Kaminski sells Chinese art collection for $2.6M

Chinese Republic Period Famille Rose vase, painted with a continuous landscape scene with calligraphy, mark on base, on wood stand, 15 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Sold For $220,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese Republic Period Famille Rose vase, painted with a continuous landscape scene with calligraphy, mark on base, on wood stand, 15 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Sold For $220,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese Republic Period Famille Rose vase, painted with a continuous landscape scene with calligraphy, mark on base, on wood stand, 15 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Sold For $220,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

BEVERLY, Mass. – The outstanding art collection of Wen Tsan Yu with works by many famous Chinese artists, the most notable Qi Baishi (1864-1957) sold for over $2.6 million dollars at Kaminski Auctions on March 30-31.

Other artists in the collection, included Puru (1896-1963) and Pu Jin (1893-1966). Most paintings included a dedication by the artist to “Yu San,” Wen Tsan Yu and the collector’s personal seal. Also in this sale, was his collection of exquisitely painted fans, the most important being a 20th century fan of paper leaf and featuring painting by Wang Yun (1888-1934) on reverse with calligraphy by Zhu Nuzhen.

“Yu’s collection is one of the rare collections by a Chinese scholar to come to auction. This collection of art and antiques is among the best I’ve ever seen,” said Ben Wang, Asian specialist.

Five 20th century Chinese paintings by Qi Bashi sold at Kaminski’s March Fine Asian Art and Antique Sale for a record $2.3 million dollars to break all records for the artist. All five paintings were 20th century scroll paintings of ink and color on paper, signed and sealed Qi Bashi and dedicated by the artist to “Yu San,” Wen Tsan Yu with the collector’s personal seal.

Wen Tsan Yu was raised in China and later became a professor at Peking University. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1916 with a Ph.B, and from Harvard University in 1919 with a LL.B. The family’s maternal great grandfather was Moy Toy Ni, (Charlie Toy) who came to the United States in the late 1800s and settled in Milwaukee. He was widely known as “Chinese Rockefeller” in the early 20th century. Paintings in this collection had been in the family for over 50 years.

Chinese porcelain from the family’s collection also brought top prices. A pair of Famille Verte bowls decorated with floral roundels, marked on the base in a double ring, sold for $300,000. From the Republic Period, a Famille Rose baluster form vase having a painted continuous landscape scene and a calligraphy mark on the base sold for $220,000.

The booming Chinese art market fueled bidding from all over the United States, Hong Kong and China for this rare Chinese scholar’s collection.

Kaminski Auctions will hold its next Asian sale on May 12 at 10 a.m. Eastern at its auction gallery at 117 Elliott St., in Beverly, Mass. For more information visit www.kaminskiauctions.com or call 978-927-2223.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Chinese Republic Period Famille Rose vase, painted with a continuous landscape scene with calligraphy, mark on base, on wood stand, 15 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Sold For $220,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese Republic Period Famille Rose vase, painted with a continuous landscape scene with calligraphy, mark on base, on wood stand, 15 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Sold For $220,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Pair of Famille Verte bowls, China, 19th-early 20th century, decorated with floral roundels, mark on base in double ring, 2 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches. Sold For $300,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.
 

Pair of Famille Verte bowls, China, 19th-early 20th century, decorated with floral roundels, mark on base in double ring, 2 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches. Sold For $300,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese 20th century painting of plum blossoms, ink and color on paper, signed and sealed Qi Baishi (1864-1957), dedicated to Yu San, 53 inches x 13 1/4 inches. Sold For $510,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese 20th century painting of plum blossoms, ink and color on paper, signed and sealed Qi Baishi (1864-1957), dedicated to Yu San, 53 inches x 13 1/4 inches. Sold For $510,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese 20th century painting, ink and color on paper, signed and sealed Qi Baishi (1864-1957), 53 1/4 inches x 13 inches. Water stains at bottom. Sold For $410,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Chinese 20th century painting, ink and color on paper, signed and sealed Qi Baishi (1864-1957), 53 1/4 inches x 13 inches. Water stains at bottom. Sold For $410,000. Image courtesy Kaminski Auctions.

Elizabeth Taylor’s ‘Cleopatra’ cape brings $59,375

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

DALLAS – The gold cape that Elizabeth Taylor wore as Cleopatra in two pivotal scenes in the 1963 film of the same name brought $59,375 when it crossed the block at Heritage Auctions Friday as part of an Entertainment & Music Memorabilia auction. The cape sold to an anonymous East Coast collector.

The consignor of the piece, who wished to remain anonymous, said that her mother, who worked in the couture fashion industry, purchased the famous piece from the now defunct Western Costume at some point in the years following the 1963 film’s debut. She kept it wrapped in tissue paper in a cedar closet.

“I never mentioned it or showed it to anyone,” the consignor said. “When Elizabeth Taylor passed away recently I thought of the magnificent cape and realized that it was time for the cape to find its way out into the world.”

The ceremonial cape from Cleopatra (20th Century Fox, 1963) is crafted to resemble the wings of a Phoenix and is made of thin panels of gold-painted leather adorned with hand-stitched gold beads and sequins. Taylor wore the cape in two important scenes: Cleopatra’s dramatic entrance to Rome—the most lavish portrayal of this event in film history—and Cleopatra’s dramatic “exit” by asp bite.

“This piece is the epitome of glamorous and it was worn by one of Hollywood’s greatest leading ladies at the very peak of her fame, power and beauty,” said Margaret Barrett, director of entertainment and music memorabilia at Heritage Auctions, “(It’s) an artifact of the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema … worth every penny.”

