DETROIT — DuMouchelles‘ two-day November auction brought serious firepower from Michigan estates on November 16 and November 17, with big numbers registering for Richard Mayhew paintings and fine art objects. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.
Born in 1924, Richard Mayhew is approaching his 100th birthday, and collector demand for his neon-infused landscapes continues to grow. DuMouchelles had two of his works on Day 2 of its sale, and both wildly overperformed. Southern Border from 1999 was estimated at a very respectable $40,000-$60,000, but furious competition between the floor and LiveAuctioneers online bidders sent the work to $230,000, or $296,700 with buyer’s premium.
An untitled 1999 oil on canvas by Mayhew drew similar attention from buyers. Estimated at just $6,000-$9,000, it started at $4,500 and eventually hammered for an astounding $220,000, or $283,800 with buyer’s premium.
Arts and Crafts pottery is still in high demand, as seen with the hammer price of $16,000 ($20,640 with buyer’s premium) for this squat lotus leaf vase by American ceramic legend Mary Chase Perry (1867-1961). Her Pewabic Pottery works in Detroit remains in operation to this day, employing the same ‘Revelation’ kiln technique developed by Perry more than 100 years ago. The piece carried an ink-stamped underglaze reading Revelation Pottery Detroit M.C.P. (Mary Chase Perry).
Looking like former inhabitants of one of Detroit’s Golden Age mansions, this pair of American Renaissance rosewood pedestals dated to circa 1870. Estimated at $4,000-$6,000, the pair hammered at $30,000 ($38,700 with buyer’s premium).
Carrara marble has been quarried in Italy since Roman times, and has remained a preferred medium for sculptors throughout the ages. Made from that very stone was this fine American Fourth of July-themed statue of a boy and girl lighting a miniature cannon in celebration, dating to the 1870-1890 period and featuring exquisite detail. It was estimated at $4,000-$6,000 but sold for $16,000 ($20,640 with buyer’s premium).
