Notable Results at Moran’s March Antiques and Decorative Arts Auction Pasadena, CA-- John Moran Auctioneers achieved a 100% sell-through rate in several categories of merchandise consigned from private collections to their March 8, 2011 Antiques and Decorative Arts Auct
News-Antique.com - Mar 25,2011 - Pasadena, CA-- John Moran Auctioneers achieved a 100% sell-through rate in several categories of merchandise consigned from private collections to their March 8, 2011 Antiques and Decorative Arts Auction, including mid-century modern design, silver, rugs and Japanese art. Native American artifacts also performed well, selling at a rate of 90%, as did European porcelain and metalware.
The latter category was led by an exceptionally well crafted Napoleon III ormolu surtout-de-table that inspired a heated battle between several determined floor and phone bidders, selling for $39,000, or $30,000 over its high estimate (all prices include 20% buyer’s premium).
A lovely collection of four ivory and bronze figures from an estate in Studio City, CA also attracted significant interest, all selling above the high estimates, including: a patinated and parcel-gilt bronze and ivory figure of a woman 'Liseuse', after Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (est: $3000/5000) that realized $8,400.00; a gilt bronze and ivory figure of a dancer after Paul Philippe (est: $3000/5000) that brought $7,200.00; and a French ormolu and ivory figure of a muse (est: $1000/2000) that settled at $3,300.00.
Silver has been a very high-achieving category for Moran’s for several seasons, as the firm continues to attract top quality consignments. This sale’s international selection, including American, British, German, and Turkish pieces, was highlighted by a French Art Nouveau first standard .950 silver center bowl by Ernest Cardeilhac (est: $1500/2500) that brought $4,800.00, and a stately pair of German Renaissance Revival silver-mounted etched glass ewers (est: $2000/4000) that realized $5,700.00.
The leading lot of silver, however, was a mid-twentieth century flatware service by Taxco, Mexico maker Antonio Pineda. Carrying a pre-sale estimate of $7000 – 10,000, the hand-wrought set realized $14,400. Pineda, who apprenticed with William Spratling, is best known for his modernist jewelry designs, but his skill is equally evident in his rare utilitarian items.
Other categories of mid-century modern items, such as furniture, fine art and ceramics, have also been selling well at Moran’s, gathering significant momentum since the firm began offering property from that era a few years ago. Represented in the March sale was Poul Kjaerholm, the Dane known for his collaborations with the company E. Kold Christensen. A pair of his elegant ‘PK91’ folding stools in chromed steel and black leather sold for $8400 (estimate: $2000 – 3000).
Also offered were a large number of ceramic pieces by Otto Heino, the American who worked with his wife Vivika and other great American ceramicists such as Glen Lukens, Beatrice Wood and the Natzlers. The 23 pieces, divided among 9 lots, were 100% sold, with all but one realizing prices at or above the pre-sale estimates, and three of them doubling pre-sale estimates.
Two lots of Walter Lamb tubular verdigris bronze patio chairs and an ottoman, each lot comprising two pieces, also sold above their estimates, realizing $1320 and $1560.
The selection of Japanese paintings and prints, also of mid-twentieth century vintage, proved very popular with the global audience. A brightly colored geometric abstract oil-on-canvas signed ’69 Omosato’, estimated
