ALTADENA, Calif. – Owing to a recent influx of high-quality auction property, John Moran Auctioneers has added two auction events to the first quarter of 2016. One is an online-only fine art auction on Jan. 27, while the other is a fully cataloged decorative art auction on Jan. 19.
The decorative art sale Jan. 19 consists of over 200 curated lots of European and American silver, Continental porcelain and glass, a selection of Asian items, fine furniture and European works of art both modern and traditional. Also included in the mix is a selection of watches, luxury items and fine jewelry.
The January decorative art auction is the first official on-site sale to be held at Moran’s new location in Monrovia after a number of delays due to ongoing construction at the new building. While their grand opening and move-in party is tentatively scheduled for early Spring, the facilities will be up and running in time for the January event.
A number of excellent Modern and Contemporary artworks from private Southern California collections have been assembled for Moran’s Jan. 19 event, including two works by prominent New York modernist Mark Tobey (1890-1976). Tobey’s composition Two Men in Caps (below), once shown at the prestigious contemporary Willard Gallery in New York, is expected to bring $10,000 to $15,000.
Moran’s will also offer Keith Haring’s (New York, 1958-1990) vibrant and energetic Growing 4, which is expected to earn $18,000 to $25,000.
Overall, the January auction event will have a heavy focus on silver, with some truly stunning pieces scheduled to go up to the block. Some of the most highly anticipated items in the sale, a group of silver hollowware by master London-based silversmith Edward Farrell, will be offered as individual lots, with estimates ranging from $800 to $18,000. All of the pieces hail from an important Laguna Beach, Calif., collection. Of these, top-lot status belongs to a pair of George IV sterling silver tazzas of exceptional craftsmanship and detail. The tazzas (below) date to 1826 and 1827 and are personalized with the coat of arms of the family of John Henry Manners, the Fifth Duke of Rutland (the pair; est.: $12,000 to $18,000).
An intricately chased and repousse-decorated four-piece Victorian sterling silver coffee and tea service dating to 1845-1850 by London makers Charles Thomas and George Fox is offered with a conservative $2,000 to $4,000 estimate.
A collection of the ever-collectible Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica china is also to be sold. Lots include a set of charming teacups and saucers, luncheon plates, and a set of 10 dinner plates. Each piece, of course, is hand-painted with a distinct species of flower and titled with its scientific name to the underside. The dinner plates should earn $4,000 to $6,000, while the lot of cups and saucers and the lot of luncheon plates are expected to bring $3,000 to $5,000 and $2,000 to $4,000, respectively.
Two rare Baranger automaton advertising machines, manufactured in South Pasadena at Baranger’s workshop during the ’30s through the ’50s, are offered with their original fitted shipping boxes. Each of Baranger’s 167 automated models were jewelry or watch related, and the limited-edition machines were rented out to jewelers or repair shops to display on a rotating monthly basis. The two offered by Moran’s feature a watch repair and diamond ring theme, respectively, and each is offered with a conservative $3,000 to $5,000 estimate.
Another highlight is a Fabergé silver kovsh (below) dating to the turn of the 20th century. Bearing the maker’s mark of Julius Rappoport of St. Petersburg, Russia, this exemplary example is estimated at $5,000 to $7,000.
For questions regarding this or any upcoming auction events or to inquire about consignment, contact John Moran Auctioneers via email: info@johnmoran.com or telephone 626 793-1833.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
