John Moran Auctioneers’ Art of the American West auction heated up the fall auction season with strong bids

• Fine art from the genre’s leading practitioners brought some of the highest prices of the day
• Jewelry from throughout the Southwest appealed to collectors
• Craft and sculpture were among the hottest lots of the day

MONROVIA, CA – John Moran Auctioneer’s September 29th Art of the American West auction realized strong prices with a curated selection from the West’s leading artists and artisans. An array of art and objects from throughout the Southwest captured the attention of collectors. Moran’s is already working on a strong Art of the American West auction slated for the first quarter of 2021, consignments are always welcome.

 

Lot 1, A set of Frank Patania Sr. sterling silver jewelry, price realized: $4,875

Lot 1, A set of Frank Patania Sr. sterling silver jewelry, price realized: $4,875

Fine art captured the hearts of bidders during the sale. A majestic gathering of bison at a riverbank was the subject of Henry Herman Cross’ Buffalo in a River Landscape which realized $8,750 after a protracted bidding war (all prices realized include Moran’s 25% buyer’s premium). Northern California’s rolling hills were well represented in the sale with Hanson Duvall Puthuff’s supreme landscape. A determined online bidder took home the lot for $4,375. A desert landscape with tufts of purple wildflowers and bushes from John W. Hilton is a fantastic example from the artist, bringing $2,812. A lovingly painted portrait of a woman in profile from master R.C. Gorman brought $687.

Jewelry is always among the most popular lots in any Art of the American West auction, Tuesday’s sale was no different. A rare First Phase concho belt from the famed Cindy Tietze-Hodosh and Stuart Hodosh collection started a bidding war when it hit the block, reaching $7,500. Three early silver cuff bracelets with their wonderful designs realized $3,125 after a protracted bidding war. A wonderfully designed set of jewelry, a necklace and pair of earrings, from master silversmith Frank Patania, Sr. sold to a determined phone bidder for $3,500. A fabulous bolo tie from Hopi artist Jerry Roan brought $625.

Sculpture and craft from throughout the Southwest brought the collectors out during the auction. A wonderfully modeled Cheyenne War Party Leader from artist David Lemon was one of the best sculptures in the auction, bringing $2,500. An unusual silver teapot with repoussé American Indian and ram’s head design stole the hearts of the buyers when it hit the block, selling to a lucky online bidder for $2,250. Elk from sculptor David Schaefer captured the majesty of the animal as well as the attention of the bidders, one of whom took home the prize for $1,625. A wonderfully woven group of Chimayo wool and wood purses caused a bidding war when they hit the block, selling well over the high estimate for $1,500.

Moran’s fall auction season will continue into October with the ever-popular 20th Century Art + Design auction as well as Studio Fine Art and Studio Decorative Art. November will see the highly-anticipated California & American Fine Art auction as well as California Living. Fine Jewelry & Timepieces, Luxury, Couture, & Accessories auction is as well as Traditional Collector are slated to warm up December. Moran’s takes the health and safety of our staff and customers seriously, as such, all previews for the auction will be by appointment only and the sales will be held online without a live audience.

For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com. Bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. Live bidding on a desktop is available through our website; bidding is also supported by telephone or absentee.

Consignment inquiries are always welcome.

“A majestic gathering of bison at a riverbank was the subject of Henry Herman Cross’ Buffalo in a River Landscape which realized $8,750.”
Lot 38, Henry Herman Cross (1837-1918, American) Buffalo In A River Landscape, Oil on canvas, price realized: $8,750

Lot 38, Henry Herman Cross (1837-1918, American) Buffalo In A River Landscape, Oil on canvas, price realized: $8,750

Lovers of fine art found plenty of tempting options in the sale. A finely painted scene from Heywood Hardy, Going to the Meet, realized $11,875. Italian painter Guiseppe Galli featured in the sale with a marvelously rendered genre painting of two men with a woman which brought $5,000. A lovingly realized portrait of a man reading a paper by British artist Edwin Harris will make a great addition to the buyer’s collection, realizing $5000. For those of us who can’t travel back east, Johan Berthelsen’s moody view of the George Washington Bridge at night puts us right in the heart of the city. The painting started a bidding war when it hit the block, with an avid phone bidder winning the prize for $6,875.

Moran’s fall auction season will continue when Art of the American West hits the block on September 27th. October will hold the ever-popular 20th Century Art + Design auction as well as Studio Fine Art and Studio Decorative Art auctions. November will see the highly-anticipated California & American Fine Art auction as well as California Living. Fine Jewelry & Timepieces, Luxury, Couture, & Accessories auction is as well as Traditional Collector are slated to warm up December. Moran’s takes the health and safety of our staff and customers seriously, as such, all previews for the auction will be by appointment only and the sales will be held online without a live audience.

For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com. Bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. Live bidding on a desktop is available through our website; bidding is also supported by telephone or absentee.

Consignment inquiries are always welcome.

Auction Highlights