Top items soar beyond pre-sale estimates at Freeman’s March 23 sale

Josef Albers (American/German, 1888-1976), ‘Gray Instrumentation,’ 1974, $8,500 plus buyer’s premium. Image courtesy Freeman’s

PHILADELPHIA — Freeman’s has announced the results of its March 23 Art and Design auction, which achieved an impressive 92% sell-through rate, and exceeded its overall pre-sale high estimate. Absentee and live bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers. The impressive results are testament to the strength of the prints and multiples market as well as Freeman’s ability to attract strong prices for works on paper by blue chip artists including Josef Albers, Robert Motherwell and Marc Chagall. The sale also exemplified the house’s continued success with the sale of 20th-century design by masters such as American craftsman George Nakashima.

George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990), set of six ‘Origins’ side chairs, 1960s, $17,000 plus buyer’s premium. Image courtesy Freeman’s

“We saw a strong performance by artists of the New York School including works by Gottlieb, Robert Motherwell, Robert de Niro Sr, as well as its offspring, the Washington Color School—Sam Gilliam, Lou Stovall and Willem de Looper,” said Tim Andreadis, head of sale. “We look forward to offering work from both of these movements in future auctions.”

Robert Motherwell (American, 1915-1991), ‘London Series II,’ five prints, 1970-71, $7,000 plus buyer’s premium. Image courtesy Freeman’s

In response to market demand, Freeman’s holds biannual Art and Design auctions which present a curated selection of multiples, works on paper and design pieces by important modern designers and 20th century fine artists at accessible price points for new collectors.

Gordon Bradt (American, b. 1924), ‘The Seven Man’ kinetic grandfather clock, late 20th century, $10,000 plus buyer’s premium. Image courtesy Freeman’s

These sales, highlighting a synthesis of bold color, dynamic geometry, exceptional craftsmanship and functionality, feature an array of various artworks by modern masters including George Nakashima, Tiffany Studios, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Motherwell, Ellsworth Kelly, and Sam Gilliam.

To review all results from this auction, click here to view the catalog at LiveAuctioneers.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/