LOS ANGELES — John Moran Auctioneers‘ August 23 Made in Mexico sale drew bidders from near and far who showed interest in the 300-lot sale, which featured fine and decorative art and jewelry from Mexico, Cuba, Central and South America, as well as some from the Los Angeles Latino community.

Mexican fine art led the auction, starting with Woman in Veil, a 1969 oil on canvas by Ricardo Martinez De Hoyos. Known for his figurative work and surreal atmospheres, this oil painting garnered strong interest, bringing in $18,200 against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000.

Lot 214 showcased a work by the Mexican and American artist Jose Luis Cuevas. His large 1964 painting Marquis De Sade, Nino started with an estimate of $2,500-$3,500, but realized $11,250.

Jewelry collectors across the globe were drawn to the massive melange of Mexican silver. Of the more than 100 lots, most pieces performed above their estimates, with category top lot honors claimed by a set of Valentin Vidaurreta designs. The six-piece set of silver jewelry comprised a linked silver and azurmalachite collar necklace, a silver pierced pennant link necklace with matching earrings, an openwork silver interlinking necklace, and a floriform linked bracelet. Estimated at $400-$600, it soared to $6,875.

Another noteworthy jewelry designer whose works appeared in the August 23 sale was Matilde Poulat. All seven of her jewelry pieces performed at or above their estimates, but lot 135 (shown at top of page) was the favorite. The exquisite piece was a Matl silver and gem-set dove and basket necklace having a central panel designed with two doves flanking a coral set basket, and also scrolled links set with coral and turquoise. The $2,500-$3,500 estimate was exceeded by bidding that finally settled at $5,525.

This auction also included almost 30 lots from the Mexican designer Hector Aguilar. Like Poulat, the majority of Aguilar’s pieces achieved prices that were well above their estimates. Lot 87, a Georgia O’Keefe-style belt and bracelet, was estimated $1,000-$1,500 but ultimately earned $3,750.

Representing Mexican sculpture was a group of Sergio Bustamante mixed-metal animals. His copper and brass Lion, an almost life-size form, was the king of the collection, selling for $3,575 and almost tripling its estimate of $800-$1,200.

Mata Ortiz pieces were the stars of the pottery category. Lot 126, a large Mata Ortiz redware pot with black avian motifs, created by Taurina Baca, sold for $2,080 against an estimate of $400-$600.

The final highlight was a Maria Santisima holy water font made by Jesus Guerrero Santos in 2003. This benetier was estimated at $400-$600 but attained $1,625.

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