Monrovia, CA – John Moran’s Traditional Collector sale took place on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, and it was a captivating menagerie of genres and materials ranging from silver, textiles, and furniture to decorative objects and timepieces. Porcelain was in abundance, offered in an array of colors and forms, such as several bleu céleste pieces, numerous dinner services, and monumental Meissen-style groups. Paintings and sculptures depicting historical and Classical subjects – with examples by Old Masters Rembrandt and Titian – complimented a rich selection of French furniture.
Lot 1161: A Belgian woven tapestry, $1,500-2,500 Sold: $7,150
The sale started strong with the large Chinese silver and cloisonné enamel vase by Wang Hing, a famous Chinese silver export retailer established in Canton in the late nineteenth century. This impressive vase, of such a rare and magnificent size, sold for $50,000 (includes buyer’s premium), significantly above its $10,000-15,000 estimate.
As the silver gleamed, the Chinese silk and metal thread area rug offered a glittering display of golden silk. The elegant rug, enlivened with vivid blue accents, was estimated at $600-800 but realized $15,000 (includes buyer’s premium), twenty-five times its low estimate.
Textiles continued to be a popular category for this Traditional Collector sale. A Belgian woven wool tapestry performed well on the block, exceeding its $1,500-2,500 estimate by selling for $7,150 (includes buyer’s premium). The dazzling colors and elaborate geometric patterns of the Kazak Karabagh wool area rug caught bidders’ eyes and realized $3,125 (includes buyer’s premium), surpassing its $800-1,200 estimate. Rounding out the troupe of showstopping textiles is the Chinese embroidered silk robe dating to the second-quarter of the twentieth century. Bidders could not resist this pink damask silk wrap-front robe, trimmed with exquisite silk floss embroidered panels of black silk with multicolored floral and insect motifs, which was estimated at $600-800 but achieved $2,925 (includes buyer’s premium), nearly five times its low estimate.
“Rounding out the troupe of showstopping textiles is the Chinese embroidered silk robe dating to the second-quarter of the twentieth century.”
Lot 1265: A Chinese embroidered silk robe, $600-800 Sold: $2,925
Timepieces likewise proved to be highly sought-after acquisitions for buyers. Adorned with sprightly putti, the French gilt-bronze and marble mantel clock retailed by Tiffany & Co. received a considerable amount of attention and sold for $11,875 (includes buyer’s premium), though estimated at $6,000-8,000. Similarly ornamented with a plethora of putti, the monumental Meissen-style porcelain table clock evokes a sense of delicate whimsy with its pastel color palette despite its majestic size. The table clock was estimated at $2,000-4,000 but sold for $5,850 (includes buyer’s premium).
Both historical and mythological figures captivated bidders, with numerous examples far exceeding their low estimates. An English marquetry buffet featuring portrait roundels of Athena and Artemis with mother-of-pearl inlay sold for $8,125 (includes buyer’s premium), outperforming its $2,000-3,000 estimate. Louis Haghe’s striking watercolor and gouache painting The Duke Andre Dandolo Departing for the Crusade from St. Mark’s Cathedral, Venice was estimated at $3,000-5,000 but achieved $6,091 (includes buyer’s premium). Lastly, C.L. Romoli’s oil on gilt-lacquer panel composition depicting Apollo dancing with the nine muses, after Baldassare Peruzzi, was estimated at $2,000-4,000 but sold for $5,625 (includes buyer’s premium).
Lot 1071: A French gilt-bronze and marble mantel clock retailed by Tiffany & Co., $6,000-8,000 Sold: $11,875
Upcoming Auctions
Autumn at John Moran Auctioneers will present multiple sales to fit every interest ranging from Postwar fine art, Mid-Century Modern design, California plein air painting, Arts & Crafts furniture, and Native American art and design.
Studio Fine & Decorative Art – Online: Tuesday, October 26th | 12:00 pm PST
Postwar & Contemporary Art + Design: Tuesday, November 9th | 10:00 am PST
California Living: Tuesday, November 16th | 10:00 am PST
California & American Fine Art: Tuesday, November 16th | 2:00 pm PST
Art of the American West: Tuesday, November 30th | 12:00 pm PST
The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, December, 7th | 12:00 pm PST
Fine Jewelry & Timepieces: Tuesday, December 14th | 12:00 pm PST
John Moran takes the health and safety of our staff and customers seriously; as such, sales will continue to be held online and without a live audience. However, each item is available for preview through appointment. Moran’s auction preview floor is spaced over 10,000 square feet and allows clients to preview objects within established social distancing guidelines so that buyers can feel confident when making an appointment to preview the property. 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.
Consignments are always welcome:
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