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

Leslie Hindman jewelry auction realizes $3.4M

This Continental 18-karat yellow gold, silver, ruby, diamond and enamel zarf in a mosaic design sold for $134,200. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

This Continental 18-karat yellow gold, silver, ruby, diamond and enamel zarf in a mosaic design sold for $134,200. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

This Continental 18-karat yellow gold, silver, ruby, diamond and enamel zarf in a mosaic design sold for $134,200. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

CHICAGO – Antique jewelry brought outstanding prices at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ March 25-26 auction, which featured the Zographos collection, highlighted by the unusual and much sought after gold, ruby, diamond and enamel zarf, estimated at $8,000-$12,000, brought $134,200.

The estate featured several standouts that far exceeded estimates. These included a rare example of Suzanne Belperron’s work in a carved chalcedony and diamond ring that achieved $36,600 and an antique 6.20-carat cabochon cut unheated Burmese ruby ring that sold for a strong $146,400.

In keeping with the current trend, fine colored stones fared well. An 8.50-carat natural unheated sapphire ring sold for $61,000, while an extremely large 59.00-carat antique emerald cut spinel brought $48,800.

Natural pearls also captured the public’s attention as a pearl, platinum and diamond tassel necklace realized $26,840, and an important pair of diamond and drop pearl earrings sold for $43,920.

Important diamonds continue to have universal appeal as evidenced by several stones that far exceeded expectations. A pair of antique cushion cut diamonds weighing 25.75 carats total brought $280,000, while a pair of antique briolette cut diamonds sold for $67,100. An important Schlumberger ring containing a lozenge cut 4.70-carat diamond brought $134,200. Additionally, a 7.20-carat heart-shape diamond of D color, VVS1 clarity and the rare “Golconda” Type IIA distinction realized $448,000 after spirited bidding.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ next fine jewelry and timepieces auction will be held June 10-11. Consignments are invited for upcoming auctions. Contact Alexander Eblen at 312-334-4233 for more information.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

This Continental 18-karat yellow gold, silver, ruby, diamond and enamel zarf in a mosaic design sold for $134,200. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

This Continental 18-karat yellow gold, silver, ruby, diamond and enamel zarf in a mosaic design sold for $134,200. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

An 18-karat white gold, sapphire and diamond ring. Price realized: $61,000. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

An 18-karat white gold, sapphire and diamond ring. Price realized: $61,000. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Important yellow gold, ruby and diamond ring containing one central oval cabochon cut ruby weighing approximately 6.20 carats surrounded by 16 old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 4.40 carats. Price realized: $146,400. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Important yellow gold, ruby and diamond ring containing one central oval cabochon cut ruby weighing approximately 6.20 carats surrounded by 16 old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 4.40 carats. Price realized: $146,400. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Pair of Victorian diamond briolette pendants, designed as earring components, containing two briolette shape rose cut diamonds. Price realized: $67,100. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Pair of Victorian diamond briolette pendants, designed as earring components, containing two briolette shape rose cut diamonds. Price realized: $67,100. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Two antique cushion cut diamonds, weighing approximately 13.37 carats and 12.38 carats, accompanied by gold ring settings. Price realized: $280,000. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Two antique cushion cut diamonds, weighing approximately 13.37 carats and 12.38 carats, accompanied by gold ring settings. Price realized: $280,000. Image courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.

Asian antiques power Dallas Auction Gallery sale to $1.7M

A pair of Chinese Qing Qianlong cloisonne vases depicting dragons and scrolling lotus, raised on original rosewood stands sold for $147,000. The estimate was $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

A pair of Chinese Qing Qianlong cloisonne vases depicting dragons and scrolling lotus, raised on original rosewood stands sold for $147,000. The estimate was $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

A pair of Chinese Qing Qianlong cloisonne vases depicting dragons and scrolling lotus, raised on original rosewood stands sold for $147,000. The estimate was $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

DALLAS – More than 700 bidders from around the world bid on an incredible collection of over 390 lots of Asian art, porcelains, ivory and jade at Dallas Auction Gallery on March 14. Porcelains were the highlight of the evening, led by a pair of Chinese Qing Qianlong cloisonne vases, which sold on the auction house floor, for $147,000. Prices include the buyer’s premium unless otherwise noted.

Other highlights included two impressive Chinese Republic revolving and reticulated porcelain vases from an estate in Oklahoma City that sold for an impressive $110,250, and a Chinese late Ming or early Qing carved rhinoceros horn libation cup that went to a bidder on liveauctioneers.com  for $91,875.

Dallas Auction Gallery continues to prove themselves as a major player in the Asian antique and fine art market, conducting two Asian antiques auctions each year producing over $5 million.

“We are pleased with the number of bidders and the results that we achieved. I appreciate the relationships we have built over the past 10 years with both our buyers and consignors, and I look forward to the rest of our 2012 auction schedule,” said Scott Shuford, president of Dallas Auction Gallery.

Other standouts were a Chinese Qing carved GIA translucent jadeite pendant that sold for $45,937; a Chinese Qing large porcelain Tianqiu vase depicting fish, shrimp and crabs, $26,250; a pair of Chinese carved ivory wrist rests, $22,050; and a pair of large Chinese Qing Da Ya Zhai-style porcelain ginger jars, $19,600.

Bidding was available through liveauctioneers.com, dallasauctiongallery.com, in person and by phone. Dallas Auction Gallery will be selling more Asian antiques and fine art May 23.

Dallas Auction Gallery welcomes quality consignments. For more information visit www.dallasauctiongallery.com or call 214-653-3900.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

A pair of Chinese Qing Qianlong cloisonne vases depicting dragons and scrolling lotus, raised on original rosewood stands sold for $147,000. The estimate was $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

A pair of Chinese Qing Qianlong cloisonne vases depicting dragons and scrolling lotus, raised on original rosewood stands sold for $147,000. The estimate was $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

A Chinese late Ming or early Qing carved rhinoceros horn libation cup sold for $91,875, with an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.
 

