Grueby Pottery Kendrick vase with leaded glass shade. Estimate: $28,000-$30,000. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image.
The ceramics sale will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern and feature a group of rare, early pieces by Peter Voulkos, as well as a fine selection of works by Toshiko Takaezu, Viola Frey, Lucie Rie, Betty Woodman and Beatrice Wood. Cowan’s 20th Century Art + Design sale will highlight exceptional works of mid-century and contemporary design, art Nouveau, fine art, works on paper, photography and art glass.
Highlighted in the ceramics portion of the auction is a canvas piece by Peter Voulkos, titled Falling Red, estimated at $60,000-$90,000. This was one of the paintings shown in Voulkos’ one-man show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1960. The exact number of these large canvases painted by Voulkos is unknown but believed to number less than 20. Another piece by Voulkos, a stack pot titled Goshun, is estimated to bring anywhere between $48,000-$60,000. This piece stands as a singular masterpiece among the iconic stack pots of Peter Voulkos.
Important works by Toshiko Takaezu will also hit the auction block in the ceramics portion of the auction. Two pieces, titled Oval Moon and Exploded Moon are both estimated to bring $8,000-$12,000. A third Takaezu work, titled Tree with Seed Pod, is also expected to sell for $8,000-$12,000.
Cowan’s will offer pieces by Beatrice Wood. An 18-piece matte blue luncheon set for two is estimated to bring $4,000-$6,000, Wood’s personal sketchbook acquired directly from the artist is also estimated at $4,000-$6,000, and a beaded necklace is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.
Additional selected works in the ceramics portion of the Nov. 7 auction include a Squared Vessel by Lucie Rie, expected to fetch $9,000-$11,000, a piece titled Totem for the Fifth Day by Michael Lucero is estimated at $8,000-$12,000, a teapot by Jason Walker, titled First into a Wasp Nest: War, is expected to bring $6,000-$7,000, and a Letter Holder by Betty Woodman is estimated at $2,000-$3,000.
The 20th Century Art + Design sale, which will immediately follow the ceramics auction, will include a Grueby Pottery Kendrick vase with a leaded glass shade. The vase is expected to sell anywhere between $28,000 and $30,000.
Exceptional photography will be offered in the 20th Century Art + Design portion of the auction. A photograph by Harry Callahan titled Eleanor, Chicago 1948” is expected to sell anywhere between $6,000 and $8,000. Three photographs by Ansel Adams titled Point Pur Storm, Golden Gate Bridge and El Capitan will be up for sale and are all estimated to bring $2,000-$4,000.
Fine 20th century furniture will cross the auction block on Nov. 7. A set of Hans Wegner Peacock Armchairs are estimated to sell for $3,000-$6,000, a pair of Grosfeld House tufted leather benches are estimated at $2,000-$3,000, and a Florence Knoll triple dresser is expected to bring $1,000-$2,000.
To request additional information about the Contemporary Ceramics auction, contact Garth Clark at garth@clarkdel.com. To request additional information about the 20th century auction; please contact Sam Cowan at sam@cowans.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Grueby Pottery Kendrick vase with leaded glass shade. Estimate: $28,000-$30,000. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image. Beatrice Wood 18-piece matte blue luncheon set for two. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image. ‘Eleanor, Chicago 1948,’ by Harry Callahan. Estimate: $6,000/$8,000. Cowan’s Auctions Inc. image.
