John Moran Auctioneers’ 20th Century Art + Design brought fresh-to-market finds to the Fall auction seasons
• Fine art and prints were the strongest lots of the day
• Décor and jewelry from local collections performed particularly well
• Covetable furniture from the eras leading makers captured attention
MONROVIA, CA – John Moran Auctioneer’s 20th Century Art + Design auction achieved strong prices for works by notable artists and designers. Robust online bidding coupled with avid telephone bidders kept prices high throughout the sale. Moran’s is already collecting items for our Spring 20th Century Art + Design auction as well as a Modern + Contemporary art auction slated for February 2021. Consignments are always welcome.
Lot 30, Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958, French) Paysage a la Route, oil on canvas, price realized: $43,750
Fine art and prints from the 20th century’s leading practitioners realized high prices at the auction. A fresh-to-market painting by Fauvist artist Maurice de Vlaminck caused a bidding war when it hit the block, realizing $43,750 (all price’s realized include Moran’s 25% buyer’s premium). A wonderful Theo Tobiasse painting in a custom Karl Wissing frame caused a stir before the auction, selling to a determined online bidder for $4,687. An ethereal Tony DeLapp sculpture of a floating chair touched down at $8,750. A vibrant Joan Miró Delire du Couturier Jaune lithograph soared past its high estimate to bring $8,125. A Le Chevalet aux Fleurs lithograph from Marc Chagall brought $11,875 after two online bidders battled for the prize.
Décor and jewelry from the 20th century were among the most popular lots heading into the sale. A monochromatic “Faun’s Head” earthenware plaque from Pablo Picasso caused a stir when it hit the block, selling for $4,375. A fabulous freeform sculpture from famed Los Angeles artist Sascha Brastoff was purchased from the artist’s own estate and sold to a determined online buyer for $4,375. Moran’s had the pleasure to bring one of the finest Beatrice Wood vases we have handled to the block, a collector took home the masterwork for $11,875. Several works from Harrison McIntosh were consigned in the sale, chief among them was an impressive egg sculpture which brought $3,125. Silversmith Margaret de Patta featured in the sale with a space-age brooch that sold for $1,875.
“A wonderful teak rocking chair with ebony detailing from Sam Maloof caused a stir when it hit the block, selling for $21,250.”
Lot 39, Sam Maloof (1916-2009, Alta Loma, CA) Rocking chair, walnut with ebonized plugs and decorative banding, price realized: $21,250
High-quality furniture from the leading designers of the 20th century could be found in the auction. A wonderful teak rocking chair with ebony detailing from Sam Maloof caused a stir when it hit the block, selling for $21,250. A walnut dining table also by Sam Maloof is a masterclass in clean lines and elegant proportion and unsurprisingly brought $9,375. Two lounge chairs from Danish designer Poul Kjærholm were among the most watched lots heading into the auction, selling after a fierce online bidding war for $3,750. Two unusual Mario Bellini leather “413 Cab” chairs will make a fantastic addition to the buyer’s collection, selling for $1,750.
Moran’s fall auction season will continue through November with the highly-anticipated California & American Fine Art auction as well as California Living. Fine Jewelry & Timepieces together with Studio Jewelry and Luxury, Couture, & Accessories 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
