Large bronze by Francisco Zuniga could fetch $250,000 at Elite auction A large bronze rendering of a female seated on a chair by the renowned Mexican-Costa Rican artist Francisco Zuniga is expected to realize $200,000-$250,000 at Elite Decorative Arts on Sat., Oct. 13..
paintings are colorful and harmonious, and his background in architecture lends a visual order to his works.
Also sold will be an untitled acrylic on paper by Sam Francis (Am., 1923-1994). The painting, executed in 1998, measures 50 inches in height by 11inches wide, with a six-inch mat frame. It was acquired by the estate consignor from the Robert Sandelson Gallery in London and should climb to $20,000-$30,000. An Abstract Impressionist painter known for his brilliant coloration and splotch-like shapes, Francis became one of the better known modernist artists of the second half of the 20th century.
Rounding out the fine art category is a mixed media collage made with paint and various other materials and attributed to the German artist Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948).The work is initialed “KS” and dated (1924) to the lower right, but authentication has been difficult to obtain so it is being offered for sale as an attribution. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $60,000-$80,000.
Moving to decorative accessories, a sterling silver fruit bowl with a grape motif, designed by the Danish artisan Georg Jensen in 1918, is expected to bring $7,000-$10,000. It is a stunning piece of work, among the most popular of Jensen’s hollowware designs. The compote/fruit bowl has a meticulous figural grapevine design and the foot and bowl have a solid, hammered finish.
A striking 20th century Elmer Osborne Stennes “Aurora” girandole banjo clock, with a domed hinged screen to the face and white enameled face with black Arabic numerals and gold highlights, should breeze to $3,000-$5,000. The clock features black hour and minute hands and domed reverse painted screens to the neck and body. It is 46 inches tall and 12 ½ inches wide.
A pair of 18th century French Sevres mounted porcelain sconce chargers, mounted in dore bronze sconce mounts, is also expected to make $3,000-$5,000. The piece depicts a man trying to court a young maiden who is standing next to her mother looking on, in a forest setting. Each charger is signed “A. Harrel” and each one holds the Sevres double L mark with A to the center.
Fine estate jewelry will feature a dazzling men’s 18kt yellow gold Piaget dial wristwatch with a jadeite face design, gold hour and minute hands, a textured band design and the original presentation box, with cover (est. $6,000-$8,000); and an exquisite ladies’ 900 platinum and diamond emerald cabochon ring, size 6 ½ with a total weight of 7.3 dtw (est. $4,000-$5,000).
Previews will be held on Friday, Oct. 12, from 11-5, and on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 11-1. The auction will begin promptly at 1 p.m. (EST). Elite Decorative Arts will conduct a two-day Chinese Works Auction on Nov. 10-11 and a Decorative Arts Sale on Saturday, Dec. 8. Quality consignments are being accepted. Call (800) 991-3340 or e-mail them at info@eliteauction.com.
To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the upcoming slate of auctions, please log on to www.eliteauction.com.
