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John Moran

Buddhist art objects achieve stellar prices at John Moran auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
One of many Asian objects from the Estate of Andrew F. Chandler to exceed expectations, this large-scale giltwood figure of Amida Buddha brought $22,800. John Moran Auctioneers image
One of many Asian objects from the Estate of Andrew F. Chandler to exceed expectations, this large-scale giltwood figure of Amida Buddha brought $22,800. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

MONROVIA, Calif. – Moran’s Nov. 15 Decorative Art Auction offered buyers a wide array of property from which to choose. The evening’s top-performing lots were all carved giltwood Japanese Buddhist figures, likely owing to both the exceptional quality of the pieces on offer as well as to the conservative auction estimates Moran’s assigned. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

The top lot of the evening was a handsomely carved Japanese giltwood figure of Amida Buddha dating to the 1930s. Depicted seated in lotus position and clad in flowing robes, the figure (above) featured delicately modeled enameled glass eyes and was raised on an intricate lotus-form base (estimate: $800 to 1200). The large-scale figure (over 4 feet tall) was consigned from the Estate of Andrew F. Chandler, and earned a stunning $22,800 at the auction block (all prices realized include Moran’s 20 percent house buyer’s premium). Other Japanese pieces from the Chandler estate similarly exceeded expectations, with Buddhist art objects earning healthy prices realized across the board.

Another Japanese giltwood figure of the Buddha; this example modeled standing atop a highly ornamented stepped lotus, figural and cloud-form base, was expected to bring $600 to $900, which was easily outstripped thanks to multiple bidders competing online The figure (below) realized $15,600.

 

This Japanese giltwood figure of the Buddha brought $15,600 thanks to buyers competing online. John Moran Auctioneers image
This Japanese giltwood figure of the Buddha brought $15,600 thanks to buyers competing online. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Chinese selections from the Chandler estate included a Chinese export automaton clock, its rosewood case all-over inlaid with mother-of-pearl in a fruiting vine motif, brought $12,000, squarely within the $10,000 to $15,000 estimate.

Consigned from a private Los Angeles collection, a Chinese white jade-mounted hand mirror (below) expected to bring $1,200 to $1,800 found a buyer online for $2,040.

 

This silver hand mirror exquisitely set with white jade earned $2,040, just over the $1,200 to $1,800 estimate. John Moran Auctioneers image
This silver hand mirror exquisitely set with white jade earned $2,040, just over the $1,200 to $1,800 estimate. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Moran’s November auction started off with a selection of Art Deco and Arts & Crafts-inspired objects, including silver by famed Danish designer Georg Jensen. A Georg Jensen sterling silver coffee service (below) in the Pyramid pattern, consisting of a coffee pot, a lidded sugar bowl and a cream pitcher, sold for the high estimate after competition between a floor and online buyer (estimate: $2,000 to $3,000).

 

This Pyramid coffee service by Georg Jensen sold for the high end of its $2,000 to $3,000 estimate. John Moran Auctioneers image
This Pyramid coffee service by Georg Jensen sold for the high end of its $2,000 to $3,000 estimate. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Modernist selections also included prints after original works by sought-after modern and contemporary artists, including Marc Chagall (1889-1985 French) and Pablo Picasso (1881-1973 Spanish). Chagall’s whimsical “Le Cheval Rouge [The Red Horse]” was the subject of competitive bidding between telephone and online bidders, ultimately earning $3,600 (estimate: $2,500 to $3,500).

After inspiring multiple absentee and telephone bids, “L’Arlequin et sa Compagne” after Pablo Picasso achieved a respectable $11,400  (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000).

 

‘L’Arlequin et sa Compagne,’ a color collotype after Pablo Picasso (1881-1973 Spanish), brought $11,400 (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000). John Moran Auctioneers image
‘L’Arlequin et sa Compagne,’ a color collotype after Pablo Picasso (1881-1973 Spanish), brought $11,400 (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Fine examples of European porcelain achieved strong prices throughout Tuesday evening’s sale. A small Art Nouveau RStK Amphora Summer Queen-motif vase consigned from a private Studio City, Calif., collection was brought to the block with an $800 to $1,200 estimate, which was just exceeded when a floor bidder proved successful with a $1,560 winning bid.

 

A fine example of Amphora’s Art Nouveau portrait pottery, a ‘Summer Queen’ art vase, brought $1,560 (estimate: $800-$1,200). John Moran Auctioneers image
A fine example of Amphora’s Art Nouveau portrait pottery, a ‘Summer Queen’ art vase, brought $1,560 (estimate: $800-$1,200). John Moran Auctioneers image

 

A KPM porcelain plaque framed within an elaborately carved giltwood surround was offered early in the sale; depicting a young beauty dressed in diaphanous fabric and surrounded by a veritable swarm of putti, the plaque brought the high end of its estimate ($7000 to $9,000). A 95-piece china service by Royal Crown Derby in the ever-popular “Old Imari” pattern, including multiple service items and table settings for twelve guests, was brought to the auction block with a conservative $2,000 to $3,000 estimate; the set brought $7,800. Rarely seen in the secondary market, a Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica tea service dating to the 1990s was eagerly anticipated by collectors. Comprising a teapot, two wide and two tall teacups with matching saucers, the set more than doubled its estimate when it sold for $5,400

For details contact John Moran Auctioneers at 626-793-1833 or email info@johnmoran.com.

 

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