A Chinese late Ming or early Qing carved rhinoceros horn libation cup sold for $91,875, with an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

This 12-inch-tall Chinese Republic revolving and reticulated porcelain vase within a vase had openwork finely painted to depict peaches and scrolling lotus. It sold for $55,000 plus the buyer’s premium. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

This 12-inch-tall Chinese Republic revolving and reticulated porcelain vase within a vase had openwork finely painted to depict peaches and scrolling lotus. It sold for $55,000 plus the buyer’s premium. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

The smaller Chinese Republic revolving and reticulated porcelain vase within a vase, which had an interior depicting figures reading scrolls and playing games, hammered for $35,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

The smaller Chinese Republic revolving and reticulated porcelain vase within a vase, which had an interior depicting figures reading scrolls and playing games, hammered for $35,000. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

The Chinese Xuande imperial gilt bronze green Tara sold at mid-estimate for $61,250. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

The Chinese Xuande imperial gilt bronze green Tara sold at mid-estimate for $61,250. Image courtesy Dallas Auction Gallery.

Horn libation cup soars to $318,600 at Elite Decorative Arts

The top lot of the sale was this rare and masterfully carved rhino horn libation cup, which sold for $318,600 to a bidder in Shanghai. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

The top lot of the sale was this rare and masterfully carved rhino horn libation cup, which sold for $318,600 to a bidder in Shanghai. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

The top lot of the sale was this rare and masterfully carved rhino horn libation cup, which sold for $318,600 to a bidder in Shanghai. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A rare and masterfully carved Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup from the 17th or 18th century, just 4 inches tall and fitted to a reticulated teakwood base, sold for $318,600—$68,000 more than the high estimate—at a sale of Asian antiques held March 17-18 by Elite Decorative Arts, at the firm’s gallery.

“We expected the rhino horn cup to be the centerpiece lot of the auction, and we were not disappointed,” said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts. “The object sparked a spirited bidding war before an Internet bidder in Shanghai finally emerged the winner.” Cieckiewicz added that the two-day sale grossed about $1.1 million. “It was an excellent auction,” he said.

The rhinoceros horn was of a gently flaring form. It was finely relief carved as a wooded jungle and rendered in high relief to depict a village scene with trees and people working and resting. One side showed scholars climbing the side of a rock mountain, with many types of trees. The other side depicted a family at the base and a tall peony tree growing alongside a rock.

The auction literally attracted worldwide attention. Of the estimated 1,000 registered bidders (the vast majority of whom participated online, through LiveAuctioneers.com), more than 100 were from Asia, about 65 were from Europe and a smattering hailed from Australia, South America and Africa. Phone and absentee bids were also accepted.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a buyer’s premium of 15 percent for in-house and phone bids and 18 percent for Internet bids.

Two other lots topped the $100,000 mark. The first was a large, five-panel, 18th century Chinese throne screen made from Zitan wood and possibly given as a wedding present for someone of high imperial status. It brought $153,400. The use of Zitan for furniture was favored especially by the Ming and Qing imperial courts and its use was restricted to palace workshops.

The other lot was a large genuine rhinoceros horn from the 18th or 19th century, with no carving at all. The antique horn measured 26 inches in length and was 18 1/4 inches in girth at its widest point, with a total weight of 3,666 grams. The horn realized $109,250. Its provenance was quite intriguing: Hoover Vacuum owned it, having acquired it from the Lord Montague Museum.

The auction featured many examples of imperial quality Chinese hand-carved red coral group figures, which were stunning in their attention to detail. Dating to the Ch’ing dynasty, the beautifully carved figures varied in size from 7 to about 17 inches in height. They were perched on handsome fitted wooden bases, and some even boasted gorgeous silver inlay.

A palatial Chinese hand-carved red coral maiden group figure, impressive and large (17 1/2 inches tall), depicting two maidens with flowers and birds, incredibly carved throughout, with high attention to detail, hammered for $36,800; and a fine Chinese red coral immortals figure group depicting immortals, servants, pine trees, leaves a stork and flowers, finished at $31,050.

An exquisite Chinese hand-carved red coral figure from the late Qing dynasty, depicting a mother holding flowers with her two daughters playing at her side, masterfully carved and with incredible detail throughout, breezed to $31,050; and a massive (19 inches tall, 10 inches wide) carved Chinese red coral figure depicting Guan Yin with four birds, changed hands for $31,050.

A superb Chinese hand-carved red coral figure depicting a seated happy Buddha holding a sack to his right hand with a beaded necklace and coins and a flowing robe, from the Late Qing period, fetched $28,750, and a Chinese relief carved coral group depicting a mother with a young child climbing a tree, also depicting peaches and a paradise bird, circa 20th century, hit $27,600.

A finely carved Chinese red coral group figure depicting three children holding up a fourth child who is riding them like a horse, finely detailed throughout and signed at the bottom “Zhu Yun,” from the Cultural Revolution period, rose to $19,550; and a 20th century Chinese relief carved coral group figure of seven children playing around a tree and table made $14,160.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s top lots, a pair of stunning antique Chinese enameled pottery four-panel plaque table screens, each screen having four porcelain panels with a raised horses design, went for $13,570. The 19th century screens also had trees, people, fences and rock formations. Each plaque was 17 inches tall, 5 1/2 inches wide.

