LONDON – The new Tate Modern, world’s most popular gallery of modern and contemporary art, will open to the public on Friday, June 17. The new Switch House building is designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, who also designed the original conversion of the Bankside Power Station in 2000.
LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – Rago Arts and Auction Center’s 20th Century Decorative Arts and Design Auction series brought in $4.6 million June 4-5. The top lot of the weekend was an Artus Van Briggle/Rookwood vase, which sold for $187,500, well over the estimate of $70,000-$100,000.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Mid-century modern furniture creations by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne and New York designer Karl Springer, in addition to porcelains, sterling silver, bronzes, art glass, sculptures, estate jewelry, Chinese jade and antiquities will all come up for bid on Saturday, June 18, at Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery.
The auction will start at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
In addition to the aforementioned offerings, the auction will also feature a large and varied collection of lithographs from notable artists and a collection of authentic Aboriginal paintings on bark.
Philip (1907-1987) and Kelvin (b. 1937) LaVerne operated as artist-furniture makers, creating one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces that were both functional and beautiful to display. The father-son team made patinated and sculpted bronze tables and cabinets, combining innovative techniques with traditional styles.The sale will feature a mid-century modern bronze Romanesque coffee table (above) made by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, with a Roman figure design on the top of the table, with scalloped design edges in an oval shape. The 53 inch by 18 inch table is signed and should realize $3,500-$4,500.
Karl Springer (1931-1991) brought a chic, high-fashion sensibility to furnishings. In the 1970s, Springer’s work was a favorite of the glamor set, who enjoyed the novelty of pieces finished in rich and striking materials that ranged from exotic hides and skins to lacquer and chromed metal.
Crossing the auction block will be a Karl Springer coffee table (below), covered in beautiful luminous blue sharkskin, or shagreen. Signed with a brass plaque on the bottom, “Karl Springer, Philippines,” the table measures 48 inches by 42 inches by18 inches high. It is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000.
One lot comprising seven very rare “Fish” glass goblets, designed by Frank Gehry and manufactured by Amses Cosma Inc. (and retailed by Swid Powell) carries an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. The goblets (below), made circa 1990, are one set in a limited-edition of 250 pieces. Each goblet is signed at the bottom and measures 8 inches high, exhibiting a fine modern design.
The collection of lithographs will come from such notable artists as Theo Tobiasse, Graciela Rodo Boulanger, Rudolph Carl (RC) Gorman and many others. Andy Warhol is also represented with a 1966 paper screenprint on a shopping bag of his iconic Campbell’s Soup Can rendering. Published for an Andy Warhol exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, the 19 inch by 15 inch bag is expected to command $700-$1,000.
In all, more than 300 lots will come up for bid.
For details call Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery at 561-318-1834 or email info@antiquesmodern.com.
LONDON – A selection of drawings from the unseen sketchbooks of Lucian Freud, together with a newly discovered self-portrait by the artist, have gone on display for the first time at the National Portrait Gallery.
BOSTON (AP) – The Commonwealth Museum will display the oldest 13-stars-and-stripes American flag available for public viewing anywhere in the world to celebrate Flag Day.