Sam Gilliam abstract work topped offerings at Neue’s Modern sale

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – An abstract work by African American artist Sam Gilliam (b. 1933-) sold for $67,650 in an online-only May Modern auction held May 28 by Neue Auctions.

Titled Pantheon #5, Gilliam created it in 1984. It was an exuberant, highly textured and complex composition, executed with deft craftsmanship. The piece was easily the top achiever in the third annual May Modern sale held by Neue Auctions, which featured modern examples of printwork, original paintings, pottery, sculpture and classic modern furniture by name designers.

Other artworks that turned in robust performances were a circa-1968-1972 paper collage by Victor Vasarely (French and Hungarian, 1906-1997), titled Kontosch-C, which realized $15,990; and an oil on canvas by Yolande Ardissone (French, b. 1927-), titled L’Anse du Po, which finished at $5,535.

The May 28 lineup featured two tabletop-size bronze sculptures by Clement Meadmore (Australian and American, 1929-2005), whose elegant squared forms demonstrated a weighty precision. The first, a 1984 work titled Open End, was signed, dated and numbered AP II/III and earned $10,455. The other, a 1986 sculpture titled Upcast, was signed, dated and numbered 6/9 and attained $9,840.

Taking an entirely different approach to the medium of bronze was a 1986 cold painted and parcel gilt sculpture by the artist known as Erte (aka Romain de Tirtoff, Russian and French, 1892-1990), titled The Wedding, which realized $2,460.

Modern design favorites that appeared in the lineup included a large ovoid form Claude Conover. The Chach stoneware vessel had a cylindrical mouth and insert, was artist signed and titled to the base, and achieved $9,840.

A circa-1960s or -1970s Florence Knoll walnut and laminate credenza, its walnut top and sides placed over four hinged off-white laminate doors with chrome pulls, commanded $2,583. Also, a hand-made Thomas Moser Edo cherry dining table from 2006, sporting a rectangular top on a squared leg trestle base and signed in ink underneath, hit $2,952.

A Galle cameo glass vase of baluster form with an everted lip, its gray glass walls overlaid in multiple colors and decorated with a view of a mountain lake landscape from a balcony, went for $2,952. Another vintage example of art glass on offer was a Rene Lalique large stoppered bottle of baluster form with blue patine wash. Titled Douze Figurines Avec Bouchon, its frosted body was molded with pairs of female nudes, and it featured an incised signature that read “R. Lalique.” It went to a determined bidder for $2,829.

To learn more about Neue Auctions, visit www.neueauctions.com. Company officer Cynthia Maciejewksi and Bridget McWilliams can be reached by phone at 216-245-6707, or reached by email at either cynthia@neueauctions.com or bridget@neueauctions.com.

 

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