative arts proved its continued relevance in the Southern California market, finding buyers willing to pay strong prices. A Gustav Stickley chest of drawers (model no. 906) shot past its initial estimate of $6000 – $8000, earning a final price realized of $12,000 (all prices include 20% buyer’s premium). A quintessential Dirk Van Erp copper and mica table lamp incited a bidding war among prospective buyers via telephone, ultimately going for $14,400, well over the estimated $5000 to $8000. Directly following, a gorgeous leaded glass and patinated metal table lamp with a daffodil-adorned shade earned a very respectable $1845 at the block (estimate: $800 to $1000).

Antique Continental and British decorative arts were certainly in high demand. A finely painted Berlin / KPM plaque depicting the Three Fates brought a record price for that subject, realizing $36,000 (estimate: $10,000 – $15,000). A French provincial gilt bronze-mounted walnut commode with an inscription chiseled to the top of the case caused quite a stir leading up to the auction. Prospective online bidders were all abuzz with queries prior to the sale, however, the commode ended up earning a handsome price of $22,050 after a determined bidder cast the winning bid via telephone (estimate: $8000 to $12,000). A giltwood over-mantel mirror, elaborately carved in George II style, was given a conservative pre-auction estimate of $3000 – $5000 but easily doubled the high estimate, fetching a final price of $11,922.50.

Smaller pieces across all genres and time periods of decorative arts achieved hearty prices, as well. A fun collection of exuberantly modeled sterling silver circus clowns was a hit, finding a buyer for $2280 (estimate: $800 to $1200). Late in the sale, a Russian icon of St. Nicholas drew attention from international buyers, tying up a number of phone lines with interested parties. Estimated to bring between $1500 and $2500, the icon found a buyer for $3900. A pair of Meissen porcelain figural candelabra, each adorned with roses, birds, and butterflies, thoroughly charmed online buyers, selling for $3997.50 (estimate: $1000 – $1500.)

It was the category of modern art, however, that stirred up the most excitement in the weeks preceding the June 17th auction, and the final results did not disappoint, particularly for an impeccably documented group of prints from a local collection. Just eighteen lots into the sale, a record was set for Marc Chagall’s lithograph “Le Prophète” when number 42 from an edition of 50 sold for $9000 (estimate: $2500 – $3500). “Boomerang”, a color lithograph by iconic New York modernist Alexander Calder, earned $3900, well over the estimated $800 – $1200. Works by Spanish artists Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso also brought impressive prices. “La Femme des Sables” by Miró brought $24,000 (estimate: $8000 – $10,000), while Picasso’s “Femme Couchee et Homme à la Guitare” realized $19,200 (estimate: $5000 – $7000). Expected to realize between $800 and $1200, an original mixed media collage on fabric titled “The Bird Party”, by modern San Francisco artist Jean Varda, set the record for the artist’s work when was purchased for $2384.50 by an online bidder.

Additional sale highlights include:

• Henry Chapman Ford’s etching of the Santa Barbara Mission, which realized $1592.50 (estimate: $600 – $800).

• A pair of 1930s Japanese cloisonné vases, both from an Altadena, CA estate and each assigned a pre-auction estimate of $300 – $500, brought $1080 and $1200, respectively.

• A gorgeous, tightly woven Teec Nos Pas Navajo rug, circa 1930, handily outstripped the conservative $1500 – $2000 estimate and realized $3382.50.

• A charming oil on panel painting of a woman in profile by British artist Edwin Harris, measuring a mere 8” high by 6” wide, found an enthusiastic buyer for $3600 (estimate: $1500 – $2000).

Moran’s next Antiques and Decorative Arts Auction is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 2014, with another to follow on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. LiveAuctioneers will provide the Internet live-bidding services for both sales.

For more information on Moran’s sales, both past and upcoming, please contact John Moran Auctioneers directly at: info@johnmoran.com or 626-793-1833. Consignment inquiries are always welcome.

View the fully illustrated catalog for John Moran’s June 17 auction, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

#   #   #

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE