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Midcentury and Asian took the lead in Capo’s Aug. 29 auction

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Mid-Century modern daybed, M. Prisiantelli label on the bottom. Sold for $7,800.
Mid-Century modern daybed, M. Prisiantelli label on the bottom. Sold for $7,800.

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – Mid-Century Modern furniture and select Asian decorative items once again took the lead at Capo Auction Fine Art and Antiques in Long Island City, as evidenced by the results of their August 29 auction.

With each passing month, increasing numbers of international LiveAuctioneers bidders are joining the competition against serious collectors and dealers from the New York area who attend Capo’s previews and sales in person. The online bidding really heated up when the Mid-Century Modern portion of the August 29 auction began. An M. Prisiantelli daybed (shown above), with label on the bottom, quickly shot up, ultimately selling for $7,800.

A pair of Widdicomb three-drawer chests with a matching framed mirror showed how classic design holds its value. The suite sold for $4,500.

Pair of Widdicomb chests and matching mirror. Sold for $4500.
Pair of Widdicomb chests and matching mirror. Sold for $4500.

Another lucky bidder bought a pair of Noguchi-style side tables with circular tops and a Knoll paper label. The black-and-white duo was snapped up for $840.

Pair of Noguchi-style side tables, Knoll paper label. Sold for $840.
Pair of Noguchi-style side tables, Knoll paper label. Sold for $840.

Various types of Asian decorative pieces and furniture have also been selling extremely well at Capo Auction this year. In keeping with that trend, a 19th-century Korean silver inlaid copper and iron vase with a tapered square neck, square body and conforming foot commanded $10,200.

Korean silver inlaid copper and iron vase, 19th century. Sold for $10,200.
Korean silver inlaid copper and iron vase, 19th century. Sold for $10,200.

In the contemporary arena, a Yamaha baby grand piano with white lacquer finish, serial number B 4750516, sold for $5,700. The bench with stylish animal-print cover was included.

Yamaha baby grand paino, white lacquer finish. Sold for $5,700.
Yamaha baby grand paino, white lacquer finish. Sold for $5,700.

There was strong online bidding for an artist’s model of a horse. The wood model with articulated joints and adjustable stand was bid to $1,320.

Artist's model of a horse, wood with articulated joints and adjustable stand. Sold for $1,320.
Artist’s model of a horse, wood with articulated joints and adjustable stand. Sold for $1,320.

All prices quoted in this report include the buyer’s premium.

Capo Auction will again offer a wide variety of fine art, Mid-Century Modern and antique furniture; decorative items, jewelry and silver at their September 26th auction, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.