Elite Decorative Arts has two auctions planned for the immediate future. The first will be a general decorative arts sale, plus about 100 Chinese works of art, slated for Saturday, March 31. The second, scheduled for Saturday, April 28, will feature decorative arts, artwork and estate jewelry. Both will be held in the firm’s gallery at Quantum Town Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Elite Decorative Arts is always accepting quality items. To consign an item, estate or a collection call them at 561-200-0893 or toll-free 800-991-3340 or email info@eliteauction.com. To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the March 31 and April 28 auctions, log on to www.eliteauction.com. Updates are posted often.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

The top lot of the sale was this rare and masterfully carved rhino horn libation cup, which sold for $318,600 to a bidder in Shanghai. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

The top lot of the sale was this rare and masterfully carved rhino horn libation cup, which sold for $318,600 to a bidder in Shanghai. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Large five-panel imperial throne screen made from zitan wood, 133 inches long. It sold for $153,400. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Large five-panel imperial throne screen made from zitan wood, 133 inches long. It sold for $153,400. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Antique 17th or 18th century genuine rhinoceros horn, uncarved, 26 inches long. Price realized: $109,250. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Antique 17th or 18th century genuine rhinoceros horn, uncarved, 26 inches long. Price realized: $109,250. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Impressive large imperial quality Chinese hand-carved red coral group figure. Price realized: $36,800. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Impressive large imperial quality Chinese hand-carved red coral group figure. Price realized: $36,800. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Superb Chinese hand-carved red coral figure depicting a seated happy Buddha. Price realized: $28,750. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Superb Chinese hand-carved red coral figure depicting a seated happy Buddha. Price realized: $28,750. Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Chinese relief carved coral group figure of children playing around a tree and table. Price realized $14,160). Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Chinese relief carved coral group figure of children playing around a tree and table. Price realized $14,160). Image courtesy Elite Decorative Auctions.

Clars reports strong prices for top items in March sale

The top offering at Clars’ March auction was lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, which sold for a staggering $50,363. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

The top offering at Clars’ March auction was lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, which sold for a staggering $50,363. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

The top offering at Clars’ March auction was lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, which sold for a staggering $50,363. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

OAKLAND, Calif. – Prices realized at Clars Auction Gallery’s March 17 and 18 Antiques and Fine Art Sale were led by staggering Asian prices realized on several lots offered. As the nation kicked off Asian Week, expectations were high even against conservative estimates, but surprises were still plentiful. Overall, the two-day event earned $800,000 and record Internet bidder numbers were seen for the sale.

The top offering of the two-day event was among the final lots offered. Lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, were estimated at $1,000 to $1,500. Prior to the sale, several phone bidders were already scheduled on the piece. Clars President Redge Martin opened the bidding at $1,000 and within minutes, competitive bidding drove the final sale price to $50,363.

Just a few lots prior, a Korean large underglaze blue decorated stoneware jar, also Joseon dynasty, flew past it $500 to $700 estimate selling for $17,775. Rounding out the top sellers in the Asian category was a Chinese large greenish-white nephrite “imperial style” jade seal which also sold for $17,775. Even though the prices realized across the board in the Asian category surpassed expectations, which has become the norm over the past few years, Martin commented that he feels the Asian market “may be leveling off a bit which should be expected.”

It wasn’t just Asian that performed well throughout this two-day sale. Again, according to Martin, “decoratives were strong, furniture did well indicating people are buying again and special collections also performed well.” Closing the first half of their 2011-2012 fiscal year, Clars stands at 5 percent ahead of last year.

Among the special collections that were offered was a rare rock ’n’ roll photography collection from legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). Overall, the entire collection which was sold in seven lots earned over $15,000 with the top lot being a portfolio of 10 unframed platinum prints entitled The Jazz Portfolio which sold for $8,295. Bob Dylan drew the next highest price. A signed unframed gelatin silver print taken in 1966 in New York City sold for $1,300.

Complementing the Jim Marshall collection offered on Sunday, an extensive collection of Hollywood and celebrity memorabilia including posters and autographs was offered during the Saturday session. Comprised of over 200 lots, with names from Lyndon B. Johnson to Elizabeth Taylor, this collection earned just over $18,000. A framed Elizabeth Taylor autographed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof movie poster inscribed “Best Wishes, Elizabeth Taylor” sold for just over $500 as did a signed typewritten letter dated March 6, 1967 by the Beatles indicating “we have just signed a nine year contract with Capital records.”

The Saturday session also featured a rich offering of 19th century European dolls of varying compositions. Expected to sell well, which it did, was a circa 1870 French fashion doll, probably Francois Gaultier, that earned $3,500. Taking second place in this special group was an antique German bisque socket head doll. Expected to sell for $200 to $400, this wonderful example sold for $1,900.

Rounding out the interesting special collections offered were reproduction 19th and 20th century suites of armor. The high seller in this collection was a 15th century-style reproduction comprised of an armet (helmet), full arm defenses, breast, neck and back plates which sold for $1,890. Furthering the arms and armor category was a collection of 19th century Persian flintlock Jezail long-barrel muskets and pistols. The top lot in this collection was a jezail long-barrel musket highly decorated with bone and inlaid coral. This piece earned $1,540.

Turning to Clars’ always strong fine art category, the top seller was the framed oil on canvas, Rheinlandschaft, by Johann Gottfried Pulian (German, 1809-1875) which sold for $11, 258. The next high lot was a framed watercolor on double-sided paper by Jake Lee (Californian, 1915-1991) titled Chinatown and Jalopy, 1959,” which earned a respectable $8,888 followed by Path Through the Mountains by Maurice Brown (Californian, 1890-1948) that sold for $6,518.

Topping the furniture category was a circa 1820 William IV figured mahogany breakfront sold for nicely within estimate at $7,110 and a Continental carved console table executed in the Renaissance taste sold for almost twice its high estimate at $2,225.

The jewelry category, offered late Sunday, saw strong prices on several lots offered. Tied for topping this category was a lady’s cast double spiral design necklace by ilias LALAoUNIS in 22-karat yellow gold which earned $6,517 and a open-face Waltham Premier Maximitts pocket watch which earned the same price.

