Pasadena, CA – International 20th Century design, décor and art will take center stage at John Moran Auctioneers’ July 22nd, 2008 Antiques and Fine Estates Sale. Items by Georg Jensen, Tiffany, and Pairpoint, and artistic works by Lyonel Feininger, Claude Vernard and Cesare Lapini are expected to command enthusiastic bidding from an international audience.
The first of several important offerings by Georg Jensen is a “Blossom” sterling coffee service, circa 1908, which comprises a coffee pot, cream jug and covered sugar bowl. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $2-$4,000. Moran’s had tremendous success at their May sale with a sterling coffee and tea service designed by Henning Koppel for Jensen in 1952, which was estimated at $4-$6,000 but, with demand driven by the public’s ever-increasing interest in 20th century design, realized $21,850.
Following the “Blossom” service on July 22nd is a Jensen “Cactus” sterling serving set design by Gundorph Albertus, circa 1930, and estimated at $400-$600. Immediately afterwards, an “Acorn” sterling serving set designed by Johan Rohde, 1915, is expected to exceed its conservative estimate of $500 – $800.
A strong selection of Tiffany includes sterling flatware and signed Tiffany Studios lamps. A sterling “Japanese” or “Audubon” flatware service by Edward C. Moore comprises 198 pieces and carries a total weight of 290 oz. This amazing set is estimated at $7-$9,000.
Other sterling offerings include services and sets by Gorham, van Outvorst & Zoon, and Royal Danish.
Perhaps the most internationally anticipated offering in the July 22nd sale is an ink drawing on paper by renowned German/American artist Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956) titled “Die Teufelssonate”.” Feininger’s colorful paintings of modern life and architecture, fusing Cubism and Expressionism, placed him firmly in the German avant-garde of the early 20th century. A teacher at the Bauhaus, he associated with Kandinsky and Klee of the “The Blue Four” and was widely exhibited. Many of his works were confiscated by the Nazi regime and displayed at the show of “Degenerate Art” in Munich in 1937.
Feininger painted “Die Teufelssonate” (Devil’s Sonata) in 1908 and it was printed in the February 19, 1911 Berliner Illustrite Zeitung. This 1908 drawing illustrates a pivotal shift in his artistic direction, as he transformed himself from a cartoonist and master caricaturist into a fine painter. Inspired by the story of the composer Tartini’s dream of the devil appearing before him and performing a wickedly virtuosic violin sonata, this work may also be somewhat autobiographical, a reflection of Feininger’s accomplishments as a pianist and composer, and his upbringing by his musician parents. “Die Teufelssonate” comes to the July sale from the Marianne J. Knox Trust of Los Angeles, California. Measuring 14 by 12 inches, this important work has been assigned a pre-sale estimate of $20,000 to $30,000.
Art offerings are strong throughout the sale. A signed oil on canvas by French artist Claude Vernard (1913-1999) entitled “Nature Morte” is expected to bring $10,000 on the high side and an oil on canvas by California artist Paul Grimm entitled “Desert Springtime ‘Neath San Jacinto” is estimated at $2-$3,000.
Important sculptures will be offered, including a late 19th century white marble bust of a woman as “Night” by Cesare Lapini (Italian 1848 – 1893). It is expected to bring $2,500-$3,500. An identical bust sold at Sotheby’s New York in 2006 for $4,800.
A pair of ormolu busts of Josephine and Raphaella, incised “Faure de Brousse” (French, died 1908) and mounted on Rouge Royale marble-veneered socles, are estimated at $5-7,000.
Among the important furniture offerings, an exceptional Italian Art Nouveau dining suite consists of nine pieces including a buffet, extending dining table, six side chairs and a sideboard. This magnificent set has a pre-sale estimate of $3-5,000.
In addition to the 20th century design offerings, Moran will also offer some wonderfully unique pieces such as a gentleman’s gold quartz presentation walking stick. The yellow gold-filled head is set with a 1” diameter gold quartz roundel and is mounted on a tapering walnut stick which is inscribed “A.B. Valentine, Bennington, VT from ADE San Francisco, Cal., May 20th 1882.” The walking stick will be offered together with a framed photograph of Valentine and other Union Army members, along with five cancelled 2-cent stamps dated 1865. The five-piece lot is estimated at $6-$8,000.
Another very appealing offering is a vintage Louis Vuitton malle armoire steamer trunk with interior compartments and drawers, probably dating from the second quarter of the 20th century. The presale estimate on the trunk is $3-5,000.
John Moran Auctioneers’ July 22nd, 2008 Fine Antiques and Estates Auction will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center (Pasadena, CA). Free public previews for both the afternoon Discovery Sale and the evening catalogued sale will begin at noon on Tuesday, July 22nd. The no-reserve afternoon session will begin promptly at 3:30 pm. The fully catalogued evening session will begin at 6:30 pm. Bidding for this session is available from the floor, by absentee, phone, and internet via eBay Live Auctions / www.Live Auctioneers. A fully illustrated catalog of the evening sale will be available on their website. For more information, please call the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com