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Grandma Moses

5 Grandma Moses works unveiled for I.M. Chait auction May 20

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Grandma Moses
An expected standout among five Grandma Moses oil on Masonite paintings is ‘Halloween,’1958, 11⅞ by 16 in. Estimate: $30,000-$40,000. I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers image

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers will present an international fine arts auction on Sunday, May 20, that features a first for the auction house—five paintings by Anna Mary Robertson, aka Grandma Moses (1860-1961), all with provenance to Hammer Galleries, where they were exhibited in 1964-65. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

“With very few of Grandma Moses’ works coming up for auction each year internationally, we are thrilled to be able to present this collection in a single sale. These five paintings, each with extensive exhibition and publication history, together comprise a rare survey of her oeuvre, one of the most significant in the field of American folk art.” said Isadore “Izzy” Chait, founder of I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers.

First up across the block will be Robertson’s oil on Masonite painting, Baker Boy ($20,000-$30,000), 1955, 12 by 16 inches, which was exhibited in 1965 at Hammer Galleries. Immediately after this lot is Over the Lake, a 1953 painting measuring 12 by 18 inches ($15,000-$25,000; Baking Bread, 1955, 12 by 16 inches ($25,000-$35,000); Oxen; 1958; 12⅛ by 16 inches ($25,000-$23,000); and Halloween, 1958; 11⅞ by 16 inches ($30,000-$40,000).

Grandma Moses
Grandma Moses oil on Masonite, ‘Baking Bread,’ 1955, 12 by 16 in. Estimate: $25,000-$35,000). I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers image

The auction also includes top-draw Asian arts that the auction house is renowned for, including a Chinese Ming Dynasty Jiajing Wucai porcelain bowl in square form, having the Jiajing mark and of the period, all on a coral red ground, 4⅞ inches ($40,000-$60,000), and a large oil on canvas still life painting by Le Pho (Vietnamese-French, 1907-2001) depicting bright flowers arranged in a blue and white porcelain vase, circa 2000; 57 by 37¾ inches ($18,000-$22,000).

Grandma Moses
This Chinese Ming Dynasty Jiajing Wucai porcelain bowl has the Jiajing mark and is of the period, 4 ⅞ inches. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000. I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers image

Other standouts in the auction will be an important Egyptian carved serpentine ushabti inscribed for Paser, 19th Dynasty; of typical mummiform, having its features carved in a serene expression ($8,000-$12,000) and a vintage Cartier 14K yellow gold box in a rectangular form, 259 grams ($8,000-$10,000).

Grandma Moses
Egyptian carved serpentine ushabti, 19th Dynasty, 7¾ in. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers image

For more information contact I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers at 310-285-0182.

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