Clars next two-day Antiques and Fine Art Sale will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15. A highlight of the April sale will be the estate of Seymour Frommer, founder of the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at the University of California, Berkeley.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

The top offering at Clars’ March auction was lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, which sold for a staggering $50,363. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

The top offering at Clars’ March auction was lot 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, which sold for a staggering $50,363. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

Among the special lots at Clars’ sale were rare rock ’n’ roll images from legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). The top lot in this collection was a portfolio of 10 unframed platinum prints titled ‘The Jazz Portfolio’ (pictured here: Miles Davis) which sold for $8,295. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

Among the special lots at Clars’ sale were rare rock ’n’ roll images from legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). The top lot in this collection was a portfolio of 10 unframed platinum prints titled ‘The Jazz Portfolio’ (pictured here: Miles Davis) which sold for $8,295. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

‘Rheinlandschaft,’ a framed oil on canvas by Johann Gottfried Pullan (German, 1809-1875) topped the fine art category selling for $11,258. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

‘Rheinlandschaft,’ a framed oil on canvas by Johann Gottfried Pullan (German, 1809-1875) topped the fine art category selling for $11,258. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

This double-sided watercolor by Jake Lee (Californian, 1915-1991) entitled ‘Chinatown and Jalopy, 1959,’ earned a respectable $8,888. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

This double-sided watercolor by Jake Lee (Californian, 1915-1991) entitled ‘Chinatown and Jalopy, 1959,’ earned a respectable $8,888. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

Topping the furniture category was this circa 1820 William IV figured mahogany breakfront which sold for $7,110. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

Topping the furniture category was this circa 1820 William IV figured mahogany breakfront which sold for $7,110. Image courtesy Clars Auction Gallery.

1893 World’s Fair soda fountain hits $4.5M at Coca-Cola museum auction

Coca-Cola soda fountain made by Liquid Carbonic for the Columbian Exposition of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The bar back is 10 ft. high and 19 ft. 9 in. long. It realized $4.5 million in Richard Opfer Auctioneering's March 24-25 sale of contents of the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Richard Opfer Auctioneering.
Coca-Cola soda fountain made by Liquid Carbonic for the Columbian Exposition of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The bar back is 10 ft. high and 19 ft. 9 in. long. It realized $4.5 million in Richard Opfer Auctioneering's March 24-25 sale of contents of the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Richard Opfer Auctioneering.
Coca-Cola soda fountain made by Liquid Carbonic for the Columbian Exposition of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The bar back is 10 ft. high and 19 ft. 9 in. long. It realized $4.5 million in Richard Opfer Auctioneering’s March 24-25 sale of contents of the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Richard Opfer Auctioneering.

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP/ACNI) — An anonymous buyer paid $4.5 million for a soda fountain at an auction of Coca-Cola memorabilia held March 24-25 in central Kentucky. Richard Opfer Auctioneering of Timonium, Md., conducted the sale.

The one-of-a-kind fountain has bars of marble and alabaster, and includes leaded-glass lamps that function as soda dispensers. It was exhibited at the Columbian Exposition, at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

The News-Enterprise reports that the buyer bid by phone Sunday for the item offered by the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia in Elizabethtown. The fountain was entered in the sale with a presale estimate of $75,000-$125,000.

Nearly 800 Internet bidders using LiveAuctioneers.com contributed to the event’s success. They lodged 1,641 absentee bids and 3,557 interactive bids using the LiveAuctioneers online console. Over the two-day period, Internet participants succeeded in purchasing 268 lots – an average of 39% per day.

“There was tremendous presale interest in this famous collection,” said LiveAuctioneers’ CEO Julian R. Ellison. “More than 6,000 people viewed the online catalog through LiveAuctioneers.com, with nearly 42,000 page views recorded.”

Click below to view the fully illustrated catalogs for both the March 24 and 25 sessions of Richard Opfer’s auction of contents of the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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Information from: The News-Enterprise, http://www.thenewsenterprise.com

Auction Central News International and Associated Press contributed to this copyrighted report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Coca-Cola soda fountain made by Liquid Carbonic for the Columbian Exposition of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The bar back is 10 ft. high and 19 ft. 9 in. long. It realized $4.5 million in Richard Opfer Auctioneering's March 24-25 sale of contents of the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Richard Opfer Auctioneering.
Coca-Cola soda fountain made by Liquid Carbonic for the Columbian Exposition of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The bar back is 10 ft. high and 19 ft. 9 in. long. It realized $4.5 million in Richard Opfer Auctioneering’s March 24-25 sale of contents of the Schmidt Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Richard Opfer Auctioneering.

I.M. Chait Asia Week Auction nears $2.1M; Yuan bowl makes $128,100

Yuan Dynasty bowl, 14th century, provenance from T.T. Tsui Museum of Art, the auction’s top lot, $128,100. I.M. Chait image.
Yuan Dynasty bowl, 14th century, provenance from T.T. Tsui Museum of Art, the auction’s top lot, $128,100. I.M. Chait image.

Yuan Dynasty bowl, 14th century, provenance from T.T. Tsui Museum of Art, the auction’s top lot, $128,100. I.M. Chait image.

NEW YORK (LAPRS) – There are only a few high-profile auctions that Asian art aficionados consider accurate indicators of how the marketplace is trending. One of them is I.M. Chait’s annual Asia Week Auction, a perennially trustworthy point of reference for what’s selling today and what’s likely to be selling tomorrow, whether rare Chinese ceramics or precious jades.

With Chait’s recent Asia Week Auction results as the basis for market prognostication, it’s safe to say there’s no end in sight for the spectacular run Chinese antiques have been enjoying over the past few years. The Beverly Hills, Calif., company’s March 22 auction held at Manhattan’s historic Fuller Building chalked up nearly $2.1 million, with a robust 83% sell-through rate.ll prices quoted include a 22% buyer’s premium.

“The market for Asian art, especially Chinese, is not even slowing down. Even the Japanese market seems to be having a little resurgence,” said Chait’s founder and auctioneer Isadore M. Chait, who has been actively dealing in the specialty for 45 years. If there is any noticeable softness at all, it is in the area of ivory, Chait noted, and it’s not for lack of collector interest.

