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International fine art

International fine art paces Shannon’s $2M auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
International fine art
Le Pho, French/Vietnamese (1907-2001), ‘Le Thé’ (Tea Time), oil on canvas, signed, 32in. x 39½in. Estimate $40,000-$60,000. Sold for $100,000. Shannon’s image

MILFORD, Conn. – Important paintings from the 19th century through the contemporary era were offered during Shannon’s semiannual Fine Art Auction on May 2. Featuring 230 lots, the auction included quality examples of International Fine Art including works by Asian, African, Latin, European and American artists. The sale totaled over $2 million dollars with 75 percent of the lots sold.

Two exceptional paintings by Le Pho led the sale, both were filled with color and light and featured elegant ladies with flowers. Le The (Tea Time) achieved the highest price, in the end, selling for $100,000 (above). In a similar manner, Harmonie Jaune (Harmony in Yellow) sold for $75,000. Managing partner, Sandra Germain commented “We had a difficult time deciding which one we liked better and our clients did too. It was exciting to watch the energy and enthusiasm for these two lots. Despite significant phone competition from international clients we were happy to see Le The go to a buyer in the audience.”

A contemporary bronze sculpture by Taiwanese artist Li Chen brought $75,000, selling to a bidder in the room. Strong results for Asian art were followed by a strong result for Christo Coetzee, a South African artist who works in mixed media to create powerful three-dimensional canvases. The Coetzee, Celestial Bicycle Number III (below) from 1961, sold for $75,000, setting a new record for the highest price achieved for the artist in America and the third highest price achieved worldwide.

International fine art
Christo Coetze, South African (1929-2001), ‘Celestial Bicycle Number III,’ 1961, mixed media with oil, coins, spoon, bicycle frame and branch on cut and molded canvas, signed, titled, dated and inscribed, 71in. x 51in. (canvas). Estimate $5,000-$7,000. Sold for $75,000. Shannon’s image

Shannon’s kept their momentum for international art throughout the sale. A bronze Disco by contemporary Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro doubled its high estimate selling for $40,000. Another sculpture by the artist sold for $22,500. Tragealiles a marble sculpture by Swiss Modernist Antoine Poncet sold for $32,500. The three sculptures came directly from a Florida estate.

American art did not fall behind led by an exceptional Alexander Harrison titled Misty Morning painted and exhibited while the artist was working in France. Harrison was a leading ex-patriot artist and widely exhibited in France and the United States. The painting sold for $68,750.

International fine art
Alexander Harrison, American (1853-1930), ‘Misty Morning,’ oil on canvas, signed, 27¾in. x 39½in. Estimate $50,000-$75,000. Sold for $68,750. Shannon’s image

Other notable sales include an Alfred T. Bricher, rare view of Niagara Falls that brought $62,500, a James Fairman View of Jerusalem sold for $62,500 and a Severin Roesen still-life stunned the crowd when it sold for $60,000, proving that the still-life market is not dead but buyers are looking for quality. Harmony in the Light of the Moon a beautiful illustration by Pennsylvania artist Sarah S. Stillwell Weber sold for $40,000.

International fine art
Severin Roesen, American (1815-1872), ‘Still Life with Fruit and Champagne,’ oil on canvas, signed, 20¼in. x 30¾in. Estimate $25,000-$35,000. Sold for $60,000. Shannon’s image

New York City again did well at Shannon’s led by a rare Nocturne (Statue of Liberty and Manhattan Skyline) by Johann Berthelsen. According to the artist’s son, Lee Berthelsen, Lady Liberty was one of Danish born Johann’s first memories of New York City. He is known to have painted the scene on only one other occasion. A Guy C. Wiggins of Wall Street, Winter sold for $30,000.

For the full results of the May 7 auction, visit www.shannons.com. Shannon’s produces an extensive color catalog, which is available for sale on their website. For details contact Shannon’s at 203-877-1711 or info@shannons.com.