John Moran Auctioneers presents “Property from the Thomas and Erika Jayne Girardi Residence, A Court Ordered Sale”

Los Angeles, CA— If you’ve turned on the news or perused social media this past year, you have probably heard the name, “Tom Girardi.” Previously married to Erika Jayne, Billboard pop star and cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Girardi is most famous for the high-profile lawsuit that inspired the film, “Erin Brockovich.” Representing the residents of Hinkley, California, who sued the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for allegedly contaminating the local water with chemicals, Girardi was able to settle with PG&E in 1996 for the record sum of $333 million.

Fast forward to today, Girardi is disbarred. The State Bar Court found him guilty on numerous counts of violating ethics rules and California law. This is after he was forced into bankruptcy, along with his law firm, Girardi Keese. Prior to their bankruptcy in 2020, the law firm was among the most respected in the state. Unfortunately, Tom Girardi and Girardi Keese may now be synonymous with the largest legal fraud case in California history.

John Moran Auctioneers has been chosen to facilitate the auction, “Property from the Thomas and Erika Jayne Girardi Residence, A Court Ordered Sale,” on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 12:00pm PST. The proceeds will be used to help pay down debt.

With over 200 lots acquired from Girardi’s highly televised Pasadena mansion, this auction will offer everything from furniture and art to books and sports memorabilia.

One of the grandest items Moran’s will be presenting is a Steinway piano, 1997, 200th-anniversary edition. Known as one of the finest crafted pianos for over 160 years, this instrument is valued to be $40,000-60,000.

Some of the most noteworthy mid-century art includes a couple works from the Spanish artist, Joan Miro and an etching from the British artist, David Hockney. Known for combining abstract art with Surrealist fantasy, a 22.5” H x 15” W Miro lithograph with an estimate of $800-1,200 will be offered. A smaller Miro work, estimated $700-900, will also be available. Etching is the Subject, 1977 is from David Hockney’s blue guitar portfolio, appraised at $3,000-5,000. Hockney is recognized as being an important contributor to the pop art movement of the 1960s but considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.

Contemporary art is well-represented in three Glenna Goodacre bronze sculptures. The standout piece being a 70” H, patinated bronze of a woman holding a child, titled, Crossing the Prairie, 2000, bringing an estimate of $30,000-40,000. Often considered to be “America’s Sculptor,” Goodacre is internationally renowned for her large-scale bronze figurative sculptures, most famously the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, in Washington DC. There will also be two smaller examples of her late-1990s work, with estimates ranging $800-1,200 for one, and $300-500 for the other.

Mata Ortiz ceramics are unique for being thin-walled, low fired, and hand-built. Many contain historic design motifs such as birds and heart lines, while others rely on geometric patterns. Others embrace a pure black and hand-buffed aesthetic. In nearly all instances, these highly intricate designs are produced freehand, with no patterns or stencils. While most Indigenous pottery is built from multiple coils, Mata Ortiz ceramics are typically created from a single coil of clay, a unique innovation. Hand-forming is often done on hubcaps, shaping happens with hacksaw blades, and painting is freehand. Burnishing the fired pots can be done with a favorite stone, or by way of a myriad of processes.

Interior furnishings such as lamps, multiple large Persian rugs, and wall mirrors, like a pair of large Northern Italian giltwood mirrors for $3,000-5,000. With a wide variety of furniture in this sale, a cast iron Chinese table and chairs for $2,000-3,000 and a pair of Guerdon brass tables, each having an estimate of $1,000-1,500.

There will be no shortage of striking decorative art on the block. Among the various pieces, an Italian silver stag with an estimate of $5,000-7,000, as well as a late 18th/19th century religious icon, with a value of $3,000-5,000.

From Girardi’s personal library, a collection of law books and art books. Some noteworthy selections are two Machiavelli books: “The Works,” at an estimate of $1,500-2,000 and his 1815, “The Art of War,” estimated $400-600. For art references, a giant-sized Warhol book with a value of $300-500.

Other items from the property include sofas, ottomans, leather club chairs, tables, neo-classical and chinoiserie armchairs, patio furniture, and an impressive selection of 17th, 18th, and 19th century art and sculptures.