Back-to-back sales of European art close out season for Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches
July 19, 2007
( WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – Back-to-back sales at Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches in West Palm, Fla., closed out an eventful year in the art market for auction-owner Brian Kogan. The first sale, on May 21 featured three important paintings by Russian artist David Burliuk (1882-1967). These lots, along with others, came from a prominent Boca Raton estate. The June 25 sale featured art from the estate of Tanya Brooks, a long time resident and well-known local art collector, socialite and gallery owner in Palm Beach. Many of her works of art had been in storage for more than 30 years and were fresh to the market. Foremost among the items from this estate were 16 paintings by Russian artist Vladamir (Volodia) Lazarev, Russian (b 1904).
The two sales featured 812 lots and had 540 registered bidders in-house and online through LiveAuctioneers.com. Online bidders played a major part in both sales, taking home some of the top lots.
Two paintings by Burliuk earned top sales on May 21, closing at $19,550 each, including the 15 percent in-house buyer’s premium. The paintings were "Bouquet and Mountain," oil on canvas, signed and dated 51 in the lower right and inscribed " Colorado" in the lower left. Verso bears " ACA Gallery, New York" label, and measures 29.5 inches by 15 inches with the original wood carved frame. "Bouquet and the French Riviera," oil on canvas, signed in lower right, measures 20 inches by 16 inches in a carved and gilded frame. Another Burliuk, "Riverhead, L.I." -- oil on canvas, signed in the lower left and inscribed -- measured 14 inches by 16 inches and closed at $10, 925. A work by Gustave Bauman (German 1881-1971), "April," brought $9,775. The four color woodcut was numbered 70/125, was signed in pencil in the lower right, measured 14 inches by 13.25 inches, and was matted under glass in a simple frame.
Art held the top spots in the June sale also. The December sale at the Gallery featured several works by Indian-born artist Avinash Chandra (1931-1991) and the same consignor had another work for this sale. This work, a watercolor on paper was entitled "Untitled," signed Avinash and dated '81 in the lower left. Measuring 22.25 inches by 30 inches and matted under glass, the framed work sold online for $7,320 including the 22 percent online premium. However, the real action was the competition for the Lazarev works. Two collectors in New Jersey -- who happened to be father and son -- slugged it out, winning thirteen of the sixteen lots between them. The top Lazarev was "St. Mark's Square Venice," oil on canvas, signed in the lower left, measuring 30 inches by 40 inches, unframed. It sold for $3,416 to one of the pair. It was followed by "Montmartre Café at Night," oil on canvas, measuring 30 inches by 36 inches, mounted in a gilt and painted exhibition frame, which sold for $3,172 to the other bidder. Verso label reads "11-65-PB, Lazarev, Place Tertre." The rest of the Lazarev works sold for $880 to $2,900. An etching by Salvador Dali (Spanish 1904-1989), "Portrait of Picasso," 37/200, signed in pencil in the lower right margin, measuring 28.75 inches by 19.5 inches, framed under glass, sold well above estimate online at $1,586.
Furniture and accessories also sold surprisingly well at the sale. A coffee table attributed to P. K. LaVerne with a shaped top depicting interlocking circular forms raised on brass legs sold online to a Los Angeles bidder for $1,952. A signed P. K. LaVerne side table decorated with fruit and interlocking circular motifs, raised on a finned brass pedestal, measuring 16 inches in diameter by 18 inches high, sold to the same bidder for $1,708. An 18th century Italian two piece secretary, hand decorated over gesso brought $4,313 and a Chinese mother-of-pearl inlaid table with carved frieze and leg brackets sold for $2,875. An Italian-style carved wood vitrine, measuring 37 inches wide by 19 inches deep and 86.5 inches high and finished in faux marble raised on gilt-accented legs, brought $2,070. A gilt bronze and porcelain six arm Blackamoor supported footed centerpiece raised on a marble base, measuring 14 inches by 6.5 inches and 27 inches tall at the top of the candelabra, went for $5,175. Another pair of candelabra also shone brightly. The pair, French circa 1900, in gilded bronzes of "Three Graces" signed "F. Barbiedienne Fondeur," converted to lamps and measuring 6.75 inches square at the marble base by 26 inches high, brought $3,163.
The final sale of art from the Tanya Brooks estate will be conducted by Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches on August 13. As with other Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches auctions, bidders can visit www.liveauctioneers.com in advance to view the entire catalog and leave absentee bids.
