Brilliant Results for John Moran Auctioneers’ Jewelry, Antiques and Fine Art Sale Brilliant Results for John Moran Auctioneers’ Jewelry, Antiques and Fine Art Sale
Moran’s Achieves 90% Sell–through Rate for 586-Lot Auction; 96% of Jewelry Sold; 100% of Silver Sold
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News-Antique.com - Dec 03,2010 - Brilliant Results for John Moran Auctioneers’ Jewelry, Antiques and Fine Art Sale
Moran’s Achieves 90% Sell–through Rate for 586-Lot Auction; 96% of Jewelry Sold; 100% of Silver Sold
European Paintings, Silver and Fine Jewelry Lead the Way
Pasadena, CA-- John Moran Auctioneers concluded their 2010 auction season on a high note, with their largest decorative and fine arts sale of the year. The two-session November 30th auction, comprising 586 lots of which half were fine and costume jewelry from private collections and estates, achieved an impressive 90% sell-through rate. Buyers hailing from four continents participated, bidding in person, by phone and online.
Bidding for the jewelry was especially brisk, propelling sales for that category to 96%. Much of the interest centered on Art Deco and Victorian items, including an Art Deco platinum and natural Burmese ruby ring that doubled its pre-sale estimate, bringing $14,400 (all prices include 20% buyer’s premium), and a lot of two Victorian charm bracelets suspending intricately etched watch keys that realized $6600 (estimate: $1000 – 1500). An Art Deco sapphire pendant sold solidly at $17,150. Buyers’ appetite for signed pieces was also strong, with pieces by Schlumberger, Erté, Buccellati, and David Webb doubling pre-sale estimates. Diamonds were the top price earners, including a white gold and 3.96 carats marquise-cut diamond ring that realized $18,000 and a pair of old European diamond ear studs weighing 3 carats each that realized $30,625.
Watches included many top makers, such as Rolex and Piaget. A circa 1920 yellow gold Patek Philippe wristwatch with a rectangular face was among the leading items, settling at double its estimate at $13,200.
Fashion aficionados also found much to covet in Moran’s sale, as prominent design houses were represented in the selections of both costume jewelry and vintage clothing. Excellent results were achieved for items by Chanel, including the label’s iconic strands of faux pearls, wool suits and coats, and for separates and accessories by Hermes. A group of classic Chanel Boutique jackets and suits doubled its estimate, selling for $3675.
One of the strongest sections of the sale was that devoted to European paintings. Nineteenth century works thrived, thanks largely to Moran’s extensive international exposure, with the top earnings in this category achieved by Giacomo Mantegazza’s (1853 – 1920 Italian) Schoolhouse Discipline. This amusing work sold well over the pre-sale estimate of $8000 – 12,000, for $18,000, followed by Joseph Bernard’s (1864 – 1933 French) Nymph Before an Arched Garden Trellis with Flowers, which sold for $14,400 (estimate: $7000 – 9000). Competition also centered on a small work by Pio Joris (1843 – 1921 Italian). His exquisite Fortune Teller and Figures at a Table sold for $6000 (estimate: $2000 – 3000). A dramatically lit landscape with figures and horse-drawn cart by Andras Marko (1824 – 1895 Austrian) also performed nicely, realizing $9000 (estimate: $6000 – 8000).
Moran’s has positioned itself as the West Coast market leader in sales of silver over the past decade, and once again matched high expectations by selling every lot