“Ivory has taken a little dip because people are still unsure as to the ramifications of our country and other countries’ viewpoints on endangered species. The laws are still vague,” Chait said. “Everything else in Chinese art is just rolling along at breakneck speed, and the appetite for good things is voracious.”

The 100+ bidders who attended Chait’s 5-hour sale – approximately 70% of whom were from Mainland China – showed obvious sophistication in their buying and claimed many of the day’s top prizes. But it was far from a cakewalk. They faced formidable competition from beyond the gallery walls. There were 180 absentee and telephone bidders in the mix, as well as 469 additional bidders participating online through LiveAuctioneers.com. Postsale statistics revealed that Internet bidders prevailed on nearly 30% of the 353 lots offered.

The auction’s top lot was a superb, 12-inch (dia.) Yuan Dynasty blue and white bowl with a classical motif of Mandarin ducks in a lotus pond. With provenance from the T.T. Tsui Museum of Art, the highly important 14th-century ceramic sold within estimate to an in-house bidder for $128,100.

Another stunning blue and white design was the marked 16th-century Chinese Ming Dynasty Wanli round box with domed cover. Both the base and lid were decorated with images of dragons contesting a pearl amid clouds. In pristine condition, it settled at $54,900, the midpoint of its $50,000-$60,000 estimate.

Eleven phone lines were on the ready as one of the auction’s signature pieces – a large and masterfully carved Chinese spinach jade brushpot – was introduced. Decorated with a continuous landscape scene of several groups of scholars playing chess amid bamboo, pine and rockery, the vessel attracted rapid-fire bidding before closing at the above-estimate price of $73,200.

A highly important Qianlong famille rose porcelain vase, 13 inches tall with a brilliant design of antithetical dragons contesting a flaming pearl, bore a distinctive coral-red Qianlong mark. It easily achieved its $60,000-$80,000 estimate with a winning bid of $70,150.

Many hands were raised when an artwork of quite a different style, a marked Daoguang Period square-form flambé porcelain vase in plum and blue glaze, was opened to bidding. The beautifully balanced baluster-form vase with tubular handles more than doubled its high estimate at $19,520.

If there was one category that took everyone by surprise, it was the Chinese textiles. A fine kesi-type robe adorned with images of a large four-claw writing dragon and two smaller dragons in the clouds had been entered in the sale with a $3,000-$4,000 estimate. Bidders had a different idea, however, and competitively pushed the selling price to $36,600.

Another textile-art highlight was a Chinese silk hand scroll adorned with hand-drawn landscape vignettes incorporating figures and seals. Estimated at $10,000-$12,000, the 160-inch-long scroll attracted widespread interest, ultimately garnering $57,950.

An Internet bidder claimed the top bronze in the sale, a gold-lacquered and polychrome-painted Ming Dynasty Buddha. The 16-inch Buddha with hands in “earth-touching” (bhumisparsha) mudra had been estimated at $8,000-$10,000 and sold online for $54,900.

I.M. Chait will conduct a May 6, 2012 auction at the company’s Beverly Hills gallery, with an 11 a.m. Natural History session and 1 p.m. Asian & International Fine Arts session. For additional information, call 1-800-775-5020 or 310-285-0182; or e-mail joey@chait.com. Visit the I.M. Chait website at www.chait.com.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Yuan Dynasty bowl, 14th century, provenance from T.T. Tsui Museum of Art, the auction’s top lot, $128,100. I.M. Chait image.

Yuan Dynasty bowl, 14th century, provenance from T.T. Tsui Museum of Art, the auction’s top lot, $128,100. I.M. Chait image.

Chinese spinach jade brushpot decorated with landscape scene of scholars playing chess amid bamboo, pine and rockery, $73,200. I.M. Chait image.

Chinese spinach jade brushpot decorated with landscape scene of scholars playing chess amid bamboo, pine and rockery, $73,200. I.M. Chait image.

Qianlong famille rose porcelain vase, 13 inches tall, $70,150. I.M. Chait image.

Qianlong famille rose porcelain vase, 13 inches tall, $70,150. I.M. Chait image.

Coral-red Qianlong mark on famille rose vase. I.M. Chait image.

Coral-red Qianlong mark on famille rose vase. I.M. Chait image.

Fine Chinese silk kesi-type dragon robe, $36,600. I.M. Chait image.

Fine Chinese silk kesi-type dragon robe, $36,600. I.M. Chait image.

16th-century Chinese Ming Dynasty Wanli round box with domed cover $54,900. I.M. Chait image.

16th-century Chinese Ming Dynasty Wanli round box with domed cover $54,900. I.M. Chait image.

Wanli mark on 16th-century Ming Dynasty round box. I.M. Chait image.

Wanli mark on 16th-century Ming Dynasty round box. I.M. Chait image.

Ming Dynasty Buddha, 16 inches, sold to Internet bidder for $54,900. I.M. Chait image.

Ming Dynasty Buddha, 16 inches, sold to Internet bidder for $54,900. I.M. Chait image.

Leland Little sells Stieglitz photo collection for $1M

An Alfred Stieglitz photograph, 'View from Studio,' was the leading lot in the auction, selling for $519,200. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

An Alfred Stieglitz photograph, 'View from Studio,' was the leading lot in the auction, selling for $519,200. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

An Alfred Stieglitz photograph, ‘View from Studio,’ was the leading lot in the auction, selling for $519,200. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. – Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd. opened the 2012 auction year with a landmark $2.4 million auction, anchored by a collection of photography by Alfred Stieglitz (American, 1864-1946), who was husband to famed artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

This sale follows three consecutive $1 million sales the company conducted during 2011, in June, September and December. All auction results are available on their company’s website, www.llauctions.com.

