Los Angeles, CA— For those that love the contemporary Western aesthetic, get ready because on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 10:00am PST, John Moran Auctioneers will present their Art of the American West sale. This auction will feature fine art from the David Sturges Collection alongside a Central California Western collection of art and furnishings. There will also be an impressive collection of over a dozen lots of Edward Borein, some from the original 2000 Rancho Mi Solar auction, as well as property from the John Wayne estate. Included in the 60 lots of Navajo textiles, a selection of over 30 rugs from the Buck Jones collection. In addition, furniture from the designer, George Hunt from the Santa Barbara Biltmore, and Molesworth-style furniture from the Gregory Sierra Collection will be offered.
William Henry Dethlef Koerner (1878-1938), Saturday Evening Post $ 7,000-9,000
One of the highlights is a bonze figure by the American sculptor, David Manuel. Manuel is known for creating works that tackle issues related to American expansionism and the ‘American Empire’ through renderings of Native Americans and pioneers traveling the American frontier. Over the course of this career, the artist has been commissioned by the government to create a number of public works, including a series of statues of John Wayne. This sale will feature Manuel’s work titled, John Wayne, Hondo, Lane, and Sam, 1968, estimated $7,000-9,000.
Another noteworthy sculpture is a cigar store Native American figure in the style of well-known woodcarver, Samuel Robb, valued at $6,000-8,000. Robb started his career making figures for tobacco shops, eventually opening his own carving shop. It was the largest in nineteenth-century New York City, and he carved a wide variety of figures, from traditional cigar store American Indians to circus wagons and ventriloquist dummies.
Leading the category of fine art, a work by William Henry Dethlef Koerner, one of the most popular and prolific magazine and book illustrators of the early twentieth century. Koerner started as an illustrator with the Chicago Tribune, then made his way to New York where he spent the next two decades creating drawings for nearly 200 stories for the leading magazines of the day including Harper’s, Collier’s, McCall’s, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, and Saturday Evening Post. Between 1919 and 1922, the Saturday Evening Post asked Koerner to illustrate two Western story series, Traveling the Old Trails and The Covered Wagon. Saturday Evening Post, October 1928, will enter the auction block with a $7,000-9,000 estimate.
A New West Furniture Co. Molesworth-style sofa. $3,000-5,000
Also presented in this sale is Night Watch, by the Chinese artist, Mian Situ (b. 1953). Mian received his formal art training in his native homeland of Guangdong, formerly Canton. After teaching for six years and earning a master’s in fine art, Mian immigrated to Canada, then settled in the United States. His work reflects his upbringing in the rural countryside of China, with subject matter depicting the people of the small villages and farming communities to exquisite portraitures, and his recent paintings are inspired by western historical themes and American landscapes. This oil on canvas is estimated at $4,000-6,000.
For a more contemporary perspective of the west, Dry Air, 2012, by Logan Maxwell Hagege (b. 1980), estimated $4,000-6,000. Hagege is a Los Angeles based contemporary artist with a modern western style. His paintings depart from strict realism where his work draws strength and where his vision is fed by a mix of nature and imagination. Hagege’s mature style, which he terms “stylized realism,” has made him a master of geometric design where angles and edges are softened by the curve of billowing clouds.
The furniture selection in this sale is impressive, particularly the collection of Molesworth pieces. The iconic western designer, Thomas Molesworth built furniture from 1931 to 1961 at his shop in Cody, Wyoming, attracting the patronage of many of the wealthy and prestigious leaders of that time, such as The Rockefellers and U.S. President Eisenhower. Today, people continue to love this luxury ranch furniture for their mountain homes. Its popularity has driven other furniture companies to specialize in producing replicas of the design, offering custom made options. This auction will offer a New West Furniture Co. Molesworth-style table, two lounge chairs, and a sofa, estimated at $3,000-5,000.
There will also be an impressive collection of Edward Borein items from the original Rancho Mi Solar auction from 2000. These lots will include fine art as well as personal effects.
—Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
David Manuel (b. 1940), John Wayne, Hondo, Lane, and Sam $7,000-9,000
“Over the course of this career, the artist has been commissioned by the government to create a number of public works, including a series of statues of John Wayne. This sale will feature Manuel’s work titled, John Wayne, Hondo, Lane, and Sam, 1968, estimated $7,000-9,000.”
Upcoming Auctions
As we round out the end of 2022, John Moran Auctioneers will continue this year’s lineup with the Made in Mexico auction, Tuesday, November 15th, at 10:00am PST, followed by the California and American Fine Art sale that same day at 4:00pm PST. 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, November 15th | 10:00 am PST
California and American Fine Art: Tuesday, November 15th | 4:00pm PST
Art of the American West: Wednesday, November 16th | 10:00 am PST
Studio Fine and Decorative Art: Wednesday, Nov. 30th| 10:00 am PST
Traditional Collector: Tuesday, December 6th | 12:00 pm PST
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoranauctioneers. 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.
Consignments are always welcome:
Email us at [email protected] today!
