Bronze figure by Francisco Zuniga (1912-1998), depicting a female seated on a chair. Estimate: $200,000-$250,000. Elite Decorative Arts image.
The figural bronze was crafted in 1981 and is titled Rosa en una Silla (or Rosa Sentata). It is quite large – 49 inches tall by 29 3/4 inches wide by 27 inches deep – and is marked and dated “Mexico 1981.” It is also inscribed by the artist, who is equally well known for his paintings as well as his sculptures. His father, Manuel Maria Zuniga, was also a noted sculptor.
Francisco Zuniga was once described as “one of the 100 most notable Mexicans of the 20th century,” and the Encyclopedia Britannica called him “perhaps the best sculptor of the Mexican political modern style.” Museums holding his works in their permanent collections include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The Zuniga bronze is the expected top lot of the 300 or so items set to cross the auction block. The sale will feature fine decorative arts and artwork, estate jewelry, porcelain, silver, bronze, clocks, art glass, furniture, Chinese works and more.
The artwork titled Tactile Tableaux by the Israeli artist Yaacov Agam (b. 1928) has painted metal elements attached to a panel with springs (est. $30,000-$50,000). It was executed in 1965 and measures 56 1/4 inches tall by 42 1/2 inches wide. The work was purchased by the consignor from a gallery in France. Agam is a sculptor and experimental artist best known for his contributions to optical and kinetic art. He has lived in Paris since 1951.
A suite of three bronze figures collectively titled Three Hurdlers by Canadian-American artist Artis Lane (b. 1927) is expected to fetch $20,000-$30,000. Each figure is 10 inches tall. Lane is an award-winning black sculptor and painter. She was born and raised in Ontario, in a community of descendants of slaves who came to Canada by way of the Underground Railroad.
Original works by the famed French and Russian artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985) are always in demand, and this sale has a great ink and paper illustration by Chagall depicting dancers and doves (est. $20,000-$30,000). Artist signed lower right, the rendering measures 11 inches by 7 1/2 inches, with a 4-inch mat.
An abstract acrylic on canvas by Richmond Burton (American, b. 1960), titled USA Morphing Fields, should realize $12,000-$18,000. The work, executed in 1999, measures 75 inches by 84 inches and is signed by the artist. It was purchased from the Cheim & Read Gallery in New York. Burton is an abstract painter and printmaker. His paintings are colorful and harmonious, and his background in architecture lends a visual order to his works.
Also selling will be an untitled acrylic on paper by Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994). The painting, executed in 1998, measures 50 inches in height by 11inches wide, with a 6-inch mat frame. It was acquired by the estate consignor from the Robert Sandelson Gallery in London and should climb to $20,000-$30,000. An Abstract Impressionist painter known for his brilliant coloration and splotch-like shapes, Francis became one of the better known modernist artists of the second half of the 20th century.
Rounding out the fine art category is a mixed media collage made with paint and various other materials and attributed to the German artist Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948).The work is initialed “KS” and dated (1924) to the lower right, but authentication has been difficult to obtain so it is being offered for sale as an attribution. It carries an estimate of $60,000-$80,000.
Moving to decorative accessories, a sterling silver fruit bowl with a grape motif, designed by the Danish artisan Georg Jensen in 1918, is expected to bring $7,000-$10,000. It is a stunning piece of work, among the most popular of Jensen’s hollowware designs. The compote/fruit bowl has a meticulous figural grapevine design and the foot and bowl have a solid, hammered finish.
A striking 20th century Elmer Osborne Stennes “Aurora” girandole banjo clock, with a domed hinged screen to the face and white enameled face with black Arabic numerals and gold highlights, should breeze to $3,000-$5,000. The clock features black hour and minute hands and domed reverse-painted screens to the neck and body. It is 46 inches tall and 12 1/2 inches wide.
A pair of 18th century French Sevres mounted porcelain sconce chargers, mounted in dore bronze sconce mounts, is also expected to make $3,000-$5,000. The piece depicts a man trying to court a young maiden who is standing next to her mother looking on, in a forest setting. Each charger is signed “A. Harrel” and each one holds the Sevres double L mark with A to the center.
Fine estate jewelry will feature a dazzling men’s 18kt yellow gold Piaget dial wristwatch with a jadeite face design, gold hour and minute hands, a textured band design and the original presentation box, with cover (est. $6,000-$8,000); and an exquisite ladies’ 900 platinum and diamond emerald cabochon ring, size 6 1/2 with a total weight of 7.3 dtw (est. $4,000-$5,000).
The auction will begin at 1 p.m. EDT.
Contact Elite Decorative Arts call 800-991-3340 or e-mail them at info@eliteauction.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Bronze figure by Francisco Zuniga (1912-1998), depicting a female seated on a chair. Estimate: $200,000-$250,000. Elite Decorative Arts image. Striking 20th century Elmer O. Stennes ‘Aurora’ girandole banjo clock. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Elite Decorative Arts image. Pair of 18th century French Sevres bronze mounted chargers, 25 1/2 inches tall. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Elite Decorative Arts image. Stunning gentleman’s 18kt yellow gold Piaget watch with jadeite face design. Estimate: $6,000-$8,000). Elite Decorative Arts image. Ink on paper depiction of dancers and doves by Marc Chagall. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Elite Decorative Arts image.
