* A remarkable sale of Asian art held at Skinner in Boston on April 24 and 25 brought over $1.7 million—with several lots greatly surpassing their conservative pre-sale estimates. Among the top lots was an 18th-century Turkish saber with a gem-set white jade grip that brought $118,500 (estimate $3,000-5,000), a Chinese carved jade lion, 2nd century BC – 2nd century AD, that was sold for $112,575 (estimate $300-500), and a late 17th- or early 18th-century carved rhinoceros horn cup that brought $59,250 (estimate $8,000-10,000).
* On April 25 and 26 Sollo Rago in Lambertville, NJ hosted its spring Modern sale, which totaled $2.9 million. The top lot was a Wendell Castle writing desk and chair from 1980 that brought $78,000 (estimate $70,000-90,000). The next highest price paid was $54,000 for a Paul Evans patinated steel room divider, c. 1957, which missed its estimate of $60,000-90,000. Other noteworthy lots were a 1995 forged steel and frosted glass torchere by Albert Paley was sold for $45,000 (estimate $25,000-45,000), a Leon Jallot angular pedestal desk and accompanying chair brought $31,200 (estimate $10,000-20,000), and a Ruba Rombic vaseline glass fishbowl, patented in 1928, that fetched $12,000 (estimate $1,500-3,500).
* The top lot at Doyle New York’s April 27 sale of books, prints, and photographs was a color lithograph by Charles Sorlier after Marc Chagall that brought $53,125 (estimate $30,000-40,000). Other noteworthy lots were a Mary Cassatt drypoint that brought $28,125 (estimate $15,000-25,000), and a first-illustrated edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetical works in a Sangorski & Sutcliffe jeweled morocco binding that was sold for $23,750 (estimate $10,000-15,000).
* The sale of prints and multiples at Christie’s New York on April 28 totaled just under $3 million. The top lot was an Edward Hopper etching, House by a River, that brought $116,500 (estimate $50,000-70,000). A set of four Willem de Kooning lithographs brought $92,500 (estimate $30,000-40,000), while most lots stayed relatively close to their estimates such as a striking David Hockney lithograph that brought $43,750 (estimate $25,000-35,000).
* The April 28 sale of jewels and watches at Christie’s in Dubai totaled $4 million and was 76% sold by lot. The top lot was a 5.01 carat kite-shaped diamond pendant that brought $194,500 (estimate $160,000-180,000). Other noteworthy lots were a purplish-pink 1.53 carat diamond ring (estimate $60,000-80,000) and an Indian pearl, gem, and enamel necklace (estimate $140,000-180,000) that were each sold for $182,500.
* Christie’s sale of international modern and contemporary art on April 29 in Dubai totaled over $4.7 million. The top lots were both the work of Iranian artists: Parviz Tanavoli’s bronze sculpture The Wall and the Script brought $218,500 (estimate $120,000-180,000), and Charles Hossein Zenderoudi’s painting, War + Wav + VE, that brought $206,500 (estimate $150,000-200,000). Another noteworthy lot was a six-panel painting from Afshin Pirhashemi that was sold for $122,500 (estimate $40,000-60,000).
* Sotheby’s London sale of 20th century design on April 29 totaled £576,750; the top lot was a Maurice Calka “P.-D.G” desk that brought for £73,250 (estimate £60,000-90,000). Other noteworthy lots were a May Morris for Morris & Co. portière that was sold for £19,375 (estimate £8,000-12,000), and a limited edition Yonel Lebovici floor lamp, L’Èpingle de Nourrice, that was sold for £27,500 (estimate £12,000-18,000).
* The April 30 and May 1 sale of prints at Sotheby’s New York totaled over $4.5 million. The top lots of the sale were works by Andy Warhol; two Marilyns, one pink and one black, from a 1967 Factory Additions portfolio brought $158,500 (estimate $120,000-180,000) and $122,500 (estimate $100,000-150,000) respectively. The next highest price was $104,500 paid for a Warhol portfolio of Jewish portraits (estimate $70,000-100,000) and for a 1945 hand-colored Picasso lithograph, Les Deux Femmes Nues, which was estimated at $40,000-60,000.
