Los Angeles, CA — Design was on the mind at John Moran Auctioneers ReDesigned auction, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. This sale featured modern and contemporary furniture; a wide and interesting selection of fine and decorative art; a collection of vintage copper weathervanes; and a variety of lighting in the form of chandeliers, lamps, and over twenty units of Christian Liaigre wall sconces. With over 200 lots, and covering such an array of interior styles, there was really something for everyone!
Lot 1015: A Gibson Les Paul Jr. Electric Guitar $1,500-2,500 $8,750
To get the show on the road, the auction started with lot 1001, the lovely Lapis Blue 1980 Mercedes Benz 450 SL. This vintage ride was acquired in pristine condition, having an immaculate camel leather interior, original wheels, and included both the hardtop and soft top. Beginning with a full throttle estimate of $12,000-18,000, this car achieved expectations bringing in $18,750 (including buyer’s premium).
The energy in room continued when the next item, lot 1002, reached the block. A standout work in the category of contemporary art— the Andrew Martin Designs, Jean Shrimpton Astronaut, 2014, after Richard Avedon. The massive 79” H x 48” W photo print on canvas was not only impressive in size, but the neon fixture attached added a fun, funky element to the work. Having a modest estimate of $300-500, but bringing in $3,438 (including buyer’s premium), just goes to show that the beauty of the 1960’s It-Girl, Jean Shrimpton is still admired and appreciated today.
Among the usual art and furniture, there was a bit of rock-n-roll. Lot 1015 was a 1961 Gibson Les Paul Jr. Electric Guitar. This 6-string stunner had it all— red finished solid body, nickeled deluxe tuners, fitted vintage Gibson hard-side case, and included a 1960s Gibson Minuteman GA-20RVT electric amp, all for an estimate of $1,500-2,500. With major interest both online and the phones, this musical masterpiece hammered in at whopping $8,750 (including buyer’s premium). Also, lot 1014 presented the 1969, 6-string (with wood veneer pick guard and headstock) Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite Electric Guitar and its custom fitted case. This unique instrument earned $2,813 (including buyer’s premium) with an estimate of $2,000-3,000.
“The massive 79” H x 48” W photo print on canvas was not only impressive in size, but the neon fixture attached added a fun, funky element to the work.”
Lot 1002: Andrew Martin Designs (20th/21st Century). Jean Shrimpton Astronaut $300-500 $3,438
One of the most noteworthy highlights from the selection of modern furniture included lot 1164, a pair of Ray and Charles Eames “Time Life” desk chairs, for Herman Miller, 2017. Designed in 1961, each chair is made with black leather upholstery, tufted seat and back, and polished aluminum frame with castors. For $3,575 (including buyer’s premium), but estimated at $1,200-1,800, these chairs are sure to give a classic but sophisticated style to their new home. A couple other standout modern pieces were both from Drexel. Lots 1045 and 1046 were part of the “Declaration” collection—a modern walnut buffet estimated at $800-1,200, but achieved $1,625 (including buyer’s premium), and a modern walnut table and chairs, having an estimate of $600-800, and sold for an exciting $1,375 (including buyer’s premium).
Along with dining tables, this sale presented console tables, like a Minotti console table, estimated at $800-1,200 and sold for $1,430 (including buyer’s premium), and side tables such as the set of four Joan Strauss Carl blue mosaic tile side tables that went for $1,430 (including buyer’s premium), with an estimate of $700-900. There were also some nice modern and contemporary coffee tables, a favorite being lot 1129, a bronze ibex head coffee table, attributed to Alain Chervet. This unique design, having an estimate of $1,000-1,500, was all in at $4,063 (including buyer’s premium).
One design element that continuously proved to be popular was large area rugs. The most colorful rug offered in this sale, lot 1134, was a Fiona Curran “Zap” area rug. This contemporary wool rug was designed for The Rug Company and had an estimate of $1,500-2,500. The polychrome radiating geometric pattern garnered much attention— so much so that it ended up going for $6,250 (including buyer’s premium). There were seven Stark area rugs, starting with estimates as low as $500-700, and fortunately, due to major interest, they all performed substantially better than expected: lot 1023, sold for $1,235, lot 1107 went for $1,375, and lot 1024 brought in $1,560 (all results include buyer’s premium).
Other highlights: For fine art there was lot 1100, Fisherman, by Mischa Kallis. This oil painting had an estimate of $400-600 and brought in $1,188 (including buyer’s premium). For decorative art, lot 1214, the 1998 life-size Hammerhead Shark by Todd Michael Guevara (estimated between $600-800) was all in for an amazing $1,500 (including buyer’s premium).
—Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
Upcoming Auctions
As we enter the second half of 2022, John Moran Auctioneers will end their summer lineup with the Made in Mexico auction, Tuesday, August 23rd, followed by the Summer Modern & Contemporary Fine Art sale on Tuesday, August 30th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Made in Mexico: Tuesday, August 23rd | 12:00 pm PST
Summer Modern & Contemporary Fine Art: Tuesday, August 30th |12:00 pm PST
Fine Jewelry: Monday, September 19th | 10:00 am PST
Traditional Collector: Tuesday, September 20th | 12:00 pm PST
She Made It: Wednesday, October 5th | 12:00 pm PST
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
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