Material Culture sets record prices for outsider art at auction

Mary Tillman Smith (American/Mississippi, 1904-1995), painting on found metal, 60in. x 46in. Sold: $25,000 (auction record). Material Culture image

PHILADELPHIA – With fervent buyer participation through three online bidding platforms, telephone and floor bidding, Material Culture’s June 10 Straight Up: American Outsider Art auction broke records as it brought to market an exceptional, unknown collection of this once-overlooked class of fine art. All but 12 of the 339 lots sold for a total of $439,575. The sale presented opportunities for collectors at all level of the market. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Jasper52 auction presents premium antique rugs June 26

Unusual Caucasian Kazak rug, 55in. x 84in., all wool, 1920 or earlier. Estimate: $11,000-$13,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Jasper52 will conduct an online auction of 180 premium antique and vintage rugs Wednesday, June 26, beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Sizes of these hand-knotted fine textiles range from prayer rugs to palace size. Estimates range from $1,000 to more than $10,000. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

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