Warhol Flowers summon spring at Nye & Co., March 2-3

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – Nye & Company Auctioneers’ Chic and Antique Estate Treasures auction, taking place Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 3, will be headlined by property from a private New York City collection; property from the Stephen and Stephanie Alpert collection; property from a Provincetown, Massachusetts collector; and property from a Verona, New Jersey collection. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Likely top lots include two Andy Warhol screen prints in colors of his famous Flowers. These exceptional works are signed and numbered (129/250). The image’s origins trace to a 1964 photo in a botanical-themed issue of a magazine. Warhol transformed this picture of hibiscus flowers into a rainbow of colors. Both Warhol prints are individually estimated at $50,000-$100,000 and are bound to attract spirited bidding.

Other fine art highlights in this auction include a drawing by Willem de Kooning, a 1973 Wrapped Book by Christo, a drawing by Marsden Hartley and two drawings by James Castle, one of which is double-sided.

Those who prefer slightly earlier works of art might enjoy a Nicholai Tarkhov (Russia, 1871-1930) impressionistic view of a street scene. The artist captures the light wonderfully in this grand composition, which is estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Equally compelling is Ryusei Kishida’s (Japanese, 1891-1929), Portrait of Kondo Tsugishige, which carries a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$30,000.

It’s possible the hammer price will exceed even the high estimate, as Kishida’s work frequently sells for more. Tsugishige was the father of modern Japanese surgery, and was highly respected. Kishida is well known for his Western style of painting and his work can be found in several museums, including the Tokyo National Museum.

Decorative arts will be led by an early George III mahogany metamorphic architect’s table, a stunning Aesthetic Movement inlaid desk-and-bookcase, a selection of French Art Deco club chairs and a set of nesting tables attributed to Josef Hoffmann. Dating from roughly the same period is a Rene Lalique glass Vitesse hood ornament, manufactured circa 1929.

Fans of modern furniture will appreciate the many Eero Saarinen for Herman Miller Tulip tables and chairs on offer, as well as an Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip dinette set of four chairs plus a marble-topped table, estimated at $1,500-$2,500. Other notable offerings include a Meret Oppenheim designed “traccia” table for Cassina and two pairs of Barcelona chairs. Those who prefer a blend of the modern and the traditional will be drawn to a George and Mira Nakashima walnut lounge chair with arm, estimated at $4,000-$8,000. Pairing perfectly with this chair is a Tiffany Studios cast bronze and Greek key lead glass table lamp. It carries an estimate of $15,000-$30,000.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/