Gilt bronze cherubs perch atop this walnut and parquetry vitrine by the important Paris maker Paul Sormani, offered for $15,000-$20,000. John Moran Auctioneers image.
The auction will begin at 3 p.m. Pacific. LiveAuctionseers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
A highly desirable group of Amphora art pottery made circa 1900 by the Bohemian factory Reissner, Stellmacher and Kessel brighten the sale with jewel tones and gilt highlights. All consigned from a single private collection, the four vases comprise three with portraits of mythic women framed with golden halos and wearing elaborate costumes and jewelry, painted on backgrounds of lavender forests and Macintosh style roses. One depicts “Aurora’’ (estimate: $1,000-$2,000), one the “Summer Queen’’ wearing a falcon headdress (estimate: $6,000-$9,000), and the third the “Renaissance Princess’’ (estimate: $5,000-$7,000). The fourth vase is decorated in the “Wasp’’ motif, with the wasps hovering above pink and white blossoms ($1,000-$2,000).
Several lots of Tiffany Favrile glass stemware and a Jack in the Pulpit vase, as well as pair of Imperial “Free Hand” vases will appeal to art glass collectors, with estimates ranging from $500 up to $5,500.
In keeping with the Art Nouveau aesthetic is a .950-standard silver center bowl from Gorhams’s Martele line. Decorated with sinuous blossoms on the ruffled rim, the large (18 1/2 inche x 14 1/2 inches) bowl was made in 1899. According to Gorham archives it required 40 hours to raise, and it was chased by G.A. Achillertem, who worked on it for an additional 108 hours. Moran’s is offering this exceptional work of art with an estimate of $15,000-$20,000.
The sale is heavily weighted with silver of all types, including figures, a large model of a galleon, Victorian serving pieces, candelabra, numerous tea services and flatware sets by Tiffany, Gorham, Shreve and others, and some magnificent centerpieces. A late 19th or early 20th century Christofle silver-plated mirror plateau designed in Neoclassical style with a balustrade rim and dolphin terminals is estimated to realize $6,000-$8,000, while another large piece by Christofle from the late 19th century, a silver-plated and crystal center bowl with a tripartite base of three monopodia, is also expected to win hearts, with an estimate of $3,000-$4,000.
Continental furnishings are highlighted by a signed Paul Sormani gilt bronze-mounted walnut and parquetry vitrine, offered for $15,000-$20,000. Paul Sormani (1817-1877) was one of the most renowned French furniture makers of the 19th century, rivaling Francois Linke. He produced elegant Louis XV and Louis XVI- style pieces with finely executed inlay and gilt bronze mounts. Setting up shop in Paris by the middle of the 19th century, he won medals at the Exposition Universelle and at the 1862 London Exhibition. From 1867 until his death he was established in the Rue Charlot, which is the address inscribed alongside the Sormani signature on the lockplate of the vitrine Moran’s is offering.
Another finely crafted piece, a Boulle brass and tortoiseshell marquetry tall case clock, features an elaborate cast gilt bronze dial and pendulum. Moran’s expects it to sell for $12,000-$18,000.
Fine art highlights include six-color lithographs by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo (1899-1991), and a group of Russian oil paintings, including a still life of chrysanthemums by Alexandre Altmann (1885-1950) and a plate design of dancing figures by Rudolf Fedorovich Frenz (1831-1918). A watercolor by the French painter Jean Dufy (1888-1964), titled Port de Honfleur, offers a rare opportunity to acquire a work by the Post-Impressionist, brother of Raoul Dufy. Estimated to realize $6,000-$8,000, the painting will be included in the catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Jacques Bailly, who has also confirmed its authenticity. Bidders will also find photographic works by Ansel Adams (1902-1984) and Edward Weston (1886-1958).
A large number of Chinese and Japanese works of art will be making an appearance in the sale. Among these are an intricately carved hardwood and colored stone-inset ruyi scepter, the nephrite head carved with two bats and a peach. Dating from the 18th century, the ceremonial scepter is expected to realize $3,000-$5,000. A Chinese carved jade bowl, the thin walls carved with birds perched on flowering branches, exhibits very good translucency and a delicate green color. Bearing a Qianlong mark, it carries an estimate of $1,000-$1,500.
Additional information is available by calling John Moran Auctioneers at 626-793-1833.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Gilt bronze cherubs perch atop this walnut and parquetry vitrine by the important Paris maker Paul Sormani, offered for $15,000-$20,000. John Moran Auctioneers image. This Amphora Pottery vase, decorated with a portrait of the ‘Summer Queen,’ is one of four vases in Moran’s sale by the Bohemian factory Reissner, Stellmacher and Kessel (estimate: $6,000-9,000). John Moran Auctioneers image. Adorned with stylized blossoms, this .950 silver bowl by Gorham was made in 1899 as part of the firm’s Art Nouveau Martele line (estimate: $15,000-$20,000). John Moran Auctioneers image. Made in the late 19th century, this silver-plated center bowl by the French firm Christofle is one of the numerous silver items by important makers that Moran’s is offering (estimate: $3,000-$4,000). John Moran Auctioneers image. Moran’s offers this watercolor by French artist Jean Dufy (1888-1964) titled ‘Port de Honfleur,’ which is scheduled to be included in an upcoming catalogue raisonné (estimate: $6,000-$8,000). John Moran Auctioneers image. Asian works of art in Moran’s sale include this carved hardwood and colored stone-inset ruyi scepter (estimate: $3,000-$5,000). John Moran Auctioneers image.