The auction gallery was at capacity with nearly 250 floor bidders attending the sale. Bidders unable to attend the sale left over 1,900 absentee and phone bids. In addition, over 1,200 bidders watched and participated in the auction on-line, from more than 50 countries around the world, through LiveAuctioneers.com.

LLAES Ltd. continues to acquire and offer top-level consignments from the Southeast region, with owner Leland Little saying, “Our current state-of-the-art auction facility, combined with the investment of this team, continues to reward both sellers and buyers.”

The showstopper of the sale was the Rhoades collection of Alfred Stieglitz photographs, which included the top lot of the auction, View from Studio, which sold for $519,200. Studio 291, also from the Rhoades collection, sold for $200,600.

The remainder of the 866-lot cataloged auction saw strength and consistency from start to finish. All prices include the 18 percent buyer’s premium.

Fine arts offerings were diverse and of top quality, including a portrait of Gen. Andrew Jackson, by Thomas Sully (Pennsylvania, 1783-1872), which, driven by strong phone and online bidding, achieved $73,750. A striking floral still life by Sebastian Wegmayr (1776-1857) brought $16,520.

Jewelry demonstrated strength, led by a round brilliant cut unmounted diamond that sold for $13,570. A Michalis designed gold and ruby lariat sold for $12,980, and an Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring by J.E. Caldwell achieved $9,145. Strong online bidding drove the price of a vintage 18-karat gold man’s watch by Patek Philippe to $5,900.

Other lots of interest include an antique Chinese hand scroll that attracted international bidders and soared to $212,400, a modern Bakalowits and Sohne “Miracle” chandelier that sold for $7,375, and a Meissen porcelain figural clock and stand that achieved $18,880.

Offerings from the Lamont Estate were strong, featuring the Michalis designed gold and ruby lariat and antique Chinese hand scroll mentioned above, and an etching by James A. M. Whistler (1834-¬1903) titled The Wine Glass, that sold for $6,490.

Sculpture was highlighted by two bronzes, one by Harriet Frishmuth (New York, 1880-1980) which achieved $21,240, the other by Aase Texmon Rygh (Norwegian, b. 1925) that sold for $8,555.

Fine silver was led by an important Baltic parcel gilt silver monteith that soared to $56,640 and a Tiffany & Co. sterling silver water pitcher that sold for $2,360.

The fine wine session, which was held the evening of March 16, was energized by four bottles of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild that climbed to $4,248.

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd. and Iron Horse Auction Co. will hold the Historic Chinqua Penn Plantation Estate Auction at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., April 25-26. LLAES Ltd. will also hold their two-day cataloged Summer Estate Auction at their auction gallery in historic Hillsborough, N.C., on June 15-16.

For details call 919-644-1243, email at info@llauctions.com or visit their website at www.llauctions.com.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

An Alfred Stieglitz photograph, 'View from Studio,' was the leading lot in the auction, selling for $519,200. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.
 

An Alfred Stieglitz photograph, ‘View from Studio,’ was the leading lot in the auction, selling for $519,200. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Antique Chinese hand scroll. Realized: $212,400. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.
 

Antique Chinese hand scroll. Realized: $212,400. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring by J.E. Caldwell. Realized: $9,145. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring by J.E. Caldwell. Realized: $9,145. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Important Baltic parcel gilt silver monteith. Realized: $56,640. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Important Baltic parcel gilt silver monteith. Realized: $56,640. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Thomas Sully (PA, 1783-1872), Gen. Andrew Jackson. Realized: $73,750. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Thomas Sully (PA, 1783-1872), Gen. Andrew Jackson. Realized: $73,750. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Harriet Frishmuth (NY, 1880-1980), Bronze Nude, 'Crest of the Wave.' Realized: $21,240. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Harriet Frishmuth (NY, 1880-1980), Bronze Nude, ‘Crest of the Wave.’ Realized: $21,240. Image courtesy Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales Ltd.

Moran watercolor hits record $1.77M at Brunk Auctions

By far the sale’s top lot and a new record for Thomas Moran was his watercolor on paper, ‘Cliffs of Green River - Wyoming Territory, view of Castle Butte.’ The 28-x-21 1/4-inch painting is in its original late 19th century gilt wood and composition cassetta-style frame is inscribed verso in ink ‘T. Moran.’ It sold for a record $1.77 million (est. $250,000/$350,000). Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

By far the sale’s top lot and a new record for Thomas Moran was his watercolor on paper, ‘Cliffs of Green River - Wyoming Territory, view of Castle Butte.’ The 28-x-21 1/4-inch painting is in its original late 19th century gilt wood and composition cassetta-style frame is inscribed verso in ink ‘T. Moran.’ It sold for a record $1.77 million (est. $250,000/$350,000). Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

By far the sale’s top lot and a new record for Thomas Moran was his watercolor on paper, ‘Cliffs of Green River – Wyoming Territory, view of Castle Butte.’ The 28-x-21 1/4-inch painting is in its original late 19th century gilt wood and composition cassetta-style frame is inscribed verso in ink ‘T. Moran.’ It sold for a record $1.77 million (est. $250,000/$350,000). Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Breaking an auction record by $1 million is probably a record in itself. The Thomas Moran (1837-1926) watercolor that sold for $1.77 million at Brunk Auctions March 10 was a cool $1 million and change more than $690,000. That’s the previous Moran record. Ten bidders on the phone and two in the room all wanted Cliffs of Green River – Wyoming Territory, view of Castle Butte, a signed and dated (1883) Moran painting.

The watercolor had a lot going for it. Colors were fresh and bright and the artist’s original label verso noted the title and original price of $450. The auction catalog included a photograph of the painting in its original frame in the family dining room, circa 1895. A full provenance showing descent in the consignor’s family was awarded the winning bidder.

And that was Baird W. Ryan, a private New York City dealer bidding on the phone for a client. Ryan scaled a mountain of competition to buy the painting.

