Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Moran’s First Decorative and Fine Arts Sale of 2011

Building on their successes of 2010, John Moran Auctioneers will start 2011 with an Antiques Auction of decorative art, fine art and eclectic items from estates and private collections. The two-session sale of more than 200 lots, scheduled for January 11th, will feature European and American painting, British furniture and an abundance of silver, as well as Arts and Crafts and midcentury modern design. Continental glass, porcelain, metalware and select pieces of jewelry will also be offered.

Silver has written some of the strongest story lines for Moran’s over the last several seasons, as the firm has enjoyed continued success in attracting quality consignments and achieving ever-rising prices in this category. Moran’s earned a price of $39,000 for a 1905 Gorham ‘Martele’ silver center bowl in their September 28, 2010 sale, and of the 50 lots of silver offered in their November 30, 2010 sale, 100% sold, most for above the upper estimates. One of the top lots in January is an impressive silver-and-cut crystal garniture set by Dominick & Haff (estimate: $5000 – 7000). A Japanese silver quail-form incense burner dating from the Meiji period features gold and copper-decorated eyes and a removable feathered panel (estimate: $800 – 1200). Selections also include flatware services and individual items by Tiffany, Jensen, Gorham, Wallace, Alvin, and 19th century Russian maker Nicolai Nitikin.

Several more of the silver offerings together encapsulate the history of British sterling, among them a Queen Anne caudle cup, dated 1702, Georgian salvers, a William IV vintage-decorated under-plate carrying the mark of John Bridge, London, 1831 (estimate: $2000 – 4000), a set of six George V goblets by Carrington & Co (estimate: $2000 – 3000), and a pair of George I style five-light candelabra made by James Robinson in 1977 (estimate: $5000 – 7000).

Britain is well represented in other categories, especially amongst the many quality items consigned from a Beverly Hills, CA estate. That property includes a large, late 18th century Irish mahogany drop-leaf wake table (estimate: $3000 – 5000); a handsome mid-18th century mahogany bachelor’s chest on stand (estimate: $1000 – 1500); a George III oyster veneer walnut and oak chest of drawers (estimate: $700 – 900); and a George V sterling silver-mounted double humidor, by George Betjemann & Sons ($600 – 800).

The same estate yielded a number of items that demonstrate the learned collector’s interest in 19th century technology, including a brass ship’s chronometer by James McCabe, London (estimate: $1200 – 1800); a model of a horse-drawn seed planter by Stebbins & Walker, Rock Falls, IL; and a brass, walnut and steel model of a sickle bar mower (estimate: $700 – 1000 each).

Twentieth century design will form a significant portion of Moran’s auction, highlighted by a Tiffany ‘Pine Needles’ lamp base and two Danish modern ‘PK91’ chromed steel and black leather folding stools by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, estimated to bring Moran’s fine arts offerings will include European and American works spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Two Russian works are offered, both still lifes with flowers, by Alexander Osmerkin (1892 – 1953) and renowned Russian Futurist David Burliuk (1882 – 1967). Each oil painting is assigned an estimate of $8000 – 12,000. Mexican artist Francisco Zuniga (1912 – 1998), known as a leader of Mexican modernism whose work is found in the permanent collections of New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum, is represented by a 1974 pastel depicting two seated women, which is offered for $3000 – 5000. The sale’s American fine art section will include works by Californians George Bickerstaff, Christian Jorgensen, Lorenzo Latimer, Thaddeus Welch, and John Anthony Conner, and East Coast artists Pal Fried, Arthur Diehl and Henry Bacon.

Many more items will be added to the sale as consignments continue to arrive. Updated highlights are viewable at www.johnmoran.com. All of Moran’s sales are conducted at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA. Full sale catalogues are posted at www.johnmoran.com 2 -3 weeks prior to each sale. Bidding is available from the floor and via absentee, telephone or online through Artfact.com.

Consignments are accepted throughout the year for Moran’s Antiques and Decorative Arts Auctions, held seven times a year, and for their California and American Fine Arts Auctions, held tri-annually in February, June and October. Please contact Moran’s offices at 626-793-1833 or [email protected] for more information.

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