This Week’s Top Lots: June 2 – 5

Editorial Staff Art

*  The Christie’s New York sale of 20th century decorative art and design on June 2 totaled $1.4 million with 76 of 102 lots sold. The top lot was a patinated bronze cheetah by François-Xavier Lalanne that sold for $74,500 just below its estimate of $80,000-120,000. Another lot by Lalanne—a copper turtle topiary—sold for $52,500, about twice its estimate of $20,000-30,000.

Candy bowl designed by Eliel Saarinen, made by Nessen Studio, 1934. Courtesy of Wright.

*  The June 2 design sale at Wright in Chicago totaled $2.4 million. The top lot was a “Dandelion” sculpture by Harry Bertoia exhibited at the 1964 New York World’s Fair that sold for $278,500, well above its estimate of $100,000-150,000. Another top lot was a brass candy bowl designed by Eliel Saarinen that fetched $82,900 ($30,000-40,000).

Snuff box by Meissen, circa 1738. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2009.


*  The “Centuries of Style” sale of silver, European ceramics, portrait miniatures, and gold boxes, at Christie’s London on June 2 totaled £2.3 million. The top lot was a German parcel-gilt and gem-set silver tankard and stand that sold for £133,250 (estimate £100,000-150,000). Several lots greatly surpassed pre-sale estimates including: a German silver-gilt nef that sold for £121,250 (estimate £30,000-50,000); a Meissen snuff box from the Ralph Bernal collection that also sold for £121,250 (estimate £25,000-40,000); and a Louis XV snuff box by Claude Lisonnet that sold for £103,250 (estimate £30,000-40,000).

*  The June 2 of 19th-century sculpture at Sotheby’s London totaled £921,075 with 48 of 86 lots sold. The top lot was Camile Claudel’s L’implorante that sold for £115,250 (estimate £60,000-80,000). Several lots sold well above estimates including Kneeling Nude by Julien Dillens that sold for £85,250 (estimate £20,000-30,000), and Youth by Winifred Turner that sold for £46,850 (estimate £4,000-6,000)—both auction records for the artists.

Ah Ha by Bruce Nauman, 1975. Courtesy of Phillips.

*  The sale of modern and contemporary editions at Phillips in New York on June 2 totaled $1.1 million. The top lot was a set of ten Electric Chairs screenprints by Andy Warhol that sold for $110,500 (estimate $40,000-60,000). Another notable sale was a Bruce Nauman Ah Ha screenprint that brought $20,000 (estimate $3,000-5,000).

“Macchie” glass vase by Fulvio Bianconi, made by Venini, c. 1950. Courtesy of Phillips.

*  At the design sale at Phillips on June 3, which totaled $2.1 million, the top lot was an “Ours Polaire” sofa by Jean Royère that sold for $194,500 (estimate $180,000-220,000). Other top sales included a monumental “Conoid” dining table by Nakashima that sold for $182,500 (estimate $150,000-200,000), and a “Macchie” glass vase by Fulvio Bianconi that sold for $100,900 (estimate $30,000-40,000).

*  The June 3 sale of antiquities at Christie’s New York totaled $3.4 million with 152 of 197 lots sold. The top priced lot was a massive Roman red marble that sold for $266,500 (estimate $300,000-500,000).  Another notable lot was a 2nd century AD Roman head of Hercules that fetched $158,500, well above its estimate of $25,000-35,000.  

Clock by Cartier, c. 1935. Courtesy of Doyle New York.

*  The Doyle New York sale of 19th and 20th century decorative art on June 3 totaled $1.2 million, and was 78% sold by lot. The top lot was an art deco clock by Cartier that sold for $158,500 (estimate $30,000-50,000). Other notable lots were a pair of Tiffany & Co. gold mounted rock crystal decanters that sold for $25,000 (estimate $3,000-4,000), and a gold and diamond set chalice and paten by W.J. Feeley Co. that sold for $15,000 (estimate $6,000-9,000).

*  The sale of old master and 19th century art at Christie’s New York on June 4 totaled $6.4 million. The top lots were Tissot’s The Japanese Scroll and Bouguereau’s La Leçon Difficile—each painting sold for $722,500 (both were estimated at $700,000-1,000,000). Other highlights included Le Miroir de Scey-en-Varais by Courbet that sold for $578,500 (estimate $250,000-350,000), and Homeward Bound by John Atkinson Grimshaw that sold for $236,500 (estimate $80,000-120,000).

*  On June 4 the sale of old master paintings, European sculpture, and antiquities at Sotheby’s New York totaled $14.1 million with 100 of 154 lots were sold. The top lot was The Sugar Mill by Franz Post that sold for $1.7 million (estimate $300,00-500,000). Other top sales included a canvas by Pieter de Hooch that sold for $1.65 million (estimate $400,000-600,000); The Card Players by Gerard ter Borch that sold for just under $1.6 million (estimate $400,000-600,000); and Head of a Bearded Man by Rubens that sold for $842,500 (estimate $400,000-600,000).

Commode (one of a pair) attributed to Pierre Langlois, c. 1760. Courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2009.

*  The June 4 sale of English furniture and clocks at Christie’s London totaled £3.3 million. The top lot was a pair of ormulu-mounted Chinese black and gilt-lacquer commodes that sold for £505,250 (estimate £400,000-600,000). Other top lots included a circa 1698 month going tallcase clock by Thomas Tompion that brought £241,250 (estimate £200,000-300,000), and a pair of French familie rose porcelain vases that brought £145,250 (estimate £20,000-30,000).

Heritage’s sale of 20th century design on June 4 in Dallas totaled $616,918. The top lot was a Tiffany Studios “Greek Key” table lamp that sold for $95,600 (estimate $50,000-70,000).

Buckle by Alexander Calder, c. Courtesy of Wright.

*  The post-war and contemporary art sale at Wright in Chicago on June 4 totaled just under $500,000. The top lot was Jenny Holzer’s Survival 1983-1985 that sold for $60,000 (estimate $30,000-40,000). Another notable sale was a hammered silver buckle by Alexander Calder brought $25,000 (estimate $20,000-30,000).

*  The June 5 sale of old master and 19th-century art at Sotheby’s New York totaled just over $1 million with 82 of 131 lots were sold. The top lot was a painting depicting Susanna and the Elders that sold for $68,500 (estimate $20,000-30,000). Another top sale was Piazza San Marco by a follower of Giovanni  Antonio Canal that sold for $62,500 (estimate $10,000-15,000).

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