“The size, quality and detailed provenance were all factors for me to bid above the previous record price,” said Ryan in a phone conversation after the sale. “I am always looking for works by Thomas Moran of this quality and the market will always accept them.”

“I got louder and louder as we reached $1 million,” said auctioneer Andrew Brunk, who recently succeeded his father as owner of Brunk Auction. Excitement hit the ceiling when an in-house bidder broke the $1 million barrier. It went through the roof less than a minute later with a hammer of $1,500,000. The $1.77 million selling price includes the buyer’s premium.

Two lots from the estate of noted author and Duke University professor Reynolds Price (1933-2011) topped $100,000. Many of the 1,600 on-line registrations were from Durham, the home of Duke University, and its environs. Price purchased Taos Moonlight, an oil-on-canvas by American Indian painter and photographer Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953) in 1998. Taos opened at $20,000 and sold to a phone bidder for $118,000 (est. $25,000-$35,000). Results include the buyer’s premium.

Price valued ancient art especially his collection of carved Greek, Etruscan and Roman heads of deities and warriors. The clear standout was the Roman marble head of Apollo, A.D. 125-150, which opened and closed at its $130,000 reserve ($153,400 with buyer’s premium).

Other antiquities from the Price collection did well. A carved marble head of Hephaestion that dated from the late fourth early third century B.C. sold for $47,200. A carved marble torso of a satyr from the first century lacking head, arms and legs was $37,760. A bronze leg which Price purchased from Royal-Athena Galleries in New York City in 2001 brought $29,500.

Also from the Price collection was a Picasso etching on laid paper that continued the antiquities theme. Deux sculpteurs devant une statue (Two sculptors before a statue) was signed in pencil lower right. Its presale estimate of $2,000-$4,000 was demolished when a phone bidder ran it to $25,960.

Another lot that defied the odds was a Byzantine glass jug from the sixth or seventh century. It came from the 30-lots consigned by the estate of Dr. Joseph Chandler Battaile Sr. (1934-2011), a Memphis, Tenn., psychiatrist and benefactor of the arts. The 9 1/2-inch jug rose from a modest presale estimate of $400-$600 to $11,210, making it the top lot in the Battaile collection.

Thomas Moran’s Wyoming landscape was not the only scene from the American west in the sale. An Ansel Adams photograph of Half Dome and Moon, purchased by the consignor in 1965 with Adam’s personal recommendation, sold for $44,840 (est. $20,000-$30,000).

A 1972 casting by Joan Miró (Spanish, 1893-1983) held special significance for the late Alvin J. Myerberg, a Baltimore philanthropist. Of the 15 important works of art that Myerberg donated to the Nasher Museum at Duke University, he retained this one for his family. It brought $70,800 (est. $50,000-$70,000).

Total receipts for the March 10-11 sale with buyer’s premium were $4.2 million. That made it the second highest sale in the history of Brunk Auctions.

For information on upcoming sales, contact Brunk Auctions at 828-254-6846 or visit www.brunkauctions.com.

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

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

By far the sale’s top lot and a new record for Thomas Moran was his watercolor on paper, ‘Cliffs of Green River - Wyoming Territory, view of Castle Butte.’ The 28-x-21 1/4-inch painting is in its original late 19th century gilt wood and composition cassetta-style frame is inscribed verso in ink ‘T. Moran.’ It sold for a record $1.77 million (est. $250,000/$350,000). Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

By far the sale’s top lot and a new record for Thomas Moran was his watercolor on paper, ‘Cliffs of Green River – Wyoming Territory, view of Castle Butte.’ The 28-x-21 1/4-inch painting is in its original late 19th century gilt wood and composition cassetta-style frame is inscribed verso in ink ‘T. Moran.’ It sold for a record $1.77 million (est. $250,000/$350,000). Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

Joseph Henry Sharp lived on the Crow reservation in the early 1900s. His signed oil on canvas of 'Taos Moonlight,' 16 1/8 x 24 1/4 inches, was the third highest lot in the sale at $118,000. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

Joseph Henry Sharp lived on the Crow reservation in the early 1900s. His signed oil on canvas of ‘Taos Moonlight,’ 16 1/8 x 24 1/4 inches, was the third highest lot in the sale at $118,000. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

This signed Pablo Picasso etching, 8 3/4 X 12 1/4 inches, soared above its estimate of $2,000-$4,000 to sell for $25,960. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

This signed Pablo Picasso etching, 8 3/4 X 12 1/4 inches, soared above its estimate of $2,000-$4,000 to sell for $25,960. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

An important carved marble head of Apollo in white marble, 11 x 9 x 9 inches, sold for $153,400. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

An important carved marble head of Apollo in white marble, 11 x 9 x 9 inches, sold for $153,400. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

In translucent blue iridescent glass, this 9 1/2-inch high Byzantine jug with wheat and cross decoration in relief sold for $11,210. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

In translucent blue iridescent glass, this 9 1/2-inch high Byzantine jug with wheat and cross decoration in relief sold for $11,210. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

A 1972 bronze construction by Joan Miró with a foundry stamp for Clementi Cire Perdue was $70,800. The work measured 20 1/4 inches x 25 1/4 inches x 8 1/4 inches. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

A 1972 bronze construction by Joan Miró with a foundry stamp for Clementi Cire Perdue was $70,800. The work measured 20 1/4 inches x 25 1/4 inches x 8 1/4 inches. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

This Ansel Adams (California, 1902-1984) photograph, ‘Half Dome & Moon, Yosemite National Park,’ with a signature lower right with the artist's Carmel Studio stamp verso made $44,840. It measured 19 5/16 x 14 7/8 inches. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.

This Ansel Adams (California, 1902-1984) photograph, ‘Half Dome & Moon, Yosemite National Park,’ with a signature lower right with the artist’s Carmel Studio stamp verso made $44,840. It measured 19 5/16 x 14 7/8 inches. Image courtesy Brunk Auctions.