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Janos Vaszary portrait

Janos Vaszary portrait of his wife starring at Gray’s June 26

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Janos Vaszary portrait
Portrait painting by the Hungarian artist János Vaszary (1867-1939) of his wife Maria, unsigned. Estimate: $150,000-$250,000. Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers image

CLEVELAND – A portrait painting by the Hungarian artist János Vaszary (1867-1939) of his wife Maria, and an oil on canvas nude rendering by the Scottish painter Duncan Grant (1885-1978), are two expected top lots in a Fine Art, Furniture & Decorative Art auction planned for Wednesday, June 26, by Gray’s Auctioneers. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

In all, 443 lots will come up for bid, beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

“We’re excited to have a masterpiece by the Hungarian artist János Vaszary, together with two other paintings by him,” said Serena Harragin of Gray’s Auctioneers. “These paintings come directly from the artist’s family and have not been exhibited before. Lot 3 is a portrait of Vaszary’s wife, Maria, who went by Mimi, her inward gaze lovingly captured by her husband, an intimate moment frozen in time.”

The unsigned oil on canvas portrait was given to the current owner’s grandfather, Maria Vaszary’s nephew. It has never been publicly exhibited and has been in the artist’s family for more than 90 years. The family immigrated to the United States in 1951 and the painting was sent from Hungary in 1970. The work carries a robust and appropriate estimate of $150,000-$250,000.

The other two paintings by Vaszary are a watercolor and pencil on paper mounted on heavy cardstock titled Hussar, unsigned and measuring 18¾ inches by 12½ inches, with pencil notations in the upper left corner; and a watercolor Floral Scene on paper mounted on heavy cardstock, signed and 9½ inches by 11½ inches. Both are expected to bring $10,000-$20,000.

The oil on canvas nude by Duncan Grant is signed and dated (“32”) lower right and measures 47 inches by 22 inches. The portrait was consigned by a Midwest collector and was originally purchased at the Mayor Gallery in London in 1968. It’s expected to sell for $30,000-$50,000. Grant was a member of the Bloomsbury Group.

Janos Vaszary portrait
Oil on canvas nude rendering by the Scottish painter Duncan Grant (1885-1978), signed and dated (‘32’) lower right, 47in. x 22in. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers image

Harragin added, “Along with fine art, furniture and decorative art, we have more than 50 rugs, a collection of medieval arms and armor, an interesting selection of vintage posters, a fine group of vintage 48-star and 50-star American flags and a superb collection of Chinese, Japanese and Korean art and artifacts.”

It’s an eclectic sale, with items ranging from a circa 1560 English close helmet made in the Greenwich, England workshop established by King Henry VIII (est. $5,000-$7,000); to an English 18th or 19th century George III tole painted oval tray, having a central medallion after Angelica Kauffman (est. $2,000-$4,000); to John J. Audubon’s personally owned and signed copy of a map of Ohio, drawn by Alexander Bourne and James Kilbourne, with the Indian Reservation, circa 1820 (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Janos Vaszary portrait
Circa 1560 English close helmet made in the Greenwich, England workshop established by King Henry VIII. Estimate: $5,000-$7,000. Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers image

A 20th century fine Persian Kashan wool rug measuring 8 feet 3 inches by 12 feet 2 inches (est. $800-$1,000), is a standout lot. Asian lots will include a pair of 19th century Chinese ancestral portraits, gouache and ink on paper, 37½ inches by 22½ inches framed (est. $500-$700); a single portrait of same (est. $400-$600); and a Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma teapot, 2¾ inches tall and signed on the bottom (est. $400-$600).

Returning to fine art, an oil on canvas View of the Delaware River by American artist Samuel George Phillips (1890-1965), signed lower right and 20 inches by 24 inches, should bring $5,000-$7,000; while a watercolor and ink Portrait of a Young Woman by William Sommer (American, 1867-1949), artist signed and diminutive at 15 inches tall by 11 inches wide, carries an estimate of $3,000-$5,000.

Janos Vaszary portrait
Oil on canvas ‘View of the Delaware River’ by American artist Samuel George Phillips (1890-1965), 20in. x 24in. Estimate: $5,000-$7,000. Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers image

The furniture category will boast a late 19th century Victorian Wenzel Friedrich steer horn armchair having four original glass ball casters and horn “acorn” tips (est. $7,000-$9,000); a Ralph Lauren Clivedon black leather tufted sleigh bed, king size, the headboard 58 inches by 82 inches (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a Henredon carved and stained hardwood dining table with 12 chairs (est. $1,000-$1,500).

Janos Vaszary portrait
Late 19th century Victorian Wenzel Friedrich steer horn armchair having four original glass ball casters and horn ‘acorn’ tips. Estimate: $7,000-$9,000. Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers image

An oil on wood panel still life rendering by the Dutch artist Johannes Reekers (1824-1895), signed and dated lower right and measuring 15¼ inches by 12 inches, is expected to reach $2,000-$4,000; and an offset lithograph poster mounted on linen by Leonetto Cappiello (Italian, 1875-1942), titled Vermouth Martini (Martini & Rossi-Torino, circa 1960s), 38½ inches by 27½ inches, should garner $400-$600.

For details contact Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers at 216-226-3300 or info@graysauctioneers.com.

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